Today was another one of those surreal days. I grew up watching Chicago Blackhawks hockey, many a memory on the second balcony of the old Chicago Stadium. To think that someday I would be standing on a football field with two members of the team as they try to complete military combat drills? Just one of those weird moments.

The fine members of the 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines invited us out to watch the wingers Andrew Ladd and Ben Eager beat themselves sweaty. They actually invited me to participate, but when I read it would entail scooping up a real-life marine, throwing him over my shoulder and running for about 30 yards? And hoisting a 30 pound ammo can over my head more than 100 times? There are certain things in life worth pinching a nerve over, I'll just tip my cap to the Marines and let the professional athletes show off their guns.

The guys participated in a Combat Fitness Test. The program was made a semi-annual requirement for all Marines in 2008. It consists of three different rounds:

1. Running - Marines run a half mile sprint in less than 2 minutes and 45 seconds. A five minute break ensues, then...

2. Ammo Can Lift - A square can filled with ammunition is hoisted from underneath the chin up over the head, as many times as possible within 2 minutes. Ladd completely 120 reps, very impressive even by Marine standards.

3. The Maneuver Under Fire Course - Marines run a course of cones, carry more ammo cans, throw a grenade, and hoist a wounded Marine onto their back and run him/her to safety. The Marine will run 300 yards during this exercise, all in about 2 minutes.

Marines will complete this training twice a year, on top of any other exercises they might be assigned. And you thought you had a tough job.

Chicago Blackhawks hockey kicks off on October 2. You can view a full schedule of games here.

The 2nd Battalion, 24th Marines are once again participating in the Toys for Tots program. If you'd like to requrest any toys, or make a donation, head to their website here.

 

I hope Joseph Pilates was a dog lover. Chicago fitness tycoon Andrea Metcalf is renowned for her unique workout classes. When she had her first child, she figured out a way to incorporate a baby into her routine. And now she has a new baby, an English Bulldog named Wrigley.

Andrea's gotten together with Chicago's Anti-Cruelty Society. Together they'll be hosting a weekly class, "Pawsilates," which not only aims to get you off the couch, but that lazy dog of yours as well. Participants will stretch their bodies and flex their muscles, with their best friends right by their sides.

Andrea let us sit in on a run through of the course last night. It's 30 minutes long and will feature plenty of contorting and flex-banding. As for the animals, they'll get to walk around in circles, and if they're small enough, they might be picked up and used as resistance. You have to see the video, it'll air on the WGN News tonight at 5:30 and 9:00.

You might hear a few chuckles in the background, that was me trying my best not to bust up. The participants had just as much fun. As for the dogs? Wait until you see the nice massage the class ends with. That's the life right there.

If you want to try Pawsilates for yourself....

WHAT: Pawsilates Workout Class
WHERE: Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society, 159 W. Grand (Grand & Lasalle)
WHEN: Five weekly Wednesday classes. 6 p.m. class for dogs under 25 lbs., 6:30 p.m. class for dogs over 25 lbs.
COST: $10 for one class, or $45 for all five classes.
WHY: To get you and your dog in shape. And all (100%) of the proceeds go to the Anti-Cruelty Society, who put 5,000 animals into adoption each year.

 

On tonight's WGN News, I tagged along on one of the Wrigley Field Tours. They're offered during most Cubs road trips and some select home games. For just $25, the 90-minute tour takes you to all of the cavernous spaces of the ballpark regular fans don't get to see.

You'll get to visit both clubhouses, the mezzanine suites, hang in the dugout and step onto the on deck circle, and if you're really lucky - you're guide might let you try your hand at the 7th inning stretch!

Some things you won't get to do - go into the scoreboard or poke around in your favorite player's locker. The home clubhouse is pretty much roped off, but you can still get a sense of the space. Carlos Zambrano's locker is closest to the rope-off, and I couldn't help but notice the taped-up photograph of Megan Fox hanging from the empty locker right next door. I'm assuming Big Z would never put that there, but hey, maybe he's a big fan of her acting ability?

Another thing I noticed on the tour - how clean the place is. Sitting in the bleachers, I couldn't even see a remnant of a peanut shell. Cubs' PR staff told me the cleaning crew has the procedure down to a science, and they often work throughout the night to get the job done. There's a documentary waiting to happen.

If you want to take a tour of the park yourself, a full schedule can be found on cubs.com. You can also call 1-800-THE-CUBS. They recommend you get your tickets in advance, because weekdays might be easier, but some of the weekend tours are packed with about 70 people. Good luck and have fun!

