Early Saturday morning run

MC and I got up early for a Saturday morning (6 a.m.), but you have to if you're going to run a little distance in the summer months. Yes, in Greenville, summer is in full swing. Temp at that time is 71 degrees -- and the sun isn't even up.

Last weekend, the Swamp Rabbit Trail opened for its entire 14-mile length, so on Sunday, we rode our bikes from Furman U. to Downtown Greenville on the newly opened trail. When we arrived downtown, we were surprised to see the Artisphere in full swing. Apparently, Artisphere is one of the top local art shows in the country. It was jammed packed, to say the least. We had to get off the bikes and walk them through the crowds.

Our plan this morning was to go the southern-most portion through downtown to the new trail connector and back. I put in at a church and met MC about a mile up the trail in Cleveland Park. We had a great run, which is hard not to if you like running through downtown parks and trails. The shade was fine throughout and by the time I finished up, the sun was starting to heat up the trail. I guess we started at about 7:30 and ended around 9.

The Swamp Rabbit is a real amenity for Greenville, and has helped to revitalize the downtown area, which 10 years ago was practically vacant and a little dangerous. It is good to see a progressive mindset that looks at long-range planning and how that attracts business while improving the quality of life as well. Around here, there could be such a conservative mindset that spending on parks and recreation would be frowned upon (and there certainly is that element here). But more progressive cities draw businesses and a high-caliber workforce.

7.75 miles on the Swamp Rabbit Trail, 1:13:10, 9.25 pace, 75 degrees
Pictures above were taken on an earlier run.