Run Into Fall

With fall officially here, most people start making the transition back to a normal routine and there's no better time to start a running program.
If you need some inspiration, try signing up for a race in the near future so you have a goal to work towards. It's less likely you'll forego a run when you know you're working towards completing a certain distance. Just be sure to make your goal attainable.

For anyone brave enough to train for a half or full marathon, I'm excited to tell you the BMO Vancouver Marathon just announced and previewed next year's route change. Unlike past years, both distances now travel around the majority of the seawall and end at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Hmmm... could this be enough to tempt me to run it again?? Take a look at the new route here.

If a half/full marathon isn't your thing, here are some of my other favourite races you can train for:

• Energizer Night Race, November 12, 2011. Unlike any other race in Vancouver, this is a 5km or 10km run around Stanley Park that starts when the sun sets!
• Santa Shuffle, December 3, 2011. A fun 5km run around Stanley Park.
• 27th Annual Resolution Run, January 1, 2012. A great 5km run around North Vancouver to start your year off.
• Langley Historic Half Marathon, February 9, 2012. Choose the 5km, 10km or half marathon. I have to warn you, I completed this half marathon and the route is quite hilly but great for a challenge!

With fall comes the cold and wet weather and this may discourage you from getting outside and running. A great way to stay motivated is to enlist a running buddy. You'll find it's much easier to stay committed to a training program if there's somebody, other than yourself, counting on you to go for a run.
Running with a partner may also stir up some friendly competition and encourage you to raise your goals to match or beat them.

Can't find someone to run with? Join a running group. The Running Room has locations all over Vancouver and offers running clinics for a variety of distances. Most locations even have free drop-in classes on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings.

Next week I'll provide some pointers on how to survive the mundane treadmill workouts!