A misty Christmas day and suffering from some cabin fever between two Christmas parties – what better time for a run.

Thank goodness for John Howard, Toronto’s first city planner, who protected High Park, Toronto’s 400 acre urban green oasis from the developer’s crane rising up around the city’s west end- it’s full of scenic and undiscovered spots. And it’s also one of my fave runs. Even on a damp miserable Christmas day, I was accompanied by more than a few, cheery joggers, itinerant walkers, adventuresome dog walkers, shinny players and families sneaking out for a fresh air break.

In an attempt to retrace the Harry’s Spring Run (scheduled for Saturday, April 3rd, 2010) , we trailblazed our own quick jaunt into High Park that we’ll now break up into 9 parts for your convenience:

The Downhill Start – start at the top of Spring Road hill near the main north entrance to High Park – enjoy the road that snakes through the east side of the park, plenty of dog lovers here just don’t jog alone here late at night

The Deerpen Climb – thighs aching, breath getting short…this is one of two big climbs you’ll be making today – admire the yaks, bison,llamas, goats and sheep as they watch with idle amusement – it smells like a farm too – weird I know, but I love that hay-tinged dung smell

The Loop East Side - catch a breath and travel along High Park’s main artery road and wonder about the hordes of people that descend on the park’s theatre, baseball diamonds, swimming pool, concessions stands and tennis courts and chuckle as parents take their kids out for their very first skate

The Loop West Side – this one is a quickie downhill, just watch for cars who zoom into the park not realizing the 20km per hour speed limit, in summer, be prepared to be gawked at as the park tram guides tourists, families and more sedentary people

Grenadier Pond - easily the most scenic part of the park – admire the biggest floral Maple Leaf this side of Ottawa, the grizzled fishers casting lines from the outcropping deck and romantic strollers, oblivious to the history and the nature conservancy of this beautiful area

The Southern Queensway Bend – listen to the din of cars from the Gardiner Expressway and Lakeshore Boulevard to the south as Canada Geese fly overhead, dutifully obey or astutely ignore your only traffic light on this entire run and proceed back onto a path that brings you back into the bucolic charm of the park

The Playground Garden Trail – travel along the winding path as its enveloped on both sides by big trees, spot the ducks in the reclaimed pools to the right and ponder the usually busy Adventure Playground and it’s gothic turrets, swings, slides and apparati. Note, in a pinch – grab a water from the hot dog vendor that usually birddogs outside of the playground entrance

The Sprng Road Climb – a gradually undulating climb followed by a mean hill to finish off. This is usually the ending of most organized runs in the park and usually espouses cheers. This time, only chriping dogs greet me. Oh well, I know I accompished somethingf.

The Sprint Bloor West Finale – you may be breathless from the hill or surrounding, but civilization and Bloor West awaits only a couple of hundred metres ahead, say hi to the police cars that usually perch at the front entrance of the park , usually waiting their next emergency call and feel guilt-free about the fresh air and scenery you’ve just stolen from the Toronto’s top park.

And for the Apres Run – here are our top 5 choices for after-run fun…

- two Starbucks situate just 5-10 minute walk or a 1-2 minute drive west of the park. Latte it up! or this time of year, a hot chocolate or cider might do!

- Bloor West is filled with great neighbourhood bars, grab a pint at the Swan and Firkin, a burger and ale at the English Griffin or a lager and chat at Mackenzies. Sure it’s two steps forwards, 1 step back fitness wise – but you have to have fun sometime.

- Shoes are down to a threadbare sole? Need a gear pick me up? Both Running Room and New Balance are along Bloor West as well..thankfully, Running Room also has outlined 38 runs that their club treks through year round

- Cross training is your thing – stroll past Wheels of Bloor for the sick looking Cervelos in the window, or RPM Spinning and Gravity Studio for a boutique gym and community of Bloor West activities.

- The refurbished Grenadier Cafe offers up good breakfast, lunch and snack fare situated right in the middle of the park (on the southern loop of the main road), to the west of the park – Sunset Grill offers up a hearty breakfast, Cobb’s Bread and Bread and Roses have great pastries and Dr. Generosity and Villa have a great dinner menu for the showered up and redressed – grab a book from the theatre-now-turned local Chapters and settle back for the rest of the day west end style.

From time-to-time, we’ll be documenting our runs, rides, paddles, hikes and urban adventures, let us know if you’d be interested in submitted your own traipses through the city at chiefsherpa@gengo.ca