Any date. Any Time. Any Distance.: 2013

Week 44: This is it, the final week of the Downers Grove challenge. After completing this route, and if you've run them all, you can proudly say you have run Downers Grove. As I've told many of you already, when Doug and I first discussed doing this, I would have been surprised if 2 or 3 people were interested in tackling the challenge. But it's been great to see groups each week get together to tackle the course.

Of course, it's Halloween week so we'll start this week's course at the Downers Grove Cemetery. While most of us Monday/Wednesday night regulars are familiar with the Denburn Woods, this is our week to finish off all these road including a jaunt on the wooded path which allows us to complete a section on the west side before looping back. Bonus points if you complete this route after dark and complete the return trip with a dash through the cemetery back to the start.

Week 44: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/300094329 or http://goo.gl/maps/l5CQw (7.2 miles)

Naperville Marathon: Training week 17 with 1 week to go.

DG Challenge 2013: Week 44 -- THIS IS IT

Monday, October 21, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 43

Week 43: The weather is turning cooler, and more awesome, for those long runs. Lots of hardware was brought home this last weekend from the Frank Lloyd Wright run in Oak Park. Congrats to all!

This week's route totals 9.3 miles, our longest ever. If you're not up to the mileage, or recovering, or tapering, this route can be split in two.

Start at DG South high school and follow your bliss...

Week 43: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/300095809 or http://goo.gl/maps/GXckc (9.3 miles)

Marine Corps Marathon: Training Week 18 -- Just ahead!
Naperville Marathon: Training week 16 with 2 weeks to go.
DG Challenge 2013: Week 43 with 1 weeks to go.

Friday, October 18, 2013

Bank of America Chicago Marathon Course (updated)

3:38-3:39 is the best 1 sec of this video.

Monday, October 14, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 42

Week 42: I will soon stop apologizing for not always getting these out earlier in the week. I figured those of you who ran the Chicago Marathon need some recovery time, and those of you who volunteered also need some recovery time (those, not as much). More on the marathon later...

Another week of beautiful weather. Leaves are turning/falling. You have no excuse for at least getting out and taking the dog for a walk.

We'll keep this short; 3.2 miles to finish the NW corner of DG. Some parking lots, access roads. I haven't been able to scope this route out yet, so do you best and make up the rest.

Week 42: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/300093823 or http://goo.gl/maps/by2aD (3.2 miles)

Chicago Marathon: RECOVER
Marine Corps Marathon: Training Week 17 with 1 weeks to go.
Naperville Marathon: Training week 15 with 3 weeks to go.
DG Challenge 2013: Week 42 with 2 weeks to go.

Wednesday, October 09, 2013

Chicago Marathon Course - Chuck Norris speed

One of my favorite videos of the Chicago Marathon course...

Monday, October 07, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 41

Week 41: More beautiful weather, but it's a crapshoot whether your morning runs are 40 or 60. Either way, I'll take it. Hopefully everyone got their long run in early on Saturday and avoided the torrential downfall in the afternoon.

6.5 miles starting from the Downers Grove cemetery (just across the street from Runners Grove). Consider this as training for your Resurrection Mary 5k (see link below). Anyone who grew up in Chicago and had older brothers and sisters were likely tortured by stories of this place (that wasn't just me, was it?). Now is your chance to face your fears and run past many of the legendary locations.

Good luck to all Chicago Marathoners! This is your week! Most of us not running will be waiting for you at mile 12.5 with plenty of water and Gatorade just for you!

Week 41: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/300093451 or http://goo.gl/maps/esK94 (6.5 miles)

Chicago Marathon: Training week 18 --- THIS IS YOUR WEEK!
Marine Corps Marathon: Training Week 16 with 2 weeks to go.
Naperville Marathon: Training week 14 with 4 weeks to go.
DG Challenge 2013: Week 41 with 3 weeks to go.

---

Resurrection Mark 5k - Oct 20th, Justice, IL

http://resurrectionmary5k.com/

Monday, September 30, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 40

More beautiful weather--which means we are reaching the peak of running season. I love hearing everyone's race news, news of PRs, and even a simple "I got out and ran today" reports. For most of us, our major fall races are just around the corner! In other news, the light at the end of the DG Challenge tunnel is now visible. This week we celebrate 40 weeks of challenge routes, with a mere 4 more weeks to go.

