Weather-wise, we’ve been lucky this autumn here in northern Michigan. Sunshine, warmer-than-normal temperatures, longer lasting fall color. Even on crisp-cool days, puffy white clouds have shared the sky with the sun more often than not. Only in recent days, as November got underway, has the rain and wind made its presence really known and reminded us that oh, yes, this is normal late fall Up North.
I actually feel ready for winter—we woke up to a couple of inches of snow on our front yard this morning—and I think it’s because fall was just so spectacular.
Like most Michiganders, I love living in a four-season paradise, and running gives us an especially up-close-and-personal experience of all that our state offers throughout the year. As many of you know, I try to capture as many of these outdoor adventures as possible by snapping photos. I feel lucky to be able to see these treasured running routes with snow, with brilliant fall color, with blooming spring growth, with sparkling summer sun.
I love seeing other runners’ photos, too, which is why I follow as many fellow road and trail warriors as possible on Instagram if they regularly post pics of their surroundings while on a run.
This all has gotten me thinking lately that I’d love to feature more Michigan running routes here, on the site, from my fellow Michigan runners (or, for those of you are from outside of Michigan, any shots you may have of running while visiting and running in the Mitten.) To that end, I’m introducing My Michigan Run, a new regular feature that will showcase YOUR photos of great Michigan running routes—as well as what makes this a favorite spot, in your own words.
Here’s the scoop: if you are interested in sharing a beloved Michigan running location, wherever it may be throughout the lower Michigan or the Upper Peninsula, email a picture and a description of the area (and why you like running there so much) to: michiganrunnergirl [at] gmail [dot] com (Please try to keep your story/description to 300 words or less). I’d love to feature a variety of routes, from city landscapes, rocky or sandy shorelines, wide open hills and meadows, tree-lined trails…you get the picture.
You will receive credit for your photo, and if you have an Instagram or blog, I’ll link to those as well. I look forward to hearing from you all!