i cheated...

...well not in the way you think.

Less than 24 hours after a Thanksgiving day marked by the oh-so-traditional gluttonous binge in which I stuffed myself way more than is humanly (or poultrily?) possible, I was feeling fat, not surprisingly, and wanted to somehow try to shed off some of this recently added mass around my mid-section. It had been about six weeks since I last ran because of a self-imposed rest I was giving my foot to help it recover from plantar fasciitis. My foot had been getting better, and on this day it felt fine and free from the usual morning pain. So I did what any stubborn headed runner who hasn't had a mile under his feet would do.

I laced up my running shoes, and I ran...

At first, my body and my feet seemed to be out of sync with a few creaks here and there as if needing a tune up of some sort. But befre too long, it felt oh so good. The sound of my feet as it hit the ground, the cool air on my face, the feel of blood (and life) rushing through my legs, my heart, my lungs... well you get the idea.

My plan was to go for an easy three miles, but that was just too short. So I added another two. During the last mile, I sensed another runner coming up behind me so I picked it up to see what I have. I finished my run with a nice kick feeling content, nay, happy but worried how my foot would be.

The following two days my foot was sore again. I somehow expected that. It still needs the rest, but dang, those 5 miles sure did a lot for my spirit than the rest would've done for my feet.

the back bay loop

One of my favorite runs happens to be practically outside my door – the Back Bay Loop. It's a relatively flat, easy, paved, and picturesque 10-mile run that as its name suggests, encircles the Upper Newport Bay.

I normally start at the interpretive center (C on the map), head north (5) towards Jamboree and basically just following the bike path that wraps around the bay. The route takes me south along Back Bay Drive (6, 7, 1, 2) to PCH, before making a turn northbound through Castaways Park (3) and eventually back to where I started.

For our Chicago Marathon training, my brother and I have done this route a number of times, usually on a weeknight. It's a beautiful middle distance training run and a great way to end the day.

So if you find yourself somewhere around the 92657-92663 area codes and are looking for a nice little run, try the Back Bay Loop. You might just find yourself coming back for more. Oh the cliché!

The start. There is street parking or you can use the dirt parking lot.

Heading north along the bike path.

According to their website, they are the largest Mercedes-Benz Center in the world. A special prize goes out to the first person to comment on which dealership this is.

Cross over the bay on Jamboree Road to get to Back Bay Drive.

At the start of Back Bay Drive.

The local fowl residents.

The boat yard at Newport Dunes.

The busiest (traffic-wise) portion of this run, about 1/4 mile along PCH.

This is fairly new at Castaways Park. It was erected to honor fallen service men and women.

Refilling at Castaways. Note the little doggie bowls.

More bay views.

Only a mile and a half left.

All smiles at the end of a very nice run.