Tag Archives: Yankee Woods

Don’t Be Scared….Try This Trail!

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With all the talk about Zombie Runs and scary, spooky trials, it’s a stark reminder that many people are honestly afraid to run our glorious trail system.  Even more so, afraid to run a trail alone.  Well, if we don’t run alone, then sometimes running is not an option.  I totally understand.  So if you are one of those people who is leery about trying a trail, here is a good one for you.  Yankee Woods in Oak Forest, IL.  Park in the lot off of Central  Avenue, just south of 159th  Street.  Here is the photo of the 3.1 mile loop.  Its super easy, just keep running clockwise and don’t take any of the little spurs.  You won’t get lost.image

This trail runs the perimeter of the George W Dunne Golf Course and is surrounded by urban area, including busy thoroughfares like Central Avenue and 159th Street.  The trail is heavily traveled so no matter what time of day, you will encounter cyclists, walkers, moms with strollers, and lots of runners of varying pace.  It’s a small piece of paradise nestled amongst the bustling suburbs of Tinley Park and Oak Forest.  It is also part of a much larger trail system for when you get braver and want to explore new territories!  If you want and I have, you can run from the Midlothian Reservoir (entrance on 167th Street, just west of Cicero Avenue) all the way into Palos.  Great trail.  Very scenic.  Rolling Hills.  Map below includes the additional trails beyond Yankee Woods.

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Since the trail is surrounded by people, traffic and the golf course, you won’t ever be alone.  If there were an emergency, you could literally bust thru the woods onto a busy street or into a neighborhood with a few steps.  There is one section that is somewhat secluded but it’s a very short jaunt.

I hit this trail last night on my way home because I didn’t have a lot of time and Dr Alexis won’t let me run very far and I was once again amazed by the beauty.  Here are a few photos:

Yankee Woods_10-16-12   Yankee Woods3_10-16-12

Yankee Woods4_10-16-12    Yankee Woods5_10-16-12

It looks like you are in the middle of nowhere but you’re really not.  Nice, huh?  I still wear my Wrist Saver pepper spray and go without music so that I can be aware of my surroundings.  I always like to err on the side of caution but I’m not at all nervous about running this trail alone.  Overall, its a great trail nestled into a very busy area.  The miles will fly by and be a blur….just like me in this photo.  🙂

Yankee Woods_me blur_10-16-12

** Happy Trail Running ** Amanda – TooTallFritz ** amanda@tootallfritz.com

Practicality….

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So all the practical runners are now running boring subdivion routes to avoid those snowy & slick trails.  While I certainly understand the practicality of that decision, I still long for the beauty and tranquility of the tree-lined trails.  So Aurelia was brave enough to give it a go with me yesterday on the trails near Yankee Woods.  Me & Aurelia: 

But we didn’t make it very far.  We struggled thru deep snow for less than a mile before pulling out and hitting the roads.  It was beautiful even though short-lived and it sucks that of course, practicality always wins. 

We stopped so that I could remove the YakTraks, which were great in the snow, then off to traverse new and unexplored neighborhoods.  It was windy and cold at 22 degrees but the neighborhood homes did provide a wind break and we muddled thru for a slow 10.04 miles.  I’m pretty sure that I was holding Aurelia back as my quads are fatigued from some new activities and it was slow going for me but she was kind about it.  Thanks, Aurelia!

It was good that I got up and out early as my lil man did not leave my hip once I returned home.  At first it was all smiles and giggles and playing.

And then my lil man turned into a sleepy, feverish sickie.  He still isn’t better.  I’m currently awaiting the meds to wear off to see if he needs to visit the doc.   Love my lil man and totally don’t want him to be sick, ever if it does mean extra cuddles and love for Mommy TooTall.

Amanda – TooTallFritz

Virtual Snow Day……

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Yesterday as Chicagoland was getting its first real snowfall of the year, many were out enjoying themselves and PLAYING in the snow.  I didn’t get much of a chance to have fun but I really did enjoy my walk to the train! 

Let’s check out some of the AWESOME things which the TooTallFritz readers have been doing with their Snow Day!  By the way, I’m super envious and want to be out there with each of you!

