Hooked on Brooks RnR Gear

Dear Brooks, when did you start creating such cool Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series gear? No joke, I wanted at least three of the T-shirts and the navy hoodie I spotted in the 10 minutes I had to spend at the expo. And had the lights not turned off, begging expo goers to exit at 6 p.m., you probably would have gotten a sale out of me.

It doesn’t take much for me to drool (almost) over running gear. Name a race expo—Rock ‘n’ Roll, Boston, Chicago—and I can always find something that’s begging me to take out my wallet and spend, spend, spend. Not necessarily because I want the coveted Boston Marathon jacket or all the gear that sports Chicago running pride, although that tends to be my first inclination. I’m practically the ideal customer, always wanting to buy a T-shirt secondary to the race shirt that every participant receives regardless of how many tees I already have exploding out of the drawers at home. You should have seen me at last week’s Ironman 70.3 expo—sure enough, I had to have the shirt with every participant’s name printed on the back to make the M-Dot logo.

Ready to rock—and run—a Chicago Half Marathon?

Faces from RnR Chicago, Credit: NVitkus

Forget the earbuds, the iPods and the prearranged playlists. If you’re big on running half marathons, especially entertaining ones, and you’re looking to possibly PR on a course that’s flatter than most, then you won’t want to miss this summer’s XSport Fitness Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon or the registration deal that ends March 31 (keep reading to see what I'm talking about).

It’s on July 22, which for once doesn’t conflict with a Chicago area triathlon or the Air and Water Show or anything else that spells summer in the Windy City. It’s 13.1 miles that covers portions of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon’s course (albeit in the opposite direction at some points) and cruises along the Lakefront Path—provided the 2011 map holds semi-true for 2012. It’s filled with runners—and walkers—of all ages who range from your average joe to the people you watch, or watched, on TV regularly (like Al Roker, Giuliana Rancic, Dan Evans from The Biggest Loser and Kelly Bensimon from the Real Housewives of New York City to name a few). It’s filled with bands who’ll be performing at every mile, giving runners on-course entertainment and music to power through those miles. It culminates with a post-race concert that promises not to disappoint—Bret Michaels was the headliner last year.

Run a Race Where It's Potentially Warmer Than at Home

Chicago runners know what's up when the mercury dips below freezing--they head south. Sure, we'll still take in those training runs on the Lakefront Path and the city streets--trust me, I've seen plenty just in walking to and from the gym where I prefer to hide out from November to March (and even beyond). As for racing, we all know the way to keep up with that at the start of the year is to head south, and plenty of us--me excluded especially since I barely got myself out the door for Fleet Feet's lunar run last month--do just that. But the question is: what race can you run?

Have no fear, there are plenty of races--and cool places--to mark on the calendar before it's really time to return to running this spring, or keep your season going when others around you are hibernating. Check these out:

• Walt Disney World Marathon. The 2011 race occurred at the beginning of January--you can find race results by clicking here--but you can mark your calendars now for next year's race. The 2012 edition runs January 5 through 8, complete with a 5K, kids fest, relay (new in 2012), marathon, half marathon, and Goofy Challenge where you run the half and full marathon races. Registration opens March 15.
• Disney Princess Half Marathon. You don't have to wait until spring or 2012 to run on the Disney property, at least if you're female. With a new date and registration still open, you can head to Orlando at the end of February for this half marathon, 5K and kids races. But you have to hurry and not just because your training days are limited. This Feb. 25-27 race weekend is nearly sold out with the half marathon 96 percent full and the 5K at 75 percent full.
• ING Miami Marathon. You'll have to wait until next year to add Will Smith's "Welcome to Miami" to your running playlist; runners just took over Miami this weekend (click here for marathon results and click here for half marathon results). Typically held the last weekend of January, south Florida definitely provides a welcome haven for those looking to escape cold weather and run a flat and fast course. And if you get a head start on 2012 registration, you can get a bargain too: A registration blitz begins Feb. 1 and runs through Feb. 8 where the first 200 registrants pay $27.50 (half) and $40 (full), the next 200 pay $33 (half) and $48 (full), and all others pay $38.50 (half) and $64 (full).
• Houston Marathon and Half Marathon. It's safe to say that this race will be garnering a lot of attention next year when it hosts the U.S. Olympic Trials. It was already echoing that sentiment in 2011 when it hosted the USA Half Marathon Championships on Jan. 29, followed by the other races on Jan. 30 (click here to view results). The 2012 edition will be held Jan. 15, and it's a special one at that--the race will be run for the 40th time.
• Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans. You don't have much time to make plans or start training, but if you've been keeping up with your running this winter, you might want to test your race skills in the Big Easy. With a race day of Feb. 13, it's not during Mardi Gras, but consider it a pre-party complete with a post-race concert performed by Bowling for Soup (remember 1985?). And if you and your mate want to run--maybe a little Valentine's Day surprise--but aren't ready for the distance, race organizers have just the thing: a two-person relay.
• The Sedona Marathon. Known for its red-rock beauty, Sedona is a sight to marvel at even when you're not there to run 26.2 miles. But this Feb. 12, you can let this scenery carry you through the mental rough spots of the race while warm weather motivates you through the rest.

