I thought I would try something different, and research the areas I was going to run. I am all to aware, that in Baltimore you can be in a wonderful neighborhood, and two blocks later enter a not-so-wonderful neighborhood. I did a quick google of crime in Herring Run Park and didn't find any recent murders/rapes/assaults. (Hey, in a city like Baltimore, you expect SOME.) I planned a quick run up to Lake Montebello and the Herring Run trail. I thought a nice 3-4 miles would be in order for the night.
It was raining and misty, so I ended up overdressed as I had rain-gear on... Then it didn't rain while I ran.
The run itself felt nice. I kept with my recent plan, and just let my body determine the speed, although I tried to slow it down a bit for mile 2.. The initial run up to the lake from the MSB center was all through nice neighborhoods (nice enough, I probably couldn't afford a house there) and the people nodded their heads back at me when I initiated it. <-- My indicator of whether or not a neighborhood is friendly.
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Picture from http://abikeinbaltimore.blogspot.com/2010_09_01_archive.html[/caption]The lake itself is a bit underwhelming, with the perimeter of it coming in at around 1.7 miles. However, when you consider it is in the middle of a city, it becomes much more whelming! It is pretty enough, with the other walkers/bikers/joggers/runners ignoring you as one might expect in the middle of Baltimore. From a townie perspective, it is even cooler in that they have exercise stations around the trail.
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There were several stations like this - all different![/caption]I was surprised to see more than just a pull up bar, balance beam or dip station. Those are the exercises we had along trails in NY! This station had an elliptical, a shoulder press station and an abs/back station.
Another advantage of running in the city - is there is a lot to see!
Even My old friend google let me down... But the lights were pretty...
After running to & around the lake - I decided to head back through Herring Run Park. It was pretty the last time I ran it, and I was curious if someone had picked up the fallen portapotty. The trail through the park is nice, even with a drizzly grey look to it.
Yes, someone did pick up the portapotty.. No I did not take a picture of it.
I only encountered one other person in the park, a man out for a stroll. I suspect the weather stopped any soccer games, runners, bikers, etc that I had seen last time.. That was just fine with me, it was very peaceful!
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This seems like a good point in my blog posting to show the map.[/caption]After I left the park I headed back toward the direction of the church that the MSB bought. I noticed a few good inclines, so while keeping that general heading - I began making turning choices based on where the hills were!
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Around the 25 minute mark I started looking for opportunities to go UP![/caption]Now there weren't any ginormous hills in the path, but I felt any increase in my hill work was a good thing!
I finished strong and feeling good. The tightness I have experienced the last few runs (on the outside of my hip) was noticeably absent. I wasn't able to do my usual post-run stretch routine as there was no where to sit, but I did do several standing stretches.
Looking over my splits, I am still maintaining an 8:30 mile. (Mile 2 was the one where I tried to slow myself down.) That just seems to be the speed my body likes right now and it feels good, so I will let it run there!
While I remain a little concerned about running IN Baltimore (and I still am under orders to check in with the wife when I finish), it is nice to run around different places. I enjoyed the run!
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