Greetings!  My name is Tyler, and I recently moved here from Maryland.  I see we have some other East Coast refugees here as well.  Based on my experiences in Chicago thus far, I think it’s safe to say we made a good choice.

Anyhooters, I joined this group at the recommendation of a friend in the area.  To be blunt, I don’t really have any structured or quantifiable running goals (yet).  I’m kind of a simpleton in that sense; not even on Strava.  I keep track of my workouts on a Garmin Forerunner watch and pray the battery doesn’t die mid-run.  The bit, if you will, is to run whenever, however far, or however long, and just play it by ear.  I plan on running my second half-marathon at some point this summer or fall.  Very eager to meet folks who have experience with distance running so I can learn a thing or two from them.  Also trying to meet people in the same boat who run casually or for fun and are trying to build endurance and speed on the side.  So maybe that is technically a goal…we’ll see what happens.  Perhaps a full marathon is in the cards…

My favorite/funniest running memory, while on the topic of distance running, was last year when I was on a 2-4 mile weekend jog.  Around mile 7, it turned into an ego run, and that’s how I cranked out my first half.  The physical toll was paid in 4 weeks of recovery.  100% worth it.

Regarding my favorite place to run, it’s a park called Gravelly Point just to the north of Reagan National Airport along the Potomac River.  It is situated about a quarter-mileish away from the end of the main runway.  It’s absolutely thrilling to see planes fly the famous River Visual 19 approach inbound from the northwest.  FYI: A YouTube search will yield endless videos of departing and arriving air traffic.  Another cool thing about Gravelly Point is the trail that goes through the park and into the DC via the Arlington Memorial Bridge.  You can make a 7+ mile loop out of it if you pass by all of the memorials and monuments in the National Mall.

In case it wasn’t obvious, my passion for running is second to aviation and flying in general.  As a lifelong AvGeek turned flight dispatcher, I find myself constantly looking skyward…literally.  If I hear a plane overhead, I’m instantly trying to identify it, maybe even track it if I can tell it’s not flying a typical traffic pattern/route.  It’s basically a reflex at this point lol.

Very much looking forward to meeting you guys on an upcoming run!  Have a relaxing evening.

Tl;dr New to Chicago.  Trying to connect with fellow runners.  Trying to run a half-marathon later this year.  Love airplanes. (Sorry for the text wall haha)