See? It's easy to escape that cold-weather clime when the weather sours. Even if it requires more planning for next year than taking action this year, that only means more time to scour for travel deals, get training and knock your PR out of the park. Nothing wrong with that, right? And these are just for starters. For more races to run, check out the marathon calendar at marathonguide.com. What races do you plan on running--or did you run--this winter?

Meet Josh Cox in Chicago

I'm in a hotel room in Benton Harbor for a race tomorrow but a little pre-race jitters are leaving me typing away instead of sleeping. I just posted this story at examiner.com but am sharing it here too. Enjoy and more once this darn race is done.

He's Ryan Hall's training buddy out in Mammoth, Calif. He's shoveled snow with 2009 ING New York City Marathon winner Meb Keflezighi. He's run the 56 miles of the Comrades Marathon in Africa with Team World Vision. He won the 5K that was run in Boston the day before the 2010 Boston Marathon. He's been on the cover of Runner's World, a contestant on The Bachelorette and was recently on the cover of Competitor magazine. Enough with the guessing, he's Josh Cox, an amazing runner who definitely doesn't play second fiddle to Ryan and Meb, and he's in town this weekend to celebrate the running of the second annual Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon.

If you were already at the expo Friday evening to pick up your packet, you may have spotted Cox at the Nissan booth signing autographs. Don't despair, it wasn't just a one-time showing. He'll be back at the expo tomorrow afternoon and then will be holding the finish line tape as the fastest male and female runners of the morning cross the finish line. Here's where you can catch Cox tomorrow at McCormick Place:

• 1-1:30 p.m. Nissan Training Tips Seminar at expo seminar stage
• 1:30-2:30 p.m. Autographs at the Nissan booth
• 2:30-3:30 p.m. Panel of Experts Seminar

Then on Sunday he'll be on hand signing autographs just steps from the finish line from 10-11 a.m., again at the Nissan booth. You can find the Finish Line Festival in Grant Park.

Can't get to McCormick Place or Grant Park? Catch running tips from Josh Cox, Ryan Hall and more online through Nissan's 'Master the Shift' program. This is really cool stuff, and I've only had a chance to look at it briefly. Cox is part of Team Ryan at 'Master the Shift', which empowers runners and those who want to take up running to become better athletes. We're talking tons of tips, personal experience stories, advice from experts--you name it--in the form of content, videos and blogs. Check it out at www.facebook.com/mastertheshift.

What's to Love This Weekend

What a week! For me, anyway, between work, play and what always seems like a million other things. Chicago's celebrating after the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup. Festival season is in full swing. The weather's nice--almost all the time. Marcus Samuellson, the underdog I was rooting for, won Top Chef Masters, and Landon and Carley, deemed the underdogs as the teams whittled away, won $100,000 at The Challenge: Fresh Meat II in an endurance adventure I totally would have loved. But that's not to say that all good things happened during the week and that the weekend means wind-down time. Sure, we'll be getting some R&R from the office, but there's plenty to look forward to. Last weekend may have been the weekend of the half Ironman with 70.3 races in Hawaii, Kansas, and New Hampshire in addition to triathlons of all distances, Rock 'N' Roll San Diego, century rides and 5K/10K races, but this weekend promises to have just as much excitement. Check it out:

