Waddle On

  I have a fun job.  I get to meet lots of interesting people, and cover events that are important to Chicagoans like myself.  But because I mostly work for the 10pm news, I have to work nights, and that means I have to miss some of the events that I might otherwise like to attend.  Like John Bingham and Jenny Hadfield's appearance at the Dick Pond Athletics store last week.

John and Jenny are friends of mine.  Both are great ambassadors for the sport of running.  He, of course, is the well known columnist for Runner's World.  He has a great following of runners, especially those who tend to run in the middle or in the back of the pack during races.  Runners whose pace is a little slower than those up front have every bit as much to gain from running as those who are faster, and John gives a voice to many of those runners. www.JohnBingham.com

Jenny is a successful coach and partner in Chicago Endurance Sports which has numerous training programs to prepare runners for different races.  She also has a blog attached to the Runner's World website that offers advice to runners.  www.JennyHadfield.com

In any case, since I was unable to attend the event, I got my friends from Dick Pond to take pictures and notes.

"On May 22 John Bingham and coach and wife Jenny Hadfield came to Dick Pond Athletics in

Elmhurst

for a speech and book signing.

Through his popular monthly column in Runners World Magazine and his amazing first book “The Courage to Start” and his best selling book “No Need for Speed” John Bingham has inspired hundreds of thousands of men and women to run for fun and fitness.  John has become one of the running community’s most popular and recognized personalities.  At 43 John began the transition from 240 LB couch potato to athlete.  He has done 45 marathons and 100’s of 10k’s and 5k’s. He runs and speaks all over the world.

John is currently in his 13 Th year writing for the popular running magazine called “Runners World”. John has also written five books. Three of the books are co-authored with his wife and coach Jenny Hadfield (writer, coach, speaker and endurance athlete. She has a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Physiology, a Masters Degree in Exercise Science and is a certified coach and personal trainer.) John told the crowd at Dick Pond that overeating was a way of life and there was a moment in his life that made him change, and after that he wrote his first book called “The Courage to Start”.  He told the crowd “you can not get fit” but “you can be on a journey to fitness”. John talked about the biggest fitness myth which is “thin is fit”. John had the crowd laughing when he said “if you want a perfect body then do a better job of picking your parents”. He explained how he made a natural transition to change his life. He made better food choices, stopped smoking, and started moving. Now he just tries to lead a balanced life.

John is in charge of a half marathon in

Chicago

called the Chicago Distance Classic (August 10) and the best thing about his race is there is no one who runs his race that comes in last. He hires people called, “Balloon Cuties”! The balloon cuties are hired to make sure they are the last people to finish the race. When John started racing he was always last and doesn’t want anyone to have that feeling. Also if someone is struggling to finish his race he will pick you up and bring you to the last mile so you can still cross the finish line.

John is an inspiration and the crowd at Dick Pond Athletics-Elmhurst was genuinely amused and inspired."  Written by Julie Travers.

They have a lot of fun speakers and events at the store.  I usually can't be there for them, but here is the link to the store. http://www.dickpond-elmhurst.com/events/body.html

I saw Jenny Hadfield over the weekend, and she mentioned what a nice crowd showed up at the store that night.  They had a lot of enthusiasm.  I have noticed that as well.  It seems most of the runners I have met since we moved to the suburbs are even more committed than some of their city counterparts, because they have to sacrifice a little more to get their running in.  So many have young children and family obligations, along with work and everything else.  So they really have to carve out time to run.

I ran with the Elmhurst Running Club (http://www.elmhurst-runners.com/) about a week ago for their 'newcomers run', and discovered a really great group.  I am hiding in the back in a blue hat in the picture.  They meet every weekend on the Prarie Path, and do a short run together.  It's nice to see there are plenty of healthy running groups like them out there in the suburbs.  Nothing against CARA.  Everybody knows about them, and they do a great job.  I appreciate the work they do.  But now that I no longer live in the city, it's nice to know there, apparently, is also life in the suburbs. 

So next time I see you on the trails... it might be outside the lakefront path!