Score a Shamrock: 5,000 Spots Going Fast

It's an annual tradition in Chicago to start off the running season with the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle. With 36,000 spots available it's pretty difficult to turn down participating, unless you drag your feet like I did two years ago and miss registration by mere minutes (a press release hadn't even gone out yet announcing the race's closure). But those spots are going fast and it's expected that the race will close by the end of the week, if not earlier.

According to an e-mail that went to past participants, less than 5,000 of the 36,000 spots remained as of this morning. I guess it's a sign that many Chicagoans want revenge over last year's slushy "Snow Shuffle"? I know I would...the only problem is that I'm already signed up for the March Madness Half Marathon (boo to them being scheduled for the same day, Shamrock was bumped up a week--most likely a result of Easter Sunday on April 4). But even I don't run in Shamrock--yep, I was one of last year's no-shows--the Nike T-shirt is a must-have that I'll be sorry to be passing up this year.

Check out all of the Shamrock Shuffle's details and register by clicking here. Photo grabbed from meetup.com. Posted by Kate

Race in the Saints' City

Super Bowl XLIV might be in the books but that doesn't mean the partying has to stop. The events may come to a close in Miami, which hosted the event, but they're just getting started in New Orleans where the Saints celebrate their first franchise win. And what better time than now to head to the Big Easy? And here at Fit-Ink, we're not talking about partying 24/7, although that's a definite bonus, but we're looking at active endeavors that can lure you in.

While you may not be able to make it to Bourbon Street tonight for the revelry, make your mark on the Super Bowl champions' city later this month at the Rock 'n' Roll Mardi Gras race. With half marathon and marathon options, you have no excuse for skipping this opportunity to run through the bayou on February 28. You'll be greeted with a Mardi Gras-like celebration upon completion but can avoid the crowds...what's not to love?

Or if a late February race isn't in the cards, consider the Ironman 70.3 New Orleans on April 18. Yes, it's a bit of a conflict for those running the Boston Marathon the following day, but many triathletes looking to start racing earlier in the season would take a half-Ironman over a marathon any day. Hot, even humid, but it's conditions many of us four-season folk wait until July or August to race, and it's keeps us on top of our conditioning when it's cold. And if you're lucky enough, you may even be able to boast that you raced the same course as Chris McCormack--he finished second here in 2009--and Natasha Badmann, who set the course record for the women.

Those are two of the big-name races for the year, but there are plenty of other events to register for in Cajun country. Check out some of these listings at active.com to get you started. Or if you can't make an event weekend, a run along the riverwalk or through the French Quarter can be just as exciting. After all, that means more beignets, muffulettas and pralines. Yum! Photo grabbed from virtualtourist.com. Posted by Kate

Snow Way! Work Up a Sweat after the Snow Storm

Call it Snowpacalypse. Name it Snowmageddon. Dub it a blizzard that hit an area that might see three feet of snow across an entire winter--and even that's doubtful--not 30-plus inches of snow in 24 hours. But the snowfall doesn't have to mean you're cooped up indoors until the roads are cleared. Sure the snow puts a damper on grocery shopping--my brother-in-law reported that the shelves were bare on Friday--and may keep you from the gym for a day or two, but it only livens up the outdoor activities.

And it makes me jealous: Chicago's been pretty devoid of snow lately aside from a few flurries and I still have a few weeks before returning to ski country, so this powder hound was plotting how she'd spend a snow day. I'm big on lists these days, sorry, and almost set out to share my suggestions for activities that could give you a calorie burning workout without heading to the gym, stuff I wish I could be doing if I had snow to play in. But the D.C. peeps beat me to the punch as these pictures prove and were already making the most of the record snowfall. Even some of my seemingly far-fetched ideas were not so out there. The snowfall brought any and every pursuit out of the woodwork, including those that don't work as well in the snow:

Snowmen, snow forts and snowballs, oh my! It's almost too easy to hearken back to being a kid and making all three of these after a big snowfall. But back then you probably didn't think about their metabolic benefits. DuPont Circle hosted a snowball fight initially promoted through Facebook and other social networking sites. The chasing, dodging and tossing immediately gets the blood rushing. Rolling snowballs--the bigger the better--works the legs and the arms, especially when you have to push your entire body into it to get it to move.

