New Year’s Running Resolutions

Motherhood is hard. Wait, LIFE is hard. But the best part is we’re all in it together. Join me as we find our zen in the middle of parenthood, marriage, extended family, volunteering, and just generally enjoying our time here in Lake County.

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Creating My Own Zen

Running Resolutions – Start Running in the New Year

I am solar-powered. I love being outside. I think the fresh air and sunshine are essential for your mind, body, and soul.

As the new year arrives, I’m making a resolution to take better care of my health. I know, very original, right? Are you making the same resolution?

Running is an inexpensive and easy sport to try if you haven’t done it before. Don’t let the snow and cold weather stop you from enjoying one of the forest preserves or trails that is right around the corner from your house. We live in one of the most beautiful counties and get to experience all four seasons to their fullest.

To me, running is therapy. Each mile has a life of its own. What do you get out of your run?

• To be alone.
• Rocking out to your favorite music.
• Time with your child in the jogging stroller.
• Experiencing the beauty of nature. A tree. A bunny. A lake.
• Clarity on a decision you’ve been trying to make.
• A race. Pushing yourself to a new PR (personal record).
• Raising money for an important cause.
• Dressing up with the crowd and being silly.
• Literally stopping to smell the roses.
• The ‘good’ feeling of being sore.

Few things excite me as much as packet-pick-up. The anticipation of race day. The outfit’s planning, what socks, headband, and other accessories you’re going to wear, and laying them out next to your bib number. The number is that it is just for you. No one else has that bib number in the race. It’s just for you. With packet-pick up in mind, I have compiled a list of some of my favorite local races that I have run:

• Deer Park St Paddy’s 5K
• Freedom Classic 5K Mundelein
• Run from the Cops 5K Vernon Hills
• Twilight Shuffle 5K, Libertyville
• Hog Jog 5K and 1/2 Mile Piglet Run, Organized by St. Mary’s Parish
• Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Dash
• Diamond Dash 5K
• Matt’s Mile and 5K
• World’s Largest Corn Maze Run
• Thanksgiving Day Long Grove Turkey Trot 5K and 8K
• Thanksgiving Day Miles with Mustangs

Do you need some gear or support?

• Grayslake Running Club has a closed group on Facebook you can request to join.
• 847 Running Company has a new store in Libertyville and they will watch your gait and help you find the perfect running shoe.
• Kiddle’s in Lake Forest has all kinds of supplies for your athletic needs.
• Lake and McHenry County Moms RUN This Town is a free-running group to help you find people to run and train with or just get support. Join their Facebook Group.

Sometimes it’s hard to get outside when the sun sets so early, but this year enjoy an evening hike under one of Lake County Forest Preserve Districts solar-lighted trails.

With small solar lights to guide their way, hikers, skiers, and snowshoers can get some brisk evening exercise along a 1.3-mile fitness trail at Old School Forest Preserve in Libertyville, and along a 1.65-mile hilly section of the Millennium Trail adjacent to the Winter Sports Area at Lakewood Forest Preserve in Wauconda. Though regular preserve hours are normally 6:30 am to sunset, the illuminated trails and adjacent parking lots will remain open after sunset until 9 pm, daily, through March. Bicycle and equestrian traffic are not permitted on the lighted trails after sunset. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed.

Where is your favorite place to run or walk in Lake County? We have so many! List yours below in the comments. I’ll see you out on the trails!

Cheryl is an aspiring writer from Mundelein. You can now follow her on her author journey on Amazon.

Get a copy of her first book, Letter’s to my Children, available on Kindle now.