Chicago Trip: Plan and Save!

My family of seven and my parents (nine total) recently traveled to Chicago for a quick one-night stay.  We planned well in advance and this is our 9th straight year heading to Chicago during the holiday and Christmas season.  There are so many things to do this time of year and the kids really enjoy the museums, Christmas lights, and walking along the city streets.  Here are some tips and ideas for your next trip to this awesome city!

Hotels - During the Christmas season (Dec 1st-Jan 15th), rooms are incredibly well-priced.  There are very few conferences this time of year in Chicago (actually all the way into March).  Most of the hotels have very discounted pricing.  We love to stay at Embassy Suites and there are multiple locations in the Chicago area including two downtown.  The rooms are really big and each can sleep up to six people (two double beds and a pull-out couch).  There is also an evening reception every night from 5:30-7:30 including free adult beverages, kids' drinks, and light snacks and appetizers.  Every morning there is an awesome breakfast buffet with scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, french toast, cereals, oatmeal, fresh fruit or you can wait for a made-to-order omelette or eggs!  This is all included in the price!  Parking is expensive if you are driving at $43/night.  We were able to snag a great deal - room, taxes, and parking, for $144 total!

The Kids Loved the View from the Embassy Suites!

Museums - One of the great benefits of a museum membership is the reciprocity of admissions between other museums.  Since we live in northern Michigan, we purchased a family membership to the Grand Rapids Public Museum for an annual fee of $65.  This gave us free admission to three locations in Chicago - The Field Museum, Adler Planetarium, and The Museum of Science & Industry.  We did not go to Adler this time.  General admission to the Field and MSI is $18 per person - so we made out great with our $65 membership to GRPM!!!  The kids love exploring both of these great places including dinosaurs, animal exhibits, and learning about other countries.  MSI has a some great interactive, hands-on learning activities including watching chickens hatch, creating a tornado, Tesla lightning display, U-505 submarine, and much more.

Playing instruments at Crown Family Playlab - Field Museum

Video - Tesla Electricity/Lightning Exhibit - MSI

Walking the City - When staying downtown, you can walk to many cool places.   This trip, we stayed mostly along Michigan Avenue (The Miracle Mile).  The Christmas lights were amazing and the kids love stopping into stores and window shopping.  

Toward the north end of Michigan Avenue is Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop - where they give you a free piece of chocolate when you enter!  They also have amazing ice cream sundaes and other fun treats.

Right across the street on the east side of Michigan is Water Tower Place.  Inside is a huge mall with some great stores including American Girl and Lego Store.  If you're daughter is a big fan of American Girl, you can plan a spa day with your day, have lunch or tea, or just get the doll's hair done.  We opted for a FREE picture in front of the American Girl Star in the front of the store!

As you exit the American Girl store on the second floor, the Lego Store is immediately on your left. It's fun to look around and see all of the unique Lego offerings including Lego Friends and Star Wars. Sometimes, a worker may ask you to help organize the Mini-Lego Figure towers and then you can make and keep a Mini-Lego Figure!  We were able to help out and all three kids received a free figure!   A Star Wars Stormtrooper was guarding the front of the store!

Another favorite spot for us to stop is Garret's Popcorn!  It's the absolute most amazing popcorn.  We usually buy the Garret Mix which is a combination of cheddar cheese and caramel popcorn.  It's rich and buttery and delicious!

As a runner, I love to visiting Chicago and getting an early morning run in the books.  I ran out to the end of Navy Pier for a picturesque return back into the city, turning up Columbus Avenue, and then up some stairs and west on Upper Wacker Ave.  It was still dark and the lights were gorgeous - here's a great picture of the Christmas Tree in front of the Tribune Building.  The Wrigley Building is lit up in the background.  

We had a great visit and hope to come back again in summer of 2016!  It will definitely be more expensive to stay and play, but the warm weather will provide some different places for our family to visit including "The Bean", a water taxi cruise, and maybe some bicycling!

2016 Biggest Loser Challenge

My Facebook friends and family are starting a 2016 weight loss challenge.  I ran one in 2015 to kick off the year and the response was so positive, that we did two more including a Charity Challenge!

If you are looking to lose weight with some accountability, this is a fun and interactive way to do it.  The cost is only $10 for 11 weeks with each weekly percentage weight loss loser winning $10.  The remaining dollars will be split to the overall 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners (70%, 20%, 10%).

