April 7th LP 5a & 6a Meeting Location

The snow is all gone[hopefully]for this season. So the LP a.m. location meeting area will go back to the green electrical box just about a hundred yards north of Fullerton on Cannon Dr. This is the regular meeting area for the spring, summer and fall months starting on April 7th. Can't wait to see you there!!!

NEW START SESSIONS

It may not always feel like spring outside, but it is officially here. Make sure you're not left out for getting that summer beach body back. Sign up for the next Bulldog Bootcamp session NOW!!!

Session Start Dates:
3/31/08- South Barrington

4/7/08- 5a & 6a LP
4/7/08- 6:30p LP

Sgt Friday's April Tip of the Month

HABITS TO BREAK
1. You Never Stretch:
This bad habit contributes to shin splints, plantar fasciitis and muscle pulls which can side line you for weeks.
Fix it- your muscles get the most benefits post workout/run. It only takes approximately 10 extra minutes to stretch after your workout/run and you will save yourself weeks and even months of disappointment. Save yourself from future injuries by making the time to stretch and continue to feel the benefits down the road.

2. You Never Rest:
Over training can cause constant soreness, suppressed immunity, multiple injuries and moodiness with loss of motivation.
Fix it- Rest isn't the absence of training. Your body craves rest after tough workouts/runs. Your cardiovascular & muscular systems are restored and rebuilt through rest, and it's then that your performance and strength are gained.
Make sure your training program has recovery days integrated into them. A good training/running schedule would be one rest day per 2-3 workout days.

3. You're Night Owl:
When you're consistently short on sleep you compromise your immune system, recovery process and ability to remain mentally sharp.
Fix it- Sleep enhances the restoration of cells damaged from working out. Proper sleep varies with every person, therefore monitor the amount of sleep you get each night for a week and note the days in which you feel the best from those prior nights sleep. That usually balances out to how much sleep you need. The more consistent you are with getting the proper amount of sleep the stronger you will feel, the better your body can recover and the better your workouts/runs will be for you.

LEPRECHAUN LEAP RESULTS 5K (March 16th)

In her first race back after the long, cold and blustery Chicago winter, DI Friday completed the Leprechaun Leap 5K. She felt good as she eased back into her first race (of three) around Chicago this spring.

She was joined by only one other Bulldog this year and has high hopes of many more Bulldogs joining her again in this race next year.

Again....congratulations to Sgt Friday & Nicole Hruska on their race.

32:28- Sgt Friday
32:29- Nicole Hruska

MS CLIMB RESULTS (March 9th)

In it's first inaugural event, the MS Society had an extremely good showing with well over 200 climbers.

We had some very dedicated Bulldogs participate in the climb this year and look forward to more Bulldogs participating in the future. Sgt Friday climbed in honor of two of her clients who suffer from MS and has a close personal & emotional attachment to this cause.

Sgt Friday got her butt kicked once again, but handled it well, and plans on training and improving for next years climb.

Congratulations Bulldog Climbers!!!!!

14:03- Janet Julien (5a LP)

14:04- Amy Waranauskas (South Barrington)

14:20- Sgt Friday (DI-LP 6a/6:30p)

Next Grant Park Session: March 24, 2008

The next Downtown/Grant Park session starts Monday, March 24th. Even though if might not seem like it, spring starts this week. Summer and beach weather is right around the corner. Don't be left behind. Sign up now!

Races Around Chicago

"Old Man Winter" will start to fade soon and that means spring is closer than you think!!!!! It's time to shake off the winter blues, dust off your running shoes and get back outside to enjoy the sites of the city. There's nothing more fun than a spring day, a good cause and an organized run to get you started.

Come join Sgt Friday and the Bulldog Bootcamp team as they run their way through the streets of Chicago. Sign up for one or sign up for them all.........

1. March 16th (Sat 9a)
St Paddy's Day/Leprechaun Leap 5K

2. April 13th (Sat 8a)
Race to Wrigley 5K
(help celebrate the kick off to the 2008 Baseball season)

3. June 1 (Sun 8a)
Run for the Zoo 5K/10K
(this is one of the oldest running events in Chicago)

You can register at chicagoevents.com

Sgt Friday's March Tip of the Month

How old are your workout shoes? Do you know when you bought them? Do you know if you have any special concerns for your feet?

Believe it not, the shoes you wear to Bulldog can make a tremendous difference in your performance. Wearing shoes with improper support can be exceptionally hard on your joints. Your shoes may look good on the outside, but do you really know what's happening on the inside? Breakdown occurs much more quickly on the inside (i.e. arch support, toe box or heel support) which then causes breakdown to your body on the outside. Most shoes life span are only approx. 6 months from start to finish if you're wearing them almost everyday to workout. If you're wearing your athletic shoes outside of your exercising routine, the breakdown occurs much sooner.

To avoid such breakdowns to your body, it's good to have a solid pair of shoes that fit the needs of your feet. For these possible concerns, it's best if you can go to an athletic store where a knowledgeable sales person can lead you to the right shoe for your feet. Many times they will fit your foot properly with a variety of shoes for your "type" of feet and will allow you test them to see if they are the right fit.

Remember..... the shoes may be "cute" or "cool" on the outside, but if they're not supporting the right areas of your body, those cute or cool shoes are only hurting your insides. Prevention of any possible injuries is the key to staying out in the field with healthy feet and joints.

Did You Know????.......

Sgt Friday has been a certified Personal Trainer for the last 12.5yrs and continues to do so today.

Sgt Friday is extremely involved and cares very much about everyone's overall health and fitness concerns. If you need any information or advice on how to improve your health and fitness outside of Bulldog, please contact Sgt Friday to set up a private consultation as she is now a part of the Bulldog Personal Training staff. (Private consultation prices upon request)

Ask Sgt Friday your Running Questions/Concerns

Sgt Friday was a former competitive high school and collegiate athlete working in both sprints and hurdles. Since living in Chicago, she has competed in 6 half-marathons and 4 full marathons and only in the last few years has she decided to stick with runs a bit more on the "lighter" side. However, she still very much enjoys talking, instructing, informing or just answering any questions, concerns or thoughts on running. Please feel free to drop her an email or speak with her in person about any questions/concerns you may have in regards to running. Contact her at Sgt_Friday@bulldogbootcamp.com

Get ready for spring

Spring is just around the corner. Are you sitting at home waiting for the right time to enlist, or re-enlist? Now is the time! New sessions start every 4 weeks.
Next start dates are:

Lincoln Park 4/7/08
Grant Park 4/21/08
Barringtion 3/31/08

Bulldog Bootcamp on TV

For those of you who missed it, you can check out the segment that aired on 190 North on ABC 7 TV. Click here to watch

Bulldog Bootcamp on 190 North

This Sunday, February 17th, ABC 190 North will be featuring Bulldog Bootcamp. The show airs at 10:35p on Ch 7. It will also be available for viewing on the 190 North website. The link will be posted after it airs. Don't miss it. Tune in to see what a great program you are a part of.

www.190NORTH.com