The American Cancer Society and  Rock 'n' Roll Chicago™ 1/2 Marathon have teamed up to give an amazing event even better.
 
Runners in this year's August 1 Rock 'n' Roll Chicago™ 1/2 Marathon benefiting The American Cancer Society® will have the opportunity to save lives from cancer while participating in the ultimate running or walking experience, thanks to a new collaboration announced by the Society and the Competitor Group, Inc.

"Many people are not aware of the important role that exercise plays in reducing cancer risk - in fact, one-third of all cancer deaths could be prevented with proper diet and exercise," said DetermiNation Co-Chair Gabe Villarreal. "By training for and running or walking in the Rock 'n' Roll Chicago ½ Marathon benefiting the American Cancer Society, people can take one of the most important steps to stay well from cancer by getting physical activity, while helping save lives from cancer."

Through their participation in the Rock 'n' Roll Chicago 1/2 Marathon benefiting The American Cancer Society,  DetermiNation athletes of all abilities can dedicate their training and race participation to the only endurance charity program that helps save lives from all forms of cancer. As part of their involvement, these athletes will receive race entry, team training, race-weekend VIP amenities, social event opportunities, and much more.

The former Chicago Distance Classic, has transformed into a 13.1 mile party . The Rock & Roll Series is a "must race" for anyone looking to run, have fun and benefit an amazing charity.

Segments from Press Release

February is National Heart Month and Friday is Wear Red Day to help raise awareness of heart disease in women. All across the country, people will be wearing red to show their support for Go Red For Women and you can to.

This tiny little gesture sends a message of support to your mothers, daughters, sisters and aunts.  Everyday women are dying at the rate of almost one per minute. Speak up. Make a difference. Show your support for the fight against heart disease in women by wearing red. It's an easy, powerful way to raise awareness of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Marathon Dan is running the Chicago Marathon to raise money for The American Heart Association and his oldest daughter who had to have open heart surgery at 2 days old. School kids across the country are jumping rope to raise money.

You can show your support by sporting a little red.  

Click here to help support Dan and his efforts.
Click here to help support Jump Rope For Heart
Click here to learn more about Red Day and how you can help out.

It's Tuesday morning (2-2-10) I am sitting in the office of Eric L. Chehab in Wilmette, filling out my paper work before our appointment.  

My new knee brace.

If the other patients in the waiting room were to try and guess what I was in the Dr. Complex for, I think they would lean towards detox from a drug addiction or a sleep disorder.  My eyes are blood shot, my nose is running, I am nervous and jittery.

The last time I saw Dr.Chehab was three years ago and the prognosis was grim, I had microfracture surgery and a whole lot of re-hab. It was a worse case scenario situation, my right knee was kaput.  

This time it's my left knee, the right one feels amazing.  I am an idiot, I shouldn't be here.  If this were one of you, telling me this story, I would give you my "treat yourself like glass speech."  It goes a little something like this, "you are sacrificing a lot to make it across that finish line, for the next XYZ months, you have to pretend you are made of glass and take extra care of yourself.  The last thing you want to do is something stupid and have all of this be for nothing."

If I had a dime every time I said that speech...you get the idea.  Yet here I am, my knee is swollen like a basketball, I can't put any weight on it, and it is popping and cracking like bubble wrap.  I am freaking out.  This could actually be the end, because I didn't listen to my own advice and beat the hell out of myself ice skating!  

How I messed it up is for another time over cocktails, you buy.  The point is I should have known better.  I have spent almost 3 years working myself back to semi-decent shape, I have access to the most amazing coach Heather Gollnick and trainer Craig White, because I was goofing around on the ice, I may have flushed it all down the toilet.

A few short minutes later, I am in the exam room.  The nurse has me slip into the most uncool shorts I have yet to see and I can feel my heart pounding in zone 5. I am on the verge of an anxiety attack, as we go through the details and then an Xray.

Finally Dr. Chehab comes in with the Xray's of my knee. I want to scream, "cut the chit chat, yes or no!!!" However, we talk over everything.  If you are looking for a Dr. with a great bedside manner and dreamy brown eyes, Dr. Chehab is the guy for you.  He is smart, calming and knows how to deal with manic athletes. I am calming down as he breaks the news.