Snowboarding. I couldn't believe this picture from Rock Creek Park: Mason Calhoun took his snowboard out for a ride in the park. It might not be the best vertical, but what is when you're in the capital and usually have to go to West Virginia or Pennsylvania for decent skiing and riding?

Nordic tour through the city. I always joke that I'll cross-country ski or snowshoe to the grocery store if the roads are bad and I don't want to walk on the unshoveled and unsalted sidewalk. While Chicago hasn't had the snowfall to let me do it, someone did use his skis to reach the White House. Cross-country skiing is always reported as being one of the best cardio exercises available and can torch more than 500 calories per hour. It's not every day that you can click into your skis or strap on your snowshoes at your front door and go for a tour--forget driving to a park.

Snow running. OK, there's really nothing special to snow running, I'm just giving running a fancy name because of the conditions endured. A little snow usually doesn't stop runners from getting outside too move the legs, often quoting it beats the treadmill. But many might agree that 30 inches is just too much. Alas, not true for the lululemon running group at the Logan Circle location. They left at 10 a.m. for a fun run through the snow and made the running look easy. It doesn't even look like they have grippers like Yaktrax over the soles to prevent slippage on the snow.

Snow biking. I hope this name isn't trademarked for the activity popularized at ski resorts--a bike-like frame where the wheels are replaced with skis--since that's the only way I can describe
pedaling mountain bikes through the snow. A Facebook friend found two to six inches of hard pack on the streets and said it was "So. Much. Fun." His status is awesome: "Those of you in the DC area of the two-wheeled persuasion, if you haven't gotten out yet, go grab your fat-tire bike. You won't regret it." 'Nuf said. (Note: this was added Feb. 7 after the snow had settled.)

Almost forgot the other winter favorite: sledding. It might not offer as much exercise as running or biking but it's just as fun--or more with the snow flying up around you. And you still have to run up the hill after each run--instant workout.

Make the most of a snowstorm and get outside. Your body will thank you for it. Or you could trek to the store to pillage for food...with an hour and a half line at one Whole Foods, that's easily an adventure in itself. Photos grabbed from theqspeaks and Kurlylox1 at flickr.com, Elyse Braner and Bruce Buckley. Posted by Kate

Fit-Event: Home's Not Too Bad This Winter Weekend

Sorry, folks, I've got Chicago on the brain on this one. I've got a husband on call this weekend, a friend skiing in Park City (I'm so jealous), my first Saturday of the year where I finally have a less hectic schedule that allows for more play time, and there's no snow to keep me busy outside with my snowshoes. With a snowstorm in the east, the Olympics in preparations in the west, the Super Bowl in the south, it's easy to say there are many milestones in the two days ahead. Here in Chicago one would think there isn't much going on for the weekend since these other geographic corners of the continent are garnering far more attention. But on the contrary, there are plenty of activities to keep the body moving without straying too far from home.

Cycle for Survival. Grab your cycling shoes and head to Equinox in the Loop for this fundraiser running from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 6. The fitness center will turn into spin central with 100 teams of up to eight people pedaling to raise money for Memorial Sloan-Kettering Center. When participants aren't riding, they can enjoy yoga, stretching and more (Berry Chill will be on hand to help refuel the cyclists, too). Read more details about the event here or make a donation at cycleforsurvival.org.

