A New 5K in Town: Charles "Peanut" Tillman 5K

We cheer for him on NFL Sundays, now Peanut
Tillman cheers for runners at his inaugural 5K.
Credit

It's kind of hard to get excited about running when it's freezing outside. You don't want to bundle up. You don't want to slip on the ice. You don't want to get all the way to the path only to wish you had your snowshoes instead of your running shoes. You don't want to race in the bitter cold that accompanies a morning start. And even the treadmill is getting boring--really boring. OK, so maybe that's just me and how I deal with this craziness nicknamed Chiberia.

But yesterday my eyes perked up at Universal Sole's announcement of the Charles Tillman 5K coming to Chicago on Saturday, March 8. A new running race and one that's not happening in the always jam-packed summer? It's love at first read. Here's why I'm psyched.

1. I love new running races--a chance to try something new--as much as I love powder days. Maybe even a little more. While I haven't taken action yet, I'm super tempted to skip a ski weekend for this run.
2. The race is on Saturday, March 8, at Lakeshore East (update: with a growing field of participants, the race will now start and end at Soldier Field). It has to warm up--even just a little--by then. Right? Let's hope so.
3. Universal Sole is partnering with the Charles Tillman Cornerstone Foundation to put on this race. If you've been to one of their Burgers and Beer fun runs or trail races, you know you're guaranteed to have a good time--and not go home hungry!
4. Speaking of Charles "Peanut" Tillman, who's up for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year honors, he sounds like a class act. I say sounds because I've missed literally every other opportunity to run with him. He also landed the top spot on Huffington Post's 'nice' list to close out 2013.
5. All of the proceeds from the race will go toward the Cornerstone Foundation, which helps hospitalized children including his own daughter when she was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. Talk about running for a worthy cause. 
6. Runners might see more than just Peanut Tillman. It sounds like the entire Tillman family will be in tow as well as some other Chicago Bears players.
7. For me, this race could be my chance to shoot for a faster 5K time, something I attempted to do at last year's Ravenswood 5K--and did for the first mile--until I tweaked something and practically dragged half my body across the finish line (we don't like to relive that race much). This winter I've been running at altitude (a good old 6,000 to 7,000 feet up depending on which path or treadmill I'm tackling for the day) so it'll be nice to run where it's flat and my lungs aren't fighting for air most of the time. 

Go to runningguru.com to get registered and start counting down the days to warmer weather. After all, the temperatures can't get much worse than what we've already suffered through...especially come March.

Photo grabbed from Jeffrey Beall at flickr. 

Shop Small, Shop Local, Shop Small Business Saturday

I didn't wait in any Black Friday lines. I didn't score any Black Friday shopping deals. And this year I didn't even push my way through the crowds at the Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza. 

I slept in. I worked out. And I learned that the best Black Friday deals I'd want to score happen on the fitness front--unless I was glued to my smartphone while braving the mall. Life Time Fitness had a membership deal that comped the joining fees--so did the YMCA (the Colorado Springs branches). Real Ryder Revolution warned to watch for package bargains on Black Friday. Train Chicago Studios held a free four-hour--or two-hour if you couldn't cut four hours in the saddle--Computrainer bike ride on the Ironman Canada course. Shred415 offered discounts on its packages and retail, and Urban Athlete featured a $35 per month membership steal. Now those are my kind of deals.

But I'm saving my shopping bucks for Small Business Saturday. Here's why I'm a fan...

• I need running socks. I mud-ified my new Balega socks on a trail run (should have occurred to me to wear the older pair with the holes in them since trails have mud) and desperately want a replacement. Plus we all know socks make good stocking stuffers for the runners on your gift list, and you're not going to find the blister-free variety at the department stores. Or at least I haven't yet.
• I'd rather avoid the Mag Mile crowds. Fleet Feet is less than a half mile from where I live and I can just as easily ride my bike to Universal Sole (as long as it's not freezing). So whether I ride my bike or I walk, I can get there faster than I can get to the big stores along Michigan Avenue or State Street. Besides, do I really want sweaters, fancy shoes, and fine china? Not really...my eyes are on running gear this season. And with Chicago being such a big, spread-out city, surely there's a store you fancy not too far from your front door.

USole Trail Challenge: I Lost My Trail Virginity

Trails aren't all singletrack and obstacles.

Trail races are called challenges for a reason—they’re not easy. The mileage? No problem. It’s the winding route, the downhills on uneven surfaces, the hopping over logs and whatever else one can encounter on a trail that can make a five-mile route challenging. But those aren’t to be taken as turn-offs but turn-ons.