At the end of the day my knee is jacked up, but not enough for surgery(my words, not his).  I can feel tears flowing down my face, it sounds a little dramatic, but I love what I do and the thought of not being able to do it was devastating.  I have to rest for a month, I can swim, I can bike lightly, I can lift.  I can't run, not even with Marathon Dan.  Will it set my training back a little? Yes, however I will be able to race, if I am smart.

I can't and shouldn't snowboard, bungee jump, leg wrestling or shark dive.  This time I was lucky, I am 42, with 5 knee surgeries under my belt, I am blessed to be able to do what I do at any pace and need to remember that part of the whole endurance sacrifice that we all make is the commitment to the lifestyle.  I do go to bed early, I don't drink that much, I gave up cigars and I shouldn't be trying to imitate Apollo Anton Ohno while wearing figure skates!

I skated disaster this time.  I almost let down myself, my coaches, even my family and all the support they have given me to this point.  Next time, I will remember to follow my own advice, or at least I'll try.

Let's be careful out there.

Do you want to be on the cutting edge of technology and get some pretty cool running schwag?  Brooks has a way for you to do both, with their Lab Rat Program.

They are looking for runners to participate in our Biomechanics Lab Testing Program and/or Wear Testing Program. If you meet the following criteria, you too could become an official Lab Rat

Lab Rat Requirements
    •    Must agree to all terms of the Wear Tester Agreement
    •    Agrees to return shoes upon request
    •    Must live in the United States and be able to receive packages delivered by FedEx (Due to import/export duty and trade restrictions we are unable to ship testing product outside the U.S.)
    •    Knows personal gait category and running shoe size (if not, please visit a running specialty store to be fitted before you apply)
    •    Must be 18 or older
    •    Must have regular access to the internet and a valid e-mail address
    •    Able to provide detailed, helpful, and timely feedback effectively via email or phone
    •    Agrees to use shoes only for running during testing (no yard work, rock climbing, etc.)
    •    Wants to create a better Brooks shoe!

    
Your input will shape the fit, function, design and color of future Brooks products!

To find out all the details and apply, click here.

Only 250 more days until the 2010 Bank of America Chicago Marathon and official registration opens today (as of 2/1/10)!  Click here to go to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon site and secure your spot. 

Registration opens today and will remain open until the event reaches its 45,000-athlete capacity. Though it takes a while to fill up, it's better to secure your spot and not have to worry about it down the road, last years race sold out by April, but with the 10-10-10 race date, things are expected to fill up faster.

The registration fee is $135 for U.S. participants and $160 for participants outside the U.S.

Your participation in the 2010 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will directly benefit youth running programs in Chicago. Two dollars from each entry, along with a dollar-for-dollar match by Bank of America, will be donated to benefit Chicago-based youth running initiatives.

For more information and to register for the 2010 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, click here.

Chicago 1/2 Marathon and 5K Discount Coupon.
For those of you who are looking for a great race and a great offer, check out the coupon below for the Chicago 1/2 Marathon and 5K.  If you use the coupon below when you register between today and February 3rd, you will receive a $13.10 discount  (coupon code: 131CH413).

The Chicago 1/2 Marathon and 5K is on June 13th and a great way to gauge your marathon or Ironman training.  Their motto is Where the Party Meets the Pavement!  A great way to start the Summer season.

 

By: Barb Rodriguez

It's no secret.

Courtesy of Eric Shropshire

Winter in Chicago is brutal. Especially those short days in January where you find yourself running on the lakefront path armed with four layers of clothes and YakTrax, while exchanging smiles of stupidity with strangers out for their daily run. You know exactly the look I'm talking about...the one that says I'm glad to know there's someone else out here as insane as me.

During the winter months, it's not uncommon for Chicagoland runners to band together with their friends for a mass exodus to race in warmer climates. Arizona. Southern California. Texas. Florida. They're all taunting us with races that promise a beautiful escape from the harsh frostbitten winter that we always find ourselves in.

