From April to September I signed up to do seven races.
The reality is I could do two to three races or events every single weekend—that’s how many there are. 5k, 10k, obstacle races, half marathons, full marathons, bike races, triathlons, duathlons, Gran Fondos, charity events.
There are events where you leave coloured like a rainbow, races that leave you covered in mud, fast sprints and long runs, the possibilities are endless.
With such a short season and so many races to choose from, how do you select which ones you’ll participate in?
I’ll let you in on my little method:
Charity/Challenge/Training
I always choose to participate in a few charitable events throughout the year. This year I’m taking place in the H.E.R.O.S. Challenge and the Bike For Tykes spinning event. I chose the H.E.R.O.S. challenge because my son has been raising money for our local Canadian Cancer Society office since he was six years old, and I like the idea of supporting a cause he supports.
The Bike For Tykes is a spinning event in Toronto, and I was asked to be an ambassador. I didn’t hesitate because they are partnered with Coast to Coast Against Cancer Foundation, and once you read the stories from the Bike For Tykes child ambassadors, you can’t help but be moved. I’m riding for little Hunter Kemp.
If You’re Going To Choose A Charitable Event:
1) Make it an event that has meaning for you on a personal level.
2) Do your research and ensure you know where the funds you raise are going. A good place to start is this 2013 list of 100 Canadian charities and how they are graded on spending efficiency, fundraising costs, governance and transparency, and cash reserves.
3) Don’t inundate your friends/family with requests for money or you will become the annoying person they all avoid. True story.
This year I challenged myself by signing up for a Half Marathon (gulp) and the Spartan Race Sprint, which is a 5k obstacle course. Both were to challenge me in different ways. The Half Marathon because I haven’t run one in ten years, and the Spartan Race because I am a T-Rex and have the upper body strength of Monty Burns.
I, unfortunately, couldn’t do the Spartan Race due to illness, but I’m still gearing up for my Half Marathon in September.
If You’re Going To Choose To Challenge Yourself:
1) You want challenging, not impossible. Set realistic goals for yourself. Don’t sign up for a marathon that’s five weeks away when you’ve never run before.
2) Have a friend sign up with you. While going it alone is not impossible, having a buddy system will make you more accountable, which means you’ll be less likely to skip your training.
Training for a 10k? Why not sign up to run a couple of 5k races? Doing a Grand Fondo bike tour? Take part in a few shorter distance bike races leading up to it.
Part of my half marathon training is a 15k race in August. If I’m going to have to run 15k as part of your training, why not make it fun, right?
And make no mistake, these events are fun. There's a great energy in the air, and let us not forget the amazing feeling you have when you cross the finish line.
So sign up for a race, take it all in, enjoy the journey, and don’t forget to smile.
I'll see you at the finish line.
If you liked this you may also like Ten Easy Ways To Get Active With Your Kids and Lessons I Learned Running An Obstacle Race.
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