Here's the link to sign up - Rich's 2016 Biggest Loser Challenge

Week 3, Day 6: Christmas Break Begins

This is the end of the 3rd week of training for the 5/3 Riverbank run 25k in May of 2016.  Today was a "long run" - which in this training plan, for now, is only 2.5 miles.  The temperature has dropped considerably compared to the last few weeks, finally feeling more like December.  There was a light dusting of snow on the ground which enabled me to leave some tracks along the trail.  The wind was sharp and cold but I ended up running 2.53 miles at an easy 9:57 pace.

Looking forward to Monday as we are traveling to Chicago for a couple of days.  I love running in Chicago.  There is an air of excitement, city lights, nice trails - definitely a runner-friendly city.

Meijer Lego Dimensions Deal - $49.99 Starter Pack with FREE Fun Pack - Today only!!!

If you have a Lego fan at home and a game system (PS4, Xbox, WiiU), then this is a great deal for Christmas.  This week, Meijer has the Lego Dimensions Starter Pack on sale for $59.99 and you also get one FREE Fun Pack.  And today (12/17), you can also use Santa Bucks to take another $10 off your purchase!

These are regularly priced at $99.99 for the Starter Pack and $14.99 for the Fun Pack, so you would be getting $114.98 of value for $49.99!!!  Great deal!!!

Zingo! Game for Kids On Sale at Amazon for $11.06!!!

Do you have small children at home?  If you're like me, you are always looking for fun and interactive games for your kids.  My twins are 3-1/2 and absolutely love playing this game - or as they call it, "Zingo is its name-o"!  This is a great price and if you have Amazon Prime, it will ship in time for Christmas.

Go here to checkout this item and read all of the great reviews on Amazon!

North Country Trail 2016 Hike 100 Challenge

Are you looking for some 2016 New Year Resolution ideas?  Here's a great way to get some miles in while enjoying some terrific scenery.  The North Country Trail runs through multiple states from western New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota.  Since this is the 100 year anniversary of our nation's first national parks, the North Country Trail (which is part of the national park system) is offering the Hike 100 Challenge!

I live about 20 miles east of where the NCT is located.  Last summer, I hiked it multiple times from an easy three mile exploration trial to a more rigorous 7.3 mile jaunt,  My friend, Chris, hiked it even more, including camping on the trail.  I'm hoping that by signing up for this challenge, it will encourage me to get out even more and explore more segments of this beautiful trail.

Here are some pics from a couple of my 2015 hikes!  I may even try some snowshoeing on it this year - if the snow ever comes!  Challenge yourself - sign up here!

 Trailhead at Bowman Lake Access

 Beautiful Lupine on the Trail

 NCT Selfie!

 A Well-worn Path

Bowman Lake Spur

Meijer Deal on iPad Mini - 12/16-12/17 - $149/ea!!!

Beginning today (12/16) through tomorrow (12/17), Meijer is having a great sale on iPads - and you can use Santa Bucks, too!  Also, if you have mPerks, there may be a reward available to you to activate also.  I had a reward for "Earn $7 in rewards when you spend $70 on electronics."  So, here is the scenario:

iPad Mini            $269
Santa Bucks       -$ 20
Custom Coupon -$100
Total                  $149 plus tax!!!

And if you do have the mPerks rewards, you can save even more!

Training: Week Two, Day Four: Darth Vader is in the House!

First, what unbelievable weather we are having in December!  Today it was mid-fifties, and, although it was a bit windy, it was a beautiful day in Michigan!  My mom and I took the twins for a walk with their scooters and they were zipping all over the place!  It was great to be out and about!

Second, I just finished my run.  As I said, it was a bit windy, and I struggled a bit.  My legs were still a little tight from my post-run leg lifts on Tuesday, but I still managed a 2.01 mile run at a 9:46 clip.  When I got back home, I stretched out really well and then did a 50-count with the jump rope.  That escalated my heart rate again and definitely my breathing.  So, when I walked in the door, my daughter Anna was just around the corner.  When she saw me, she said, "Whew, it's you.  I thought Darth Vader was here..."  Hmm - pretty sassy for a 9-year old - and, voila, a title for today's run!

"Anna, together we can rule the universe!"

After writing, I think I'll take another hit on the old inhaler to knock down that wheezing a bit.  I'm sure it's a combination of leftover Walking Pneumonia, exercising, and carrying an extra 50 pounds around!  Here's my post-run pic - not quite Darth Vader, not quite Harrison Ford...

Apple Itunes Gift Cards - Three $25 gift cards for $55!!!

rakuten.com is offering a 3-pack of $25 gift cards for $75 less $20 using MasterPass Checkout and promo code MASTERPASS10.  Just go here and add them to your cart.  Choose MasterPass at checkout, enter promo code MASTERPASS10, and $20 will be taken off your order - along with free shipping!