I was in Lincoln Park yesterday afternoon, shooting an interview at Chicago's Dog House, a new hot dog stand opened by a young DePaul University alum. My phone went off, I took a call, and I was running out the door to get down to U.S. Cellular Field. White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle had thrown a perfect game, just the 18th time it had happened in Major League Baseball history. Pretty rare feat.

Continue reading Mark Buehrle throws Perfect Game, White Sox fans celebrate! »

ESPN Zone is celebrating 10 years of operation at Ohio and Wabash today. They're giving out free desserts with a $10 Game Card purchase, but more important, they're unveiling their list of the Top 10 Chicago Sports Moments of the past 10 years. They polled their customers both online and in the restaurant over the past month, and the result is this Top 10 list they emailed to us earlier today....
Continue reading ESPN Zone's Top 10 Chicago Sports Moments of the Past 10 Years »

 

Tonight on WGN News, you'll see my visit to the Ball Fore Mini Golf Course in south suburban Worth. This weekend, the U.S. Pro Mini Golf Association will be there all weekend, hosting their U.S. Open. Professional miniature golfers from around the world will be competing for $2,000 in prizes. Competition kicks off on Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. if you'd like to watch. Unfortunately the deadline to register for $100 was yesterday.

On another note, organizers tell me that Andy Richter, famous announcer/sidekick on "The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien" is scheduled to make an appearance. They say he'll probably be taping a segment for the show. These golfers are serious, but they're a very good time. So if Andy does come out I'm sure it'll make a hilarious piece.

If you happen to see him out there, or just experience Pro Mini Golf in all its glory, be sure to let me know how it went!

And you thoughts bicycles were just for getting from place to place, huh? I'll be hanging with BMX competitor Dennis Enarson on the WGN Evening News at 5:30 p.m. tonight. He's in town promoting the "Dew Tour," which is making a special stop in Grant Park this Friday and Saturday. The nationwide tour features competitions in skateboarding, BMX and freestyle motorcross. But the Chicago leg of the 2009 Dew Tour will focus exclusively on the sport of BMX. Tickets range between $15-$50 and can be purchased through Ticketmaster here.

On Friday @ 8:30p.m., Chicago rapper Lupe Fiasco will be headlining a special concert in conjunction with the Dew Tour at the Chicago Theatre. They'll cost you between $23-$43, and you can pick those up here.

And in case you were still on the fence, check out these videos of Dennis showing off what these guys can do....
Continue reading BMX Dew Tour coming to Chicago! »

If you follow me on Twitter, you know that I'm a Cubs fan. It's hard to hide the frustrated look on my face these days. But like many other fans, I still find myself glued to the television hoping they can pull out a victory. When I get out to watch a game I like to hit places with fans who enjoy watching baseball. I'm not looking for a dance party on game day - just a place with a seat, some good eats, and a few cold ones (and I'm not talking about $6 cans of Bud Light, shame on those guys). Here are a few places Cubs fans might run into me at during a ballgame.
Continue reading Crosstown Classic: Where to watch the Cubs beat the White Sox! »

Admittedly, baseball hasn't been that much fun to watch on either side of town, but it's time for the rare mid-week Crosstown Classic. Maybe the brother-against-brother battle will lead to less bloodshed on a work day? Yeah, I doubt it. But many of you are going to be getting out of the house this week to catch YOUR team take on its cross-city rival. Sox fan - this blog is for you. If you want to get out of the house and cheer on the pale hose with your fellow black shirts, here are a few options for ya!
Continue reading Crosstown Classic: Where to watch the White Sox beat the Cubs! »

In case you missed it this morning - Pat made a kid cry, much like he did to me on my first day at WGN. I feel your pain, Tyler. Here's the video.....




Continue reading WGN's Pat Tomasulo takes it to the (play)house! »

I've spent all 28 years of my life in Chicagoland, and I've never been more proud of a sports team exiting the playoffs. In fact, the 2008-2009 Chicago Blackhawks should go down as the best sports story of the year - period. A team that was so dead to this city was jump started to life. A league, rather a sport that could hardly find its way into a newspaper was catapulted to the front page.

I spent last night lying on my couch, but my heart was pumping so far out of my chest I was starting to worry about my ceiling. In between miracle Cristobal Huet saves, I was laughing out loud at my Twitter feed, marveling at how many fellow former hockey fanatics were once again reveling in their Chicago Blackhawks.

Continue reading Here ARE the Hawks »