Running for Chocolate

Forget physical fitness, health, and personal satisfaction. One of the real reasons I sign up to run a 5k race is often for the stuff I get. I’ll admit it.

And there is no better race in the Chicagoland area for extrinsic motivation than the Hot Chocolate 5K/15K!  Not only do participants receive either a chocolate-brown running jacket or a hoodie, but everyone is greeted at the finish line with hot chocolate and fondue – this year sponsored by Ghirardelli! So, this past Saturday, I ran alongside 30,000 runners in the 3rd annual Hot Chocolate race.

Will Run for Chocolate

I woke up at the crack of dawn on one of the coldest mornings of the season so far, just to run for chocolate. I bundled up in my new running jacket and my “Will Run for Chocolate” hat and made my way downtown on the El with a train-full of other bundled up and chocolate brown-clad runners. I dropped off my bag at gear check, and headed to the 5K starting line.

The course itself was pretty scenic, albeit crowded. A nice morning run along past Soldier Field, around the Shedd Aquarium, and along the lakefront is always pretty picturesque. But while running with thousands of other runners, it’s important to pay attention to where you’re going and not just the scenery.

(I’d also like to add a little bit of advice for everyone’s sake here: If you’re not a runner, but you’re considering joining a race, certainly go for it. It’s great that people of all ability levels can enter things like this. But please, PLEASE, if you are going to walk in a race, move to the side so runners can get by you! When walkers take up the whole path, impatient runners will often try to take short cuts, and people end up tripping or getting knocked over!)

After crossing the finish line, I picked up my bag from gear check (and kudos to the event staff and volunteers for such an organized gear check for a race of this size!) and made my way to the fondue tent. This was what I was waiting for.

Each runner was given a nacho-tray full of “dippers” — apples, bananas, marshmallows, pound cake, pretzels, and rice krispie treats — and some delicious melted chocolate to dip them in.

And finally, I was able to wash it all down with a nice, steamy cup of Ghirardelli hot chocolate with marshmallows.

I ran for chocolate!

If you’re interested in running next year’s race, registration begins on February 14th, 2011.

Mission Accomplished: City Chase 2010

Today my friend Katy and I completed our first City Chase race. We weren’t hoping to win; we just were shooting for completing 10 challenges in 6 hours to be considered “finishers.”

Our day began at the starting point at Merchandise Mart, where we were asked to provide 8 of the following 10 items:

At the Starting Line

• a $1 bill with our team’s number on it
• the price for unlimited texting on a T-Mobile family plan
• a photo of Rod Blagojevich
• the current temperature in the city that is hosting the next City Chase event
• the price you need to spend at http://www.merrell.com to qualify for free shipping
• a photo of an item in a TetraPak package (Katy had this because her dad’s dairy company uses TetraPaks, and we got a hint about this one ahead of time.)
• a tattoo bigger than a quarter
• the honeymoon destination of the couple who was married during starting ceremonies
• the lyrics for the chorus of Justin Bieber’s song “Baby“
• a ticket stub

Once we were able to come up with 8 of the items, we then turned them in to a City Chase staff member, and received our clue sheets. The clue sheets would lead us to various Chase Point challenges throughout the city, and we had until 4pm to complete 10 of them.

We read the clues, tried to figure out the task and location of as many as possible, then mapped a tentative route for which ones we’d complete.

Below are the clues/tasks we completed:

1. Snake in Your Pants – Near the Centennial Fountain a stream shoots over the river. Some friends of ours will show you how they slither.

I knew right where this challenge was, thanks to my after-work strolls along the river and random photography sessions in the city. After finding out that the “Paparazzi” challenge at the Hard Rock Hotel was full, we ran straight here (without really considering just what the challenge was).

When we arrived, we learned that one of us would need to lay on the ground with a snake in our shirt, a tarantula on our arm, and a roach on our neck for one minute.

A Creepy Crawly Challenge

Neither of us were thrilled with the idea, but I decided to step up and take this challenge. (My thinking was, if there was another challenge later on I really, really didn’t want to do, Katy would have to take her turn.)

The snake wasn’t bad at all. The roach was the worst part, but luckily he crawled onto my shirt and I couldn’t feel him anymore. And the tarantula, well, I’m just thankful I couldn’t see it crawling on me.

I completed my 60 seconds of torture, we got our bib stamped, and we headed on our way.

2. Beats – So you think you can dance or you feel as though you have two left feet. Lessons will be held on the 2nd floor of a Congress Street hostel inside where we’ll see your rhythm and beat.

It Takes Two to Tango

I’ve actually always been curious about the hostel located in the Loop, and was excited to finally get to go inside. This was a great challenge because there was no line and it was quick. We had to learn a 6-step tango move, do a little dip, and we were done.

