Welcome to McKinley Chiropractic’s Run Club and the 2009 Ravenswood Run 5K!!!

We are very excited to welcome back all of last year’s participates and looking forward to working with all the new ones. The race is Sunday, April 26, 2009. Those of you who have participated in a race in Chicago know that it is a unique experience. Unlike most places around the country, the race organizers do a wonderful job of making the 5K an upbeat, exciting event. There will be approximately 3500 participates, all starting at once. When you start the race the music will be pumping, you’ll have a number bib pinned to your shirt, and an electronic timing chip on your shoe. We’ll run/walk throughout our neighborhood, being cheered on by spectators the whole way. When you cross the finish line you’ll be greeted by cheering fans, a cool down area with drinks and snacks, and you’ll achieve the satisfaction of achieving a goal that you’ve been training and working for. For many people it can be a truly life changing experience.

This is the 3rd year of our Run Club. The first year we started with 15 participants. Last year we doubled that to 30. This year I have set a goal to double again it to 60! To do this I need your help. Please invite your friends and family to participate with us. They don’t have to be a patient, they don’t even have to be able to run. All they have to do is want to increase their activity level, to add some exercise in their life. We’ll take care of the rest.

We’re proud to announce that we’re registered as an official group with the Ravenswood Run this year. The cost for the run is $30, to be paid to us. This is solely the entry fee for the race, the Run Club itself is completely free of charge. Just bring us some sweat! Your $30 goes to charities including the Wellness Center at Lakeview High School. For participating in the race you’ll receive a technical race t-shirt and goody bag. To sign-up please talk to Sarah or Ali at the front desk or email Dr. Arthur at drarthur@mckinleychiro.com. The race is limited to 3500 people and it will sell out so don’t delay!

This year we are making some changes to the program. In order to better communicate with you and to adjust to the wonderful March/April Chicago weather, the training program will be conducted through email and our blog. We will start training the first week in March. Each Friday I will post the following week’s training program on our blog along with any tips, notes, stretches, and any other goodies. Please bookmark our blog, or use a RSS reader, so you can be up to date with the schedule.

As in the past we will do an injury assessment on anyone participating in the program. We will perform this on a regular chiropractic appointment and work with you to overcome any issues that may hinder your performance. For anybody who wants to participate in the program, but is not a patient, we will perform an injury assessment free of charge (once they register through us for the run).

This year we will again have Saturday morning group runs/walks in Welles Park at 8:30 a.m. Last year the weather hit us pretty hard, causing us to cancel a number of sessions. Every Friday at lunch I’ll take a look at the park and determine if it is safe to run. If we have to cancel it will be posted on our blog by Friday at 5:00 p.m. so be sure to check. If nothing is posted we’ll be there. These sessions are not mandatory but definitely encouraged!

We are so excited for the race this year. We know that with your help it will be are biggest, most successful Run Club yet!