var lyr_code = "JnhTyB7WwQKmo1";

Well, today I decided that it had been far too long since I had run in Illinois. So I wore my running shoes and running shorts to work, put the GPS Forerunner in the glove box and made a run for the border right after work.

I have this fantastic course just south of the border in an area called the Van Patten Forest Preserve. The course is basically 2 loops connected by a little footbridge across the Des Plaines River, with a northern arm following the river trail to Russell Road, then continuing north to the model airplane club's area.

I feel fortunate to live in an area to that values green space so highly. It is beautiful forest paths and gravel.

I took the my camera along. I find that is a great distraction, and it can be kind of fun to document what sites I enjoyed the most about the run. It was kind of a gray day, so everything looked greener than normal and very lush.

I posted the pictures on facebook and the album has been a real hit with my friends. It is nice to bring them along somehow, and share this wonderful experience.