Challenge two down, and I knew the third was right around the corner.

3. Buckets – These Boyz make street beats with the buckets they hit. Joing them in rhythm at the Eye exhibit.

First of all, thank goodness I accidentally took the Brown line to work earlier this week, or I would have never known where the “Eye” exhibit was!

Set up here were those kids who drum on buckets throughout the city. (I found out later that they are an official group called the Bucket Boys.) Our task was to learn a drum beat (complete with head movements) and perform it accurately.

We've got the Beat!

The line was pretty long, but it was an easy challenge. We got our third punch and hopped on the Red Line to head up north to the East Lakeview Fitness Formula Club. (We needed to stop here to turn in our donations for an extra Chase Point)

4. 2-Mile Challenge – Lakeview East, For a Feast on Cliff bars that can’t be beat.

First of all: There are TWO Fitness Formula Clubs in Lakeview. The one on Halsted is NOT East Lakeview.

Once we made our way to the correct FFC, we ran through this maze of a gym to a tiny cycle room on the other side. We each had to pedal nonstop for 6 minutes to get credit for this challenge. Not bad at all, except the guys forgot to start Katy’s time.

4th challenge down.

5. Special Olympics – You set up an account and asked for pledges online. Hopefully you reached your goal in very little time. You’ll need to show the amount with a print out of your donation sheet and you must turn it in at ChasePoints 2Mile Challenge, Fishmonger, or Community Service to be complete.

At the East Lakeview FFC, we were also able to turn in a printout of our donation sheet for the funds we raised ahead of time, and earn credit for an extra challenge.

Here’s where I throw a little shout-out to all the great people who supported the Chicago Special Olympics, and helped us reach our half-way point early on in the day.

5 down, 5 to go!

6. MGD Twister – Left and right, hands and feet. A gym shoe over the ankle is where you’ll compete. You have another choice because locations there are two, the other’s the official spot for Indiana Basketball in Lakeview.

Thanks to the guy at the FFC cycle challenge who mentioned Kirkwood while we were chatting. I had completely forgotten it’s an Indiana bar, but I knew right where this was (thanks for living in the neighborhood!) and Katy was excited to play Twister. We lost our first game, but won the second, and earned our 6th stamp!

7. Bouldering – “On Belay” is a phrase you’d say as you complete this fun task today. You’ll rise to new heights and far you will see from this east facing wall on Diversey.

I knew where this challenge was as soon as I saw the clue early in the day. We made our way over to the challenge, and I was ready for some climbing (I had practice thanks to my last visit to see my sister and her husband), but the line was really long. And to top it off, if both team members didn’t complete the challenge, you don’t get your stamp. We decided it was a waste of time, and left the challenge, without a stamp.

Still 6 stamps down, and 4 to go.

7. It’s Getting Hot in Here – Child’s pose, downward dog, and the cow stretch will make you hot. You’ll experience them all across from where John Dillinger was shot.

I had a lot of previous knowledge to help me with this one. Thanks to the filming of Public Enemies for alerting me of where John Dillinger was shot. Thanks for going to grad school at DePaul and knowing my way around that area. And thanks to the yoga classes I’ve been taking that helped me with this challenge.

This task required us to study photos of 5 different yoga poses (1 partner pose and 4 individual ones) and then do each pose blindfolded. The partner pose was a little awkward, but the others we mastered right away, and we earned our 7th stamp!

8. CSSC Hard Knocks – Jay Cutler won’t be completing this drill but near Dorothy, The Wizard, and the Cowardly Lion, you will.

Just like Training Camp, only without Jay Cutler

It was around this time that we started to realize that I am just as handy as an iPhone. I knew right where Oz Park was because when I used to live in Old Town, this was my favorite park to go to relax or read. I also knew how to get here from the yoga studio because they both used to be on my running routes.

I think this was one of my favorite challenges because it was fun and a little challenging, but not too hard or too time consuming. First we had to run down a line receiving and throwing passes to some local football players. Then we had to run through tires, flip a giant tire, and run a route and catch a pass. Finally, we had to push those padded thingies that I know have a name (but I am too tired to look up online right now). That was the hardest part, but we worked together to earn our 8th point!

9. Sweet Tooth – Is yours a Kit Kat, or maybe a Charleston Chew? Let us know your favorite and we’ll tell you what to do. Their trainers warmed us up today at the start and you’ll go to the location they call Lincoln Park. There is a rule that we must say – this can’t be your final challenge of the day.

We were hoping to take the bus to this one, because we were starting to get really hot, really tired, and really sore at this point. However, the Halsted bus kinda sucks, and we ended up walking/running all the way there.