If you don't have a MasterPass account, it's quick and easy to set up.  You can use any kind of credit or debit card - including MasterCard, VISA, Discover,etc - and MasterPass adds added security to your purchases!

This is a great stocking stuffer - especially if you have multiple members in your household.  They can use these for music, movies, apps - anything from Itunes!  And this price is right - averages out to only $18.33/ea for $25!!!

Free Movie Night from Redbox!

On Wednesdays in December, you can get a $3 promo credit when ordering a movie from redbox.com or using the mobile app.  Use code GAMEON in the promo code area and you'll receive a $3 credit to your order!  Regular DVD movies are only $1.50 per night - so that's two free movies!!!

You can also use this credit for Blu-Ray or Game rental.  You can use this promo up to 5 times per pre-registered credit card or 3 time if it's a newly registered card.  What a deal!

Week 2, Day 2: Revving up the Engine

Feeling pretty good today - although I wish I would have given myself a hit from the inhaler before heading out.  By the end of the run, I was wheezing a bit.  One more day of the antibiotic and hopefully this "Walking Pneumonia" is done.  I still had a great run - logging 2.10 miles at a 9:33 clip.  I'm hoping to be pushing 9 minute miles by mid-January at least.  It will help if some weight starts coming off.

Here's the daily pic!

Week 2, Day 1: Walking Pneumonia...

Well, I guess the title explains the last few running posts - yes, I've been diagnosed with Walking Pneumonia.  Actually, my whole family has been diagnosed with it - technical term is Mycoplasma.  I took the three youngest to the doctor on Friday morning while my wife was going to her doctor.  After those four were diagnosed, I took the two oldest in and they also had it.  The pediatrician said that it sounded like I had it also - so I went in Saturday morning, and, sure enough, the whole family is now being treated for it.

After receiving medication and an inhaler, I can breathe much better now.  My doctor suggested that I take the weekend off from running.  Today was my first day back on the streets, logging 1.52 miles at a 9:54 pace.  No wheezing, no shortness of breath - glad I went to the doctor.  There is a little bit of post-run cough, but that is hopefully just the stress on my lungs from the pneumonia.  Hoping to hit all scheduled runs this week with a long one on Saturday.

Here's my post-run pic - smiling and happy!

This will get easier

Just finished day four of the intermediate training guide for the 5/3 Riverbank Run 25k - found here.  It was just a two mile run, but I think it speaks greatly for how much I have let myself get out of running shape the last month.  October and November are usually great maintenance run months, and help with transitioning your lungs from warmer air to colder air.

About .75 miles into the run, I was breathing heavy, with a slight wheeze on the exhale, and my lungs were burning.  It's about 36 degrees F out right now, so definitely cold air.  I ended up running two miles at a 10:09 pace.  Since I've finished, I'm still having a hard time returning to a normal breathing pattern and I coughed hard enough to bring out a lung about 10 times.  I know this will get easier (I've done it before), but, wow, it's enough to just make you want to stay out of shape.

I don't look too bad, but my lungs feel like hell broke loose in there.  I think it will be satisfying to look back at these post (and pictures) in a month, two months, 6 months, and see the progress.  No Speedo pictures yet for the ladies - maybe in June!  Ha ha ha...

mycokerewards.com 30 point bonus code

Go to mycokerewards.com right now and enter code ILOVEDIETCOKE to earn 30 points! And then redeem those points for a free 12-pack!

Limit of one per account.  Enjoy!

Sports Fans - Fanatics.com with awesome Cyber Monday deal ending today!

Check out this great Cyber Monday deal at fanatics.com!!!  30% off orders over $50 with a flat rate shipping charge of $4.99.  Some great items from Pro and college teams!

Razor Deal at Rite-Aid - $1 plus tax for 6 packs of Schick Razors!!!

Are you a Plenti Rewards member at Rite-Aid?  This week you can score a great deal on Schick disposable razors using coupons and Plenti Rewards.

First, go to coupons.com and clip this $7/2 Schick Disposable Razor Coupon - you can print it twice per computer.  You will need three $7/2 coupons to make this deal work the best.

RiteAid has a current Plenti Rewards deal of getting 1000 Plenti Points ($10) when you spend $20 on Schick items.  You can do this offer twice and it stacks on the same order.  Schick disposables are on sale this week 2 for $14.