Anyone with a passion for running looking out their window to a foot of snow would willingly hand over their credit card for a bit of reprieve. I've done it. And heck, you've probably at least considered it if you haven't done it already.

Let's get one thing straight. The grass is not always greener, folks. Running a destination race for warm weather alone is a gamble. Back in 2007, the starting line of the PF Chang's Rock 'N Roll Marathon and Half in Arizona was a blistering 27 degrees. And this year at the Disney Marathon, temperatures were at a near record low, clocking in the upper 20's and low 30's. You can blame global warming, or even El Nino, but it looks like even Mickey Mouse can't guarantee marathon hopefuls warmth and sunshine.

So when ex-pat and running enthusiast Kimberley Steadman decided that destination races were too costly and that Chicago needed a January half marathon...she decided to throw one herself.

Limited to 100 entry slots, the inaugural F***ing Freezing Frozen Lake Half Marathon and 5k (fondly known as F^3) was born. All it took was one idea, a few friends, and a Facebook fanpage to help spread the word...and before she knew it, the race was sold out. It was truly a grassroots effort that took on a life of its own.

Coming off the heels of Ironman Arizona (see? I told you I'm one to escape the Chicago cold!) I personally had very little desire to run 13.1 miles. As far as I'm concerned, I've earned a free pass for professional couch surfing for the next year. But I tapped into my inner winter warrior and ponied up for the 5k--then rallied some friends to come join me in the promise of some fun, cold winter running with a beer at the end. And with an entry fee of $6.50, I was easily drawn and registered without hesitation.

If you want to check out the latest and greatest gear, talk to a world class athlete or pick the brain of some of the top coaches in the world of endurance sports, then don't miss the 2010 Great Lakes Multisport,Cycling and Running Expo.

There couldn't be a better time for an event like this, the weekend before the Super Bowl and two weeks before the 2010 Winter Olympics.  It's much more than an expo.  It's a charity event, a race, a clinic and a great way to get amped for the new race season.

Proceeds benefit Racers Against Childhood Cancer (RACC), who use their passion and competitive spirit to raise money for research and the fight to defeat childhood cancer.

If you're looking for churros and stale popcorn, this is the wrong expo.  Bring workout clothes, get ready to workout and have fun.

The Expo is one of the largest of its kind in the United States with more than 90,000 square feet of exhibit space, over two dozen technical sessions and mini-workshops, team and individual bike time trials, swim stroke analysis and VO2 testing, the final RACC Winter Series 5K, the Salus Corporate Challenge Walk/Run Across America, and events for children and much more.

Here are a few of the highlights.

• Over 80 vendors taking up around 90,000 square feet of exhibit space
• Over 30 different break out tech sessions or mini clinics, VO2 Max Testing by Woodway Treadmills
• Team and individual bike time trials using 16 interlinked CompuTrainers
• Swim stroke analysis in our endless pool and underwater camera system

When- Saturday, January 30 and Sunday January 31.
Where- Wisconsin Expo Center at Wisconsin State Fair Park
Cost- Expo entry fees are $7 in advance or $10 at the door.  The first 4,000 attendees receive a goodie bag with valuable coupons and discounts valued at more than $150 and the first 1,000 receive a special RACC gift. Expo entry is free for Expo volunteers.  

Coach Jennifer Harrison

It's cliché, but the hardest part of any journey is the first step.  Wanting to change and deciding to do something about it are two different things.  To have the guts to say "Enough! Today I am going to be different, today I am going to take a stand! From here on out everything will be different."  To act on these words is harder than any race you will ever be in. Acting on these words means changing everything, something Marathon Dan has committed to doing and I am lucky to be a part of.

I coach triathletes and marathon runners for a living:  All day, every day and all over the world.  I find nothing more rewarding or more challenging than my job (and I am a mom of twins!).  This is the story of my journey with Marathon Dan and his quest to finish The Chicago Marathon.