8.8 miles to finish off the west-central edge of DG (and it's unincorporated properties). The section is almost entirely DG's light-industrial district. Traffic during the day can get busy, with evenings being fairly light traffic. With sunset around 6:30pm this week, make sure you're using plenty of reflective gear and a headlamp.

Week 40: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/300092735 or http://goo.gl/maps/OfGnk (8.8 miles)

Chicago Marathon: Training week 17 with 1 weeks to go.
Marine Corps Marathon: Training Week 15 with 3 weeks to go.
Naperville Marathon: Training week 13 with 5 weeks to go.
DG Challenge 2013: Week 40 with 4 weeks to go!

---
P.S.A.

If you're not running the Chicago Marathon, please consider volunteering. We have a large group from the DG running club, and their extended friends and family, working at Aid Station #9 (mile 12.5) or at other locations along the course.

Did I mention the jackets are a new color this year?

Call/email/message me directly for details.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

If only I could play this for my alarm clock buzzer...

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 39

No excuses at this point. The weather has been extremely cooperative for running, cool mornings, moderate mid-days, little precipitation. Big fall events (i.e. marathons) are drawing closer. Hope your mileage
is keeping up!

Last Wednesday of the month, which means this week's route originates from Runners Grove. 7.0 miles finishes this neighborhood.

Week 39: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/296102871 or http://goo.gl/maps/KA0vw (7.0 miles)

Chicago Marathon: Training week 16 with 2 weeks to go.
Marine Corps Marathon: Training Week 14 with 4 weeks to go.
Naperville Marathon: Training week 12 with 6 weeks to go.

Monday, September 16, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 38

5.8 miles in this small residential area in the NE corner. If 5.8
miles isn't enough feel free to add a few laps around Lymon Woods,
just across the street.

Please note there is a private parking lot right on the corner. I'm
not sure how strict they are after hours, but I'd play it safe and go
for the public parking on the top floor of the garage. If you park on
the near corner of the upper levels there is a stairway that comes
down to street level.

Week 38: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/290902919 or
http://goo.gl/maps/Hsn0R (5.8 miles)

Chicago Marathon: Training week 15 with 3 weeks to go.
Marine Corps Marathon: Training Week 13 with 5 weeks to go.
Naperville Marathon: Training week 11 with 7 weeks to go.

Are you interested in volunteering at the Chicago Marathon? Each
water stop at the Chicago Marathon takes over 250 volunteers. Many
people from the Downers Grove running community are actively involved
with our numbers growing each year. Stay tuned for more information,
or call/email/track me down on the streets.

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 37

Congrats to Chicago Half Marathon Finishers! Turned out to be a decent
day for running and I can't wait to see those race reports.

With the Chicago Half down, that means full mary training is ramping
up; whether you're running Chicago, Marine Corp, or Naperville (anyone
running more than one of those??). That also means football season is
upon us, hockey is right around the corner, and b-ball is on the
horizon. But don't get distracted yet, we all have work to do.

It's 90 degrees with excessive heat warnings, so keep hydrated on
those long distance runs. Get as much done before the sun comes out.
We have a shorter-than-usual route to help deal with the weather:

4.5 miles to close out the south east quadrant of DG. We are getting
close to our goal of covering all the streets!

Week 37: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/286919451 or
http://tinyurl.com/p292657 (4.5 miles)

Chicago Marathon: Training week 14 with 4 weeks to go.
Marine Corps Marathon: Training Week 12 with 6 weeks to go.
Naperville Marathon: Training week 10 with 8 weeks to go.

Tuesday, September 03, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 36

Happy Post Labor-Day weekend. Hope everyone got lots of running in. A
very nice, although humid day, for the Oak Brook Half Marathon. I saw
lots of DG runners there. Anything other races to report this past
weekend?

7.7 miles starting at the park. Bring a map, and watch the route closely.

Week 36: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/282157309 or
http://tinyurl.com/oy2f7mh (7.7 miles)

Chicago Marathon: Training week 13 with 7 weeks to go.
Marine Corps Marathon: Training Week 11 with 7 weeks to go.
Naperville Marathon: Training week 9 with 9 weeks to go.

Are you interested in volunteering at the Chicago Marathon? Each
water stop at the Chicago Marathon takes over 250 volunteers. Many
people from the Downers Grove running community are actively involved
with our numbers growing each year. Stay tuned for more information,
or call/email/track me down on the streets.

