Race Season is Here. Are you Ready?

If you’re like a lot of well-intentioned runners, you spent the off-season thinking about getting in shape for race season.  Yet, with all the rain, snow, more rain, and more snow, it’s been easy to find reasons not to get out and put in the miles.  

However, there is still time for the procrastinators to get race-ready for some great upcoming local races.  

 The Warrior Dash

 If you want to run a fun race this summer, sign up for the Warrior Dash. Billed as “3.55 hellish miles,” the Dash course is a series of extreme obstacles and mud.  

If you like to get dirty, drink beer, and listen to great live music, this race if for you.  

This year's Dash is on Saturday, July 16 and Sunday, July 17 at the Meadowbrook Farms in North Bend.  Registration is $50 and the first wave races at 8 a.m. 

For more info on the Warrior Dash visit their website at warriordash.com.

 Chelan Man

Multisport race popularity has boomed over the last few years.  For many, the bigger events in the area can be to intimidating to try as a beginning racer.  Thankfully, the Chelan Man offers newbies the chance to race in a safe and well planned arena.

The Chelan Man’s Try-a-Tri race on Sunday, July 17 offers less experienced racers a short, safe, and fun course to hone their triathlon skills.  The race is focused around the scenic Lakeside Park in Chelan and consists of a 400-meter swim, 13.1 mile bike leg, and ends with a 5k run. 

Lakeside Park also offers friends and families of racers a great place to enjoy the lake and watch the race. 

For more information on the Chelan Man race series taking place the weeking of July 16 and July 17, visit the website at chelanman.com.

 The Seattle Marathon

I know what you’re thinking -- a marathon?  Yes, a marathon, or a half marathon if you’d prefer.  The Seattle Marathon is 26.2 miles of paved madness winding through the city of Seattle.  The race starts at near the Seattle Center and works south to Seward Park where the park loop directs racers back north to the finish line inside Memorial Stadium.

This year's Seattle Marathon is on Sunday, November 27.  With more than five months to train, there is plenty of time for anyone serious about the race to get in great running shape.

The Seattle Marathon website offers great training advice,  a training schedule,  course info, and important registration dates.  To visit the website go to seattlemarathon.org.

Editor's Note: Need a little inspiration? Read about this 78-year-old  who's not letting age stop him from achieving his fitness goals.

 Training

The Northwest is blessed with many multisport training clubs.  For Plateau residents, we are lucky enough to have a running club right here in Enumclaw.

The Plateau Running Club is open to anyone who is interested in training, walking, running and racing.  The club offers organized runs and socials and participates in other local racing events.  To learn more visit the club website at plateaurc.com. (And check out photos of one of the Club's recent running events: the .)

Similarly, Raise the Bar is a Kent-based multisport training club.  Raise the Bar offers anyone serious about being a better and faster racer many training opportunities from nutrition lectures to swim, bike, and run coaching.  The club also competes in local, regional, and national races.

To learn more about Raise the Bar visit the website at weraisethebar.com.