New Year’s resolutions are a pain in the butt. On Jan. 1, you get all enthusiastic about the changes you’re going to make. Maybe quit smoking, drop a few pounds or eat more fish. The classic is joining the gym. In fact, people are very good at joining the gym, they have no problem signing up, they just don’t keep going for very long.
But let’s stop beating ourselves up. The fact of the matter is you have a full year to complete the resolution. As long as you do it within the 12-month period, no one can call you a slacker or laggard. To help those of you who’ve left it until the last minute, you’ll be delighted to know that I am offering a ‘Last Chance Resolution Day’ (LCRD) and that day is Dec. 31.
Here’s your chance to fulfil that New Year’s resolution you set on Jan. 1, 2013, just 364 days ago.
Many people resolve to complete their first 5-km, 10-km — or maybe it was a half marathon or even the big one, the marathon. So I have the perfect event for you. The Fourth Annual Marathon Quest 250 Run/Walk will be held at the Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre in Cochrane and is scheduled for the last day of the year. The first running of this event was on Dec. 31, 2010, and it was the last marathon of the 250 marathons I completed that year.
Last year, we held the Third Annual event and families and friends used it as a way of getting a little exercise before the New Year festivities. This year we are hoping to get more people out to enjoy the 2.5-km loop along the majestic Bow River. I’ve put a call in for good weather. Last year it was -10 C, so I’m hoping for more of the same. The format is a little different to most run/walk events. The marathon runners start off at 9 a.m. and are joined by the half-marathoners at noon. At 1:30 p.m. the 10-km runners join up and are followed by the 5-km runners at 2:15 p.m.. Finally the “One Loopers” (2.5 km) come out at 2:40 p.m. and everyone finishes at 3 p.m.
The aid station is provided by Pat’s Palette Pleasers, so runners can expect coffee, hot chocolate and cookies to keep them going. For the young and young at heart there are bouncy castles. Registration is on the day, from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with a donation to the children’s charity Right To Play, at the table in the foyer. Just think, you will feel amazing having completed your 2013 New Year’s resolution and then 24 hours later you can start all over again, with a new one.
