Getting it Done

The hustle and bustle of the holidays are here. This is the time of year where it's easy to feel overwhelmed and difficult to find time to fit in a workout.  Trust me when I say you'll feel a lot better about things.  Even if it's just 20 minutes, or doing a push-up/sit-up/core routine in the morning...do something you won't regret that you did!!

Here is a little motivation to get going...

Dang...That Was Fun

Were you at the Endure It Holiday Party? If not you totally missed the Endure It invasion of the dancefloor at Blackfinn late night.  Thanks for everyone who came out, we really do have a great group of people.  I'm not going to lie though it's weird seeing people in "normal" clothes and not cycling gear!  Our facebook page should have some pictures up soon, and if you're not on facebook, we'll try to get some posted here as well.

Don't forget about meeting up at Waterfall Glen this Sunday at 7:30 a.m.  There are no specified groups at this time, so if you're worried about getting dropped...don't be! But at the same time, everyone should run their own pace.  We don't want those 6 minute milers to feel like they have to slow down if they don't want to.

Thanks again to everyone who made it out last night.

The Motions...

We are heavy into our computrainer season at Endure It, and we're pumped with the amount of people who have  been coming to class to work every week!  We have seen some big numbers and athletes fighting through some tough workouts, I keep hearing last Saturday was brutal.  Let's keep in mind that we can't just go through the motions.  You're sacrificing by getting up early, or missing time with your family, make sure you make the most of that time.  Remember you'll never regret a workout.

Don't forget tonight is the Endure It Holiday Party...It's going to be Epic!  Be at Blackfinn in Downtown Naperville at 7:00 p.m.  Rumor has it David is already apologizing for "party rockin".

Rumor has it Fix and Bird are going to have a "Walk Off"

Club Run - Sunday December 18 @ 7:30 a.m. - Waterfall Glen

After we witness Bird and Fix "Party Rockin" on Thursday night I'm guessing we'll need some time to recap the events of the evening.  Let's get together for a run on Sunday morning at Waterfall Glen.  The plan will be to meet in the parking lot at the trailhead on Cass at 7:30 a.m.  All abilities welcome, we will have maps of the trail for you and everyone will be able to run at their own pace.  The trail is a 9.4 mile loop...and by no means do you have to complete an entire loop!

If you plan on joining us please let us know by shooting an email to endureitclub@gmail.com that way we will know that we should be looking for you in the parking lot.  We will meet by the firepit at the trailhead, so when you turn off of Cass Ave. take your second right (the first right will put you in the parking lot which you can see off of Cass, it will work, but you'll have to walk to us at the trailhead).

Directions to Waterfall Glen:

From Naperville - 75th street East to Cass Avenue.  Right on Cass Avenue.  Continue on Cass Avenue past I-55.  Waterfall Glen will be on the right hand side right after I-55 (make sure you turn into Waterfall Glen or the sign for Argonne National Lab, it's the same road)

Staying Consistent & A Holiday Party Preview

One of my college roommates used to always say "Kids need consistency"...I believe that goes much beyond just kids.  We are in that time of year where it might be easy to put off a workout until later in the day, or shorten it, or just skip it.  But the bottom line is the more consistent you are the more successful you'll be.  Have you ever thought back to a workout and wished you hadn't completed it?  I mean unless something catastrophic happened (which we hope didn't) I can't imagine that you would.  So as the hustle and bustle of the holidays increases here make sure you try to stay as consistent as you can!  Get in the water...get on your bike...keep trucking along with the running challenge!

Oh yea, and you should come to the Holiday Party on Thursday night at Blackfinn...and here is why...


Endure It Holiday Party Promo 2011
by: EndureIt


Make sure you email us at endureitclub@gmail.com to let us know if you plan on attending.