CorePower Yoga. Throughout the year, CorePower Yoga offers targeted programs from teacher training to yoga bootcamp. While Boot Camp gets underway on Sunday, Feb. 7, the Gold Coast location is previewing its Live Lean program on Saturday, Feb. 6, at 10:30 a.m. The 10:30 a.m. slot is usually reserved for a yoga sculpt class, but instead of paying for yoga, you can check out the Live Lean program for free. But check the schedule online before you go--earlier in the week the LiveLean session was listed but five minutes ago, the class appears to have switched back to yoga sculpt. If that's the case, stay tuned for other freebie previews.

lululemon athletica. Yoga, and now running, reigns supreme at Lululemon, not only with the clothes offered but within the store's community. At the four stores in Chicago--900 N. Michigan, Rush and Walton, Bucktown, and Lincoln Park--there's plenty to do all weekend. Check the stores' calendars for details but know that you can join the running club at 900 N. Michigan on Saturday mornings, participate in community yoga on Sundays, a cardio class at Rush and Walton.

Rowfit. This indoor rowing and training studio just opened on February 1 and provides a place to train in the West Town area of the city, 1064 N. Milwaukee. If you've never rowed before, don't despair. Not only is it easy to learn, but it's a great exercise that works the entire body. It's hard to pass up attending at least once--the first class is free. Also, stay tuned for more information about this new facility in an upcoming post.

These are only a few highlights to keep you busy before the Super Bowl rolls around Sunday night. Check out REI and Fleet Feet for a few other options, or this calendar of events. Photo provided by Equinox and Cycle for Survival. Posted by Kate

Be Your Own Biggest Loser

You don't have to tip the scales at Biggest Loser capacity to participate in this competition. In fact, you don't even need to be overweight. Whether you've abandoned your fitness goals shortly after the New Year, succumbed to work pressure and non-sweating social activities, or know you need motivation to keep you on the workout wagon, you're a prime candidate for the Core Fitness $1,000 Winter Challenge.

Give yourself 12 weeks and pay Core Fitness Chicago $50 for boot camp-style group fitness training sessions, a personal consultation to create a workout plan, a Core Fitness T-shirt and celebrations as you receive plan milestones, and you'll receive one of the best value packages training has to offer. The only thing better, and less intrusive on the wallet, might be winning an audition to land a spot at the Biggest Loser ranch. Core Fitness challenges you to make a lifestyle transformation that in turn improves your physical well-being, and they'll provide the structure and support to help make these improvements.

Here's one detail you can't turn down: You could walk away with $1,000 if you stick to your guns and work out. Seriously. Core Fitness offers up a grand prize of $1,000 to the grand champion of the program. Those competing for the cash prize will be selected from the four who are named most improve female and male, and leanest female and male. The most improved prize goes to the participant who shows the most improvement while the leanest prize goes to the participant with the lowest body fat at the end of the challenge. And these four go home with prizes too: six weeks of small group training.

Sign up by February 6 to participate--you'll be training into April. Talk about a simple fix for looking good in a swimsuit before the sun and swelter arrive. Photo grabbed from couch.fami.ly. Posted by Kate

Miles for Miss America

"She's got style, she's got grace..." Oh wait that's Miss United States from Miss Congeniality. But with Miss America 2010 being decided tonight, I'm not too far off, and I swear I saw a snippet of the Sandra Bullock flick on TV during the afternoon. Like the fictional Miss United States, Miss America has more than style and grace--she and all of the state contestants vying for the title have enviable bodies that seemingly make onlookers either drool or get jealous. They have some facts that separate them from the crowd, both those in this year's competition and previous ones. And my slightly selfish excitement stems from finding those with a fitness fact listed among their many accomplishments.

Take Miss California, Kristy Cavinder for example. Not only does she have dreams of becoming a doctor, but she's also training for her first marathon. She was also named the first runner up after Miss Virginia Caressa Cameron was named Miss America 2010.

Or check out the bio on Miss New Mexico, Nicole Miner. She serves as a run mentor with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program. And we're not just talking about making appearances at events. Miner has run three half marathons and one full marathon with Team in Training and has mentored five women as they took on the challenge to run the P.F. Chang Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon in Phoenix two weeks ago.

Miss Hawaii, Raeceen Woolford, may not have the marathon miles like Miss California or Miss New Mexico, but she does have an impressive team sports resume--I wouldn't be surprised if I just couldn't dig up running accomplishments on her. This scholar athlete at the University of Hawaii - Manoa is simply high on active endeavors. She's surfed since she was 10, raced a triathlon, practices yoga and was a four-year letter winner at UH in volleyball. Love it!