In the fall of 2009 I was reading an article written by David Wallach regarding Dan Malinski and how he had made an attempt to train for the 2009 Chicago Marathon but without success.  He weighed over 300 lbs, unhealthy and headed further down an unhealthy rabbit hole.  He was not dedicated to a specific plan.  Unfortunately, he never started the 2009 Chicago Marathon.

His story caught my eye.  Dan is also a father and comes from a history of Heart Disease.  He was looking for some motivation to get him through weight loss, training and getting to the start line of the Chicago Marathon injury free and prepared.

I only had to read his story once.  I immediately emailed Dave Wallach and told him I will coach Dan for free.   His story touched me and I am lucky enough that I was in a position that I could play it forward with my coaching and I wanted to offer my services to Dan.  But, I had three rules:

#1:  Dan had to get a full physical/blood work by his physician and get an "OK" from his Doctor for me (clearly understanding what this marathon training would entail for the next 12 months).
 
#2:  Dan had to run for a charity.  I wanted this joint venture to have a purpose larger than both Dan and I.  Dan chose to work with :  American Heart Association.

#3: Dan had to blog about it.  What Dan lacked in physical conditioning, he made up for in heart and passion.  I wanted him to be an example to EVERYONE....to get people in shape, to get people off the couch and to show everyone that with some support (it takes a village!) that anyone can achieve their goals.  Dan's blog is Cubicle Dad if you want to stop by and offer him your support!

We have been holding off on announcing our new Athlete of the Month until the holidays were officially over, however when we heard about South Dakota State basketball coach Scott Nagy, we decided to make him the Person of the Month.

Nagy is coaching barefoot this weekend in an effort to raise awareness and money for the people in Haiti.

It's not just a publicity stunt, despite living in South Dakota, the quake hit close to home for Nagy and his family.  Nagy adopted a little girl from Petionville, Haiti, near the earthquakes epicenter.  Despite trying Nagy wasn't able to reach his daughters birth mother.  Discussing the quake and what happened with his daughter Naika has been difficult for Nagy.

"She's very intelligent and very bright," Nagy said. "She doesn't say a whole lot, but I know it's heavy on her heart...At first, she thought everybody was dead in Haiti," Nagy said. "I told her that most of the people lived. She said 'so, four people died?' I said 'more than that."'

Nagy has decided to take a stand, literally and do what he can to help the cause and awareness.  Saturday, Nagy will coach barefoot as part of his effort to help collect shoes and money for earthquake relief in Haiti through Samaritan's Feet, a charity based in Charlotte, N.C. South Dakota State will play Oakland (Mich.) at home in Brookings,South Dakota.  Nagy's goal is to help collect $30,000 and 2,000 pairs of shoes.

IUPUI coach Ron Hunter coached a game in his bare feet last year to raise awareness for the charity Samaritan's Feet.

If you want to help you can text "shoes" to 85944 and a charge of $5 will be added to your cell phone bill or you can buy a pair of shoes for a child in need. Donations of gently used shoes also can be made at Finish Line stores, or at the organization's web site.

I personally have several pairs of Nike running shoes that I have absolutely no use for, I'm not sure how many Haitians wear a size 13, but in honor of coach Nagy and the 300 other coaches around the NCAA who have joined Samaritian's Feet, I am gathering up all of my Nike shoes and sending them off to a better place.

I won't go off on a rant about lame shoe companies and their messed up priorities, click here for that.  Instead I will applaud Coach Nagy and the hundreds of other coaches who have stepped up to be shining examples in a time of tragedy. 

Many of us have a pair of running shoes that may be too broken in to train in, but great for everyday use, now is a good opportunity to get them out of the closet and into the hands of someone who would truly appreciate them.

Click here to learn more about Samaritan's Feet.  Click here to go to the Finish Line web site and learn how to donate shoes.
 
For Nagy going barefoot for a few hours is nothing compared to what is happening to the survivors in Haiti.  "I like to stomp," he said. "I can't do that. My feet hurt bad enough after games. Honestly, once the game gets going, you don't spend a whole lot of time thinking about it. It's a good way to remind people that there's other things going on that are a heck of a lot more important than just basketball games."