Once there, we had to pick a candy and then burn off the calories in that candy. (Thanks to the other City Chasers on their way out who told us to pick the M&Ms, which were only 70 calories.)

We both burned our 70 calories on the elliptical and earned our stamp.

This challenge was also a success, because right before this, we realized we’d lost our clue sheet. We stopped to ask another couple who was there if we could see their sheet to find the last ChasePoint we needed to complete. Not only did they give us their sheet, but they also told us that the challenge at Seward Park was the closest to where we were. They sent us on our way, with an hour to go, and a much better feeling about finishing!

10. RAM – Where Clybourn, Orleans, and Division meet, you’ll lace up your shoes and two teams will compete.

Once we got here, I felt pretty dumb that I didn’t know where this was sooner. It was right across the street from my old Dominick’s!

We had to take turns running half way around the circle, answering a trivia question, and then racing to the end to tag our partner.

I knew I was tired at this point, because my trivia question was “What’s the name of the fountain in Grant Park?” and I just kinda stood there, blankly, before I could come up with Buckingham Fountain.

But, we got our 10th and final stamp! We had done it!

Now we just needed to get back to Joe’s and check in at the finish.

We made it!

We ended up finishing all 10 challenges  in 5 hours, 35 minutes!

I’m not sure how many people were able to complete all 10 challenges, but we’re proud of ourselves. Official results will be posted soon.

P.S. In case you were interested, click here to see the full clue sheet and see if you can figure out what the other challenges were.

And here’s a map of our day’s route:

Shameless Plug

As many of you know, this Saturday my friend Katy and I will be competing in the Chicago City Chase event. It’s kind of like a real-life Amazing Race, where teams of two travel around the city (by foot or public transportation only) completing various challenges that test strength, endurance, wisdom, and guts. We have 6 hours to complete 10 challenges and then reach the finish line.

If you’re interested in helping us make it to the finish, there are three ways you can help.

1. Come cheer us on at Joe’s Bar on Saturday, where there will be a finish line party and cheering station.
2. Stay near your cell phones and computers on Saturday. We may need your help with some of our challenges, and if you’re available, we can call/text you!
3. Help us complete our first challenge, before the race even starts! This year City Chase is teamed up with the Chicago Special Olympics, and if we can raise $40 for the cause before Saturday, we can start the event with one challenge already completed!

If you’d like to donate, please visit our donation web page here: http://www.stayclassy.org/member/fundraising?fcid=2075

Or, if you’d like to cheer us on from the sidelines or via phone, let me know and I can give you more details!

Thanks to everyone who has already supported us in this crazy adventure! And check back later for an update on the race, and, of course, photos!

Katy and Me After Our Last Adventure: The Sears Tower Stair Climb.

Next Up: City Chase

Sometimes when I don’t have a vacation to look forward to, I sign up for other crazy adventures – things like the stair climbing races up the Hancock Building and Sears Tower, or the Breast Cancer 3-Day where I pledged to raise $2,000+ and walk 60 miles in three days.

Well, this year I’ve decided to sign up for City Chase Chicago, an urban obstacle course that’s been described as “The Amazing Race meets Fear Factor.” The race consists of teams of two getting a list of clues to help them accomplish a number of challenges throughout the city, getting around only by foot or public transportation. The first team to complete ten challenges and then cross the finish line also goes on to compete at the national level.

Here’s a little video that provides a better overview than I can:

So, on August 21st, I will be pairing up with my amazing friend, Katy (who I’ve conned into doing some of those stair climbs with me in the past), and we’ll see what adventures await!

Different Types of Travel for Different Types of People

With all this talk of my Disney trip, I’ve been feeling like this doesn’t really represent a full picture of my “travel profile.”

I believe that there are many different types of travel that appeal to different types of travelers. Some people would prefer to spend their vacation relaxing on a beach. Others want to get out and see the sights or famous landmarks. Others want to go off the beaten path to find adventure.

For me, I love all kinds of travel. I find myself craving different types of trips at different times of year. But lately I’ve been thinking about how I would categorize these different types of travel, and I wanted to come up with a list. (Because I love lists!)

I know some people would have more things to add, or might classify them in different ways, but here is my first attempt at a list of types of travel.

1. City Trips

These trips take place in a big city. Maybe Chicago, New York, D.C., London, or Paris. Or maybe slightly smaller cities, like St. Louis, Houston, or Springfield (any of them). But the main point of these trips is usually to do some sightseeing. Maybe hit up a few museums, or do a boat or bus tour.

I think these trips are great because there are so many different cities out there, both throughout the U.S. and abroad, that have so many different cultures and unique things to offer.