• Thirsty on the run? If you're running along the Lakefront Path in Chicago, forgot your hydration and can't fathom another sip of water from a water fountain, look for the Fleet Feet hydration stations. Fleet Fleet Sports Chicago sets up three stations along the heavily trafficked parts of the path that are fully equipped with friendly volunteers, water and Gatorade. You have to get out there early as they usually shut down by 10:30 but those stations make running in the heat so much less worrisome. And it's far easier to tackle those 20-milers when you have a hydration source to rely on for your needs--personal experience taught me that one.
• For some reason I like to escape Chicago the weekend of the Old Town Art Fair--I do it every year. It's an easy excuse to go to Michigan and get in the first tri of the season, the Motor City Triathlon. It's not as large as the Chicago races, which I love, a fun course, and if you stick around for the raffle, you're most likely to go home with something.
• Kara Goucher and Paula Radcliffe will be bearing their baby bumps at the New York Mini 10K on Saturday. I'm so curious as to how fast they'll still be able to run with their extra baggage--bets are on that they can still beat me.
• Hy-Vee Triathlon...where the big names in the sport come to race. It's only in Iowa, but I think because of the celeb status at this race--with the likes of Emma Snowsill, Laura Bennett and Hunter Kemper appearing in the past--that made me think that way. And I remember watching it on TV on a random weekend afternoon a few summers ago, right around the time I was getting into triathlon.
• More half Ironman action in Boise and Maryland (Eagleman)
• Or if those races aren't in the schedule, tune in to watch the 2009 Ironman 70.3 World Championship on TV come Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. Eastern. You'll see how the race unfolded for the pros and a few fan-favorite stories like Rocco DiSpirito's. I already have the DVR set for this one.
• Half marathons around Chicago that I still haven't had a chance to race for one reason or another--North Shore Half and 13.1. And the North Shore Half had an awesome goody bag this year that included a race backpack.

There's definitely more to look forward to, and I know I'm missing a few that were on my list, just that I have to pack and hit the road for my Motor City adventure.

Get Your Rock 'N' Roll On in Chicago...and Fast

Hey Chicago! Do you have your sights set on running a half marathon this summer? Do you want to run this 13.1 miler through the streets of Chicago? Consider running the Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon, coming to the Windy City on August 1. But act fast because registration is set to close soon.

Forget scrounging up extra cash for the race fee, begging friends to join you in the venture or wondering how you're going to survive a half marathon in the middle of summer. You need to put all those thoughts aside and just register for the race now before it's too late. Race organizers are announcing online that the race is nearly full and they sent an e-mail with the same warning. When a similar announcement went out for October's Bank of America Chicago Marathon, those last 2,000 spots for the 45,000-participant race were gone before the work day was out. At Rock 'n' Roll, you'll be vying for one of the 20,000 spots available. And knowing our love for running in Chicago, coupled with the out-of-town draw to the city's big-name races, it's no surprise that those spots are disappearing. Score one by registering here.

Some quick facts about race weekend:

• The 2nd annual half marathon will be held Sunday, August 1.
• The race starts at 6:30 a.m. Consider it an effort to avoid the heat.
• Registration costs $110 (plus Active Network registration fees)
• What you get with registration: goodie bag, race T-shirt, entry to the post-race headliner concert, bands playing along the course route, finisher's medal and finisher's certificate
• The race benefits the American Cancer Society and runners can be a part of the organization's charity arm: DetermiNation.
• The race starts and finishes in Grant Park at Columbus and Congress.
• You get to run a portion of the race along Lake Shore Drive.
• Kara Goucher won this race in 2009 and crossed the finish line ahead of all the other competitors.
• It's a flat and fast route that partially mimics some of the Chicago Marathon's course.

What are you waiting for? Register today!

And if you've run it before, what are your likes/dislikes about the course? I'm curious as I was supposed to run this race when it was known as the Chicago Distance Classic but I broke my collarbone the day before--so much for knocking a half marathon off my schedule that summer. But I'll save that story for another day. Photo grabbed from msullivan63 at flickr.

Biggest Loser Alumni Run the Motor City

Just call it Motor City marathoning with former fat folks. Maybe not the nicest way to refer to former cast members of The Biggest Loser, but face it, they once were lively spirits busting out of their clothing and barely able to make it through a workout of easy proportions. Now with their slimmer selves they're out and about, working out, helping out and rocking out. And this weekend it's all about running a half marathon. I was excited to hear that Losers from seasons past--and not just a scant few--would be racing on my hometown stomping grounds this weekend at Sunday's Detroit Free Press Marathon, Half Marathon, Relay and 5K.

Yes, Liz and I have a thing for The Biggest Loser. Perhaps we haven't gotten as hooked this season as in years past--and it doesn't help that the Chicago connection is already out of the running--but we're still caught up in the drama. And that especially holds true when the creative challenge geniuses throw events like marathons, spin-a-thons and triathlons to the competitors. But enough about this year, this post is about the old contestants who've already logged the days at the ranch, lived through Bob and Jillian torture and made those live-changing alterations to daily life. And they're reuniting in Detroit to run 13.1 miles.

