I just felt like .... an ADventure

- The one where I ran to Mission Hills -

Welcome back to my BLOG!

Trying something new today...  How about a Route Report with pictures?

A ...  Bearded Runner ADventure   - if you will -    lovingly called a "BR.AD"

Let me know if you like it or not. 

The Half Marathons are getting close and training is intensifying, when the coach says 9 miles @ 10:30 pace, that's what I do (fast 10k the next day or it would have been longer).  I asked around and could not find anyone to run with, so I went on a  BR.AD  :)  

Thought I would start in Westport, a favorite of mine for long runs, at Run 816.  The route was posted by 816 Run club as 11 miles.  Since I needed 9, I customized the route and went ahead and made it a scenic run, with very little traffic, through SO many great locations.   

Perfect for an easy day, no matter the pace.

Here are a few streets that I have ran in the area (as per Citystrides.com) 

The route was based mainly on mileage but how can you go wrong in the area ?!? 

It was a good size group at 816 Run Club, we all started together at 7:07 (Sunrise was at 7:08). My route left the group fairly quick and rejoined for their miles 2-4.    Ran by several photo-worth (to me) locations and sights and wanted to share, hence this BLOG.
(I might have to bring the nicer camera on the next one). 

1st stop was this Big Chair at Velvet Creme Popcorn, I still need to get me some!

Speed Hump

Right after that pic, I got to join Megan Baxter and Stephen Juza for about a mile before leaving the posted route and continuing my adventure.   I was SO tempted to just hang with them and continue our conversation but that's where I got in trouble before - going either too far or too fast - and they were doing both :( 

Coach says 9 miles @10:30 pace so back to my adventure ! 

The nicer neighborhoods have statues ...

and columns ...

and even fancy street signs !

this guy does not seem impressed

THIS right here is why (some) runners prefer running in the streets

Crossing Ward Parkway at the famous round-about

Birdbath for this neighborhood

it's the Greenway

and sure was purdy ... 

and peaceful ...

and serene ...

and GREEN !   Lots of green

after the neighborhoods there was the Loose Park cushioned trail ...

and the Pond ...

and the Bridges ...

Headed from the East side of Loose Park to the West side through the Rose Garden.

This pic has the moon and a blue bird in it ...

  

The images are not good, but they are in there !

The fountain was on ...

and the Roses were smelly ...

and on the way out there was this topiary!

The route from Loose Park to the Plaza was on Sunset Dr.  

If you have never ran that route, you should.   One of my favorites! 

You never know what you are going to find, and this is what I found on this run

- the Plaza Art Fare

Setting up ...

Time to wrap up this run, finish the last mile and head out. 

But first...

Love running on the padded surface of Mill Creek Park

and the colorful houses on Central Street

Back at 816 Run Club, the faster runners who ran further were already back

Got to hang out for only a few minutes but it was great getting to see Gabe

and Megan (again)

Weather was perfect and the easy pace made for a GREAT run!

If you want to do this "BR.AD" on your own, here is the link to both Strava and Garmin the route;

https://www.strava.com/activities/6018638895  (follow me here)

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/78741641

That's all for now,

Scott

BLOG ideas in the future;

- Bearded Runner Race Report
- Bearded Runner Run Report

- Bearded Runner Route Report

Join me for the I-35 Challenge - talk about an  ADventure!

- https://www.facebook.com/events/576818120028619

Here is a (mostly) complete list of races that I am either running or hope to run at.
Please join me

Great Plains 10k

Frog Hill 5k

Frog Hill Half

Driftless Half

Kansas City Half

Des Moines Half
Cliff Hanger 10k

Watkins Mill 6k
Mileage Monster 5k

Bodies Spooky Sprint Half
*Monumental Half in Indianapolis, MN 

Bodies Veterans Voyage 10k

Veterans Day 5k

Hope on the Hill 10k

Ward Parkway Thanksgiving Day Run
Lagerhead Half

Bodies Turkey Trails 10k 

Westport Santa Dash

Bodies Candy Cane Course 10k

*Destination race for my Half Marathon PR attempt


Code BeardedRunner saves you some $$ at these races;

Sep 26, (bodies) Autumn Adventure 

Oct 30, (bodies) Spooky Sprint Half-Marathon & 5k/10k 

Nov 6, Garmin Marathon - ozrun.org 

Nov 7, Gobbler Grind  ($20 off relay, $5 off 5k/10k)

Nov 13 (bodies) Veterans Voyage 

Nov 14, Hope on the Hill - Join a team addl. $5 off

Nov 20, (bodies) Turkey Trails 

Dec 11, Westport Santa Dash

Dec 11, (bodies) Candy Cane Course 

Mar 26, 2022  Liberty Hospital Half