Training Programs :: CES "Half & Half Challenge"℠

CES "Half & Half Challenge"℠

Two Great Half Marathons.
One Great Summer Challenge.

Maybe a full marathon just isn't what you have in mind (for this year...) but you don't want to stop training after running a mid-season half marathon. If that sounds like you, then TAKE THE CES 'HALF & HALF' CHALLENGE℠.

The following CES Training Locations are SOLD OUT: Old Town & Lincoln Square

We know you'll be ready to run a great race at the XSport® Fitness Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon benefitting the American Cancer Society® — but can you turn around 4 weeks later and do the same (or better) at the Chicago Half Marathon? Take the CES Half & Half Marathon Challenge and let's see what you've got!

One Chicago summer. Two Great Half Marathons.

XSport® Fitness Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon benefitting the American Cancer Society® The Chicago Half Marathon

Go ahead. Take the Challenge.

NEW for 2011: THREE Locations to Choose From!

We're VERY excited to announce that the Half & Half Challenge Training program will now be available at THREE Chicagoland locations, including BOTH Chicago-area Fleet Feet Sports stores! Group training sessions are held twice/week at each location:

Fleet Feet Sports — Old Town (1620 N. Wells Street, Chicago) SOLD OUT
Wednesday, 6:30pm & Saturday, 6:00 (run/walk) & 6:30am (run)
Fleet Feet Sports — Lincoln Square (4762 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago) SOLD OUT
Thursday, 6:30pm & Sunday, 6:00am
Plaza del Lago, Wilmette (1515 Sheridan Road, Wilmette)
Wednesday, 6:30pm & Saturday, 6:00am

You get to pick the location that works the best for you! This also means that if you can't make it to your regular location, you can still join the gang at one of the other locations! Everybody wins!

Lincoln Park Wednesday Morning Option — Start your day off right!

Can't make the Wednesday or Thursday night run in the city? Do you love starting your day off with a great workout?
Coach Pati will be leading our Wednesday Sunrise 6:00am group runs each week. Here are the details:

Where? Diversey and the Running Path (see map)
When? 6:00am (starting June 8th)
Why? To see the spectacular sunrise and start your day off on the right foot (or left, if that's what you prefer...)

FREE Training Peaks Online Training Schedule & Log

Your daily training schedules will be delivered via Training Peaks — the leading Interactive web based training and nutrition log to help you achieve your goals. Log training & meals, track daily metrics (weight, sleep, etc.), upload workouts from your training devices (80+ devices supported, GPS, HR monitors, etc.)., FREE iPhone app and mobile site available and MUCH more!

Registration fills up fast, so join today!

Follow the links below to find out about this innovative, fun, successful program!

Limited Space Available
Kickoff Meeting
Additional Packet Pickup / Registration Dates
Program Benefits
Training Days & Locations
Clinics & Seminars
Our Coaching Staff
Advanced Speed Training Option
Virtual Training Option
How to Register
Fees
Sponsors
Charity Partners
Questions?

Limited Space Available

In order to maintain the high quality that CES is known for (and which participants expect of CES), this program has a limited number of registrations available. This popular program will likely SELL OUT before the Kick Off Meeting - don't miss your chance - register today!

The following CES Training Locations are SOLD OUT: Old Town & Lincoln Square

Top

Kickoff Meeting

Join us at our Informational Kickoff Meeting, 9:00am Saturday, May 22nd — Hosted at Fleet Feet Sports, Old Town.

This is a great chance to ask questions, meet your fellow teammates, the coaches, staff, Charity Partners and sponsors. We will not be training at this meeting, so dress casually and bring money for Starbucks!!

Registration / Packet Pickup* — 8:00–11:00am in the back meeting room of Fleet Feet Sports — Old Town

Pick up your training packet (includes training schedule summary, performance running shirt, and goodies from our sponsors!) prior to or after the Kick Off Meeting. *We highly recommend registering online prior to the Kick Off Meeting as the program will likely sell out before the meeting. If the program is not sold out prior to the Kick Off Meeting, you may register before or after the meeting. Check the CES homepage for updates on the registration.

