Mackinac Sailing Race

Jerry and his team on the Providence were 3rd overall and 2nd in their Section at the Mackinac Sailboat race.  Great Job Jerry!

River Grove FOP 5K

Congratulations to Karl on 1st place in his age group and 8th place overall!    His time was 21:27.   Tony and Colin also completed the race today.   This was Tony’s first race!  Great job!

Ridge Run 10K

Diane ran the Ridge Run 10K on Memorial Day.  Good job!

Soldier Field 10 Miler

Michelle had a 13 minute PR at the Soldier Field 10 mile race.   Great job Michelle!

Chicagoland Spring Marathon and Half-Marathon

Peter ran his 2nd Boston Qualifying time this year at the Chicagoland Spring Marathon.   His time of 3:23 gave him 8th in his age group.   Great job Peter!
Peter said, “my body managed the race well and nothing is injured – thanks to your RunSMART class and your personal training.”    Read about Peter’s road to Boston Qualifying success.

Karl was 2nd in his age group at the Chicagoland Spring Half Marathon in 1:39.   This was Karl’s first race in about 40 years.   Great job Karl!   Your journey back to running has just started!  Karl said, “It was a great experience and alot of fun.  I’m looking forward to entering more races.  Thank you for all you have done to help me.”     Read more about Karl’s journey back to pain-free, competitive running here.

Diane was 3rd in her age group at the Chicagoland Spring Half Marathon.   Great job Diane!   Read about Diane’s 20 year road to the marathon.

Mary was 5th in her age group at the Chicagoland Spring Half Marathon.   Great job Mary!   Read Mary’s Injury Recovery and Marathon story.

Cinco de Miler

Congratulations Michelle on a. PR and 11th in age group at the Cinco de Miler.   Read about Michelle’s journey to becoming a marathoner.

Illinois Marathon

Peter ran a Boston-Qualifying Time of 3:24 at the Illinois Marathon.   Peter ran a great race with even splits.   Congratulations!  Great Job!

Catherine completed the 10K at the Illinois Marathon.    Catherine has been recovering from injury so the 10K completion was a great milestone.   Congratulations!

Naperville Women’s Half Marathon

Mary completed the Naperville Women’s Half Marathon in 2:04 – great time!  Mary had been experiencing some IT band pain and we worked last week on a corrective exercise program.  Mary’s comment:  “The exercises really helped!   Thanks.”

Sharon completed the Morton Arboretum Champion of Trees 10K.   Great start to your spring racing season!

Congratulations Wendy on completing the Boston Marathon in 4:30 on a very warm day – great job!

Connie was 1st in her age group and Michelle was 2nd in her age group at the Mustang Trot 5K.  Great way to start the season Connie and Michelle!

Later this Spring we have clients running several races, including the Boston Marathon, the Illinois Marathon, the Naperville Women’s Half Marathon, the Soldier Field 10 miler and multiple clients in the Chicagoland Spring Marathon and Half Marathon races.   Stay tuned for their results!  If you have been running indoors and/or have been off of running all winter, check out my new article on Transitioning into Spring Running.

Many clients are preparing for Spring and Summer racing by participating in the Winter RunSMART strength training class for runners.  The Spring Session of RunSMART started Saturday April 1 but you can still register for the remaining sessions or for the Summer Sessions starting Saturday May 20  – register here for RunSMART.

Dive instructor training in Bali

Jerry is training to be a dive master/diving instructor in Bali this winter.  His first week:   “This has been one exhausting week. Diving 2 to 3 hours a day 6 days a week.  Working 12 hour days – all physical work.   Pretty much like being at the gym for hours on end.   My fellow interns are in their early 20s.   I could not keep up with the 20 somethings if not for your training sessions with me.”  By the way, Jerry is 70 years old!   Way to go Jerry!

An April  update – Jerry achieved Master Diver and Dive Master (Instructor) certification.  Jerry is the oldest to attempt this qualification by over ten years.  Jerry said “Can’t thank YOU enough for keeping me focused through all of your training.  Could not have done this without all the help you gave me to get ready for the physical challenges associated with both of those certs.   THANKS COACH !!!!!”

Jerry we are so proud of you!

Jerry on left leading a diving group

Jerry’s fellow dive instructor interns in Bali

Schaumburg Turkey Trot Half Marathon and 5K

Peter ran the Schaumburg Turkey Trot Half Marathon in 1:35.  Catherine ran the Schaumburg Turkey Trot 5K.   Great job Peter and Catherine!

Bonfield Express 5K

Michelle was 9th out of 415 in her age group!  Connie was 3rd in her age group!  Great job Michelle and Connie!

Lisle Turkey Trot Tune-up

Peter was 5th overall and 1st in his age group at the Lisle Turkey Trot Tune-up!   Catherine was 3rd in her age group at the Turkey Trot Tune-up!   Great job on a cold day!

Universal Sole November Trail Challenge

Michelle won her age group at the  Universal Sole November Trail Challenge. “It was wicked hilly but my work is paying off.”

Naperville Marathon and Half Marathon

Michelle completed the Naperville Marathon, improving her PR by over 1 hour!

Peter completed the Naperville Marathon with his second sub 3:30 marathon this Fall!   Peter said “I am happy – thanks for your help and support”.

Mary completed the Naperville Half Marathon, improving her PR by 6 minutes!

Jerry completed the Naperville Half Marathon, his first Half Marathon at age 70!  Jerry said “thank you for everything – you are a great coach”.

Connie and Sharon both completed the Naperville Half Marathon with excellent times!

Congratulations to all of you!

