r/RunnersInChicago

I've been running on the LFT pretty much every day for the last 20 years, and it's way worse this year than in previous years. There are so many people running directly on the yellow line that separates the two running lanes, and there's nobody else within 100 meters of them on their side of the path. I get it if you're passing someone and you have to veer a bit too far to the left, but that's not the case with most of these people.

If there's enough space for someone to pass you on the right, which I have to do a lot this year, then you should be embarrassed. It's just like driving a car on the highway: slower people stick to the right, and faster people pass on the left. I'm out there running 6:30/mile pace and still stick to the right as much as possible (and most other faster runners are good about this, too). If you're one of these people and you're going the opposite way that I am, just know that I'm not going to move out of your way even 1cm, and that you will get my shoulder or elbow in your side as we cross paths.

Hello! I know there are a ton of running clubs in Chicago, but I’m getting a bit of choice overload reading through all of them, so I figured I’d ask here. Reddit helped me find my last running club before I moved to Chicago, so I’m hoping it can help again.

I’m a 25-year-old male and a seasoned college runner looking for a club that’s both social and competitive. I’m based in Lakeview and hoping to train with others for a fall marathon that I recently signed up for. I’d also be interested in more social clubs that meet frequently, even if they’re less training-focused.

I’ve already heard recommendations for Second City and Nameless, but I’d love to hear about any other clubs you’d suggest. I’m comfortable running at a wide range of paces, so I’m pretty flexible.

Thanks in advance!

So I’m a pretty… slow runner (11:30-12 min/mile) but have been training for a while and can do 10k and under comfortably.

Except for the past few months.

It’s so unbelievably hot, by mile 3 my HR is astronomical and I feel awful. I’m supposed to run the big 10 10k next week but the heat is actually suffocating me…

Any advice for the heat from people who have ran this race before or any more insight as to what the course setup is like with water and resources and etc?

Definitely not going for time but also doubting even doing it at all because of how mentally challenging the past few months have been with the heat for me personally.

Hey Chicago! I designed a GPS art route that draws the US flag across the city, and I'm running it this Sunday morning for the 4th of July weekend.

Details:

• When: Sunday July 5th, 8:00 AM
• Where: Meeting in front of Dark Matter Coffee — 2015 W Grand Ave
• Distance: 8.8 miles (14 km) at a conversational pace — all levels welcome, and you can hop in/out for just a section
• After: It's a loop, so we'll finish right back by Dark Matter — coffee and a group photo would be nice!

It's free and totally casual, no signup needed — just show up. I recently got into GPS art and thought this would be a fun way to meet local runners. Happy to answer any questions in the comments or DMs, and feel free to drop a comment if you're planning to come! :)

Here's a preview of the route / what it'll look like on your Strava:

(And if you can't make it but you're curious how it turns out, send me a dm and I'll send you the results.)

Preview of the run shaped as the USA flag in the streets of Chicago

It’s like 95° in the shade and I’m seeing folks running with hardly a pit stain. I step out the door and already need a change of clothes head to toe. I’m fr just jealous.

It’s a tad warm out. I don’t have access to a treadmill so that’s not an option for me. I’m hoping it’ll cool off a bit in a couple hours and I can get some miles in, but not sure if it’s smart. On my way home, I saw a few people running, so I’m curious what everybody’s plan is the next few days.

I have a car and can drive but prefer to stay in the city. I’ve got hills in the training plan later this week and am trying to figure out a good spot.

This morning I was looking forward to an early morning run at Harms Woods (north of the city), where signs and website say it is open sunrise to sunset. I got there at 5:30 but all the lots were still blocked. I decided to wait, and at 5:50 I called the number on the sign. I was surprised to get a person answering at that hour! He was very nice and apologetic and said they go out at 5 to start opening the lots but I was at a northern lot and they hadn't gotten there yet. I stuck around until 6 and then left because none of the lots had been opened yet.

I love and support our forest preserves, I spend a lot of time there and intend to volunteer there in the future, and this is not meant as a complaint. Just giving a heads up, because I would have had an easier morning if I had known not to count on being able to get in. In the future I won't expect to be there before 6 or 6:30 even if sunrise is around 5:15. (Of course you can run or bike in right at sunrise if that's feasible for you!)

Happy running and stay safe in this heat!

I know there was a post 4 months ago, but now that we are in summer, I wanted to check in and see which are active! I have no Instagram so getting info to meet ups/clubs would be awesome. Looking to start showing up weekly starting today! Thank you in advance.

I'm training for the marathon in October and I'm in need of some variety at this point. Back in high school my teammates and I would sometimes drive out to Palos where there was an 8 or 9 mile trail loop that was fun to run. I looked for it on Google maps but I couldn't find what I remembered. I recall it had a small parking lot at the mouth of the trail and a little pond to the left in the direction you enter the parking lot. Anyone know of this trail and what it's called?

Thanks!

Hey guys! I ran a half back in April and started training for another one in September.

With summer starting, my trainings got harder and harder. I don’t do well with humidity and heat (a shame bc I’m Brazilian and should be okay with it 😂).

I’ve decided to not run another half in September and to choose another race during winter or spring.

Which one do you recommend?
I ran the Chitown in April.

Thank you!

Has anyone been on the LFT recently and seen a woman, probably 60s or so, riding her bike, wired headphones in, just absolutely having the time of her life? Saw her today for like the 4th or 5th time and every time she’s yelling “wooooooo!!!!!” And looking at people as if she’s cheering them on. We’ve made eye contact once or twice. It’s so delightfully quirky and oddly encouraging. I just wanted to know if I’m hallucinating 😂

Just a reminder/heads-up that the annual Pride Parade is happening Sunday of this weekend.

If you're driving and parking by the lakefront in Lakeview/Lincoln Park for some early morning exercise on Sunday, double check street closures on the Pride Parade website - in past years a lot of cars have gotten towed that were parked on Cannon Drive. Plan accordingly and enjoy the festivities! 🎉

By slow I mean like 11:15/mile+ I get intimidated when running with others who aren’t at my level also feel pressured to gas myself out trying to keep up. Looking for someone or a group to run with on the north side who are looking to improve their speed or just have fun at a slower pace collectively. Help!!

https://preview.redd.it/jh1pn81ad69h1.png?width=942&format=png&auto=webp&s=71116d268463696d05af8e432e5f83f1c76ec642

After multiple runs through the “trails” at northerly island nature center and Burnham wildlife corridor I’ve really found myself enjoying being out in the wilderness on my longer runs! Any trail recommendations in/around Chicago good for longer runs? I unfortunately do not drive so trails recs that are semi-accessible by transit would be awesome :) thank you!