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How can you pass up a picture with Staley the Bear? Even if you look a little too giddy. |
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Fit-Pic: Make It Count on Leap Day
Plenty of Leap Day's have come and gone on my calendar, and I couldn't tell you what I've done for any of them. Except for today. But if I'm not careful, it's going to get fuzzy because the whole stream of events from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. is starting to feel like a dream. Thanks to Nike, I know I'm not dreaming and I got one heck of a Leap Day.
Labels:
Fit-Event,
fuelband,
make it count,
nike,
nike plus
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Workouts Make Everything Better
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I need an escape to the pain cave. |
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Coming to Grips with Winter Running
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This winter might be the exception to the rule--I know I'm breaking my running habit left and right, shocking myself every time in the process. I don't run in winter. I don't race in winter. I'm lucky if I even look at my running shoes in winter. If those three assertions aren't enough to spell out my disdain for winter running under normal circumstances, that is, when the wind is whipping off the lake and the temperatures feel even colder than they actually are and we're buried under snow (that's my definition of winter Chicago normal), then I'll say it again: I'm not a winter runner.
Friday, February 24, 2012
Fit-Pic: Wishing I Was Here
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Thursday, Feb. 23 at Arapahoe Basin Credit: Arapahoe Basin/Kimberly Trembearth |
If I created a Fit-Pic for every time I saw powder skiing that I couldn't partake in, I think I'd rack up more posts on Fit-Ink in the winter months, especially when other works gets in the way and I abandon this site more often than I'd like. But then again, if you're not a skier, you hate snow and you despise cold weather, it's a good thing that I don't.
Labels:
arapahoe basin,
Fit-Pic,
fit-ski,
skiing
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
How Flatlanders Can Train to Ski

Ah, but that's what I thought until I spoke with Nancy Fudacz, director of performance training at Chicago's East Bank Club. I've been approaching the whole training thing, or lack thereof when it comes to something ski specific, all wrong. She talked to me about how to train a flatlander (me included thanks to pancake flat Chicago) for skiing.
Labels:
buzz.snow.com,
fit-ski,
skiing,
training
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Can Lance Make Ironman Go Live?
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Lance rides 2010 Tour Down Under. Credit |
If this post starts to not make sense, it's because I'm a bit enraged from reading this Bloomberg article--and thank you Timex Sports for sharing. It's not the article itself and not even that the World Triathlon Corp. is trying to capitalize on its biggest asset--having The Lance Armstrong race triathlons and finish second in his first 70.3 race--to gain live coverage of the infamous 17-hour event that takes place on Hawaii's Big Island in October. It's that Lance can have such a draw on the sport, and that Comcast's NBC network might actually agree to a live airing.
Triathlon is not all about Lance Armstrong. Sure, it's cool to follow him at the races--I'm 100 percent guilty of checking his progress in Panama two weeks ago--but I didn't go to ironmanlive.com just to see his name. I looked at all of the pros, men and women, to see how they stacked up in swim, bike, run, and how several finished a 1.2-mile swim in under 20 minutes, a feat that seems near impossible (ah, currents).
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Why I'm Suddenly Addicted to Mashup Music
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Photo: agius at flickr |
So it comes as no surprise to me that I only recently fell in love with mashup music (and hopefully, I'm even referring to it correctly). And not just for listening, but for exercising. I'd heard of the mashup at least a year ago, and I always promised myself that I'd explore this genre--if you call it that, again, I'm no expert on music terminology--more. Except I never did. Until last night. I guess you could say that I've disadvantaged myself by not watching Glee. Oops.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Look Who's Running the Shamrock Shuffle: It's Abdi!
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Abdi chats with Carey Pinkowski (barely visible) on Jan. 31. |
But no one ever said that the marathon's sister race, the Shamrock Shuffle 8K, known by many as the race that kicks off Windy City running season and previews a small portion of the marathon course, was off the table. And according to yesterday's news, it's not.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Go Polar Plunging
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A Louisiana Polar Plunger |
But if you can reserve time on Sunday, March 4, there is a cause to come out for at Chicago's North Avenue Beach. It's a 12-year tradition that involves taking a dip in Lake Michigan when the water is most likely frigid, maybe even a little wavy, and most definitely going to shock your system (but hey, that's where bragging rights come in!). It's the Chicago Polar Plunge, benefiting SCC/Special Olympics Chicago.
"The Polar Plunge is the top fundraising event of the year for Special Olympics Chicago," said James Sheahan, President of SCC/Special Olympics Chicago. "The day is a fun and inspirational event for those attending. But more importantly, the Chicago Polar Plunge helps to change the lives of over 5,000 Chicago-area Special Olympians, by providing much of the funding necessary to provide year-round activities, programs and events for our athletes. It is a tremendously important event for Special Olympics Chicago and its athletes and families."
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Venus de Miles Lands in Chicago
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Put pedal to the mettle on July 29. Credit: koocbor on flickr |
The name of such a ride? Venus de Miles. VdM is a Boulder-based women's cycling event--I knew I recognized it from the get-go from poring over calendar pages of Rocky Mountain Sports--and it's expanding to the Chicago area to bring female riders their first-ever all-women's road bike ride on Sunday, July 29. Teresa Robbins, VdM's founder and race director, says that Illinois was a natural choice for expansion. "When we were scouting areas to host another ride we fell in love with Lake Forest and the possibilities the route has to offer," she says.
Labels:
cycling,
Fit-Event,
venus de miles,
women
Monday, February 13, 2012
A New Rule for a Yoga Studio?
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L is for locker and losing clothing, kind of. |
I've seen some strange things in my two-plus years of regular yoga practice. Passing wind, oh-so-embarrassing for the tooter. Low-cut tank tops that reveal a little too much cleavage. Shorts that look like underwear. Shirtless guys who should maybe reconsider flashing their man boobs. People who don't heed the request to leave gear in the locker room and shoes at the front. Cell phones on the studio floor and texting during class (seriously, didn't you go to yoga to either get a workout or escape life's stresses?).
Friday, February 10, 2012
Top 10 Workout Songs for February