Parking options at Fleet Feet Sports, Old Town:

$2 for the first hour with validation at Old Town parking deck
metered parking on Wells St. or North Ave.
street parking in the Old Town neighborhood

Top

Additional Packet Pickup / Registration Dates

We will be offering FIVE additional Packet Pickup dates in order to make the registration process more convenient for you. You will need to pick up your training packet prior to the FIRST TRAINING SESSION on Saturday, June 4th and can pick it up at the Kick Off Meeting or any of the following additional Packet Pick Up dates. Your family or friend may pick it up for you (if you are pre-registered online).

6-8pm at Fleet Feet Sports, Lincoln Square in the 2nd floor multipurpose room (4762 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL):

Tuesday, May 24 from 6-8pm
Wednesday, May 25 from 6-8pm
Thursday, May 26 from 6-8pm

6-8pm at Fleet Feet Sports, Old Town in the back of the store multipurpose room (1620 N. Wells Street, Chicago, IL):

Tuesday, May 31 from 6-8pm
Wednesday, June 1 from 6-8pm

Top

Program Benefits

Not only do you get to have a lot of fun, but you also get a ton of great stuff too! Check it out:

Professional, experienced (and nice!) coaches (more details)
Personalized, daily training schedule for all levels — delivered via FREE Training Peaks account
Performance running shirt to the first 250 registrants—a $40 value!
Running and Run-Walk training programs and pace groups (more details)
Weekly newsletter with tips on training & program updates
Weekly tips for training & Q & A at all training sessions with our coaches
Coached group training — 2X per week
- Wednesday or Thursday 6:30pm, or Wednesday 6:00am
- Saturday or Sunday 6:00 and 6:30am*
- (more details)
Pace Leaders for every pace and distance
Post-workout flexibility sessions
Fun socials and parties with your teammates throughout the season
$10 off — Discounted race entry into the XSport® Fitness Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon benefitting the American Cancer Society® AND the Chicago Half Marathon!!
VIP Gear Check at the XSport® Fitness Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon benefitting the American Cancer Society®
Restrooms, changing rooms, secure gear storage and water are available at all of our group training sessions!
Smart ID shoe tag for emergency info
Sponsor Benefits:
Discounts/promotions from our partners:
- FREE Fitness checkup or Injury screening at AthletiCo Sports Medicine
- Discount on Video Gait Analysis at AthletiCo
- FREE Clif Bar product samples
Educational seminars & clinics (more info below)
and much more!

*In order to reduce congestion at the start of our group runs on Saturdays, we will be staggering the start times:

Run/Walkers will start at 6:00am
Runners will start at 6:30am

*Saturdays at 6:00am for "Run/Walk" athletes; 6:30am for "Run Only" athletes

Top

Training Days & Locations

NEW for 2011: THREE Locations to Choose From!

Fleet Feet Sports — Old Town (1620 N. Wells Street, Chicago) SOLD OUT
Wednesday, 6:30pm & Saturday, 6:00 (run/walk) & 6:30am (run)
Fleet Feet Sports — Lincoln Square (4762 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago) SOLD OUT
Thursday, 6:30pm & Sunday, 6:00am
Plaza del Lago, Wilmette (1515 Sheridan Road, Wilmette)
Wednesday, 6:30pm & Saturday, 6:00am

Lincoln Park Wednesday Morning Option — Start your day off right!

Where? Diversey and the Running Path (see map)
When? 6:00am (starting June 8th)
Why? To see the spectacular sunrise and start your day off on the right foot (or left, if that's what you prefer...)

FIRST GROUP TRAINING SESSIONS:
Old Town & Wilmette: Saturday, June 4th
Lincoln Square: Sunday, June 5th

For a little more detail on what happens at those sessions, read on...

