A local blogger shares her favorite running route.

On a recent trip to The Field Museum, we spotted Vegan by Valerie blogger Valerie LaMonica out for a run. We had to ask: What's up with running in the South Loop?

Neighborhood watch. "This area is very active. People are always out running and biking because we're so close to the museum campus, Soldier Field and the lake. The people watching and sightseeing keeps you from getting bored during longer workouts!"

A view from above. "I'm training for the Chicago marathon, so I run along the 18th Street Bridge and down the lakefront at least three times a week. Starting a run going up an incline isn't always so great, but I love seeing the city from up here."

Running fuel. "I'm always trying new pre- and post-workout recipes. Right now, I love the Chocolate Pre-Long Run Energy Bites I recently posted on my blog (get the recipe here)."

Run, Fit Girl, run.

Know a runner who needs a new route? Send her this email!