Add another runner to the mix with Miss Indiana, Nicole Pollard. She ran cross-country for four years according to her bio.

But my favorite is a Miss America competitor from years past: Miss Utah 2007, Jill Stevens. The big news on Jill was that she served in Afghanistan, hence the nickname G.I. Jill, and ran marathons--coolness factor in my book since I always saw Miss America wannabes as women who had impressive voices, dance steps and musical talents and I knew nothing beyond that. Call me ignorant but I was enlightened--for lack of a better word (hey, it's late)--by the TLC show that went behind the scenes of the Miss America contestants in the weeks leading up to the competition. Talk about learning way more about the delegates than anything covered in the two-hour broadcast that selects the winner. Stevens' marathoning came up often in conversation that it was an easy fact to remember. She's fast too, clocking at 3:13 at the Deseret Morning News Marathon in July 2009. And that's not even her fastest time--she ran five minutes faster at the St. George Marathon in 2005.

Yeah, I'm a sucker for race results and random information. Gotta love finding who's involved in the sport--or any active pursuits, for that matter. I'm the dork who gets those "Ah Ha" moments when I find another runner or triathlete. For more details on the Miss America delegates, read about these at missamerica.org. I'm sure I'm missing some runners among the 53 women. Photo grabbed from mormontimes.com. Posted by Kate

Fit-Event: Pedal Power

You could be riding like this (see left) indoors this winter. Maybe you're looking longingly at your bike, wishing for warmer days to hit the trail and pedal outside. Or maybe you're tired of aimlessly hitting the trainer to ride in front of the TV, doubting that you're still giving yourself a good workout. Or you're dreading the next spin class or treadmill run--they aren't even remotely fun anymore and you can't tolerate the cold outside--plus you're wondering how you're going to survive winter's finest indoor training.

One motivation? Stay on top of your racing. I already threw out that idea with indoor triathlons to keep you on top of your triathlon game, and the same holds true for cycling. Cyclists race time trials throughout the summer--just take some of the Tour de France stages--but their format is easily transferable to the indoors with a little help from modern technology and the CompuTrainer. Unless you're participating in a spin-a-thon like the upcoming Cycle for Survival, time trials are another option to keep you from a dull gym workout. And Vision Quest Coaching has one more to add to the event calendar for those eyeing the Mid America Time Trial Series.

It doesn't matter if you're a hard-core cyclist, a casual road rider, or a triathlete who's weak or strong on the bike. Mark your calendars for March 6 and head up to Vision Quest's Highland Park location at 1923 Skokie Valley Road to pedal your way to a fun-filled Saturday. Here's what the press release had to say:

Using CompuTrainers, riders will race 30 minutes on the 2008 Tour de France Stage 4 time trial course held in Cholet to see how much of the course they can complete. In true Tour fashion, the intense course includes a few rolling hills over 29K. The first race begins at 10 a.m. with time slots available on the hour until 1 p.m. Twenty-four slots are available per start time.

Not only do riders have the chance to best their friends and test their winter cycling abilities, but also they can compete for awards. The winner of the time trial will be the rider who amassed the most miles at the end of the race. MATTS custom medals will be awarded to the top five performers in a mixture of categories for men and women including: CAT 4/5, CAT 3 (men only), Open 1/2/3, and Masters age groups and top 3 for Juniors. Cash prizes are awarded to the three fastest men and women, with first place receiving $50, second place receiving $30 and third place receiving $20.

Registration is now open and will close once all of the slots are filled. The entry fee costs $25 per race for non-VQers, $20 for VQers and $12.50 for volunteers. If you want to race in another class the fee is $20 for the second race.

For more information, contact Vision Quest Coaching at www.visionquestcoaching.com, call 877-851-8787 or e-mail indoortt@visionquestcoaching.com.

Photo grabbed from The Swine King's blog. Posted by Kate