Ryan Hall Goes the Distance

Ryan Hall brought his speed to Philadelphia and came away with a win in this weekend's ING Philadelphia Distance Run. Just barely. He edged out Samuel Ndereba for the overall win by four seconds, to finish in 1:01:52. For this American record holder at the half-marathon distance, this wasn't his fastest time--his record stands at 59:43--but it is faster than the half marathon he ran at the NYC Half in August where he finished in third place with a time of 1:02:35. And that's just preparation for the ING New York City Marathon on November 1, a course he excelled on in 2007 at the men's Olympic Trials.

Whether you were running the race and missed the head of the pack action or just want to see how fast Hall ran on Sunday, check out the replay here. The only problem is that technical difficulties ensued at the finish and Hall can't be seen crossing the line. But watching the battle for first is just as exciting, not to mention the women's race where Catherine Ndereba edged Irene Limika by three seconds to finish in 1:09:43.

Did you race on Sunday? View your results here, while you're relaxing your feet today. Photo grabbed from Chris Kantos at flickr. Posted by Kate

Fit-Event: What to Watch for...

Hey all Fit-Ink followers...I don't know about you, but I've been getting excited about hopes of warmer weather, finally planning my season, and having focus when it comes to workouts and training. With the triathlon season kicking off in a way this weekend with 70.3 events in New Orleans and California, knowing that an old coworker almost participated in Ironman South Africa and another is on her way to becoming an Ironman in China on April 19, and marking my calendar for a favorite of DC runners--the Army 10-Miler, that a friend has her eyes on--that opened registration on April 1, I have events on the brain. Expect more event highlights this week for:

• More half marathons (I only reached June in the last round)
• Triathlons
• Centuries

I've been talking too much about bikes in the past few days so it's making me eager to ride, and with a few days left before a 10-miler I might run I desperately need to get out and run. Just need the weather to cooperate--more warmth and less wind--and I'm set. Stay tuned for more. Photo grabbed from Paul and Fi's Mount Everest Climb. Posted by Kate

Destination Date: National Marathon (but 2010, not 2009)

Next year consider adding the National Marathon to your race schedule. If you're looking to keep up the running motivation during the winter, race a spring marathon, or couple a training race with a weekend getaway, a trip to the Nation's capital could be just the ticket. The Fourth Annual National Marathon kicks off Saturday, March 21, and welcomes runners from around the country to participate in the full marathon and the sell-out half marathon. Yep, that's right, the race has exceeded its expectations in the half marathon year after year with an at-capacity crowd expected to toe the line this year and the half marathon racers outnumbering the marathoners two to one in 2008. But if that means success of a race in its infancy--and competing with a fall classic in the area, the Marine Corps Marathon--then it's a good thing.

But with the race season just getting started in Chicago around the same time, plus the difficulty of training through the winter in the Windy City (I'm just thinking of the struggles of those training for Boston), what incentive do you have to head to the capital to run a race?

• It's a great getaway from the Midwest for the weekend. Not too far via a plane ride and not too close where you feel like you didn't really escape.
• The tourist allure of the capital: its historic sites, free museums, saying you saw the White House when Obama was president, notable restaurants and more. There's more to do in the city than just coming to town to run a race and you have plenty to keep you occupied before and after running.
• New terrain. While this can be a plus or minus heading into uncharted territory, it's a great way to see a different city and its sites. And in DC you'll get a little mix of hills that we lack here. And the course provides a great tour of the city with a route running past the Mall and marathoners even add a run along the Potomac.
• Better weather. This one is all up to Mother Nature but the average temperature in DC this time of year is warmer than Chicago so things are already looking favorable. And if it's a mild winter you might get lucky enough to catch a few buds for the upcoming cherry blossom blooming. An early start at 7 a.m. is also nice in case there's a heat wave whirling through to keep temps down, and you'll finish at a reasonable time to still be able to enjoy the day in DC, or return home.
• Capped race with fewer participants than the Chicago Marathon. Yes, the Windy City caps its marathon at 45,000, but it's still larger than the National Marathon where registrations only reach 8,000, with 5,000 of those in the half marathon. That seems tiny compared to the races hitting the downtown around here.
• Another positive or negative depending on how you look at it are the qualifying standards for the event. This is mainly to control road closures and such, but it can also give you a goal to shoot for to gain entry into the race.
• Winter motivation. If you go into hibernation mode when cold weather strikes and need a reason to run either on the treadmill or outside, keeping your eyes on a spring time race can be just the cure-all. You'll have to stay on top of your training or you might bonk come race day.
• Training for another race. If you register for the half you can use the 13.1 miles to gauge your training for an upcoming race, even the Boston Marathon if you're running that in April. Or maybe as a trainer for an upcoming 70.3 or Ironman triathlon. Same goes for the marathon, especially if you're good at recovery. You can keep Ironman training in check by running a marathon early in the season (note: some may disagree with me on this but it worked for me).
• Budget wise, you can usually find some pretty good flight deals from Chicago to Washington. Plus with two airports out of here and three into DC (Reagan, Dulles and even Baltimore) you should be able to find some option that works with your wallet. And once you arrive in DC it's easy to get around via the Metro or even walking (and the Metro runs early to get racers to the start on Saturday) so you don't need a rental car.

