Last weekend was my 20 mile training run. Started off slow and the fake hubby was with me … 3 miles and he turned around for a total of a 6 mile run (he mowed the lawn then!! Yeah!) and I kept trucking on.

As usual my pit stop was at the golf course before heading into Grant Park. I love this part of the trail, who am I kidding I love the entire section of the Oak Leaf Trail has been my home court these years. It was only last year that I moved past the 13 mile mark and ran my first marathon.

Just across from the Grant Park golf course the nice, separated, paved trail ‘ends’ with an X marks the spot- or rather this sign.

I really like these signs. They were just added this year.

I ran past the golf course, past the cute pond, and past the old DQ, and into a nice quaint neighborhood with a cool bridge and used that as my turn around.

On the way back- the cute pond had lots of ducks, geese, and a blue heron. Such a peaceful run and hey by the way your past half way!

I arrived back at Grant Park and headed down to the beach … 12 mile mark!

Another pit stop to fill up with water near the beach at Ferch’s (the food/ice cream stand that is right there too). The bathrooms were locked!!! Wtf? They have never been locked on long run day?!

Thankfully I used them earlier at the golf course! And double thankfully it wasn’t a very warm day so I wasn’t drinking as much water as other long run days.

The trip back had some good and some slow downs. By mile 18 I was getting tired and my feet were letting me know they have been used and abused pounding the pavement for 18 miles! The next two miles may have been slow, but they were steady.

I ran up and back the St Francis Seminary drive to get the extra half mile in that I needed, while being closer to home just incase. Ended the day around 11:30 a mile for the 20 miles. Overall I felt pretty good today. A good self esteem booster with race day around the corner.