Welcome to the Chicago Athlete Express.
Great Information. Quick Read.

************************************************

THE SCOOP

KASTOR IS COMING TO CHICAGO!

Deena Kastor, the 2004 Athens Olympic Marathon Bronze Medalist, has her sights set on breaking her 2:21:16 American Women's record at The 2005 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. Kastor and Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski announced on Wednesday that she will return to Chicago and run in The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 9, and in The LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K on Sunday, April 3.

"I will be preparing the same way I did for Athens-to get to the starting line in the best shape of my life. I'm planning the same way for Chicago... Being a fast course, I know that my race strategy will have to be much more aggressive than it was in Athens," said Kastor, via teleconference on Wednesday.

Click here fore more:
www.chicagoaa.com/ news/chicagomarathon05deena.html

***********************************************

TRAINING TIP - Good Read!

Four Tactics to Ski to a Strong Birkie Finish:
www.chicagoaa.com/news/ birkietrainingtipsFeb05.html

************************************************

RACES THAT ARE FULL OR ALMOST FULL . . .

March Madness Half Marathon
The race organizers expect to reach capacity by the end of this week.

Office Max Hustle Up the Hancock
Registration is closed for the 94-floor climb, but there still available for the 42-floor climb.

Galena Triathlon
This is near closing according to event directors.

Accenture Chicago Triathlon
According to race officials, this is already more than 60 percent full.

For more information on these and other events, check out:
www.chicagoaa.com/calendar/smu.html

************************************************

ELITE FIELD SHAPING UP FOR VALPO MINI

Kenyan brothers Silverus and Shadrack Kimeli have committed to race the inaugural Valpo Mini-Marathon. The Kimelis are both NCAA All-American cross country and track runners. Silverus competed for the University of Arkansas and has a half marathon best of 1:06:44, and Shadrack competed for Kansas State University and has a half-marathon best of 1:07:07. For more information, visit the race Web site at:
www.valpominimarathon.com

************************************************

EXPRESS YOUR LOVE FOR RUNNING ON VALENTINES DAY

LOVE YOUR FEET

Fleet Feet will host "Love Your Feet" Valentine's Day fun runs presented by Nike Free at both Chicago locations (Piper's Alley & Lincoln Square) on Monday, February 14, at 6:30 p.m. Participants will have an opportunity to test drive a pair of Nike FREE on a 3-6 mile run. Foot scans will also be available throughout the evening, and the post-run celebration will include mini pedicures, foot massages, raffle prizes, and more.
Go to www.fleetfeetchicago.com for more information.

LOVE TO RACE

Get your heart pumping with these Valentine's Day-themed races:

Saturday, Feb. 12:
Sweetheart Run & Couples Relay, 12:30 p.m., Flushing, MI, 810- 659- 6493

Sunday, Feb. 13:
Heartland Sweet Heart Run, 8 a.m., Chicago, IL, 773-465-8005
Valentines 5K, 10 a.m., Valparaiso, IN, 219-548-3694

To search our calendar for more on these and other events:
www.chicagoaa.com/calendar/smu.html

************************************************

FOLLOW LOCAL SHOE REP AS HE TRAINS FOR BOSTON

Colin Andrews, the Chicago area shoe rep for adidas, is on a mission to complete the Boston Marathon in 2:45, and you can follow his progress leading up to the big day via the adidas Website by going to www.adidas.com/com/running and clicking on "3 Challenges" at bottom of screen.

************************************************

CORRECTION: ROAD TRIP - RACE RESULTS

Top female Illinois finisher at the Las Vegas Marathon on January 30, 2005 was Barb Cisler from Clarendon Hills, in 3:25:29.

TV ALERT

The Powered by Tyson Invitational will take place on Friday, February 11, at the Randal Tyson Track Center in Fayetteville, AR. The event will be televised February 12 on ESPN2 from 9-10:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Be sure to check local listings. For more info, Check out:
www.american- trackandfield.com/news/tysoninvite05deepfield.html

**********************************************

EVER DONE A CYCLING RACE? WHAT ABOUT COMPETE IN A SWIM EVENT OR A TRIATHLON? YES . . . WE WANT YOUR OPINIONS

If you could give an event director (cycling, running, swimming or triathlon) one suggestion for improving their events --- what would it be? Email your suggestion to editorial@chicagoAA.com along with your name/contact information and it could be included in a future article.

***********************************************

CLOSER

The Chicago Athlete Ultimate Resource Guide is coming soon - delivery date for specialty retails stores and health clubs is expected next weekend.

**********************************************

Wishing you the best in your training and racing!