The race draws a number of runners from the Chicago area although most of the runners hail from the East Coast especially the Maryland, Virginia, DC vicinity. Oh wait, that's another reason to run: different competition, just in case you see the same faces at the races at home. Good luck to all of those running on Saturday and to my DC friends, maybe I'll run this one next year and drop in for a visit. Photo grabbed from runwashington.com. Posted by Kate

Half the Distance, Twice the Fun

To get that race calendar started for 2009, you might want to consider a half marathon. In my opinion, it's not as daunting as a marathon (with that being said that means I have no explanation for why I've only raced one half marathon in my entire running career), is kinder on the muscles recovery-wise and is one of the fastest growing distances to race. And with training programs kicking off constantly, I figured I better start with this distance as we all dust off our running shoes with warmer weather hopefully on its way.

So with that being said, here's my rundown of half marathons around the Midwest to consider for spring. And don't forget they're also a great testing ground for running the marathon if you have your eyes set on completing a marathon...just think only double that distance. Wait on second thought, you might not want to do that, it could scare you out of running a marathon.

• March Madness. This race held in Cary, Ill., every year is a popular race to kick off the season. Held on March 15, it's a small race and closes out as soon as it opens. One to keep in mind for a January registration in 2010.
• Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon. The 13.1 miles of this race held April 4 run past the sites in Springfield, Ill., made famous by Abraham Lincoln. It's also one of the oldest half marathons in the country.
  
• Badgerland Striders' South Shore Half Marathon. Head to Milwaukee on April 11 for this race that's so cost-effective at $10 you'd have a hard time passing this up even if you weren't 100 percent prepared. Or at least that's my reasoning.
  
• Capital City Half Marathon. Columbus, Ohio lays claim to this race and this year is welcomes a new, warmer date of May 2.
  
• North Shore Half Marathon. Held June 14 with organization recently taking over by local running shop Running Away Chicago, this race is a perennial favorite. This 30-year-old race has been closing out ahead of race day the past few years. And if you want hills, you'll find some in Highland Park, although not necessarily when your legs want to climb up them.
• Palos Bank Southwest Half Marathon. 2008 marked the first year for this race and it's back on the calendar for May 3, 2009. And you'll be running in the company of running great Khalid Khannouchi.
  
• Great Western Half Marathon. A smaller race in the western suburbs of Chicago, it happens to be held the same weekend as the Palos Half. And like the March Madness race, it closes as quickly as registration opens. Check with the Fox River Trail Runners for the registration opening for next year, it's typically in February.
  
• Children's Advocacy Center Run for a Reason. This half marathon hits Hoffman Estates and the Sears Centre in June. However, there doesn't seem to be any 2009 race info out there yet.
  

Or if you're debating between running a half marathon and the full distance, you could opt to sign up for one of the many races that offer both options in a single event. Sometimes you can switch to the shorter distance if you realize on race weekend that you haven't trained enough and can't run the 26.2, but it depends on the rules of the race. But go crazy at these multiple distance events:

• Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon. Run through the capital of country, Nashville, Tenn., on April 25.
• Wisconsin Marathon. This new race on May 2 promises to be the "world's cheesiest" and not in that corny connotation we're used to. Since you'll be running in cheese country, the race pays homage to the dairy product with a special start corral for those donning cheeseheads, a cheese finisher's medal and polka bands playing on the course. And at roughly 60 minutes from Chicago in Kenosha, Wis., it's almost as good as staying home for a race.
  
