Chicago Run TEAM

I run to stay happy and healthy. I am a Chicago native, who found a love for running after moving to the North Side in 2010. Other activities of mine include dancing, burlesque and kickball. Team Luna Chix Chicago Run is one step in my efforts to maintain a happy body and mind. Join us for a run! Believe me, there's no better day than today.

Running has brought me many gifts: new friends, skinnier thighs, smaller clothes and even a free trip to DC! The words Lisa and athlete together? That didn't happen until I was past 30! So, running and participating in any kind of sport is new to me. The journey so far has been a blast!

It started all with a dog named Sofie that insisted on daily walks, then joining a run club, followed by trying a few 5Ks and the Muddy Buddy (a run, bike, slosh in the mud event). Friendly peer pressure, goodies and the allure of the after-party got me to try a 10K run, a sprint distance triathlon and become a winter runner. Running with a friend by your side after a blizzard on the trails can only leave you feeling like a kid again! And now I know a lot about good running shoes, layering my clothes, balancing my running life with being a wife and mom, and how to recover - so I'll be ready to run again.

This is my first year as a member of the Luna Run Team and I look forward to encouraging other runners-come-lately, meeting new friends and having some fun city runs. And I will always let you know that it is never too late to start!

I have been a runner for about 6 years. Which is shocking to people that knew me as a kid. I was the most unathletic person I knew growing up. I used every excuse there was to avoid gym class or any kind of physical activity....running around was just not my idea of fun! As a result, I was an unhealthy and obese teenager and young adult. In my early 20's, something clicked and I wanted to start taking care of myself. It started with just dieting and working out a few times a week. After a few years and losing a significant amount of weight, I realized that I was not only smaller in size but that I was healthier. Walking up stairs didn't leave me breathless. I was able to walk around and do things and still have energy. Setting my goal to lose weight and be healthy and then achieving that goal gave me confidence. Something I never had before. Then I started to run. Running changed my life. For the first time, I was an athlete. Me, the uncordinated, chubby girl was running. Slow and not very far at first. Each time I ran I would push myself a little more. Before I knew it, I was running MILES. I was entering races and finishing without stopping or walking! I realized that a healthy diet and taking care of myself helped to run even faster and longer. Why didn't someone tell me this before?! : ) Now I am an avid runner. I like to run every day if I can. I love to do races and challenge myself. The best part of my day is my morning run. People think I am nuts for getting up at 5 a.m. and logging 5-8 miles BEFORE work. But I love it. Running is a part of my life now and I hope it always will be. When I hear women say they want to run but can't, or don't think they'll ever be in shape enough to do a race, I tell them my story. If I can inspire one woman to try running just once, or just push themselves to try something new and challenge themselves, it makes my day!

I started running 4 years, when I was given a race bib for the Chicago Half Marathon. I never thought in a million years that I would be runner. Once I crossed the finish line at my first half marathon, I was hooked. I have completed numerous races at all distances, and will run the Chicago Marathon this October. This is my first year as a member of the Team LUNA Chix Chicago Run team.

"Do just once what others say you can't do, and you will never pay attention to their limitations again."

This is my motto in life and thus how I came to start running in 2008. I have thoroughly enjoyed 5ks, 8ks, half marathons and stair climbs. A marathon is on my bucket list mingled with seeing the world. I also like to eat-try new foods (running helps with that hobby!), camping, hiking, reading and sleeping. I was born in Kowloon, Hong Kong, raised in Tel Aviv, Israel and Palm Beach Gardens, FL. I was educated next door to Mickey & Minnie (and worked with them!) at the University of Central Florida and hightailed to Los Angeles, CA, in search of career guidance with my very general business degree. After years of celebrity sightings and the best most inexpensive sushi, I came to the Windy City to play in the snow. It is here where I learned to love to run.

Cheers to our second year in 2012: Team LUNA Chix Chicago Run! I look forward to sharing more aches, pains, mileposts and charitable fun with everyone!

"Training for a marathon started out as a life-list thing, and it turned into a lifestyle." I have been running for the past 5 years; running to destress, running to think, running to stay in shape, running to socialize and running to eat. I enjoy getting involved and making new friends, volunteering at PAWS Chicago, hiking, camping, traveling, trying new restaurants and sipping a strong cup of coffee. 2011 blessed me with one 5K, two 8Ks, one 15K, one 10miler, two Half Marathons, one CanoeRunBike, and one Full Marathon [my 1st!] I look forward to 2012; completing my 1st Triathlon and inspiring others with Team LUNA Chix Chicago Run!

I have complete 2010 Ironman Wisconsin and training for 2012 Ironman Wisconsin. I have finsihed 15 marathon and about 10 half marathon's. I have done 8 half ironman's and many 15k, 10k, 10 miler and 5K races. I love to run to meet others.

I've been a runner and a swimmer since I was 12, but by the end of college I was looking for a new challenge: my first marathon. Since that first one in 2004 I've been hooked! I've run 6 marathons, a 50K, 5 Ironman triathlons, and lots of shorter road races and tris.

I'm originally from Cincinnati, but since I finished law school I've called Chicago home. I love living near and running on the lakefront, especially as I gear up for the Chicago marathon and Ironman Florida this fall. I love running--and encouraging other women to join me--for the strength of mind, body, and community it builds. Leaving room in my diet for chocolate doesn't hurt, either.

This is my second season with the Team LUNA Chix Chicago Run women. I'm really excited for the coming running season as a Team LUNA Chix runner! See you on the roads!

I started running in college to get in shape, and I found that I can't stop running! I began participating in races after my two kids went to school. Running, racing and volunteering have opened up a whole new world for me, and I've met so many wonderful, supportive, heath-oriented people. Chicago is a great city to run in because it is flat, and we have 20 miles of beautiful lakefront with a view of the skyline.

I started running after college and am still at it! After several injuries and excuses to stop running, I am enjoying it now more than ever. This past summer I ran the Chicago Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon and the Hot Chocolate 15K. How cool is that! I am very excited to be part of Team LUNA chix and share my enthusiasm with other women. I am so lucky to have found this great group. I look forward to a great season!!