Thursday is a normal “run day” for a few members of the F’N Running Club.  Here is Julie, Jeni H. & Don all suited up for their run.  When they hit the trail at noon on Thursday, they were kicking around 3″ of fluffy powder!  They really kicked it around too for 6.5 miles!  Great job!   Please notice Jeni H.’s Shakeology shirt.  Both her and Don are Beach Body reps for Shakeology, P-90X, Turbo Jam and all that fun stuff you may have heard about at the gym.  If interested in Shakeology, please contact Jeni HERE. 

Run with Jess was also able to sneak out for a windy 3 miler in the snow.  She looks warm and toasty in that awesome jacket!  I love that you “pop” against the snow, way to pull double duty being cute & safe!  Please get to know Jess, she is one of my Ragnar Relay teammates!  Whoooooop!

Aurelia, a new member of the F’N Running Club, was also out enjoying the weather.  She and her favorite running partner, Maggie, hit the trail at Yankee Woods for a nice, quiet 4 miler!  Lookin’ good, Maggie! 

I had hoped for a REAL snow day today but Mother Nature only brought us a couple of inches down here along with some blowing and drifting snow to make driving a PITA nuisance in the early morning.  However Kelly stayed in today and made homemade protein bars!  Check out Kelly’s blog for the recipe!  I must say that I am impressed.  Great job, Kelly!

I was super excited to see that newbie runner April was out pounding the trail for a couple of miles today.  You know it’s a great run when you finish and you have frost on your gloves/hat and frozen eyelashes/eyebrows.  April is actually sporting new winter wear because apparently last year she was sitting on the couch watching tv rather than playing outside in the snow from a recent shopping trip.  You look great April and will fit in well with all of us crazy runners.  Happy have you on board, and you are going to KILL that half in July.  Gett’m Girl! 

I also managed to skip out of work early get in a run today.  It was windy out here in the country and although the roads are plowed, we still have some drifting issues.  So it was slow going but great to be out slipping and sliding because I have yet to open the box of yak-traks in my cabinet.  I ran 5.07 in 51:24 with lots of stops for photos, text messages (trying to make sure my lil man was getting a ride home), and I stepped off the road at least 15x to let cars pass.  It was getting dark toward the end of the run, snowing lightly, roads were a mess and let’s just say I wasn’t taking any chances.  So off into the snow I stepped for each and every car.  I’m not  a fan of road running at night.  I much prefer braving the coyotes in the early mornings where I can avoid most traffic. 

How do you spend your time when the weather turns?  Are you hunkered down inside by a blazing fire, sipping hot cocoa, skiing down a radical mountain, or making snow angels with the kiddos?  Tell us!

Happy Virtual Snow Day,                                                                                         Amanda – TooTallFritz

Halloween Hangover

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I must say that I enjoy Halloween but am happy to say good-bye to it for another year.  Each year it is a fight with the kiddos as to how much candy they can stuff into their faces before I notice convince me to let them eat.  And I must say that it is also a struggle for me in an attempt to not stuff my own face limit my consumption.  I think we did pretty well last night with the kiddos not getting too out of control and I had 3 fun size Almond Joys.  Now, we still have a GROCERY BAG of candy left in the house so we will see how it goes from here on out.

Prior to the Trick or Treat extravaganza, I made a last-ditch effort to pad my mileage close out the month properly.  I decided on a Midlothian Reservoir/Yankee Woods run that would be about 6 miles.  The Reservoir, with a connect to Yankee for 1 loop, plus return is slightly under 6  so I parked my car a bit further from the trailhead becasue I’m OCD so that I got in a few extra steps to make it a full 6.  The intent was for a quicker pace, speedy turnover type running without wearing myself out. 

