u/Tulip_1994

Hey! So I recently moved to the northwest side of Logan and want to try and incorporate the blvd system into some of my mid week moderate length runs of 8-12 miles. (Currently training for a marathon)

I’m already very familiar with the usual suspects for long runs, north branch, north channel, lake front, etc, and I like using the 606 for some runs especially speed work, but I like neighborhood running for my mid week easier runs where I can just get out my door and mosey around. I’m always looking for more variety and get sick of the same routes over and over

I’m familiar with running the Logan blvds & Humboldt park, but how is the pedestrian infrastructure for taking Sacramento blvd down to franklin blvd and then to Garfield park? I don’t mind some lights if it’s similar to Kedzie/Logan/Humboldt, but if it’s going to feel like a traffic ridden death trap with no sidewalks I’d like to know before setting out that way.

Note: Not a safety/crime question by the way, thats not a concern for me. I just want to know about the actual running experience on that route infrastructure wise as it relates to traffic and intersections.

Okay, I know this is a bit of a rant, please forgive me. I have been living here for 14 years, but I’ve only started taking running seriously since January 2025.

Basically, I have been finding it really mentally challenging to try and consistently train year round here. I didn’t notice the weather as much when I was sedentary, but I feel like I am constantly battling conditions here, both physically as well as mentally.

Are there any tips you have to stay positive while maintaining a high training load? I run 6 days a week, and I’ll be increasing mileage soon as I start a marathon training block for CIM. it has just been tanking me mentally to always be dwelling on the weather forecast. I felt the same in the depths of winter this year as well, when the snow and ice would just not let up for weeks. It feels like it’s the worst of both worlds here: brutal winter and then brutal summer, not to mention nearly getting creamed by an SUV too often for comfort.

I’ve toyed with the idea of a move to a place that is more temperate and therefore conducive to an outdoor lifestyle, but that is pretty much a complete non-starter with my partner, and I can’t really blame them at all. We both have our entire lives here and it’s hard to leave that behind.

I really love Chicago in a lot of ways, and I’ve spent a large chunk of my life here, but I’m struggling to adjust to living a more active lifestyle here. I’d love to hear your perspectives and any tips!