After the polar vortex that wouldn’t end and freezing winter days in Chicago, I think it’s time we make the best of our summer. I have a Summer Fitness Bucket List to share tonight, with five goals that have been on my mind lately {plus a sweet summer giveaway – keep reading!} I’m also excited to share a link to my first post as a contributor to the NBC Chicago Stride blog.

K and I are leaving for a trip to Europe later this month, to spend a week in Italy and visit friends and family in Switzerland and Germany. I’ve been looking for advice online about running in Italy, including articles and comments from sportsister, Runner’s World, and Trip Advisor. We are traveling to Cinque Terre and Florence, and planning a full day bike tour in the Tuscan countryside. I’m so excited to squeeze in a few runs while we’re there and jog for the first time out of the country! By the end of the summer, my other goals are to have tried a few new fitness classes, completed a five minute plank, and finished plenty of long, warm bike rides. I’m also planning to run a half marathon in the late summer or fall. There is plenty of motivation to go around on summer days.

In celebration of summer, I also have a fun giveaway to share today – one free race entry to two readers for the Hit and Run 5k race, anywhere in the country!

The Hit and Run 5k is coming to Chicago on July 5th at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, but there are race locations all over the U.S. This race is a fun obstacle course that includes 3.1 miles of running, along with climbing over pools of water, crossing a Bouncy Bridge, avoiding dodge balls, and more. The race is open to to a wide range of ages, with the minimum registration age 10 years old.

Obstacles in this race are meant to be challenging, but not too challenging. If you approach an obstacle but are hesitant, you can run around it or watch other racers attempt to complete it. Family and friends can participate by cheering from the sidelines.

I am giving away one free race entry to two readers for any Hit and Run 5k this year, in the city of your choice. To enter the giveaway, comment below telling me the race city you have selected {check out the locations map here!} Two readers will be selected randomly via Rafflecopter on Monday, June 23rd.