DG Challenge: https://www.facebook.com/DGChallenge2013
(A Facebook account is not required to view these pages)

Monday, August 26, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 35

It's another warm week, so hydrate early and hydrate often. School is
back is session including most DG area schools. Summer days are
waning and the fall races are looming on the horizon.

Last Wednesday of the month which means a route starting from Runners
Grove. Best to run on Wednesday or Monday group runs. Un-ran roads
are becoming more difficult to find. 4.2 miles to complete this entire
section of DG.

Week 35: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/276155761 or
http://tinyurl.com/mwt9vlo (4.2 miles)

Chicago Marathon: Training week 12 with 6 weeks to go.
Marine Corps Marathon: Training Week 10 with 8 weeks to go.
Naperville Marathon: Training week 8 with 10 weeks to go.

DG Challenge: https://www.facebook.com/DGChallenge2013
(A Facebook account is not required to view these pages)

Oak Brook half marathon on Labor Day Monday.

Are you interested in volunteering at the Chicago Marathon? Each
water stop at the Chicago Marathon takes over 250 volunteers. Many
people from the Downers Grove running community are actively involved
with our numbers growing each year. Stay tuned for more information,
or call/email/track me down on the streets.

Monday, August 19, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 34

Keeping the commentary short this week since I was out of town and I'm still recovering.

7.1 miles.

Week 34: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/272116945 or
http://tinyurl.com/l9st2rk (7.1 miles)

Chicago Marathon: Training week 11 with 7 weeks to go.
Marine Corps Marathon: Training Week 9 with 9 weeks to go.
Naperville Marathon: Training week 7 with 11 weeks to go.

Monday, August 12, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 33

An easy 5.8 miles in this Northern-East-Central-ish part of DG. It's
been a few months since we were last in this area. Week 4 was just to
the north, and week 23 just to the south. Now it's time to finish off
the this section of the border.

All major crossing occur at intersections with lights, so please
exercise caution. Otherwise the route is mostly residential.

I've written the map so that the recommended direction starts at the
push pin and the end is just short of the push pin (when looking at
the Google maps link). This should avoid those instances with the
group runs when everyone writes up their own cue sheet and we have
three different set of directions.

Week 33: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/266102761 or
http://tinyurl.com/lc4vqxa (5.8 miles)

Chicago Marathon: Training week 10 with 8 weeks to go.
Marine Corps Marathon: Training Week 8 with 10 weeks to go.
Naperville Marathon: Training week 6 with 12 weeks to go.

DG Challenge: https://www.facebook.com/DGChallenge2013
(A Facebook account is not required to view these pages)

---

Keep up with the discussion at: https://www.facebook.com/DGChallenge2013
(A Facebook account is not required to view the page)

Join our email list at: dgruns-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Monday, August 05, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 32

It's been a most comfortable week for running. We had a huge group
show up at the Prairie Path on Saturday some marathon training runs.
Make sure you stay tuned on the email list if you're interested in
joining us.

7.8 miles to knock out the most south-eastern portion of DG. I
recommend you park in the plaza on the north west corner of 75th and
Fairview, although there are lots of good options here.

Week 32: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/260923581 or http://tinyurl.com/oh6ax5a (7.8 miles)

Chicago Marathon: Training week 9 with 9 weeks to go.
Marine Corps Marathon: Training Week 7 with 11 weeks to go.
Naperville Marathon: Training week 6 with 13 weeks to go.

DG Challenge: https://www.facebook.com/DGChallenge2013
(A Facebook account is not required to view these pages)

A "running" tally of our routes (through week 30) is available here:
https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=204821882677656099552.0004e2196f1291703b2a0&msa=0&ll=41.791164,-88.01956&spn=0.149232,0.312424

-r

Friday, August 02, 2013

Setting Goals

It's not uncommon for someone to ask me what my goal is for the marathon. But my standard response is: to run another marathon.

This probably isn't the answer they expected. Of course, the usually ask the question expecting a finish time but most non-runners don't know if a 4-hour marathon is good or bad.

But running another marathon implies quite it bit. I'm not going to kill myself just to break the 4 hour mark. I don't want to blow out my knee, have a heart attack, aneurysm, dehydrate, hyponatremate or any other number of bad things. As a matter of fact, I want to be able to walk without serious limping 48 hours after I finish. On the third day, I want take a 2 mile jog around my neighborhood. On the fifth day I'd like to be able to go down the stairs facing forwards.

