It’s Friday, so I’m linking up with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for the new Friday Five 2.0. The theme for this week is “goals, resolutions, or other things you’re looking forward to in the new year.” I did my resolutions last week, so this week I’ll tell you about “5 Things I’m Looking Forward to in 2017.” The Husband is doing some serious skiing this quarter (with his dad). We have not scheduled any vacations yet, so most of what I have planned so far this year is fitness and “me” related. I need to work on that.
5 Things I’m Looking Forward to (so far) in 2017
1. Sweatworking Week– As I mentioned on Wednesday, I’m an ambassador for A Sweat Life. A Sweat Life is a fitness community here in Chicago (with a great web presence if you’re not in Chicago). In Chicago, they try out all of the best new health and fitness classes, food and events.
To kick off a great 2017, they are hosting a second #Sweatworking Week from 1/9-14. It’s a week with workouts at a bunch of ASL’s favorite fitness studios across Chicago. Each class is a great deal at $15. Plus, you can meet other folks who are also trying something new (so you won’t be the only newbie). There are still spots in all kinds of workouts from rock climbing to barre to yoga to Barry’s Bootcamp to DayBreaker to WERQ Dance Fitness to weight lifting. See the whole schedule here. Plus, get 25% off on classes with code EricaFinds (that’s $11.25!).
2. Lululemon Chicago Running Retreat – Somehow, I got on Lululemon Chicago’s radar. I went and checked out their winter running gear and got some to test out. Soon after, I was invited to a 3 day running retreat at the new Robey Hotel in Chicago. Not only is the stay and event being offered at no cost, we get some running gear to put to the test, as well. I’m not sure exactly what to expect, but I am tickled to be included in this “badass” running group. (Their word, not mine!)
3. Cycle for Survival – For the 6th year in a row, I will be leading a team for Cycle for Survival in February. Here are my recaps from 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Cycle is an indoor cycling event to raise money for the treatment of “rare” cancers at Memorial Sloan Kettering. The energy and enthusiasm is unparalleled. This multi-day, multi city event has raised over $105 million in the last 10 years. You can read this post to learn more. I’ll be hosting a raffle soon on the blog. If you hate cancer and want to support our team, you can use this link to donate.
4. NYC Half Marathon with Alexandra’s Playground – This is also my 6th year in a row running the NYC Half with Alexandra’s Playground. The NYC Half is a great half marathon that runs through Central Park and then Times Square down the West Side Highway to South Street Seaport. If that’s not cool enough, Alexandra’s Playground is an awesome charity that builds playgrounds in underserved communities in the US and beyond. It was started by my friends, Andrea and Michael Vitale to honor the life of their daughter, Alexandra, who passed away in 2008. You can see my post from last year on 5 reasons to support my 5th running here. I’ll have another raffle and links up soon!
5. Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon with Lauren and Crew – Every year, I try to do new things and agree to at least one thing that scares me. Lauren asked me to join her and her husband and a few friends to run Rim to Rim in the Grand Canyon. This is a pretty mean feat for a flatland Chicago gal like me, but of course I said yes right away. Why? Why not? It’s been on my bucket list since I heard it was a thing. I’ve never seen the Grand Canyon. The Husband and I stopped there once but it was fogged in during a snow storm. It’s probably better, right? We’re doing this at the end of April. Wish us luck and please share your tips if you have any!
What are you looking forward to in 2017? Please let me know in the comments.
Have a great weekend!
PS. Don’t forget my great giveaways!