This time of year it can be difficult to get motivated to be out running the roads in the cold, or spinning away for hours indoors on the trainer. Finding a racing goal or a motivating work out can be very helpful, as can joining or creating a group to work out with.
This is the time of year when Learn to Run programs, Run faster groups and marathon or half marathon training groups begin to work towards a spring race. Whether you plan to race or not, being part of one of these groups can kick start your motivation. Groups can be found at Tri & Run Sports, One to One Fitness, Running Buddies through Loyalist College, Mindful Movements and Good Life Fitness. If you can?t find a group that fits your life, start one. If triathlon is your thing training groups that provide tri specific swim, bike and run coaching, learn about transitions and racing strategies start Saturday March 28. Call 613-392-7752 for more information.
Want to spend more time on your bike this season but just can?t stand doing it by yourself? A great way to work on skill, power and speed without leaving your home is with Spinervals training DVD?s by Troy Jacobson. With topics ranging from Easy Intervals and Cheetah Fast to Enter the Red Zone and Suffer O?Rama there is something for every skill set and training desire. These DVD?s are available at Tri & Run Sports in Trenton.
Not sure what to train for? Local running races at press time are as follows: Pitter Patter 5k/10k April 19th, WingNut 10.5k, Half Marathon and Half Marathon Relay April 26th, One to One Fitness Cancer Run 5k May 9th, Spring Thaw 4k/10k May 10th, Canada Day 5k July 1st, Fall Classic 10k/half marathon Sept. date to be announced, Sandbanks 5k/10k Sept. date to be announced, PEC Marathon, half marathon and marathon relay Oct. 4th, and the Fat Ass Foot Run on Nov. 15th.
If triathlons are more your thing there will be the inaugural Quinte Triathlon/Duathlon held in Batawa on July 12th in conjunction with the Canadian Law Enforcement and Fire Games. Distances range from the Sprint tri 750m/20K/5K or du 2K/20K/5K to the Olympic 1500K/40K/10K which can also be done as a relay. Other events involved in the week long games will be 5k and 10k trail races, mountain biking, road cycling and time trial races. For more information go to
http://www.clefg.com/english_home.html.
Race listings for triathlon and running races of all distances can be found at
www.sportstats.ca,
www.somersault.ca,
www.chiptimeresults.com,
www.trisportcanada.com,
www.multisportcanada.com,
www.limestonetri.com,
www.ktowntri.com, and locally for the kids check out the Beast Kids of Steel
http://www.pefac.ca/kos.html.
Interested in Ironman and Half Ironman races? Registrations may be required up to a year in advance and information can be found at
www.ironman.com for races around the world.
Still need an extra push? Check out Running on the Sun which follows 13 runners as they attempt the 135 mile Badwater Ultramarathon across Death Valley. After watching this you?ll be dieing to see if you have the right stuff.