That type of answer usually depresses people. Is it really that bad? No, but ultimately I want to be 80 years old and still running marathons and I think having a post-race recovery goal is as important having a race goal.

If they're still listening, then I'll tell them the answer they are looking for: I'd like to run under 4 hours, 15 minutes.

Why 4:15? Three reasons:

4:15 would be a personal record for me.
4:15 would put me in the "top half" of marathon finishers (see Numerical Madness II).
4:15 would put me on par with Sean "P-Diddy" Combs

But any marathon finish is a good finish in my book.

Just for reference, here are some "famous" people and their marathon times. Where do you fit in?

David Lee Roth, former lead singer of Van Halen, New York City Marathon 1987 (6:04:43)
Freddie Prinze, Jr., Los Angeles Marathon 2006 (5:50:49)
Mario López, Saved by the Bell, Boston Marathon 2002 (5:41:41)
Nick Hexum, Vocalist from 311, Los Angeles Marathon 2006 (5:29:44) and 2007 (5:39:?)
Tom Vilsack, Governor of Iowa, Little Rock Marathon 2005 (5:28:39)
Al Gore, Vice President of the United States at the time, Marine Corps Marathon 1997 (4:58:25)
David James Elliott, JAG, Boston Marathon 2000 (4:57:23)
Bill Frist, Former United States Senate Majority Leader, Marine Corps Marathon 1997 (4:54:36)
Mike Huckabee, Governor of Arkansas, Little Rock Marathon 2005 (4:39:04)
Bill Rancic, Winner: The Apprentice (Season 1), Chicago Marathon 2001 (4:31:31)
Oprah Winfrey, Marine Corps Marathon 1994 (4:29:20)
Kyle Petty, NASCAR Nextel Cup driver, Las Vegas Marathon January 2005 (4:18:34)
Sean Combs, New York City Marathon 2002 (4:14:54)
Meredith Baxter, Family Ties, New York City Marathon 1982 (4:08:30)
Jarno Trulli, Formula One Driver, New York City Marathon 2000 (4:02:21)
Michael Waltrip, 2001 and 2003 Daytona 500 champion, Las Vegas Marathon January 2005 (3:59:23)
Will Ferrell, Boston Marathon 2003 (3:56:12)
Anthony Edwards, Chicago Marathon 2003 (3:55:40)
Kim Alexis, model, New York City Marathon 1992 (3:52:00)
George W. Bush, 43rd President of the United States, Houston Marathon 1993 (3:44:52)
Michael Dukakis, Former Governor of Massachusetts, Boston Marathon 1951 (3:31:00)
John Edwards, Former United States Senator, Marine Corps Marathon 1983 (3:30:18)
William Baldwin, New York City Marathon 1992 (3:24:29)
Mike Malinin, Goo Goo Dolls, 2000 Chronicle Marathon in San Francisco (3:23:56)
Björn Ulvaeus, former member of Swedish band ABBA, Stockholm Marathon 1980, (3:23:54)
Alan Turing, mathematician and cryptologist, Leicestershire Amateur Athletic Championships Marathon 1947 (2:46:03) (fast AND smart)

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 31

6.6 miles, starting from Runners Grove Running Store. Plan to run with the group starting at 6:30pm on Wednesday!

Week 31: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/257635309 or http://tinyurl.com/ppvbtlq (6.6 miles)

Chicago Marathon: Training week 8 with 10 weeks to go.
Marine Core Marathon: Training Week 6 with 12 weeks to go.
Naperville Marathon: Training week 4 with 14 weeks to go.

DG Challenge: https://www.facebook.com/DGChallenge2013
(A Facebook account is not required to view these pages)

Monday, July 22, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 30

We are back on the air! Hope everyone used the week off from
Challenge routes to make up a missed week or simple take a break from
the heat.

7.5 miles for week 30. In a rare change-up, this week's route is
mostly one giant loop. There are a few sections along Ogden Ave
without sidewalks, so use your best judgment and be safe.

Stay hydrated, stay cool.

Week 30: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/251014751 or
http://goo.gl/maps/ufkK8 (7.5 miles)

---

Chicago Marathon: Training week 7 with 11 weeks to go.
Naperville Marathon: Training week 3 with 15 weeks to go.

