The windy city is full of runner, from the occasional jogger to regular 5k, 10k, half marathon and full marathon runners, all with varying degrees of running skills. Obviously, this means that the city hosts a large number of races and among the varying distances, the 5k race is among the most popular. Besides top class professional athletes from all over the world, you will find local runners who have near world class times. And of course, a huge majority of people who run just for to fun of it.

Chicago is a nice city for running. What is nice about running along the shoreline is that you can run a pretty flat course if you don’t mind the suspect weather. Even the wind, which professionals who measure their times in hundredths of a second often complain about, is something that most other runner find refreshing. Another nice thing about Chicago is the people who are ever ready to stop on the sidewalks and cheer on runners as the pass by.

Chicago 5k races are scheduled all year round. In fact there may be weeks – or even days - when there are two or more 5k runs scheduled. With this plethora of racing opportunities, it is often difficult to decide on which race to enter. Given below is a very small list of just some of the many 5k races held in Chicago every year.

If you are looking for a fun race in November there always is the Edison Park Turkey Trot. Turkey trots are extremely popular in Chicago. There is a big one held every year in Lincoln Park, but smaller one like this have their own charms and attract a bunch of dedicated runners who return year after year.

A Jogging that has changed from being a night time run to a morning one without losing any of it popularity is the Universal Sole Resolution Run held in December. There is a very popular race in Chicago that gets more and more attendee’s each year and that is the race that goes along the lake shoreline.

A popular annual event is the New Years Day 5k Race which, as its name suggest, is run every January first. People who run this one are dedicated runners who have forsaken their New Year’s Eve festivities to be in a condition to start the year off on the right note by running in this race. Of course, you will also find quite a few blurry eyed runners who have not recovered from the previous night’s excesses trying to stagger the distance.

In May there is the Alivio Y Saud 5K Training event which happens in Harrison Park. This race is run for a good cause and benefits the medical center it is named after which provides healthcare for those in need.

If you like to race in the evenings, you could try the Chicago Fire Fighters Jogging Run for the Kids which begins from the Great Lawn at Soldier Field. This is another run for a great cause.

There are a huge number of other 5k races that take place regularly in the city. To find out more join one of the many running clubs or groups that are located all over the city.

Jogging Tip is a brand new website that is all about jogging. Jogging tip is your perfect place to join with the rest of your jogging friends. Learn all about the right way to train for a 5K and helpful hints for your 5K race. Come by Jogging Tip.com right away and when you decide to join the jogging community for free then you will receive your free ebooks.
 

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A lot of people wake up in one fine morning and decide they want to 5K Running . The know a sprint won’t give them the exercise they want. Anything over a 5K as far as mileage starts to become very daunting for people and they get discouraged before they even start. But 5k (or 3 miles if that sounds more reasonable) is something most people think they can achieve easily. This can be made to happen only as long as it is going about it in the right fashion.

Most people start running because of health or weight concerns. Maybe your doctor told you that you need more exercise. The problem is that everyone wants to start running the full 5k from day one or thereabouts. It never works and trying it will result in a rebelling body, with aches, pains, sprains and a feeling of dejection when they see how little ground they are actually able to cover. This often results in people getting turned off and giving up the idea of running. Its sad, because not only are they missing out on a great form of exercise, but also on a great deal of fun and a sense of personal achievement.

The best way to start is to find a good beginners’ training program to follow. There are books and websites aplenty offering such programs. Make sure that you choose a program that you are very comfortable with so that you and your body do a good job of adjusting to it. Stay away from those that promise miracle results in a short time. The result that you can expect from this practice is really what we mentioned above which really isn’t fun at all. Getting into shape for 5k running will take about 2 to 3 months, depending on your age and general condition. Don’t try to rush it. Your real goal should be running and completing the distance, not seeing how fast you complete the distance.

Whatever 5K Training program you choose, stick to it and don’t try to skip steps to speed things up. The plans will have been designed taking a lot of factors into consideration and even if you feel super fit when completing a step and think you can jump ahead one or two, don’t. Its important to remember that your body needs to be prepared and conditioned or else this process is going to be very painful. If you find a program does not suit you for any reason, find another more to your liking and try that.

Begin slowly and regularly. Remember that you should not 5K Running more than 5 days a week – your body needs rest to develop, which it can’t do while it is constantly being exercised. At the same time, don’t give in to the lazy urge and start taking extra days off. That too will ruin our training schedule.

Don’t expect great results from day one. Your body has first ot be conditioned to accept the training it will be undergoing and most programs are designed keeping this in mind. Its important to go through a program until you are about half way through before you try to make any adjustments to it. You must keep your expectations in check throughout this process or else you could become very dissapointed.

Jogging Tip is a brand new website that is all about jogging. Jogging tip is your perfect place to join with the rest of your jogging friends. Learn about training for a 5k and running your first 5K race. Come by Jogging Tip.com today to get your free jogging ebooks just for signing up to be a member of the jogging tip website.
 

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The 5k run walk event is very popular with those who are regular walkers (and even those who are not!) as the next level in both a fitness regime as well as an enjoyable competitive sport. The mixture of running and power walking reduces the overall impact of the exertion on the body and lessens the risk of injury. Since it is up to you as to how much you run and how much you walk, you can find the balance that suits you best without over straining your body.

5k is about 3.2 miles and you will see times spanning from 20 miles to an hour depending on the fitness level and if you are running or walking. What’s important to remember, as a beginner, is that you are not competing against others but only with yourself to see how well you can perform within over stressing your body.

Presuming that you are already a walker, 5K Running for the 5k run walk is not difficult. If you search bookstores and the internet you will fine a huge volume of material on run walk techniques and 5K Training programs. As a beginner you don’t need to worry about all that at this time. A simple 3 stage (3 days X 2 of Jogging and one day rest) weekly training program should get you into shape for the race.

Start each day’s training with a simple stretching and warm up routine. This should not take more than 3 or 4 minutes and should leave you feeling loose and relaxed.

Stage 1 (Mondays & Thursdays) – These are your speed training days. Run a sort distance – up to a quarter mile – as fast as you comfortably can. Slowly build up your performance. One Mondays keep trying the increase your speed and on Thursdays increase your distance till you can do 2k at a fast pace.

Stage 2 (Tuesday & Fridays) – These are your run walk day. Starting by covering 2k at a moderate pace by a combination of running and walking (about 50% each). If you take your fastest walk/run and your slowest walk/run then you will be at the moderate pace that is requested.

Stage 3 (Wednesday & Saturday) – These two days are meant for stamina building. Start at 2 or 3k and work your way up to 5.5k. You can possibly be lazy about it but you don’t want to just because speed isn’t that important. The real importance is that you can finish the whole 5.5k without feeling exhausted and totally out of breath. If you are wondering why the distance is 5.5 and not just 5k, it because the extra distance will give you stamina for a fast burst at the end when you are in a race.

Modify the days to suit your convenience but ensure that there is one rest day a week so you muscles can recover and build themselves up. Adjust the training intensity and progress to suit your body. Really the time in which you obtain the finish line is not the most important thing but really how you feel after it is over that matters.

Jogging Tip is a brand new website that is all about jogging. Jogging tip is your perfect place to join with the rest of your jogging friends. Learn about training for a 5k and running your first 5K race. Come by Jogging Tip.com today to get your free jogging ebooks just for signing up to be a member of the jogging tip website.
 

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