Chicago, IL

If you are a runner and would like to see the sights of Chicago, you may want to consider signing up for City Running Tours. Whether you are a Chicago resident or a tourist, you can benefit from participating in one of the company’s tours.

City Running Tours has an assortment of routes available, at different distances, including Wrigleyville, the Lakefront, and the Great Chicago Fire. In addition to the running workout, your tour guide will give your interesting information about the area that you are running through.

The pace is determined by the customer, so if you are a slower runner, don’t worry about being left behind. Your guide will provide water for the run and you are permitted to stop along the way to take photos or catch a breather if necessary.

City Running Tours are also available in Washington, DC, New York City, and San Diego. For more information or to make reservations online, visit City Running Tours.

City Running Tours, Chicago, running

Football season has again returned, with the Chicago Bears playing their opening game yesterday against the San Diego Chargers. Despite a strong defense that limited superstar Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson to only 25 yards rushing, the team, plagued by turnovers and a poor running game, lost 14-3.

More costly than the loss, however, was the injury to safety Mike Brown who left the game with a knee sprain. Speaking to the media following the game, Brown broke down, suggesting that the injury is far more serious than a sprain. Brown has missed many games during the last three seasons due to injuries and some media have speculated that it might be the end of his career.

The Bears will next play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs at home at Soldier Field.

Mike Brown, Chicago Bears, football, NFL

Registration is now available for the 2007 Race for the Cure in Chicago. The event, which will take place on Saturday September 29th, benefits the Susan G Komen foundation which funds breast cancer research. There is a 5k run/walk and a one mile fun walk.

Participants are encouraged to raise pledge money for the cause and there are rewards for various levels of money raised. Breast cancer survivors will receive a complimentary pink hat and T-shirt to wear during the event.

The event kicks off at Grant Park at 8:30 a.m. For more information and to register on line, visit the official website here.

Chicago, Race for the Cure, Susan G Komen, 5k, race, running

The top three finishers in the men’s competition at the Park Forest Scenic 10 Mile: Alene Reta (left) was first.

On Labor Day, the Chicago suburb of Park Forest, Illinois hosted the 30th anniversary of the Park Forest Scenic 10 mile. The event is a 10 mile race, with the first half going through a forest preserve and the second half going through the streets and neighborhoods of Park Forest. The town really puts a lot of effort into the event and the amount of volunteers, spectators, and cheering residents was impressive.

Because the event was commemorating the 30th anniversary, each half mile and mile marker had the name of a past winner of the event. The top finisher this year for the men was Alene Reta, with a time of 47 minutes 17 seconds and the top female finisher was Leah Kiprono, who finished in 55:06.

Park Forest, Scenic 10, Leah Kiprono, Alene Reta

When I moved to Chicago seven years ago, I had never heard of the Air and Water Show. The day after I moved into my near north side apartment, I heard planes flying continuously overhead. I thought that I had made a big mistake and moved into a building that was in the flight path of the airport. I did not realize that I was listening to the rehearsal for the Air and Water Show. I was relieved to learn that the noise would not be permanent.

If you want to experience the amazing airplanes and exciting water acts yourself, you should head to this weekend’s Air and Water show.

The Chicago Air and Water Show shakes up the lakefront August 18 - 19, 2007 for the largest FREE show of its kind in the United States. This year the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Army Parachute Team Golden Knights will headline the Chicago Air and Water Show along the lakefront from Fullerton to Oak Street, with North Avenue Beach as the focal point. The water show begins at 9 a.m. and air show runs from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. both days.

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The Chicago Cubs entered into first place in their division after a win over the Philadelphia Phillies last night. The Milwaukee Brewers had already lost earlier in the evening to the New York Mets to bring the Cubs with 1/2 game of 1st place. In the bottom of the 9th inning, with the bases loaded, the Phillies pitcher threw a wild pitch, which allowed Matt Murton to score the winning Cubs run and put the Cubs into first place.

photo source: Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Philadelphia Phillies, baseball, Chicago

A fun summer activity to do with the family is to head to a Chicago Bandits game in Lisle, Illinois. The Chicago Bandits are a professional women’s softball team, which is part of the National Pro Fastpitch league. Although the team has had some trouble this season and currently finds itself in the unfamiliar position of being in sixth place, they still provide a great night of entertainment.

The team has a lot of great players, the most famous being Jennie Finch, who won the gold medal with the United States Olympic team in 2004.

Compared with other professional sports, the tickets to see the Chicago Bandits are very inexpensive and a family of four can attend a game for only $40 total. If you attend on a Sunday, kids 14 and under can get grandstand seats for only $5, when accompanied by their parents.

The Chicago Bandits games are played on the softball field of Benedictine University. For information and directions, click here. For ticket information, click here.

Chicago Bandits, Chicago, national professional fastpitch, professional softball, softball, Benedictine University

This year’s Chicago Marathon, which will take place on Sunday October 7th, will mark the 30th anniversary of the event. For spectators, 83 days away probably sounds a bit early to be talking about an event. For those participating, like myself, it seems pretty close. So, to help my fellow runners, I want to share this video that I found on the Chicago Marathon website.

It was taken from a car who drove the entire length of the course prior to the start of last year’s event. It really gives you a great look at everything you will be passing throughout the 26.2 mile event and gives you a good representation of just how low you will be running. Although the video is of last year’s course, the course does not change all that much from year to year, so it should be pretty close. The 2007 official course map is not yet available. To check out this great video, click here.