Chicago Marathon

Joe completed his First Marathon at the Chicago Marathon in a great time of 4:01.   Congratulations Joe!  Joe said “Laurie helped me through my first half marathon and now my first marathon. She has been through it many times and will help you achieve your best!”

Diane completed her third Chicago Marathon!    Diane said “At 1 pm today I was definitely never running another Marathon – At 3 pm I was developing a strategy for 2017 Marathon. Marathons are a marvelous thing.   Thanks Laurie for the personal training and the RunSMART classes to help get me here today.”

Keith completed another Chicago Marathon this year.  Great work!

Fox Valley Marathon

Mary ran the Fox Valley Marathon in 4:32 – she set a PR by 1 hour!   Amazing job!  Mary said “Thanks so much Laurie!  I couldn’t have done it without you!!   Thanks for being at the Finish Line!!”

Peter ran the Fox Valley Marathon in 3:30. 

Michelle ran the Fox Valley 20 miler in 3:26.  She’s all ready for her Naperville Marathon!

Naperville Trails Half Marathon

Peter was 10th overall and 1st in his age group at the Naperville Trails Half Marathon.  Awesome start to the Fall Racing Season!

Chicago Muckfest 5K

Wally participated in the Chicago Muckfest 5K again this year.  Here he is leading his team through one of the obstacles!

Lisle Windrunners 10K

Peter and Catherine ran the Lisle Windrunners 10K on August 21.   The weather is starting to cool off so a pretty good day for racing!   Great Job Peter & Catherine!

AMITA Fitness for America Half Marathon

Peter was 5th in his age group at the AMITA Fitness for America Half Marathon,   Catherine was 9th in her age group at the 10K Race at the same event.  Great job in hot and stormy conditions (rain delay and heat with a modified course in a parking lot)!

108th Chicago to Mackinac Race

 Jerry and his team raced on his boat Providence in the 108th Chicago to Mackinac Race (sailing).    They completed the race in 2nd overall (Chicago-Mackinac Trophy) and 2nd in Division 10. An excellent showing, especially considering the difficult weather conditions (Jerry said “the worst storms I have seen in all my years racing Mackinac”).  Congratulations Jerry!

RAGBRAI Bicycle Ride

Susan completed the RAGBRAI Bicycle Ride – a 420 mile stage ride through Iowa.  This very hilly stage ride ended on July 30.  Great job Susan!

Naperville Country Club 2016 Golf Invitational

Daniel and his golf partner (his son) won 1st place overall in the Naperville Country Club 2016 Golf Invitational, a 3 day golf tournament.  This was the 2nd year in a row they have won!   Great job Daniel!

Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon

Michelle set a PR in the Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon on July 17.  Great job Michelle!

Diane L Wedding

Diane L. lost 20 lbs and toned up her arms and back to look great for her wedding this past July 2.   Diane said “at the wedding everyone kept telling me how great my arms looked”.  Congratulations- you look great!

Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10 Miler

Peter ran the Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10 Miler on July 9.   Peter was 38th overall!

Downers Grove 5 Miler

Peter ran the Downers Grove 5 Miler this past weekend (June 26).   Great job on a hot and humid day!

River Grove FOP 5K

Michelle, Jerry and Mary ran the River Grove FOP 5K on June 12.   Jerry was 1st in his age group!   Mary was 2nd in her age group!   Michelle was 3rd in her age group!  Great job runners!

Diane ran the Ridge Run 10K on Memorial  Day and placed 2nd in her age group!

Wally ran the Rock River Leisure Estates 5K and was 5th in his age group.

Jerry and Diane ran the Lisle Veterans Memorial 5K on May 22.

Chicagoland Spring Races

Peter completed the Chicagoland Spring Marathon and was 10th in his age group.  Mary and Catherine completed the Chicagoland Spring Half Marathon.  Great work!

Sharon recently returned to running after a long layoff.   She ran the Easter Seals Run for the Kids 5K in Villa Park on May 7 and had a 5K PR!   Way to go!!

Diane and Jerry ran the Morton Arboretum 10K on April 24. Diane was 1st in her age group!   This was Jerry’s 1st 10K race!   Congratulations to both of them!

Dana completed the Naperville Women’s Half Marathon on April 24th.

London Marathon

Wally ran the 2016 London Marathon on April 24th. This was Wally’s 6th Marathon!  He has now run 4 of 6 and all 3 of the International World Marathon Majors.  

2016 Boston Marathon

Peter and Daisy completed the Boston Marathon today (April 18).   Great job on qualifying for and completing the most prestigious marathon in the world!

Daisy said “It’s was soooo hot!!! I was thirsty at every station BUT I never walked or felt defeated by the hills!!!! I didn’t cramp either. I saw so many people walk up those hills but never once thought about walking or felt like walking. I truly think my body was well prepared thanks to your training. I was strong up the hills.”

Jerry completed the Shamrock Shuffle 8K race today  Great Job Jerry!

Kelly just completed her first 5K race – she did the Naperville St Pattys Day 5K with her daughter.  Great job!   Here they are after the finish:

Michelle was 12th of 54 women in the Fox Valley Winter Challenge Trail Series 8K.  She’s not even that muddy!  She has now completed two of the 3 races in the series.   Hopefully the ice and snow will be gone for the 3rd race in a few weeks!

Daisy ran 1:43:57 at the Austin Half Marathon! Daisy said “I had such a strong race! I’m feeling so strong with your training! I feel right where I need to be for the Boston Marathon!

Michelle completed the first race (5K) in the Fox Valley Winter Trail Series which consists of a 5K, a 5miler and a 10K on challenging winter trails! Wish her luck as she completes the series!

Justin set a PR by over .3 seconds in the 60 yard dash in pre-season testing for Spring High School Baseball after our targeted Sports Conditioning training.