Today was my first long run of my 2012 marathon training cycle. I woke up late, 'cause I was swimming out in the 'burbs yesterday. Got out the door by 9:00 a.m.. I was looking forward to a nice, and somewhat uneventful long run by the lake. However, about a mile away from the Lakefront Trail, I saw people carrying lawn chairs towards the lake. Oh yeah, I thought to myself, today is the
Chicago Air and Water Show. So instead of turning around and finding an alternate place to run, I continued to head down to the lake. I figured that the air and water show crowds might slow me down a bit, but this would be a good thing, since I am always training too fast anyway. So, the crowds would kind of act as my "pacers" today, and I would get good practice weaving around people!
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| Looking South of Fullerton, where are the big crowds?
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All in all, it wasn't too bad. I don't know why the crowds seem smaller than normal for this event. I can remember in years past that it was jammed much earlier than it was today. Seemed like there was a high ration of runners vs. the # of air show attendees
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| Detour sign. Just a small portion of the trail between the North Ave. Bridge and Oak Street Beach was closed. As you can see there was an alternate route |
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| At the 8 mile mark turnaround on Navy Pier |
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| Planes Buzzing the Shakespeare Theater on Navy Pier |
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| Runner and the Crowds |
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| Runners weaving as best they can! |
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| Bi-plane doing a loop |
So, note to myself for next year: Don't be deterred by the Air and Water Show. The crowds aren't too too bad and you get to see an air show while you're slogging away!
Total for the morning: 16 miles @ 7:58/mile
Nice work! I was a tad frustrated yesterday morning, but I've definitely seen worse on a Saturday morning along the path!
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was a little frustrating. However, in a few weeks it'll be fall and the crowds will (mostly) disappear. And yes, I have seen worse as well! :-)
DeleteCongratulations on a great run! So glad to hear that the crowds didn't cause too much of a ruccus on the path. I purposely went in the opposite direction of the show yesterday afternoon just to avoid any potential congestion.
ReplyDeleteThanks! Your going in the opposite direction yesterday was probably a good idea, seeing as you were running in the afternoon when the Air and Water Show crowds were likely at their peak.
DeleteGreat pictures! I did this a few years ago and felt the same way you did - it's good training for maneuvering around people during a crowded marathon! We headed south today to avoid the crowds but there were still a good number of people along the trail.
ReplyDeleteYes, surprisingly, I wasn't the only runner navigating the trail, by far. I am now fully practiced in "weaving." If I wake up late for my next race and have to weave by all the walkers and strollers, I'm all set!
DeleteSo happy the crowds did not deter you! I never would have thought they would be so minimal. It would be fun entertainment though! And I love the plane pics :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. I heard on the radio that they had two million people on the lakefront today watching the air show. Somehow, I think that number might be slightly inflated! :-)
DeleteThat's an awesome run for sure! I did my long run on Friday evening because I was going out of town for the weekend, and would have just ran early along the path Saturday if I wasn't leaving.
ReplyDeleteReally cool you got to see the show while running. That would have made a long run much more fun! :)
Nice long run! I was planning to do my long run along the lakefront too but I would have to find parking first.. so I played it safe. The crowd didn't look so bad. Nice job weaving thru!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that is considered not crowded! Just the pictures make me anxious! But i am also a "i want a path all to myself" kind of runner :) Looks like great run-entertainment though!
ReplyDeleteTough enough to run there on a weekend with normal crowds, glad they weren't too bad!
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