So, if you have three coupons, do the following:

Purchase 6 packages of Schick Razors - $42
Use three $7/2 Schick Disposable Razor Coupons  subtracts $21
Receive 2000 Plenti Points toward your next order - Total $1 plus applicable tax!

If you can only print two coupons, it's still a great deal

Purchase 3 packages of Schick Razors - $21
Use one $7/2 Schick Disposable Razor subtacts $7
Receive 1000 Plent Points toward your next order - Total $4 plus applicable tax!

Day Two - 5/3 Riverbank Run Training

Day two is in the books - 20 minute run totaling 2.04 miles at a 9:48 pace.  Cold and wet outside, no snow, but very damp and misty.  The cold, wet air just traps itself in my lungs making me wheeze a bit during the run and wheeze and cough after.

Started the day out with a nice bowl of oatmeal including frozen blueberries, frozen raspberries, and walnuts.  A great healthy start!  Also made sure to drink plenty of water today.  I did find myself eating things I shouldn't but was able to tell myself to stop.  I actually tried black coffee and thought maybe I could make the switch, but after 2-3 drinks I had to add some creamer.  I love the smell of coffee, but just can't handle the taste of plain old black as of yet.

Tomorrow is a "rest" day on the training schedule - but I think I will do some type of walking or maybe some type of cross-fit.  I have added the PIYO workout DVD program from Chalene Johnson to my Christmas list.  A combination of pilates and yoga - looking forward to trying it out!

Here's a pic after Day 2 run - changed my angle to hide that double chin.  :)

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2016 5/3 Riverbank Run 25k Training Starts This Week!

The 25k Training Plan began yesterday, November 30th.  This easy to print, easy to use plan is a great guide for training for the 25k run scheduled for May 14th, 2016.  There is a training schedule for novice, intermediate, and experienced runners - all with a daily workout run to help you reach your goal of finishing the 25k, whether it's your first time running it or 10th time.

I've ran the 25k race multiple times.  This is one of the premier races in the Midwest.  Incredible fan support, great logistics and organization, fun swag (including post race beer!), and a beautiful run along the Grand River and streets of Grand Rapids.

If you would rather run a shorter distance, the 10k and 5k are also great races - and the training schedules for them will start sometime in 2016.

Hilton 72-hour Sale - Now through Wednesday, Dec 2nd

Hilton 72 Hour Sale

EDIT:  Because of the popularity of this deal, they have changed the promo to two-night stays only.  Still a great deal!

Hilton 72 Hour Sale is going on now through Wednesday, December 2nd.  Some great deals out there.

I just booked a night in downtown Chicago at the Embassy Suites for one night on December 21st for only $86 plus taxes and parking!   Parking is $43 dollars per vehicle per night.  After taxes and parking, the room totals $144.04.  The room includes two double beds and a pull-out couch.  Great location, great price!

Embassy Suites is my family's hotel of choice.  Every Embassy Suites includes an evening reception and full made-to-order breakfast.  The evening reception includes snacks, appetizers, beer and cocktails, and n/a drinks for the kids.  The breakfast is amazing - with made-to-order omelettes and eggs, sausage, bacon, waffles, pancakes, cereal, fresh fruit, oatmeal, and more!  The reception and breakfast is worth the price of the room itself - especially when staying in a big city!

Check out the deals at a Hilton hotel near you - and take advantage of a great priced getaway!

Remember this...

So, here's my pic after a 1 mile run on November 30th, 2015...

I probably look better than I feel.  The temperature outside is about 38 degrees F.  It was  misty and has been raining off and on all day.  I can feel the cold wetness in my lungs and it doesn't feel very good right now as I struggle to intake air - even now at about 40 minutes after my run.

I know my health is centered around my food intake - yes, I KNOW THIS!!!  Still, my non-disciplined, wanting, needing, carelessly manufactured diet of late has been atrocious.  I've always thought, "I'll just get serious about running again and the pounds will come off".  Well, I'm 43, almost 44 years old, and they just don't come off so easy anymore.

My three year old daughter, Rachel, recently grabbed my double chin and said, "Daddy, what's this?"  I said, "That's just my beard," and she insistently said, "No, what's THIS?" while pulling my double chin.  Now if that's not a wake-up call, I'm not sure what is!

So, after this long Thanksgiving weekend of overeating and indulging, I'm recommitting myself. I have to be better for myself, for Susan, for my kids...  Today I started the 5/3 Riverbank Run 25k training schedule.

Remember this feeling - tired, hard of breath, FAT, unhealthy, dragging - and time to go to work!