3K Walk/5K Run T-shirts and Spotify playlist available now!

In regard to our 3K Walk/5K Run, we are excited to announce that we now have a JETAA Chicago t-shirt available for sale and a Spotify playlist you can enjoy while you run!

Buying the t-shirt is completely optional, but if you would like to purchase one, you can check it out on our Etsy store here. It comes in 3 colors and a variety of sizes! In addition, here is the sizing guide (scroll down to the bottom) to help determine which shirt is the best size for you. (It is recommended to order sooner rather than later to allow time for production and shipping).

If you purchase one, we'd love to see you represent it on Instagram with the hashtags #JETSetGo and #JETAA5K! And if you have any areas around where you live or run that remind you of/connect you to Japan (such as a 7/11 for example, where you used to buy your Pocari Sweat!), we'd love to see pictures of those places shared on Instagram as well. Our Spotify playlist can be found here, which has more than enough songs to keep you going, whether you choose to walk the 3K or run the 5K! One final reminder that you can complete the distance anytime before October 11th, which is when we'll have our post-run happy hour from 7-8 pm CST! We can chat about our running experiences and enjoy some Sports Day trivia. We'll also be giving away a gift certificate to Fleet Feet (ships nationwide) so you can stock up on your favorite gear for your next race! We look forward to seeing your pictures as you complete your distances! Happy running!

SIGN UP FOR THE EVENT HERE!

*This event is open to JET alumni and Friends/Family of JET

Questions? Contact Sheila, Alexis or Jocelyn

3K Walk/5K Run: Pre-Run Training with Coach Lori of Chicago Endurance Sports!

Don't forget to register for our 3K walk/5K run pre-run training event on September 28th! Come (virtually) and listen to Coach Lori from Chicago Endurance Sports. Lori is a veteran runner of all distances and will share her knowledge and love of the sport of running. We will discuss tips, tricks and best practices to run your best race — for beginners and veteran runners alike!

As a reminder for the walk/run itself, complete the distance (3K walk or 5K run) on your own or with family/friends anytime before October 11th, and share your pictures via Instagram with the hashtags #JETSetGo and #JETAA5K. Participating in this event is free with the option to purchase a custom-designed JETAA Chicago t-shirt (details to come soon). Lastly, we will have a post-run Happy Hour on October 11th.

In the spirit of Sports Day, let's promote an active lifestyle and focus on our physical health together this fall! In the meantime, take a moment to meet the talented and knowledgeable speaker of our event:

Lori McGee Koch

is an USATF certified coach and the Head Coach of CES with over 15+ years of distance coaching experience. She has coached athletes from the college cross country level all the way to the adult marathon club coaching level. Her running career started in college after losing over 75 pounds. At her college, the cross country coach found her running on the track one day and asked her to try out for the team. It turned out she was fast enough to compete on the team. She went on to become an NAIA All-American cross country athlete. Since college Coach Lori has completed over 75 half marathons, 34 marathons, 2 ultra marathons and 5 triathlons. She has had two children during her time coaching and trained and ran marathons during both pregnancies. During her time as a coach she has been quoted in several publications including Runner's World, The Chicago Tribune and Chicago Athlete Magazine.

Her additional experience includes being an official Nike Run Pacer for 10 Chicago Marathons, 6 other marathons across the region, and over 30 half marathons. She also is the pace director for several large Chicago races including the Soldier Field 10 Miler, the North Shore Half Marathon, the Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon, and the Chicago Spring and Fall Half Marathons.

By day, Lori is a trained research Occupational Therapist and neuroscientist managing a prosthetics and orthotics robotics lab at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab. Her own research focuses on wearable sensors, sleep, performance and recovery.

Her passion is to help athletes build consistent running or run/walking routines and feel a love of the sport. (Contact Coach Lori via email)

*Fun fact: Lori studied Japanese for two years in high school in Omaha, Nebraska. ;)

Coach Lori’s specialties:

First time marathoners

Running while pregnant

Run/walk running and run/walking to drive PR’s

Building mileage plans that fit a variety of lifestyles

Personal PR’s and Selected Accomplishments:

1 mile: 5:45

5K 20:09

10K 40:36

Half Marathon 1:37

Marathon 3:37:54

50K 6:08:15 (7 weeks post partem)

SIGN UP FOR THE EVENT HERE!

*This event is open to JET alumni and Friends/Family of JET

Questions? Contact Sheila, Alexis or Jocelyn

JETAA Chicago Virtual 3K Walk/5K Run!

Join JETAA Chicago for our FIRST virtual 3K walk/5K run! In the spirit of Sports Day, (which is typically held in October in Japan) let's promote an active lifestyle and focus on our physical health together this fall! Complete the distance on your own or with family/friends anytime before October 11th, and share your pictures via Instagram with the hashtags #JETSetGo! and #JETAA5K. Tickets are free with the option to purchase a custom-designed JETAA Chicago t-shirt (details to come soon).

First, join our pre-run training event on September 28th for the chance to listen to Coach Lori from Chicago Endurance Sports! Lori is a veteran runner of all distances and will share her knowledge and love of the sport of running. We will discuss tips, tricks and best practices to run your best race — for beginners and veteran runners alike!

Finally, celebrate your run and learn some facts about Sports Day in Japan at our post-run Happy Hour on October 11th! We'll also be giving away a gift certificate to Fleet Feet (ships nationwide) so you can stock up on your favorite gear for your next race.

Sign up here!

*Please note that you do not need to report your run time unless you want to share it, so please just walk/run the distance at your own pace and feel free to complete the distance in separate smaller installments if that is best for you. :)

**This event is open to JET alumni and Friends/Family of JET

Questions? Contact Sheila, Alexis or Jocelyn