DG Challenge: https://www.facebook.com/DGChallenge2013
Run Chicago: https://www.facebook.com/RunChicago2012
(A Facebook account is not required to view these pages)

A "running" tally of our routes (through week 30) is available here:
https://www.google.com/maps/ms?msid=204821882677656099552.0004e2196f1291703b2a0&msa=0&ll=41.791164,-88.01956&spn=0.149232,0.312424

Friday, July 19, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 29

I'm officially making this a bye week. Use it to cross train (preferably in the cool of water-sports) or make-up a previously missed route.

Run on my friends.

Monday, July 08, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 28 - SPECIAL EDITION

8.0 miles in southern DG for this week's Challenge route. Mostly flat and not too many dead ends. Not so coincidently, a group from Run Chicago will be joining us on this route at 6:30am on Saturday, July 13th.

Run Chicago is one man's quest (followed by a sizable group) to run every block in Chicago and was the inspiration for the DG Challenge. You can follow his updates in the link below.

Please join us (whether you're a challenger or not) on Saturday 7/13 at 6:30am for this course. I'll provide drinks and post-race snacks.

Chicago Marathoner's are in Week 5 of training with 13 weeks to go.
Naperville Marathoner's are in Week 1 of training with 17 weeks to go.

Week 28: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/242594649 or http://goo.gl/maps/cdufz (8.0 miles)

DG Challenge: https://www.facebook.com/DGChallenge2013
Run Chicago: https://www.facebook.com/RunChicago2012
(A Facebook account is not required to view these pages)

Run on.

-Russ

Monday, July 01, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 27

Happy Independence Week! Hope everyone is planning to take some time off (I'm a fan of taking time off), get some running in (I'm a fan of that too), and enjoy the season. Elmhurst is having their traditional "Four on the Fourth" race, which is always a good time and well organized. Or stop in for Lisle's Eyes to the Skies Festival. The 6am balloon launches are a family favorite (along with a bribe of donuts and hot chocolate). There's a few miles of trails that circle the balloon launch area if you're not a fan of sitting in a lawn chair for an extended period of time.

For those of you running the Naperville full/half marathon, this is your last week of gluttony and sloth before the 18 week training schedule begins.

Chicago Marathonors are at week 4 with 14 weeks to go!

7.6 miles this week and plenty of dead end streets, circle drives, courtyards and the all your favorite moves we've come to love about the Challenge.

Week 27: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/237473789 or http://goo.gl/maps/id4rH (7.6 miles)

Four On the Fourth: http://4on4th.com/4on4th/index.html
Eyes to the Skies: http://eyestotheskies.org/

Run on.

-r

Monday, June 17, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 25

Summer is on full swing, the weather is cooperating, and the Blackhawks are in the fight for the Stanley Cup. What more could you ask for in mid-June?

6.0 miles this week leaving from McCollum Park. Use the parking lot on the north end, by the water tower. To avoid any confusion; the recommended path is the follow the "west-most" line on the map, turn on Valley View Dr and make the loop back to Main St before turning on Claremont. Continue to follow the line.

Remember, NEXT WEEKs route will be the Downers Grove 5 Miler route. Online registration is still open for this Sunday's race. If you don't register I will publish the map of the course to run on your own after the race.

Week 25: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/228623155 or http://goo.gl/maps/9kKob (6.0 miles)

Upcoming Downers Grove races:

June 23rd, Downers Grove 5 Miler <-- an="" is="" nbsp="" official="" reminder="" span="" this="">Challenge route
http://www.dgparks.org/Recreation/DG-5-Miler.html

Stay thirsty my friends.

Monday, February 25, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 09

Sorry for the delay on this one. My after-work/part-time gig is over (for now), so back to the regularly weekly chaos.

The original route for this week included some trials which, seeing as how we are supposed to get more snow, I decided to nix this until a later time.

Parking is readily available at Barth Pond (aka Patriot's Park). Technically the path around the lake isn't part of the course, but if you're looking for extra mileage a few laps around the lake make for a scenic trip.

When you're on Fairview, look for the huge monstrosity of lawn ornament just south of 55th. She gets repainted for the seasons, so we may revisit later this year.

