Revive Your Fitness Goals

With the onset of sunnier, warmer days you may feel inspired to take your fitness outside, change it up, or just do something different from the endless winter months of indoor routines. Maybe this has even motivated you to consider a new fitness goal, perhaps your first race, whether it’s 5km or a marathon or maybe something different like an obstacle race, or maybe, just maybe, the ultimate in endurance racing – the adventure race. Whatever your goal may be now is the time to get out there and start training.

Obstacle races, once a rarity, are now as popular as your gold standard 5k event. What differentiates them, however, is that new and crazier events keep coming up each year. There are Obstacle races for all ages and abilities. Averaging about 5km (3 miles) with various “obstacles” along the way – it’s not so much about making the best time as it is to finish. So for running neophytes – this is perfect. There is a ton of camaraderie (and sometimes a risk for injury). But for the most part it’s an experience you’ll remember for a lifetime. The rewards are minimal – usually ruined clothing and a beer, but bragging rights for eternity.

Many obstacle races do involve mud but they do vary from having color dye, bubbles, glow in the dark lights, or even zombies. There are even some gentler races, which use yoga as the obstacles or how about a Chocolate or Chardonnay Race? Many options are great for families to do together. If you’re looking for a little extra motivation this summer – check out this link that lists a multitude of obstacle races around the country.

For those of you with greater constitutions and harder cores – it may be time to graduate to the Adventure or Expedition race (think Eco-Challenge). These could very possibly be some of the original reality tv . The rules are simple; you can race solo or up to a team of 4 people and at least one member must be of the opposite sex. These races are truly grueling physically and mentally. Sometimes going for more than 24 hrs without rest, overcoming different legs of a long arduous multi-day race; facing the elements, working with your teammates, running, hiking, climbing, biking, swimming, paddling, etc. Oh and did I mention, navigating or orienteering your way through a number of checkpoints on your own (these races are not supported or mapped out). It is the ultimate test of endurance and the winner(s) is the team that gets through the most checkpoints in the fastest time. Click here for the list of adventure races in all of North America and click here for races near you.

With the advent of creative workouts, there is a race for everyone, whatever your fitness level and degree of adventure may be, and what better way to rejuvenate your fitness program with a fun goal.