It’s been a rough week already, the lil man is still sick and this is my first and possibly last day of work this week.  Since Hubby is home with the lil man today, I raced into work EARLY this morning to pound out as much as possible and still be able to squeeze in a decent mid-day run.  As I rushed out the door at “lunch”, the plan was to run the Chicago Riverwalk. 

I have been “saving” this trail for a day like today when time was tight and/or the wind was too bad for me to brave hit the lakefront.  I left the building in a very bitchy stressed out state of mind but very quickly came to realize how fortunate I am, how much I love my life even with all its imperfect drama, how much I love running and how much I love Chicago.  I have come to realize that each time I step out that door for a new adventure run, I fall in love with life all over again.  It’s a good feeling.  However, I must admit that I am a Chicago transplant.  I grew up in the cornfields of Indiana and let’s just say that it wasn’t love at first sight when I was introduced to Chicago.  In fact, if it weren’t for running, I’d probably still hate not like it here.  I miss my family and still want to go home each and every day but running has given me so much appreciation for life in general and the beauty of ChiTown.  In my non-running years, I would never have made it to the lakefront on a cold and frozen day to see the ice floating peacefully on such a strong, powerful body of water known as Lake Michigan.  It’s one of OUR Great Lakes and I can run beside it each and every day.

The Riverwalk path is a side trip off the Lakefront path and it is short and sweet.  I would estimate it to be about a mile in length and unless you plan to climb up & out to the street, it’s an out and back.  In the summer, this path is bustling with lots of people and various activities but today it was rather desolate.  

However, there were many hints remaining of what to look for come nicer weather. 

The trail is sunken down to river level and the city of Chicago towers overhead.  Pretty cool really and with this being a short jaunt from Navy Pier, I encourage you to take a stroll here with the family to experience the Riverwalk for yourself. 

Hope to see you on the Riverwalk come Spring!  I know I’ll be back to see the sights and take some new photos!

All-in-all, good run.  I did link up with the lakefront path for some extra miles.  I ended with 8.09 miles in 1:19 with lots of stops for photos and walking spurts for ice covered areas.

Non-Riverwalk related sidenote:  Lots of questions and talk about recovery as of late.  It’s not a secret that I’m an AdvoCare distributor.  It’s not a secret that I became a distributor for the discount because I LOVE the Post Workout Recovery drink.  It’s not a secret that you can check it out (and many other products) on my microsite HERE.    It’s not a secret that I can do what I do, each and every day, because of being able to properly recover.  If you want to MAKE IT HAPPEN on a daily basis, pay attention to your recovery.  On the “bad” days, I not only use the Post Workout Recovery drink but also the Nighttime Recovery so that I can make it happen again tomorrow.  Please feel free to browse my microsite, get familiar with the products, read up on our Scientific & Medical Advisory Board and take a peek at our professional endorsers.  If you have questions, I’m happy to help.  If you order anything, I will profit.  If you don’t want me to profit, but are interested in AdvoCare, check out my friend Lisa‘s microsite.  She too can help you so you can get your ass off the couch and do it again tomorrow.

Happy Running & Recovery                                                                                        Amanda – TooTallFritz                                                                                 amanda@tootallfritz.com