The Flames have nearly been dowsed, the pathways are nearly cleared of snow, so Okotoks and foothills residents have no reason not to get off the couch and get ready for the spring and summer.
If their goal is to try one of the several runs and triathlons in the area, there are plenty of opportunities to learn how to get started.
The Turner Valley Triathlon and the High River Half-marathion-5K-10K run are on Canada Day. Trainers for both events say there is still enough time to get ready for the event which is approximately three months away.
“You can still be a coach potato at this time and still do the Turner Valley Triathlon, (TVT), ” said Dawn Johnson one of the organizers of the event. “The first thing is get off the couch and if you have to just go out for a walk or for a swim just go one lap or maybe just ride around the block. Get started at the very basics.”
Johnson has completed the Penticton Ironman Triathlon. The Turner Valley triathlon is more of a family man (or woman) event than the Ironman. The TVT consists of a 500m swim in the Landers Pool, a 20km bike -ride and a five-km kilometre run along the Friendship Trail.
Johnson said once the participant feels up to it, try doing a small bit of two of the disciplines a day.
“Maybe once a month, try doing all three of the disciplines,” she said. “You just take it one step at a time. You go with how your body feels. It’s mostly a mental and an emotional hurdle to get over.”
For those needing an added push for the TVT, Johnson is holding a triathlon training beginning May 8 in Turner Valley.
“Remember, hopefully you have got off the couch and by May 8 you will be able to start the program that we will have on the web site,” Johnson said.
She stresses the TVT is a fun event. No one cares about the pace of the participant. As well, there is all the opportunity to participate as a relay team. Proceeds from the run will go towards Turner Valley recreation.
For more information concerning the Turner Valley Triathlon, go to www.turnervalleytriathlon.ca
Natural High Fitness and Athletics in Okotoks will once again be hosting the Natural High Charity Triathlon for KidSport on July 7.
It will be offering a lecture series. As well training opportunities to swim in the Crystal Shores Lake —where the five-km kilometre swim is held — will be offered once the water warms up.
Proceeds for the triathlon will go towards Okotoks KidSport. For more information go to www.naturalhigh.ca
Running 21km
There is a pair of half-marathons on the horizon, but a clinic is being offered to help get you ready.
Veronica Waring, a running instructor, is holding a 12-week running clinic for preparation for the High River Canada half-marathon on July 1 in High River.
“We want to get people who want to register for the half-marathon to be able to finish it if they have never done that distance before (21km),” Waring said. “We want them to feel safe, not get injured and enjoy the run.”
The clinic will run Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and Saturdays (Chcxchc this bruce)Sundays at 9 a.m. for 12 weeks, beginning on April 3.
“Tuesday will be an instructional day in which a physiotherapist and , a dietician might talk about stretching, massage or nutrition or whatever,” Waring said. “Then we will go out for a short run. The weekends will be for a longer run.”
The clinics will be held at Summit Sport Physiotherapy in High River. the Bob Snodgrass Recreation Complex in High River.
A program for the remaining days of the week will be provided.
“The two days you really want the people out or for the shorter distances for maybe speed and hills where they may not be motivated to do on their own and for the longer runs on the weekend.”
The lecture sessions will be organized by Waring and Bob Dunlop, a physical therapist with Summit Sport Physiotherapy in Okotoks and High River. Dunlop has worked with Canadian athletes at several Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
Waring said an ideal tune-up for the Canada Day run would be the Okotoks to High River running clinic May 12.
The cost of the running clinic is $60. It does not cover the cost of the race. Registration can be done at either Summit Sport Physiotherapy locations in Okotoks or High River or by calling Waring at 403-601-6543.
A 5km and 10km run is also being held at the High River Canada Day run. Proceeds for the race will go towards the Foothills Advocacy In Motion Society, which helps special needs adults in the foothills.
To register go to www.highriverhalf.com
Running events in the foothills
There are plenty of running opportunities in the foothills coming this spring and fall. Here is a short list to a few and how to find more information.May 12 - Okotoks to High River Friendship run, www.bigrockrunners.comJune 16 - Millarville Run to the Farm Half-marathon, www.millarvilleracetrack.comJune 23 - Kananaskis 100-mile relay, www.hihostels.caJuly 1 - Turner Valley Triathlon, www.turnervalleytriathlon.caJuly 1 - High River Canada Day 21km/5km/10km, www.highriverhalf.comSept. 3 - Sheep River Road Race, 5k/10km, www.bigrockrunners.com
