What I found was the IPP (the Illinois Prairie Path). The IPP is over 40 miles of rail trail throughout Dupage and Cook Counties. I drove over from Naperville to Warrenville and parked at the Warrenville City Hall just steps from the IPP. I jumped on the path right at the 5 mile marker and headed west. My schedule called for 3 miles. Running west from City Hall to Ferry Rd was just a little over 1.5 miles. The out and back gave me a nice little 5K.
The thing I like about these rail trails is that it gets me off the road on a well groomed easy running path. It is nice to be away from traffic, although Warrenvill is not exactly congested.
The IPP is a mostly hard packed dirt and crushed limestone path about 6 feet wide with 3 feet of grass on either side. The trees and undergrowth were thick on either side. It was like running down a green hallway with the sky as the ceiling. At times the trees converged overhead for a run through a green tunnel.
My first mile came in at 8:28. I hit Ferry Rd (0.55 miles) in 4:35 and then headed back. On the way back I started feeling pretty good so I pushed just a little. I finished the last 1.55 miles in 12:19 for a 7:57 pace. That sure felt good. I haven't seen sub 8:00 since I don't know when.
The customer visit went well. The new product was removed successfully. All parties involved; doctor, assistant, patient and patient's Mom and of course me; were all pleased. Mom was so happy in the end with the braces that she had them put on her daughter as well. I was back home before the clock struck 12:00 midnight.
My 5K on the IPP ended the month of July for me with 115.8 miles. Although the hip and foot aren't without their moments of complaining things are coming back together slowly, ever so slowly. I'm about a third of the way through the schedule for MCM.
17 comments:
Illinois has done a good job on rail trails. Cool you discoverd this one, Darrell! I'll have to check it out when I start visiting my son in college in Wheaton, IL.
Really glad to hear the clips are going well. "If Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy"...so good for you to keep the Mom pleased!!
Just checked the map of the IPP further...had you run north to mile zero, you would have been about 4 blocks from where Matt's going to college in 3 weeks. Cool!! I'll be running that trail in the next few years!!
That's whay I love the Silver Comet. It is paved though, which makes it great for bikes. Sounds like a great trip! and even better training! I can't imagine 100+ miles in one month, yet :-)
I am just grinning about the title, you are so hip :)
Wouldn't have pegged you as a Naughty by Nature guy. How funny.
that looks like a great path. you put up some good miles for july. looks like you're going to be right where you need to come the mcm.
Darrell, I too know about those Hampton Inn alarms. Sounds like a good 5k for you and a great month...lots of miles....I'm glad the business part of the trip went well too....here's to August being a great month too.
What a great place to run! It looks perfect. Nice mileage for the month! Way to go. I hope your hip/foot are back to normal soon.
Hmmm, I wonder how many people want their house to look like a Hampton Inn room? : )
If I can't run a trail, a path is the next best thing! Nice job picking up the speed. : )
I would do anything for some rail trails like those. Very very appealing. It's good to not worry about traffic. I always realize during a race how I do not have to worry about cars hitting me (just aggressive runners) or me running into them (well I may clip a walker or two hogging a narrow race lane; heh heh).
That's some good limeage too. I only got in 95 but I'm a few weeks behind you on the fall race training plan.
limeage?? that's pretty funny.
Is that something like mileage?
P.S. Bourne Ultimatum is awesome, if you're into that series.
Rail trails are great! We have a great canal trail here in the Rochester NY area.
Looks nice and what a great way to discover the back roads of Naperville, IL! Good to hear things are bouncing back!
too funnny about that Hampton Home Collection site :-)
Sounds like a great place to run Darrell, glad ur getting slowly but surely better...
Bourne Ultimatum, Ya I want to see that Movie... maybe I will go this week!!
I enjoyed the title of your post. Off course I now have OPP stuck in my head.
I live just south of Naperville and I run there sometimes. They have alot of great trails around here. If you come back try the Naperville Running Store-they have some great stuff.
What a gorgeous setting -- and clever post title!
Post a Comment