Week 09: http://goo.gl/maps/8w03C or http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/176390782

Monday, February 18, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 08

Who knows that the weather will bring this week; 20s, 30s, maybe some snow. Perfect for anther 6.6 miles just slightly south of the center of DG. Not so many loops, but two more triangles. What were city designers thinking? Another beautiful neighborhood with a mix of some of the best Sears catalog homes and newer neo-classics.

Park at the church or the school. As usual, please be respectful of activities at these locations. Parking should be free (or already paid for by your local taxes--depending on how you look at it).

Week 08: http://goo.gl/maps/8tRaI or http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/174417130

Reminder:

Chicago Marathon registration opens tomorrow (Feb 19th), at noon. Excepted sell-out time is less than 2 days. March Madness Half Marathon is about a month away. 47 days until Shamrock Shuffle.

Monday, February 11, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 07

The snow is melting and we expect less precipitation this week.
Another week and more miles. 7.2 this week to almost over this entire
neighborhood. Loops and more loops. If you've ever ran the Indian
Boundary Y Commit to be Fit 5k/10k, then you are familiar with the
"Downers Grove Triangle". That small triangular intersection with the
cone that never stays put during the race and runners who always cut
the corner regardless! Cheaters! Just for that, we all must pay the
price and run the triangle *three* *times* (it has three sides, so it
shouldn't be that surprising). There are three other triangles in
this neighborhood, for a triune of the geometric shapes.

Park at the Y and head west on 59th. This gets the looping out of the
way early and leaves you with some long straightaways for the finish.
Or head east and save the twisty-turnys for the end. Your choice.

Week 07: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/172568236 or
http://goo.gl/maps/PgD9f

Monday, February 04, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 06

More snow, and more miles...6.8 miles to be exact. Easy parking on the west side of Doerhoefer Park (off Venard Rd). This is a nice residential area that should have limited traffic and plenty of sidewalks. Look out for crazy suburbanites with snow blowers.

Week 06: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/170044458 or http://goo.gl/maps/6O7Vj

Sunday, January 27, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 05

We saved the longest route for week with the anticipated worse weather so far. Week 5 comes in at 7.3 miles in this cozy west-central corner of DG. We circle the golf course and another section of undeveloped land. Bring your clubs if the weather clears up!

Check the signs about parking. It's a commuter lot, so be aware of when you need to pay and when it's free.

Week 05: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/168957574 or http://goo.gl/maps/WZIwL

Sunday, January 20, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 04

Week 4 is ready to be run! No surprises here. 6.0 miles to knock out an east-central section of DG around Whitlock Park. If you're looking for a bit extra, there's a 0.6 mile trail that runs around the park -- brings back memories of soccer club days...

There's a plenty of parking at Whitlock. Head west out of the parking lot and go south. Some roads go through/around a shopping plaza, so take care in looking for vehicular traffic. If you're going in the dark, wear reflectors and lights.

I re-drew this map about a dozen times trying to find the route with the least overlap. 6.0 miles is the best I could do. If you can find something more-optimal, please let us know.

Week 04: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/167432380 or http://goo.gl/maps/e2hSh

Sunday, January 13, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 03

Week 3 is ready to be run! The route has been verified and pre-run -- guaranteed no dead ends or your money back!

This week's course starts and ends at Downers Grove South High School and you will be on your own schedule to get this one done. I encourage you to get with a partner and check this one off your list on an early morning run. There's always the 5am run group that meets on Tuesdays and Fridays at DGS, so this might be your time to meet some new friends!

Week 03: http://goo.gl/maps/E9vtO or http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/165390138

A "running" tally of our routes is available here: http://goo.gl/maps/Okihi

-r

Monday, January 07, 2013

DG Challenge 2013 - Week 02

Week 2 is ready to be run. Please print/download/memorize the course on your own. I will not be bringing printed copies as I did last week.

Week 02: http://goo.gl/maps/21J37 or http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/164063688

There will be a group of us running it on Wednesday at 6:30pm on our usual group run meeting time at Runners Grove. After this week, our next few routes will not originate at Runners Grove.

A "running" tally of our routes is available here: http://goo.gl/maps/Okihi

Archive:

Week 02: http://goo.gl/maps/21J37 or http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/164063688
Week 01: http://goo.gl/maps/epHQB or http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/162889762

https://www.facebook.com/DGChallenge2013 (A Facebook account is not required to view the page)

-r

Friday, November 01, 2013

Monday, October 28, 2013