Challenge Update & Sunday Run @ Waterfall Glen

How is everyone doing on the running challenge?  Today is day 12, get out there and get your run in...the longer you put it off the harder it's going to be!  We'd love to hear stories about your running challenge so far, so if you have seen something funny, lost some weight, hit a PR, are loving life, hating it...we want to know so drop us a line at endureitclub@gmail.com

Here's an idea, who wants to run at Waterfall Glen on Sunday morning?  It works pretty easily, everyone meets up at the trailhead off of Cass (if you don't know where Waterfall Glen is shoot us an email, or check back  and I'll post directions in an upcoming post), and we all run.  All abilities welcome, with that said everyone runs at their own pace...so if you're like Beert and are a speed demon go for it, if you're like Bird and float through the air, own it, if you're like Spyder and wear sweatpants to run that's cool too.  We'll start the run at 7:30 a.m. You can run as much or as little as you want.  The loop there is about 9.37 miles give or take a little depending on where you start your watch.  There are mile markers and it's crushed limestone which is nice.  Let us know if we should look for you (endureitclub@gmail.com)

Some Cyclocross Pictures

Thanks to Spyder...we're still trying to figure out his real name...we have some sweet cross pictures to post here of our small, but mighty cyclocross team.

Byers getting in the zone...

And they're off, check out the look of pain for Byers, and check out Spyder...lookin sleek in all black

White shorts to a cross race...Byers is all about fashion

Spyder make the pass already!

Byers in action over the barricades

Not going to lie, Byers makes it look easier...sorry Spyder

Craig doing work, but where is the Endure It kit?

The grimace of pleasure

Is that Jeremy Powers?  Nope sorry ladies, but it is Blaine and he's available...for more information on Mr. Texas Gold Blaine Reed contact us we'll give you the real dirt

Kenny B rockin out

Powering through to the front

"When I dip, you dip, we dip"

Don't lose it

Sweet kicks Spyder, we do have cycling shoes that aren't circa 1978 at the shop...

Powering out of the turn.

Don't forget that we're meeting up tomorrow at the store in Naperville to watch Ironman Hawaii at 3:00.  We hope to see you there, if you plan on coming shoot us an email (endureitclub@gmail.com)

Also the Endure It Holiday Party is less than a week away.  We'd love to get a number generated on how many people plan on coming so please RSVP to endureitclub@gmail.com

Enjoy the small amount of snow...Day 9 of the Running Challenge today!!

Get in the Water!

It's December, you're busy, and for many triathletes swimming is the last thing they want to do.  Trust me when I say getting in the water now will definitely help you next season!  We're not talking about cranking out 5,000 meter sets...but getting in what you can will be effective and helpful.  Do you have 20 minutes at the end of your workout where you were thinking about grabbing Starbucks?  Why not jump in the water for 15 minutes? You might be able to crack off 1000 yards and keep your feel for the water.  Every time you can get in the water is going to help...and remember that you're probably never going to regret a workout. 

In order to make sure you're using that time wisely here is a short 10 minute video to give you some tips on becoming a better swimmer:



Remember we're having a Kona Viewing Party on Saturday at 3:00 at the Naperville location.  Come hang out and watch NBC's interpretation of our sports biggest event!

Running Challenge Update

We are now on day 7 of the December Running Challenge.  How has it been going for you?  We'd love to hear from people about how their running challenge has started out, and maybe even post some of your success stories here.  Shoot us an email at endureitclub@gmail.com to let us know how things have been going, and if we can share a story.

We have a couple of events coming up in the next week at Endure It.  Saturday we will be getting together to watch the NBC coverage of Ironman Hawaii.  Swing on by the store in Naperville at 3 to grab a drink and enjoy the off season, maybe gain some motivation to head out on a long run Sunday morning.

Next Thursday (December 15) we will be hosting the annual Endure It Holiday Party at 7:00 p.m. at Blackfinn in Naperville.  If you plan on attending please let us know so that we have some sort of an idea as to numbers (endureitclub@gmail.com).

Do you want to be an Elite Badass?  Check Kenny Powers tips...

A Brick Twist & Upcoming Events

It seems as if winter is starting to take hold of Chicago and with that means indoor training sessions...they don't have to be boring though!  Riding on a trainer, or running on a treadmill can suck...but it doesn't have to!  And why do you have to be restricted to a trainer?  Riding on rollers can help pass the time faster, improve your pedaling stroke, and add an element of danger to riding indoors.

Here are a few ideas to think about when training indoors:

• Bike/run/bike/run/bike brick...yes you read that right.  Ride for an alotted period of time, followed by running on the treadmill for an alotted period of time...and repeat.  Something that is fun to do as well is to increase the effort of the workout as time goes on.
• Track workouts on the treadmill.  This is great because you set the pace, run for the distance and boom...you're done.  No cheating, no thinking...sounds good to me.
• Tabata Sprints on your trainer...after a nice warm up go 20 seconds all out, 40 seconds off...and repeat 6-10 times.  Crazy hard,  but a great use of a short period of time.
• When you're training indoors it's a great time to work on your efficiency, so don't forget to hit up those pedaling drills!