Run Hundred comes to the rescue again this month, releasing its list of top 10 workout songs for February. With the Grammy Awards arriving this weekend, and several artists performing at the music show, it seemed all too perfect to download a round now, watch the Grammys and download another round on Monday for a fully loaded playlist. That and I need to get reacquainted with some of the artists up for awards (like Adele).
Here's the full list, according to votes placed at Run Hundred, the web's most popular workout music site.
Labels:
fit-tunes,
music,
playlists,
run hundred,
speed workout,
workout
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Suspension Attention
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One of the 300+ TRX moves. Credit: campdarby at flickr |
But TRX Suspension Training is still one of my favorites. It's challenging in ways I didn't think possible. It's applicable training to several different sports as demonstrated by these workout suggestions. It's still topping the charts as a good workout by training professionals. It's easy to store and doesn't require too much space for set-up--and you can do it just about anywhere. It's not your usual functional fitness and it's tough to get bored. Oh yeah, and it makes me sore and sweaty--and fast. When that happens, I know I'm getting a good workout and that I'm growing stronger in the process.
The funny thing is that I didn't realize until now just how helpful it could be for ski conditioning. I've harped on it a million times: I don't live near the mountains and I'm not about to drop everything and drive up to Wisconsin to ski on glorified hills. My only hope to stay fit for ski season is by doing any and every workout imaginable that can work its magic off the slopes. Except why didn't I think to try TRX sooner? Good question that only has an excuse-filled answer. After reading what I wrote about TRX at buzz.snow.com, I think I better take my own advice. My core, balance and flexibility--for starters--will thank me. I know it.
Photo grabbed from campdarby at flickr.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Hours Away from Closing

Me included. I swore I wouldn't--I have an Ironman to race not even a month before the October 7 marathon--yet I found myself near hypnotized filling out the information on the registration screen last Thursday. Option one: register Tuesday night at launch event and be entered into raffle to win a hospitality pack. This would have been the smart time to register. Option two: register Wednesday at noon when the official registration opened to the public. Still, I said no. Option three: read a warning that the race will close soon and then register. There's no logical answer to why I chose option three aside from some stray thought telling me not to sit out. Unless I could call it the Abdi effect, meeting 2012 U.S. Olympic Team member Abdi Abdirahman, rubbing off a day and half late. I guess that's how your brain acts when you've run the same fall event 12 years in a row?
Thursday, February 2, 2012
The Biggest Loser's Excuse-Ridden Annoyances
Is it just me or is this season's cast of The Biggest Loser more annoying than inspirational? I've never heard so many whines, excuses, behind-the-back talk or mean comments in all the seasons I've tuned into the hit weight loss show. For a show that's supposed to celebrate weight loss and taking that leap toward a healthy lifestyle once and for all, it seems lost amid a bunch of BS, for lack of a better word and all too appropriate, and petty arguing during week 5's episode.
Usually by week 5, I've identified at least one favorite, that one person who I want to take it all the way to the finale. Tara, one of the Curlee sisters, Antone. But this season, I have yet to find that person. Instead I find myself plugging my ears, or pushing the mute button, in hopes that I can drown out the contestant complaints. Here's what's irking me the wrong way:
Usually by week 5, I've identified at least one favorite, that one person who I want to take it all the way to the finale. Tara, one of the Curlee sisters, Antone. But this season, I have yet to find that person. Instead I find myself plugging my ears, or pushing the mute button, in hopes that I can drown out the contestant complaints. Here's what's irking me the wrong way:
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Chicago Marathon: By the Numbers
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From the archives: 2005 Chicago Marathon finish line |
Not sure if you’re ready to pull the trigger and race through the starting gates when registration opens? Run your eyes across these figures for more details about this Windy City marathon that either spur you to sign up or make you run for the rafters. I’m going with the former—you’d think that after 12 years of running, I wouldn’t need the nudge for No. 13, but I do. Dangling a hospitality ticket in front of me at Tuesday’s special launch event wasn’t enough to do it, but maybe this is.
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