Chicago, Chicago marathon, 26.2, marathon, running, marathon video, Chicago marathon video

Things seemed pretty dismal for the National League in ninth inning of the All-Star game last night in San Francisco. The team was down three runs with two outs and a runner on first. Chicago Cubs leftfielder Alfonso Soriano did his part by cracking a two-run homer into the rightfield stands. Later in the same inning, fellow Cubs teammate Derrek Lee would walk to keep hope alive. However, the National League could not pull out the victory, as former White Sox player Aaron Rowand made the last out, and the team lost to the American League 5-4.

The only Chicago White Sox player represented at the game, pitcher Bobby Jenks, did not make it into the game.

Full recap is here.

Chicago Cubs, All-star game, Alfonso Soriano, Bobby Jenks, Derrek Lee, baseball, Chicago White Sox

The annual L.A.T.E. Ride, hosted by Friends of the Park will take place this Saturday night/Sunday morning. The cycling event runs overnight and allows cyclists to enjoy the streets of Chicago in cooler weather, with less traffic. The events, which is for all ages, kicks off at midnight with a some pre-event activities, with the first wave of cyclists departing Buckingham fountain around 1:30 a.m. This is from the L.A.T.E. Ride site:

Enjoy a 25-mile ride through Chicago’s neighborhoods and along the lakefront. Cycle past skyscrapers, hear “Opaah!” in Greek Town, cruise through the North Side, wave to onlookers, and watch the sun rise over Lake Michigan. Plus, enjoy tons of snacks at the rest stop and breakfast back at Buckingham Fountain.

Last year’s event included over 9,000 participants. If you want to sign-up or for more information, visit the L.A.T.E. Ride site here.

Chicago, L.A.T.E. Ride, late ride chicago, cycling, late ride, bicycling chicago, friends of the parks

Starting today, July 5th, northwest suburbanites of Chicago will be forced to find another place to run, walk or bicycle, because Busse Woods Forest Preserve (also called Ned Brown) will be closed for repairs. People can still use the preserve for fishing and other activities, as long as the don’t walk on the paved paths. The cracks in the asphalt are being filled and then the trails will be sealed with new asphalt.

The month of July seems like the worst time of the year to close the trail, but, according to the Cook County Forest Preserve District Superintendent Steve Bylina, the work has be done at a time when the temperature will be over 70 degrees.

If you are looking for an alternative, check out these links for a list of other places you can run or bicycle, until Busse Woods opens back up for business in August.

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Busse Woods, forest preserve, cook county, chicago, chicagoland, busse woods forest preserve

The Chicago Cubs will have two representatives at the All-Star game next week in San Francisco. Left fielder Alfonso Soriano and 1st baseman Derrek Lee were both elected via player votes. Soriano had been on track to start the game by being elected by the fans, but was beat out by Barry Bonds.

Cubs starting pitcher Carlos Zambrano also still has a chance to make the All-Star team. He is one of five National League players up for the “All-Star Game Final Vote.” The player who receives the most votes online and via text message will be named to the team. For more on this final vote or to vote for Carlos, click here.

Chicago, Chicago Cubs, All-Star game, Derreck Lee, Alfonso Soriano

White Sox Pitcher Bobby Jenks was named to the American League All-Star team by manager Jim Leyland. This is Jenks second straight trip to the All-Star game, which will be held next Tuesday in San Francisco. He will be the White Sox only representative in the All-Star game. That is a sharp contrast to last year, when the the White Sox had seven All-Stars.

Chicago, Chicago White Sox, White Sox, Bobby Jenks, All-Star game, Jim Leyland

There is a new type of fitness facility in Chicago that can bring out your bad-girl side. According to their website, Flirty Girl Fitness is a “premiere women’s lifestyle facility that is outrageously unique and entertaining to inspire women to get fit and feel fabulous.”

Classes available at the facility include pole dancing, striptease chair dancing, boxing (with pink gloves), as well as many other types of classes. Drop-in classes are $25 each, but you can save by buying multiple class passes (i.e. five classes for $100).

The instructors are also available for at-home parties, as well as parties at the studio. I think this would be a fun idea for a bachelorette party.

The studio is located at 1325 West Randolph. For a full class schedule, as well as prices, check out the Flirty Girl Fitness website here.

Chicago, Flirty Girl Fitness, pole dancing, chair dancing, pole dancing class, dance, dancing, dance classing

So, I don’t know how many of you have ever been to a Roller Derby. That’s right. I’m talking about a Roller Derby. Tough, loud and crazy women flinging themselves around a track on rollerskates - smashing into each other - scoring points in an almost indeciferable manner. It’s almost like the illegitimate child of Hockey and Speed-skating…and it’s SUPER FUN!
Chicago is home to several kick-ass teams. You can check out the Windy City Roller’s website here: WHAM!
If you are up for something a little bit crazy and a whole lot of fun, on June 16th, starting at 6pm, you can see two matchups - Hell’s Belles vs The Fury, and Manic Attackers vs. Double Crossers.
They even have a Party Bus that meets at The Cobra Lounge for a pre-party at 4. For $8, you can get transportation to and from the match, and make it back to the Cobra Lounge in time for the after-party.

Admit it, it sounds fun!

Roller Derby, Chicago, Windy City Rollers, Hell’s Belles, The Fury, Manic Attackers, Double Crossers, The Cobra Lounge