Since these trails are somewhat secluded in parts, I grabbed my Wrist Saver pepper spray and I was off.  If you need a pepper spray, this one is AWESOME.  It velcros onto the wrist and doesn’t move!  I love it and also attach it to the jogging stroller and/or Aby’s bike when we are running/hiking as a family.  The watch is the Nike+ Sportwatch GPS, another great product for a very reasonable price.  I am of the opinion that all technology is somewhat disposable due to the constant updates and changes.  I refuse to pay a lot for something that will be obsolete before the end of the month.  One of my favorite things about the Nike+ watch is that they frequently update it thru the net.  You plug-in for a charge, or to upload a run, and get a message that a new upgrade is available.  I purchased the watch on the pre-order before it even hit the stores so got an “original”.   They have made SEVERAL updates via the net to add features that were requested by consumers.  I really appreciate this rather than them just putting out a newer and better model that turns my original into a dinosaur.

Midlothian Reservoir:

The Midlothian Reservoir section is pretty short, about a mile, then you need to run a path by Central Ave for about a 1/2 mile to get into Yankee.  Once you hit the Yankee sign, one loop is 3 miles and  you can fly right back to the Reservoir to your car!  Yankee  Woods:

6 miles – 52:15 –  several photo stops and a road crossing x2

“Run”way Fashion – Freebie Alert:  RunGirl shirt from Women’s Running Magazine.  Great Magazine!!  And they give a free shirt with a 2 year subscription.  I don’t wear a lot of freebies but this one fits perfectly!

CWX Compression 3/4 tights.  Yep still wearing them and love them EVEN more today but I need more pink shirts!   Frogger –  I looked and they do have 3/4 for men.  You might want to talk to Mel; I picked these up at Running for Kicks.

Cheers & TRY not to eat too much Halloween candy!                                                  Amanda – TooTallFritz

Lakefront Run _Chicago

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It was rainy earlier today but Mother Nature knew you needed some photos and that my cheap ass I didn’t want to ruin my new phone in the rain so she was kind to me!  As with all lunchtime runs, I got ready in our ladies washroom.  Apparently I need a blogger-bathroom-photos 101 course cuz these photos were horrible the best I could get.

I hit the street for a dash to the lakefront path. On days like this I actually don’t HATE enjoy working downtown and being able to run at lunch when I can’t pry Mr. Michael off of me just can’t get it done at home.  The chore of getting to/from the lakefront is probably harder than the actual running.  I spend a good deal of time weaving around the uncool non-runners pedestrians, waiting at traffic lights and then finally I hit the lakefront at Monroe Harbor after crossing Lake Shore Drive (LSD).   The first glimpse of the lake and the sun attempting to peak out is refreshing.

I frequently head South toward McCormick Place because:  1)  It’s a less traveled route, most runners and tourists head North toward Navy Pier, Oak Street Beach, North Beach, etc.;   2)  The path is slightly off the water so if the weather is less than ideal, there is a bit of a shield between runner, water & elements;  3)  McCormick Place has a bathroom right off the path; and,  4)  Portions of the trail have a soft shoulder for my plantar fasciitis the injury prone .

As I hit the Museum Campus, still in Monroe Harbor territory, I noticed two “ship wrecked” vessels.  Remember last week when I planned to run the lakefront but ran Yankee Woods in the ‘burbs instead?   Well, it was because portions of the lakefront path were closed due to 25+ foot waves.   About a month ago when we had waves “almost” that high nobody was smart enough realized they should stay away from the water and several runners/bikers got swept into the lake.  This time officials closed the path  to protect the stupid people and apparently it was a good move…..these sail boats were destroyed by the waves.

Moving on into the tunnel under the drive to Museum Campus.

Coming out of tunnel….STUNNING view!

This is about a mile from McCormick, if I run to McCormick it’s a 6 mile trip, if I want 8, I go a little further.  I took a lot of photos in the beginning and then put the phone away to make up some time.  The last photo stop was actually on the return and I had to stop, climb up off the path and onto the lawn at the Shedd Aquarium to grab a crystal clear pic of the Chicago Skyline.  Now that’s priceless!

8.01 miles – 1:14:19 –  several street crossings to/from lake front, lots of photo stops and even stopped to take a photo of a group of tourists on their camera so everyone could get into the shot.  GREAT day to get out and run!

“Run”way Fashion:   Athleta Accelerate Tee (select sizes on a killer sale now!), Athleta Quick Step Capri, Feetures No Show Tab socks, Saucony Guide 5 shoes

Cheers,                                                                                                                        Amanda – TooTallFritz