Mid-Week Group Sessions — we'll meet at the store, then head out for our run

The focus of these mid-week runs will be on form, strength and speed. Our coaching staff will be on hand to help teach, challenge and motivate you!

Saturdays/Sundays — we'll meet at the store, then head out for our run

These days are reserved for the long, slow distance runs that are so important to the success of endurance runners. Pace Leaders are available to guide you at the appropriate pace. Our coaches will also run with you to motivate you and help with any concerns or questions that come up along the way.

BONUS: Restrooms, changing rooms, secure gear storage and water are available at all of our group training sessions!

Top

Pace Groups for All Levels

We have pace leaders for all levels of Run and Run-Walkers:

Run Paces

Groups from 7:30 to 12:00 minutes per mile, in 30-second increments (i.e. 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, etc.)

Run/Walk Paces

8 min run with 1 min walk interval (8/1)
- 10:30 min/mile
5 min run with 1 min walk interval (5/1)
- 10:30
- 11:00
- 11:30-12:00
- 12:00-12:30
3 min run with 2 min walk interval (3/2 - progresses to 4/2)
- 12:30-13:00
- 13:30

Note: While we always strive to have more than enough pace group leaders, please be aware that we depend on the availability of qualified, dependable people. We will do our best to fill all of the above listed pace groups, but can't guarantee anything! If you are interested in becoming a pacer, or know of someone who might be interested, please contact us at info@chicagoendurancesports.com for more information! Thank you for understanding.

Top

Clinics & Seminars

If you truly want to reach your goals, you need to do more than just put in the miles! Our expert speakers will present clinics on a variety of topics including:

Good Form Running — become a faster, more efficient runner — with less effort!
Benefits of Yoga for Runners
Tools & Gadgets for Endurance Runners (GPS, Heart Rate monitors, iPhone apps, etc.)
Tricks for Speedy Long Run Recovery
Core & Strength Training
Injury Prevention & Flexibility
Food as Fuel: Sports Nutrition
Mental Skills Training
Comprehensive Race Prep

Top

Our Coaching Staff

We're extremely proud of our professional, experienced coaching staff — they always go the extra mile to make sure you have a fun, successful training season! Why is it so important to have qualified coaches? They can:

Evaluate your current fitness level and goals to make sure you are training at an appropriate level
Evaluate and suggest ways to improve your running form
Assist you if you need to adjust your training schedule, in the event of an injury or missed training due to travel or life in general
Motivate and challenge you to reach your goals in a smart, safe & effective manner

Click here for more information on our awesome coaches!

Top

Advanced Speed Training Option

If you're a more experienced half marathoner, looking for a PR, you should check out our Advanced Speed Training Program on Monday nights. This program is the perfect add-on to the half marathon training and will challenge you to reach the next level. Details will be available VERY soon...

Top

Virtual Training Option

Do you live too far away and can't make it to the group workouts? Can't make it to any of the Group training sessions because of conflicts?

No problem! Try our Virtual Training option and you'll receive your daily training schedule and coaching support online (via Training Peaks), access to race day amenities*, as well as the weekly email newsletter with coaching tips, race updates and more. The virtual program is a great way to train on your own with virtual support from a helpful team of coaches.
* Race Day Experience access available for $10 fee.

Top

How to Register

Online registration is available at Active.com by clicking on the link below:

Top

Fees

Group Training Program*	CES Alumni	New Members
Through April 15th	$179	$199
Through May 21st	$189	$209
May 22nd and later	$199	$219
*Limited to maximum of 250 participants

Virtual Training Program	CES Alumni	New Members
Through April 15th	$49	$69
Through May 21st	$59	$79
May 22nd and later	$69	$89

New CES'ers, good news! Once you participate in ANY CES program, you are a CES alumni for life and will save $$ on future programs!

No refunds will be provided in full or in part for any reason, including injury, after a program begins. No prorated fees are provided for late enrollments.

Top