These trips are also nice for the foodie in you. Almost every big city has either some great high-class restaurants or some local favorites. When I was in Houston, I tracked down a really great local BBQ place and found a place to try crawfish for the first time. In D.C. I happened to be there during Restaurant Week and got to try an excellent restaurant with a great pre fixe menu. I’ve yet to visit Boston, but I know that’s another place to get great food. And in Chicago, while we have the deep dish pizza and Chicago-style hot dog (neither are favorites of mine), we also have local favorites like Portillo’s for Italian beef, and two of my favorite independent must-eats: Smoque for BBQ, and Scooters for frozen custard! (And those are just two of MANY great eats here in Chicago!)

City travel may be more fast-paced than some would like for a vacation, but the great thing about it is that there are always endless possibilities of things to do and see (and taste!)

2. “Beachy” Vacations

I think this is what a lot of people consider a “real” vacation. If you’re going to take time off work to get away, you want to relax and unwind. Maybe you’re escaping cold weather and trying to soak up some sun. Maybe you want to sit in the shade with a cold drink in your hand.

I think you could argue that “Beachy” vacations can have some sub-categories, like the wild and crazy spring break trip, the all-inclusive resort trip, and the romantic get-away. But no matter your take on the events of this type of vacation, these beach vacations require sun, nice weather, and a change of pace from the daily grind.

3. Nature/Adventure Travel

This type of travel is one that I really do wish I could do more of. For this, you need some type of outdoorsy activity. Camping, hiking, and whitewater rafting all fall under this category. But, you don’t need to be terribly adventurous to enjoy the outdoors. Even those who like a warm cushy bed and no activity with a danger factor can explore nature. State and National parks can be great destinations for all types of travelers.

4. Ski Vacations

This wasn’t on my initial list when I started brainstorming.  I realized that this is related to Nature/Adventure Travel, but is kind of a unique type of travel that many people make an annual event. My family was never into skiing as I was growing up, but many people I know, including the boyfriend, have traveled to many places just to hit the slopes.

It seems like a neat idea to me, and especially if you have all the ski equipment, I think it sounds like a great reason to explore new locations. Whether you want to go domestic, head up to Canada, or travel to someplace like Switzerland, a ski vacation could be a really great trip.

5. Cruises

There is a whole subculture of people out there to love to cruise. It’s a huge part of the travel industry, and now you can take cruises all over the world. Whether its in the Caribbean, a cruise up to Alaska, a trans-Atlantic cruise, or (my dream) a Mediterranean Cruise, it’s a great way to see a lot of new places, without much of the hassle of traveling from place to place. After all, you’re living on a floating hotel!

However, I’ve gotten into many a debate with friends over whether or not cruises count as “real travel.” Some people have the mindset that “cruises are for old people.” Others say it’s not really getting to know a place when you just get dumped off for a few hours in a popular tourist spot, see one or two of the big sites, then go back on your way.

Cruises are definitely not just for old people. Some cruise lines are known as being “party boats” for the college kids. And others, like Disney Cruise lines, are great for families.

As for the second argument, I can see both sides. However, I like to look at cruises as a “sampler platter” of sorts. It’s a really great way to get a taste of many different places. It’s also a nice way to see some really famous landmarks, like the pyramids, perhaps, where you might not want to spend too much more time in surrounding areas. And the best part is, it helps you find some places where you would like to really get to know, and you can always book a trip back there to see more.

6. Backpacking

When I think of backpacking, I tend to think of Europe or Australia, but really you can do it anywhere. Backpacking is really a form of budget travel (as opposed to luxury travel, which I suppose I should also somehow work into my classification system.) Backpacking is also generally a longer-term type of travel than the typical vacation.

Many backpackers are younger, but that’s not always true. They carry what they need with them, and usually travel from place to place as cheaply as possible, sometimes booking overnight trains to save money on accommodations, or staying at hostels.

In many places backpacking is a rite of passage. Sometimes recent college grads will spend their last summer traveling this way before entering “the real world.” In some countries they have what is called a “Gap Year” where young people travel the world for a year, often before entering college.

There’s actually many books and articles out there about backpacking. I find backpacking and the people to do it to be fascinating. It’s a topic I’d like to explore/write about more deeply one day.

7. Disney Travel

I had to put this one on here, of course, because it doesn’t really fit into any of the other groups. Amusement park travel, perhaps? There may be an element of “beachy” vacation in there, but it’s certainly not all of it. And Disney does have it’s own cruise line, too. And, now they have Adventures by Disney, which seems to pair adventure/nature travel with city trips.

So, I think, at least for now, Disney deserves a category of it’s own until I can figure out what to do with it.

Well, there you have it. My first attempt at categorizing the different types of travel I know about and enjoy.

What else would you add?