Half Marathon Giveaway 2.0

Well, well, well, what do we have here? By the title of this post, it looks like I have another free, half marathon registration to give away! So I'm guessing that's why you're here!

The folks over at the Chicago Half Marathon have graciously given me a free registration to hand out to one of my faithful readers. If you like downtown Chicago, the lakefront and running, then you may want to get your name in the hat for this (if you're not already signed up, that is).

The race takes place on Sunday, September 9th at 7:00am in Jackson Park and is the second leg of the Windy City Challenge (click for details). That means if you've already run the Allstate 13.1 Marathon Series race back on June 9th, you're elligible to get a THIRD medal for running that race and this one!

All you have to do to get your name in the running for this FREE registration is leave me a comment letting me know what sport you're most looking forward to in the upcoming Summer Olympics! I find it hard to narrow down one event, but after Beijing how can you not be looking forward to the men's 100m dash?! Usain Bolt is a beast!

Can't wait to give this away - I'll pick a winner on Sunday, July 8th!

Update + Camping Trip

So if you've "Liked" my Facebook page, you've already seen that I posted a picture today showing yesterday's read-outs from my Nike+ Fuel Band, my LiveStrong calorie counter, and my WeightBot app as well. This is something I want to do on a daily basis to keep myself accountable and also to show people my progress. I'll probably only be posting these pictures on my Facebook page (so all my Facebook friends don't get uber annoyed after a week and a half).

I've decided to do this because I have a tendency to avoid calorie counting on days that I mess up. I don't want to put numbers to the amounts of snacks I'm eating and the ounces of soda I'm downing. This way, I feel that I'll be forced not only to count my calories everyday, but to keep me more disciplined (since I have to report!). If you missed it, here's the picture:

I have a daily goal of 3,000 "Fuel Points" set for myself. Fuel points are more or less just a measurement of movement that Nike made up. (The band also counts calories and steps.) For me to hit my 3,000 goal, it usually needs a 30-60 minute jaunt on the treadmill in the morning, a couple pointed walks around the office and maybe a little extra walk or something at night. With a desk job, I feel this is a good number.

As for calories, I currently have my goal set at 1,800 calories per day. If that's averaged out over my three meals and snacks, it comes out to be about 450 calories each - not too shabby. Add in some burnt calories from exercise, and I'm in good shape! Definitely a number I can stick with.

Also, I get the privilege of going CAMPING this coming weekend! It's going to be fantastic to get away from the city and work for a while and just enjoy the great outdoors with my wife and some of our friends. Unfortuantely, the temperatures for the Indianapolis area are forecasted to be between 95-100 everyday...guess we'll be swimming a lot!

I'm really looking forward to being outside and utilizing the opportunity to be active and burn some major calories. A great majority of my workouts have been in the gym (except for a few outdoor runs), so it'll be nice to take advantage of it. I'm bringing a football along, we'll be swimming, and hopefully some hiking as well! Once I get back I'll make sure to share some pictures and stories! And the amount of weight I lost in the process!

P.S. Stay tuned for another HUGE giveaway today or tomorrow!

Win Free Mizuno Shoes...Maybe

So Mizuno contacted me and sent me a link about this new project they're doing. Instead of spending millions in advertisement dollars, they're going to be giving away thousands of pairs of Mizuno running shoes to runners from now until the end of the year in hopes of giving runners a "mezamashii" feeling while running (Japanese for 'eye-opening, brilliant').

They're also wanting bloggers and social media enthusiasts (like me) to get the initial word out about the project.

My current running shoes - Mizuno Wave Inspire 6

Since the only pairs of running shoes I've ever owned have been Mizunos (no, seriously), I applied for a free pair in hopes of being a part of the project. And you can too!

If you're interested in possibly scoring a free pair of shoes (I mean really, who wouldn't?), here is the link to follow: www.mezamashiirunproject.com Also, those who receive invites into the secret club and get some free shoes also get to send out invites to others!


So really what I'm trying to say is, "If you've already received an invite, PICK ME, PICK ME!"

5k Giveaway - For You!

UPDATE: Congrats to Jacob Smith (no relation to Will) on claiming the free 5k registration for Saturday! Hope to see you there!

So I'm not kidding when I say that this needs to be taken care of A.S.A.P! If the title drew you to my post, then you're obviously interested in running a FREE 5k - so read on!

On this Saturday, June 9th, not only will the 13.1 Marathon Series kick off in Chicago at 7:00am, but the Karhu 5k will follow soon after at 7:40am! And I have one, free registration coupon for anyone who is up for the challenge!

So if you're interested in grabbing up this free and fun race, I will give the registration away to the FIRST PERSON who sends me an email at jordan.huenink@gmail.com - so hurry! Once I receive your email, I will promptly send you the registration site and coupon code so you can sign up. Keep in mind - you must register before Wednesday! So do it right away! Here's a short clip from last year's Karhu 5k in Chicago. I'm not sure how this guy (I'm assuming it's a guy) could run a race in that costume. It's gotta be muggy in there!

