Out & About: Running can lead to healthier, happier life

Submitted by Alicia Spates on October 12, 2009 - 11:11am

DO IT
Dick Pond Athletics created the 35-member Dick Pond Saucony Racing Team in 2003 as a competitive component for runners. But the athletics store has not left out the leisure runners with its weekly fun runs through the suburbs and their Walk To Run Program.

Matt Wilhite, the team manager of the Dick Pond Saucony Racing Team, says running can lead to a healthier and happier lifestyle, whether running with a group or as a solo venture.

“For me, particularly, the biggest thing about running is that it’s all inclusive,” Wilhite says. “You don’t need to belong to a gym or belong to a club to run. You can run wherever.”

WHAT YOU NEED
“The two most important things a person needs for running is shoes for both men and women and a good sports bra for women,” he says. He added another important item for both genders is cotton-absorbing socks.

“Some socks can make a person chaff or give them blisters on their feet from running,” he says, but cotton-absorbing socks can lessen those odds.

WHERE TO
Dick Pond Athletics has shops in Carol Stream, Schaumburg, Crest Hill, Lisle, St. Charles and Carpentersville, and each store provides weekly fun runs for individuals to take part in free of charge. Dick Pond even offers a Walk To Run Program for individuals who used to be active runners and would like to begin running again.

“With our Walk To Run Program, we begin with walking and then begin to increase running and decrease walking each week,” Wilhite says.

The Competitive Foot in Oak Park, which also has a facility in Western Springs, is the location for the Oak Park Runners Club’s Monday night fun run. The location also sells running shoes and apparel.

Run Chicago, a specialty athletics shop in Forest Park, carries many nationally recognized brand names in shoes, apparel and equipment.

For those looking to race or join in a brisk group walk, the 33rd Annual Frank Lloyd Wright Races in Oak Park is Oct. 25.

WEEKLY FUN RUNS
WHO Dick Pond Athletics in Carol Stream
PHONE (630) 665-3316
WEB www.dickpondathletics.com
HOURS Days and hours of the weekly fun runs vary per Dick Pond Athletics store. Contact each store for more information.

ALSO TRY
www.runchicago.com
www.competitivefoot.com
www.oakparkparks.com/flw2009.htm

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Comments

Kathy Bondi dropped us an e-mail, and she writes:

"Downers Grove has the benefit of its own local running store, Runners Grove, located at 5155 Main Street, Downers Grove. We host two weekly running clubs year round. Both groups meet at 6:30 pm. The first run is on Monday and our second run is on Wednesday. Walkers are invited to join the Wednesday evening group as well.

"Runners Grove has been in operation for two years, and is owned and operated by two local Downers Grove families, Tom and Kathy Bondi and Mark and Debbie Sleeper. Runners Grove has had the privilege of sponsoring many local races over the past two years, and we offer clinics and other programs year round to benefit the running/walking community.

"Runners Grove can be contacted at www.runnersgrove.com, or at 630-493-0800. We are open seven (7) days a week, and are ready to help out any runners and walkers with their fitness needs. Come check us out!"

Submitted by Alicia Spates on October 15, 2009 - 9:25am.

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