Yesterday I ran my first trail race, the Universal Sole Trail Challenge Fall Edition. I rarely worry about surviving a run, especially one that’s five miles, unless I’m coming back from an injury or said run is a speedy track workout, but I was nervous about this one (not a lot but enough to elicit a “what have I gotten myself into after picking up my packet?”). I shuddered at running singletrack—mostly because I’m usually riding the ruts, and wobbling, and this first foray into the forest would be amid a crowd. I’m OK with trail testing on my own—I pushed the pace in Colorado Springs’ Red Rock Canyon last month—but not with others watching, especially if, when, I lose my footing. It didn’t help that we almost missed the race start, thanks to a combination of heading out the door behind schedule (note to self: pack trail gear the night before) and hitting a traffic pile-up on the way there, or that I was testing out a pair of trail racers.

But I underestimated my abilities and the trail. Trail racing is F-U-N. The 5.25 miles sped by way faster than any Lakefront run—even though I couldn’t run as fast. The course twisted and turned through Schiller Woods, around trees, over fallen logs (yeah, I need to get better at climbing those so two guys don’t whisk by me next time), up quad-burning hills, into mud, across mounds of leaves and down some semi-scary descents (I blame the leaves for giving me tender feet). Yeah, not an easy course though it was well marked and scenic. Lessons for next time: keeping my momentum through the trail’s twists and ignore the vociferous runner who didn't seem satisfied with the course--who cares if the route didn't match the map? And there will be a next time—I was sorry I had never run these woods before or other USole trail races. What was I thinking?

Yes! Bart Yasso Runs Chicago...Today!

The one time I did see Bart in Chicago with Team World Vision.

Sheesh! Bart Yasso, Chief Running Officer for Runner's World and the man behind those Yasso 800s we love to hate, is everywhere today. Everywhere close to home, that is.

I've joked that I'll miss Bart by a day when he's been running in the Windy City, but this time I have no excuse. Even if I don't run today (I'm following orders and not running until Friday to help my ailing leg), I can't miss the twice-in-one-day opportunity to see one of running's most recognizable names, especially when it's an open-invite for both. Actually, I take that back. I can miss it if I read the times wrong like I've already done with Lululemon's track workout--I swear it said 6:30 p.m. when I looked at it last night but it was at 6:30 a.m. And where was I? Sleeping.


Being that I've already missing both of the Lululemon events--the Rush and Walton store hosted Bart last night at their fun run and this morning for a track workout that I'm sure included Yassos--I have one last chance to catch Bart in Chicago. He'll be in Lakeview tonight to hang with the Luna Chix at Universal Sole's Wednesday Women Fun Run. I'm drilling it into my head now: run at 6:30 p.m., talk at 7:30 p.m., run at 6:30, talk at 7:30.

Maybe he can offer me a healing mantra for my leg? Or advice on pushing through the pain like he's has to do in races? Here's to hoping.

Run With a Chicago Bear

What's better than running on an ideal weekday evening, one where the weather is already begging for an evening spent outside sans massive sweating? Running with Chicago Bear Charles Tillman outside on an evening that couldn't be more perfect for running (watch the temperature drop as the day wears on, just my luck). I'm already hyped up for the Soldier Field 10, a favorite among Chicagoans who run to start off their Memorial Day, but that doesn't mean I won't welcome the excuse to think Bears and football ahead of time. Even if I still can't run. Plus the 5:30 p.m. start for the event--6:30 p.m. for the run portion--means there's still plenty of time to make it back home to watch the end of the Biggest Loser finale, if you're like me and anxiously waiting to see if the winner will be Hannah, Irene, Jay or Olivia. Or set the DVR and watch it later because this run party's going to last far longer than that 2-hour show.

If you're ready to lace up your running shoes tonight, you'll want to head up to Universal Sole's Lakeview location at 3052 N. Lincoln to run with Peanut, the nickname affectionately given to Tillman by his aunt when he was an infant. Run With Peanut! is presented by the Charles Tillman Cornerstone Foundation, which helps improves the lives of kids in Chicago who are critically and chronically ill. Tillman will be signing autographs at the store beginning at 5:30 p.m., and then he'll be running a 5K around Lakeview with the group at 6:30 p.m. But the party only gets better:

• You'll get to hear Tillman speak about his foundation, which he started in 2005 after his youngest daughter was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy.
• You'll learn about the reasons to run for The Cornerstone Foundation as a fundraising runner. Good to know considering the Cornerstone Foundation has hard-to-grab Chicago Marathon entries, either for those who want to run for a charity and missed registering for the race, or who are running but still want to select a charity to run for. 
• You'll learn about the training benefits and prizes and perks you can receive for running on behalf of The Cornerstone Foundation for the Chicago Marathon.
• You'll learn about what raising money can mean for the foundation's efforts to help the ill kids in Chicago.
• You can bring your best Bears gear for Tillman to sign (within reason according to the invite).
• You'll party after the run at Fizz Bar and Grill for a pint of beer thanks to Goose Island Brewery.
• You could a raffle prize and go home with an item signed by Tillman--expect other prizes, too.
• A $5 minimum suggested donation will go directly to the Cornerstone Foundation, which you probably wouldn't feel bad about handing over after hearing their story.

