RUN 78 - Peace & Solitude

Even in a city of millions you can find peace and solitude, running south today from the heart of the city along the shores of Lake Michigan; encountering literally no more than a handful of other people, the contrast is obvious leaving the hustle and bustle of the Loop, all the while the calming constant mirror like surface of the lake stays with me, its gentleness setting a pensive powerful mood as i push through a run made difficult by less than ideal preparation. [7.90m–01:06:48–08:27/m]

[Lake Michigan, Chicago USA]

RUN 77 - Identity

Running alone on a chilly windy trail is probably good practise for what's to come over the next six months. I'll be moving from a global city of dedicated runners to a country of equal dedication; but in a region of relative running seclusion, while I expect the sense of community will diminish, the opportunity to reconnect with my own identity as a runner will flourish. [4.0m-30:23–07:36/m]

[Autumn, Chicago, USA]

RUN 76 - channelling emotion

Just as running has the power to raise the spirit and improve your mood, the reverse is true too; the acuteness of your mood (positive or negative) can fuel the running effort, channelling that energy into a run serves to heighten the training and neutralize the emotional energy brought to that run. [8.24m-01:04:23-07:48/m]

[Chicago Night Sky]

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RUN 75 - anything is possible

I've had several opportunities in my life so far to stand by my belief that anything is possible - should you truly want it & if you commit 100% of yourself; now my wife and I continue to challenge ourselves and live by this mantra. With these last few runs I've officially begun my training program for my upcoming coastal marathons in December, January, April & May. It's going to be a huge challenge especially in conditions I'm not yet used to, but that challenge is what drives me and feeds my confidence; just as it does in my personal life, and just as it does tonight running in a 40-50mph windstorm. Be open to the idea that anything is possible and you might just surprise yourself. [5m-41:20-07:58/m]

[East Lagoon Harbor, Chicago, USA]

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RUN 74

I believe just as we eat and breathe, we need to be able to free our minds; to wander unguided, in and out of unconstrained ideas and dreams. Running gives me that opportunity, normal time constraints fall away, the minutes and miles tick by as each step becomes part of the space around you and your form flows free from tension, as does your mind. [10.45m-01:26:58-08:19/m]

[Nature Preserve, Lake Shore, Chicago, USA]

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RUN 73

Some of my strongest and best runs have been at least expected and likely times; with an early morning hangover, after a completing a race or late at night when your instinct is to sleep. Perhaps because of the heightened level of difficult or adversity, either way it proves the power of an open mind and the value of challenging who you think you are and what you're capable of. [5.15m 43:33 08:27/mi]

[Chicago Night Skyline]

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RUN 72

Life has so many opportunities and challenges available to us. I've never been afraid of a challenge, reveled in it in fact, making a marriage out of a trans Atlantic relationship, moving to another country, and now I have a wife to travel life's challenges. Today I signed up to take part in four stages of the Endurancelife Coastal Trail Series and will run four cross country marathons between December and May. I've met and exceeded all my running goals this year and move into this next series if challenges with confidence and excitement! [2.13m 14:51 06:58/mi]

[Regents Park , Chicago, USA]

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RUN 71

Summer is officially over today, which for most people is not something to revel in... for a runner it absolutely is. Fall (autumn) is the perfect running season. Each new season is an exciting time, new challenges from the same runs and routes. Especially winter in Chicago which can be a brutal test of a runners motivation; running on 3 inches of ice or through 2-3 foot snow drifts or just a regular old snow storm in -30F winds. But were not there yet, we have a whole season of beautifully mild perfect running days to make the most of. [4.01m 31:55 07:58/mi]

[View North from 63rd St Beach Pier , Chicago, USA]

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RUN 70

Running is very personal, its a personal challenge and so are the rewards but I'm learning there is much that can be learned from also sharing the experience and allowing others to challenge you with their own insight. That collaboration is a philosophy which i pride myself on in work and my relationship, and is becoming part of this aspect of my life too. Balancing it with my individual growth has potential to improve both sides.

[Harold Washington Park, Chicago, USA]

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RUN 69

Running and training builds confidence and an awareness of ones ability, which is invaluable to recall when a run gets tough, it pushes you through. I wonder how that perception of ability and potential relates to the reality? Does your training and running pattern determine the realms of our potential? i don't think so. I think its easy to arrive at a place where you feel you've reached your potential and stop taking risks, taking comfort in familiarity. Whenever I've challenged myself to go further, run a double workout for example, I've had the most rewarding experiences. So how much farther can that feeling go for me, how much more might I be capable of?

[51st street bridge, Hyde Park, Chicago]