Maggie "Not Margaret" W.'s Profile

I ran this race in 2011. I'm not planning to run it again in 2012, but I think overall it's a great race!

The Good:
- FREE PARKING. I was not expecting that so it was a very pleasant surprise!
- Men's and women's shirts. No unisex! The women's shirts were really cute. I wear it all the time.
- All finishers got a medal AND a stadium blanket.
- Course never felt too crowded even though it was on the narrow lakefront path.
- Fun to run on Soldier Field.

The Bad:
- Packet pick-up was on the north side at Fleet Feet Sports. It was quick and easy, but getting to/from there wasn't the easiest coming from the suburbs. You can either pay for parking or try to find a spot on the street (which I was able to do after driving around for a little bit).
- Because of the corrals, it took us 30 minutes cross the start. That did translate to minimal course crowding though, so I'll take it.

All in all, I think for the cost of the race and the fact that you get free parking, a medal, a tech shirt, a stadium blanket, and you get to run where the Bears play, it's a pretty good deal!

I ran this in 2011, and plan to run it again in 2012.

The Good:
- Fun course! Mostly along downtown streets and then heads south and comes back up LSD.
- Lots of bands along the way, including some really entertaining ones.
- Huge turnout, but we crossed the start line within 10 minutes of the start and I never felt like the course was too crowded.
- Swag bag is an actual bag - a little drawstring back-pack.
- Lots of freebies at the expo if you're into "trick or treating"
- Really easy shirt exchange at the expo.
- Lots of goodies post-race - wet washcloths, popsicles, free beer (although it was raining so we take the time to get any), other snacks.
- Post-race finishers photo lines went quickly.

The Bad:
- Really expensive. $20-30 more than other half marathons in Chicago. However, those are all on the lakefront and require far fewer street closures. But, register early or search Google for coupon codes.
- Expo at McCormick Place = $20 to park at the expo and another $20 or more to park at the race.
- In the middle of summer so weather can be a concern. We had PERFECT weather in 2011 (mid-60s and drizzling off and on), but it was unseasonably mild.

All in all I thought it was a really well-run and fun race and plan to do it again this year with more friends.

Personally I think this is the best gym in the area. My husband and I recently re-joined when we moved back into the area. We had been members over five years ago, and were sad to cancel our membership when we moved out of the area. We moved back recently, and wanted to join a gym. We knew the St. James Health & Wellness Institute was a great gym, but we figured we should check out other local gyms just to make sure we didn't overlook anything. Checking out other gyms only confirmed that SJHWI was the way to go. It is a little bit pricey, but you get SO MUCH for the money:

Huge lap pool
Three group exercise rooms (cardio, spin, yoga/pilates) and also Aqua classes with classes going on all day long
1/8-mile indoor track
Access to an outdoor track
THE NICEST LOCKER ROOMS, with lots of space, showers, whirlpools, saunas and amenities like hair spray and body lotion
Tons of weight machines and free weights
Tons of cardio equipment - I never see anyone waiting
On-site medspa (I've never used it)
Super friendly staff
Constant promotions if you refer a friend (I've gotten a free hoodie)
Access to a gymnasium big enough for a full basketball court
Cafe/juice bar
On-site daycare (for an extra fee)
On-site massage (extra fee)
Personal training (extra fee)
Medical memberships (extra free)

I think the only things that other gyms have that this one doesn't is indoor raquetball or a indoor climbing wall.

The one thing that really stands out to me is that they are always improving - either renovating something or adding on or there's new equipment or new classes, etc. They really seem dedicated to making this the best health club in the area.

Anyway, if you are in the area, check it out. The other thing is this isn't one of those high-pressure "let me make a deal for you!" type of chains (L.A. Fitness I'm looking at you.) They'll give you a tour, answer your questions, show you pricing, and tell you to go home and think it over if you want. No pressure.