If you're trying to ride rollers...here's a hint...keep pedaling and don't blame the bike...and don't be this guy...



UPCOMING EVENTS

• Saturday December 10 - 3:00 p.m. - Endure It Naperville  - Ironman Hawaii Viewing Party
• Thursday December 15 - 7:00 p.m. - Blackfinn Naerville - Endure It Holiday Party
• Sunday January 8 - Various Times - Endure It Willowbrook - 2 Person Team Time Trial

Ironman Hawaii Viewing Party - Saturday @ 3:00

Come check out the NBC coverage of Ironman Hawaii this Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at Endure It Sports-Naperville.  Who knows maybe you'll catch a glimpse of an Endure It athlete out on the course...

Cold Weather Running Tips

Yesterday the December Running Challenge officially started, if you're joining us awesome!!!  We have been pretty fortunate in regards to the weather we've had this fall, and if you've watched the weather forecast lately that's going to come to a close quickly.  Just because the temperatures decline doesn't mean that you have to hibernate indoors.  All it takes is a little extra preparation and you might find that your winter runs are the most enjoyable ones.  Here are a few tips to help you prepare for those chilly runs:

• Dress in layers - yes you've heard it before, but it's the best way to stay warm while running. Sometimes it's difficult to figure out just what to wear because you do warm up when you run.  So if you dress in layers you can shed them as the run progresses.
• Wear a shell - Dealing with cold temperatures is one thing...when you add the Chicago wind to it that's a totally different story.  Rocking a lightweight shell as your top layer can help keep that wind out, and keep you warm.
• Reflective Gear - we aren't left with too much daylight now and so as a result make sure you're visible to as many people possible.  Sure you might not be the most fashionable...but would you rather have fashion or be laying in a ditch with a broken femur because the lady texting in her Range Rover didn't see you and then didn't even realize she hit you either.
• Identification - whenever you're out training you should make sure you have some sort of identification.  You never know what's going to happen, so it's a good idea to be as prepared as possible.  We have some cool bracelets at the store which have USB connections to upload personal information, we really hope you never have to use that, but it's a great resource!
• Run Loops - if you're not sure about how the weather might play out just go ahead and run short loops, that way if you wanted to drop off some layers you can do so.
• Watch your footing - as the snow starts to fall and the ice starts to pile up make sure you are aware of the surface you're running on.  If it's super icy and you want to make a pair of "screw shoes" go for it, super easy and kind of cool too!  More on screw shoes in another post.
• Have Fun - exercising outside is always fun, no matter the weather, you'll never regret a workout.  So get out there and enjoy it.  Running on a Sunday morning after a fresh snowfall could be one of the most peaceful experiences out there!

Upcoming Events

December 10 - Ironman Hawaii Viewing Party - This years Ironman Hawaii will air on NBC at 3:00 (we're pretty sure about that time) so come to the Endure It Sports in Naperville to hang out and watch the race.  Who knows maybe there will be some coverage of one of the Endure It athletes competing...and no that's not a hint because we honestly have no idea.

December 15 - Endure It Holiday Party - 7:00 p.m. - Blackfinn Naperville...be there

The December Running Challenge Starts Today!!

Finally!  It's December 1st and that marks the official start to the December Running Challenge.  Hopefully if you're reading this you're in...if not, why the heck aren't you?  I can find no better way to lay down some great base mileage and to help fight off those winter/holiday pounds by partaking in a little challenge.

Today's run is only 20 minutes...come on you can find 20 minutes to get a run in can't you?  If not, you're just making excuses...so get out there and get the work done!  Don't give me this excuse of "I rode computrainer today"...so did we, or "I have masters swimming tonight"...so do we.  And besides if you're not in we will make fun of you endlessly at the holiday party on December 15th at Blackfinn in Naperville.  Or we'll make fun of you at the Ironman Hawaii Viewing Party on December 10th at 2:30 at the Naperville Store.  So basically if you're out you should be expecting some smart ass remarks.

I mean if this guy is in...

...shouldn't you be?