If you are running tonight, have fun and enjoy the festivities. I'm jealous to say the least since I thought I'd be able to test my recovered leg at this 3.1-miler. Not going to happen since I won't get the doc's prognosis for another 48 hours. But that's not to say I don't want to hear about the event. Pictures, stories, you name it--because Tillman is one Bear I'd want to meet.

Photo grabbed from Jeffrey Beall at flickr.

Have Stroller, Will Travel?

My old college and post-college roommate had a baby girl earlier this week. My childhood friend had a baby boy at the end of March. My training buddy had twins, a boy and a girl, on the vernal equinox. Needless to say, I've been thrown into all things baby full-throttle between their updates and reading the news about which Hollywood celebrity is about to pop next. So when my eyes scanned across The Daily Stroll starting up at Universal Sole in June, I immediately thought of these friends and their newborns. The only problem is that only one of them (my Chicago training bud) can try this class that gets you exercising with your stroller and baby in tow.

The Daily Stroll offers a mid-day workout in a family friendly Chicago neighborhood that gets you moving with the kiddos in tow. No babysitter to borrow, no nanny needed. You just need to bring yourself, your babes as long as they're at least five months old and can sit up in a stroller, and a stroller, preferably one that can handle the city sidewalks and can be used in "athletic activity." Prepare yourself for a power hour that not only revs your cardiovascular system with walking but also strength trains while using your stroller or your baby or both.

Class is by Jennifer Dixon of You Grow Girl! Fitness and brought to you in part by Universal Sole. With classes starting up on June 7 and running through October 4, every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. is baby day at 'da Sole. And you won't have to sacrifice any of that college fund you just started saving for--class is free and you only need to contact the store and sign a waiver to start participating. Then you're on your way to sculpting yourself back to pre-baby shape or fine-tuning those muscles with a new method. How many times have you heard you need to switch up the routine to see results? Now's your chance.

Click here to read more about The Daily Stroll and all of its registration details.

Baby not ready to join the group in June? You can follow this routine and do it on your own to reap the stroller's upper body benefits.


Photo grabbed from Serge Melki at flickr.

Party Like It's 1999

Flash back 10 years ago to 1999. Lance Armstrong won his first of seven Tour de France victories; he was practically a no-name then. Turin, Italy was named as the host of the 2006 Winter Olympic Games. In the pool, men's freestyle events, specifically the 200 and 400 meters, suddenly became all about the Thorpedo as Ian Thorpe crushed the longest-standing world record in the 200 free at the FINA Short Course World Championships.

Meanwhile, a little closer to home, the Chicago Marathon was still called the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, the running store Vertel's was still in operation, the Chicago Triathlon had yet to set a Guinness World Record for the largest triathlon, people were still running the Park Forest Scenic 10-miler, and Chicago marathoners not only had the fall classic but they could also run the popular Lake County Marathon in the spring, to name a few.

Also close to home, Universal Sole, a running store, was setting up shop in the Lakeview neighborhood on Lincoln near Paulina and Roscoe and a quick walk from the Paulina stop on the Brown Line. Paul Peters--a runner who made his mark at Gordon Tech and Indiana University (read more about Peters here)--was at the helm, introducing running to a community north of downtown where you'd find Vertel's and north of Piper's Alley where Fleet Feet was also just getting on its feet. Some people probably doubted the store would survive but Peters worked the grassroots angle to create a name for Universal Sole at local races with a fast running team and on the local race scene by running events that became local favorites like the Lakefront 10 and the New Year's Resolution Run.

That little store that could is turning 10 years old this month. And while the man who started it all, sold the store last year to Joel Feinberg, Universal Sole is still alive and kicking at 3052 N. Lincoln, a few blocks up from its old location. The good news is that the store has events planned throughout September to celebrate its anniversary, from fun runs to weekly specials to raffle prizes. Tune in for the anniversary party this Thursday, September 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. where you could win some raffle prizes from Saucony, Brooks, Mizuno and Adidas. Or join in the fun run series held each Monday until the end of the month (the first run was held yesterday due to Labor Day) beginning at 6:15 p.m. Runners meet at the store, head out for a refreshing post-work run, and reconvene at the store to cool down and listen for their names to be called in the raffle. September 8 is the Adidas Fun Run (sorry this one has already passed), September 14 is the Mizuno Fun Run, September 21 is the Saucony Fun Run where the Saucony van will also make an appearance, and September 28 is the Brooks Fun Run. These vendors will be raffling off some cool prizes after every run including technical tees.

Happy Birthday, Universal Sole! Photo grabbed from gotbrimmed at flickr. Posted by Kate