Offering lots of different types of dance (and more) classes, there is something for everyone at Room To Move - ballet, belly dance, yoga, hip hop, hoop dance, burlesque, martial arts, drumming, pin-ups photography. For all ages and skill levels and body types. I like that the studio really fosters a welcoming, friendly atmosphere - no judgement here!

Also we had my brother/now-wife's wedding shower here a couple years ago and it was great. We had the back room and the food was buffet-style. Service was great, food was great, beer was great.

Also last year I had a fundraiser at my brother's house for the American Cancer Society (Relay For Life) ... beer & bands. Flossmoor Station gave us a discount on a keg because it was a fundraiser. Thought that was really nice of them.

I love craft beer, and am getting into the habit of stopping by local breweries when I travel to new places. Galena Brewing Company did not disappoint. I tried the Cream Ale, Hefeweizen, Amber Ale and Stout, all of them were delicious! (Not a fan IPAs, so I skipped that one.) We bought a growler of Cream Ale to take home with us on the last day we were in town.

We did not try the food, as both times we were there (after 9pm), the kitchen was closed.

When planning a trip to Galena to celebrate our anniversary, my husband and I were looking for a place to stay that was 1) within walking distance of the many bars, restaurants and shops in downtown Galena, 2) had a private whirlpool hot tub 3) didn't look like it was decorated by someone's Grandma and 4) wasn't too expensive. 305 North met those requirements, and in addition has (gas) fireplaces and flat screen TVs in the rooms, free parking and free Wi-Fi, and a daily continental breakfast included in the price of the room. We stayed in Suite 5.

As for the breakfast, this is not the traditional sit-down hot breakfast you might get at a traditaionl B&B. It much more closely resembles the type of continental breakfast you would get at a hotel like the Holiday Inn. Which is perfect for me, as I am not a huge breakfast person. I just need fresh coffee (which they have via one of those Keurig dealies) and something to nibble on.

We would definitely stay here again, and highly recommend this place to friends.

I love the 1 A.M. Ale and the Oatmeal Stout. For food, I'm a big fish taco fan, and their's do not disappoint. Service has always been friendly.

I'm not a huge breakfast person so I normally don't care about the dedicated breakfast/lunch places that close around 2-3pm. But I LOVE Egg Harbor Cafe. The food is delicious. It just seems fresher and more wholesome than standards breakfast places. Not so heavy and greasy. I loooove the Farmers Market Benedict. The staff is also very friendly and I personally like the decor (for a breakfast place) - very down home country kitchen. We usually go on weekend mornings between 10am - 12pm and the place is always packed so there is usually a little bit of a wait. But once you sit down the service is fast.

If you want to make a trip to Intimacy, you should know a few things in advance: 1) Make an appointment - you can make one through their web site. If you walk-in, you might have to wait awhile. 2) You will be topless while another woman puts bras on you - and adjusts them. 3) The bras are pricy, but they do free alterations during the lifetime of the bra.

My personal fitter was Luz, and she was very friendly and helpful. The first thing she did was an assessment of my current bra on my body (with her eyes and hands - no tape measure). She looked at the band in back, the straps, the cups, and showed me why my current bra didn't fit me correctly. She then had me try on bras in size 34D - I had been wearing 38C per being measured (twice) at another similar shop. But the 34D bras fit and made my chest look so perky! Also, like I mentioned, they put the bras on you. A little weird at first, but good because I learned how I should be putting bras on - where the band should be, how the cups should fit, etc.

The bras are pricey: $80 - $190 for the ones I tried on, and the panties were $18-90. Yikes. The gal that helped me was not pushy and did not try to force anything on me that I didn't want. Also they do free alterations, and considering how much I spend constantly replacing cheaper bras, it's probably the same in the long run to buy a few really good bras and get them repaired (for free) when they get all stretched out.

Overall, my experience was exactly what I expected based on what I've heard/read. I've already started telling my friends they need to go. Just to be able to get properly fitted for your real bra size is so great.