Free 10-Mile Training with Equinox

Training for the Soldier Field 10, the 10-miler that finishes on the 50-yard line at Soldier Field on Saturday, May 28? Need a little kick in the pants to get running? Having some trouble running on your own with Chicago's crazy weather swings? Equinox can help. And you don't need to be a member of the fitness club to benefit.

Equinox Fitness Clubs has created a unique training program to help those signed up for Fleet Feet Sports Soldier Field 10 Mile train properly. All you have to do is make your way to one of two Equinox locations--Lincoln Park or Highland Park--on Saturday mornings through May 21 to be a part. Sessions begin at 9 a.m., and you're asked to arrive by 8:40 a.m. so everything can start on time. Oh, and you have to bring a photo I.D. But you can leave the money at home--this program is free. Gratis, for nada, zero.

And we're not talking that you just show up for a run and that's it. Equinox's weekly sessions offer cross training through scheduled runs, access to group fitness classes (um, awesome, considering all the variety and hard-core sweating and good sore feelings I've gotten at those), training tips, and question and answer segments. Plus you can use the Equinox facilities and amenities on the day of training--hmm, I sense a little stretch session on the mats or a post-run spin. Well, maybe not for me since I don't even know if I'll be able to run--darn injury woes, again--but those who use this training can benefit from more than the free runs. That's all I'm saying--and that I'm jealous (insert smiley here).

Find these weekly training sessions here:

• Equinox Lincoln Park: 1750 N. Clark, Chicago. 312-254-4000
• Equinox Highland Park: 799 Central Avenue, Highland Park. 847-681-7777

Photo grabbed from news.medill.northwestern.edu.