Also, not only is the half marathon and 5k occurring this weekend, but Allstate's partnering with the non-profit organization Give Your Sole to give runners a chance to touch others' lives by donating moderately-used running shoes. The shoes will then be passed on to Breakthrough, an organization that provides shelter, meals and other services to homeless men, women and families throughout the city.

If you're interested in donating some shoes, you may drop off your old 'kicks' at Fleet Feet Chicago when you pick up your race-day packet, or at the Finish Line Festival following the half marathon. Also, if you're a Chicago Bears fan (which I am not - Go Pack!), rookie Shea McClellin will be at the Finish Line Festival encouraging donations from runners and spectators.

All in all, Saturday is gearing up to be a great day! Although, I do see that the forecast does call for upwards of 90 degree heat... As a not-in-good-enough-shape guy who has to trudge 13.1 miles, this forecast is quite scary and daunting. But as always, that temperature number could change before then!

Can't wait to see who I can give the free 5k registration to!

FREE Half Marathon Registration Discount!

Wow, the good news keeps coming and coming!

If you're still on the fence about registering for The Allstate Life Insurance 13.1 Half Marathon in Chicago on Saturday, June 9th maybe this will persuade you to sign up! Not only was I able to give away one, free registration to one of my readers, but they've also given me a $5 discount code that ALL of you can use to register for the race!

So if you're interested, just visit the registration page at the 13.1 Marathon Series website and enter the coupon code 131BLG5 before you check out.

Let me know if you'll be running on June 9th! I'd love to meet you!

Giveaway WINNER!

I know I said I was going to wait until April 2nd to reveal the winner to my half marathon registration giveaway, but as I was writing up my training schedule for the race, I realized that the recipient of the giveaway may want to get started as well. So I've decided to name the winner TODAY!

So let me just cut right to it - congratulations to Mark Boys! And an early congrats on the arrival of your second child! I'll be sending your registration code in the email, so keep an eye out! I also dug around and found a picture of Mark at last year's Urbanathlon downtown. A race I'm hoping to run in 2012!

Thanks so much to everyone who participated in this giveaway! I'm so grateful for your readership and feedback. I'm hoping to have more giveaways in the future, so keep checking back!

That being said, I'd like to ask you all for a little more feedback.

What are some things that interest you in the health/fitness realm that you'd like me to write about? Moving forward, I'll be reporting on how my half marathon training is going as well as how my weight loss is progressing, but there's MUCH more to the arena of health and fitness, so let me know! Any products you'd like me to try out or foods/recipes you'd like me to try? I'm open to anything!

Let's Get It Started!

Well, if you've seen my last post you know that I've suddenly decided to run a half marathon this June. I know, pretty unexpected for me too! But when I got a free registration code offered to me for this year's 13.1 Chicago Half Marathon I saw it as a great opportunity to give me some structure to my workouts.
As of now I was half-heartedly doing a Couch to 5k program at the gym during the week, but really didn't even have a 5k event in mind at the conclusion of my program that I could participate in. I was really just using it for the sake of having a structured program. Without a final goal I didn't see a huge urgency to get my miles in or push myself, to be honest.

However, now that I have a flippin' HALF MARATHON staring me in the face in just over two months, I don't have any choice but to get my miles in and stick to the program. I am in NO way ready to run a half marathon and I refuse to embarrass myself since this is my 5th race of this distance. By this time I should be able to train well and compete well - if nothing else compete with my own PR of 2:20:20 (easy to remember, right?)

So if I had to set a goal for this race initially, I would say that I want to beat my current PR. Even though I don't have a FULL 3 months to train for this, I do plan on being at least 30 pounds lighter (unless the endless supply of snacks in the break room at work have anything to say about it), and hopefully the "lighter load" will help the old knees push out a sub 2:20.

That being said, I plan to report to you all on my training as it progresses. It's been around a year since my last race, and I can't afford to deviate from my schedule this time around if I want to knock it out of the park. And I get to take one, lucky reader along with me!

So if you aren't already registered for the Chicago 13.1 Half Marathon and want to add it to your 2012 schedule, visit my prior post and leave a comment with why you want to run! Winner will be chosen on Monday, April 2nd! But if interest seems to plateau sooner, I'll pick one sooner so they can get to training!

Free 1/2 Marathon Registration Giveaway!

Attention all runners! Or...people who want to be runners!


I've been granted a fantastic present to give away to one, special reader of this here blog, and it could be YOU! It's real simple, I promise!


The 13.1 Marathon® Series is making a stop in CHICAGO on Saturday, June 9, 2012 and YOU could participate...for FREE! You could join 5,000 runners on the streets of Chicago as they run along Lake Michigan  for a beautiful 13.1 miles (with 20 party stations along the way), and then attend the Michelob Ultra 13.1 Marathon® post-race party to quench your thirst and celebrate your accomplishment!

You could also find me since I'll be there running it too!

And I know you're saying, "Jordan, how can we be eligible for this unbelievable prize?"
Well let me tell you. All you need to do is leave a comment below convincing me why you should be awarded the free registration. Also, make sure you'll actually be available for race day - we don't want anyone winning and then not running! This contest is open to ANYONE from ANYWHERE in the world! 


So let the comments fly! I'll be choosing a winner on Monday, April 2nd - so make sure to get your name in the hat now!