• Sunburst Races. Head to South Bend on June 6 for this weekend of racing. The route starts at the Hall of Fame and finishes on the University of Notre Dame campus.
  
• Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. This marathon, with half marathon and 10K options on race day, hits the Rock & Roll city on May 17.
  
• Rockford Marathon. Marathoning came to Rockford years ago, then disappeared and re-emerged in 2008. Mark May 17 for year two of the reincarnation that everyone praised last year.
• Cellcom Green Bay Marathon. Held the same day as the Rockford race, this event series with a half marathon, relay and 5K provides a tour of Green Bay, including a run past Lambeau Field. Packer fan favorite!
  
• Lake Geneva Marathon. Running of all distances including the rare 22-mile Euro cross-country event comes to Lake Geneva, Wis., on May 9. If you haven't been doing hill training, this could be a rude awakening--there are some challengers.
• Madison Marathon. Whether you want the full marathon, a half or a quarter, Madison is the place to be May 24. It's also plugging its green efforts this year.
  
• Minneapolis Marathon--new on the calendar for 2009--and held May 31--this race has a marathon and half marathon for those in or near the Twin Cities wanting a long distance race in the spring. And it's a great way to end May on a marathon high.
  
• Stillwater Marathon--not to miss out on the competition south on I-35, Stillwater plans a race of its own right around the time of the Minneapolis race. Guess you can say that if you miss one, sign up for the other?
  

I created this list for a friend in December when he was getting a jump start on his 2009 race calendar and wanted to add more distance running to his repertoire. I can guarantee this list is in no way comprehensive so if you know of a half marathon to add, please let us know. That and I can use a few extra kicks in the butt to get me distance training as spring jumps closer. For more races check the race calendars at Active, SignMeUp, or HalfMarathons.net. A local resource like Chicago Athlete or Windy City Sports also comes in handy. Photo grabbed from tgbusill at flickr. Posted by Kate

Running for President

What does Honest Abe have to do with running? Nothing, really. If you look at the Civil War, the Gettysburg Address, the stovetop hat, the penny and $5 bill--all things we associate with Abe Lincoln--you won't find any running relations. But the runners of Springfield, Ill., want you to associate running through the Land of Lincoln's state capital with this famed president born 200 years ago (February 12, 1809) in a log cabin. And while it's often too cold to celebrate his birthday by going for a run on the actual day, they have the celebration set for spring--this year April 4.

Celebrate the life and times of the 16th President in his hometown at the Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon. On Saturday, April 4, at 7:30 a.m. you'll start on a 13.1-mile journey that takes you running where Lincoln walked, past sites that bear his name, places he frequented more than 150 years ago. This race hasn't been around since the age of Honest Abe (although you can score a picture with his distant relative, see left), but it will be turning 45--that's nine $5 bills or two score and five years ago.

The race starts at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and promises a run past the Old State Capitol, recently returning to the limelight as the spot where 44th President Barack Obama kicked off his presidential campaign in Feb. 2007 and that Joe Biden would be his running mate in Aug. 2008. If you're fast enough to run home with an award, you could have your very own replica bust of the 16th President on your mantle. Start saving those pennies and fives, this half marathon will only set you back $35. Photo grabbed from bluegoosedesign at Flickr. Posted by Kate

Plan now for event season

Photo by shadowkill at stock.xchg

Spring and summer certainly seem like a long ways away as the thermometer dances below freezing (or far below in the case of last week), snow or flurries are almost always in the forecast, and my current idea of a distance workout at the moment is seeing how long I can tolerate the treadmill or Spinning on Sunday mornings for two hours. But even with the warm temps only looming in the distance, the height of the event season will be here before we know it. And while it hurts to put a pinch on the wallet, now's the time to sit down to plan out the race calendar before the races fill up or the fees increase.

What races are some of the must-dos for the season ahead? Or what's happening close to home and fits into the schedule? I've called myself the walking calendar of events at times, once I hit an event I somehow manage to remember it year after year, usually to make sure I sign up for it again, or if it's really bad to remind myself to find a different event for that particular weekend. In between arguing over the dates and distances of the Lakefront 10 and the Soldier Field 10 and providing a list of spring marathons and half marathons to a friend, I thought dissecting the race calendar might be in order. So stay tuned in the coming days for a tour around the Midwest--plus a smattering of destination races--divided up by race distance or sport. Posted by Kate