• Join a virtual running club. Fleet Feet Spokane aims to help runners reach their goals, with or without a race season. 
• Compete in a virtual bike race. Bandók Virtual Events focuses on ultra-endurance cycling, like the Tour Divide.  
• Sign up for a virtual charity run. These are springing up last minute, so check social media for current offerings.   

The post Virtual Fitness Community: 3 Ways to Join appeared first on Out There Venture.

This spring race organizers were forced to make painful decisions to cancel or postpone these races around the country. What have runners and cyclists done without that extrinsic motivation? 

Judging from the number of people on common cycling routes and trails, many have tapped into an unrealized potential for intrinsic motivation—and I’m damn proud of us for it. We’re not running because we don’t want to look like fools; we’re running because it feels good. We’re biking because our mental health depends on it. We’re hiking because sunsets are beautiful and we want to see them from a new perspective—and because the escape soothes us so we can once again be the partners and parents we want to be.  

One of my favorite trends in the age of COVID-19 is how many people have harnessed this intrinsic motivation. I have a friend who has ridden his bike on the local river loop trail every day since Washington’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order started. Some days he rides a few miles, and other days he rides dozens. His primary motivation is to clear his mind and move his body.  

Those who still benefit from external goals are getting creative and designing their own challenges. One friend decided to stick with her goal of setting a half-marathon PR, even without a race on the books. She invited members of her local running club to join her, and they ran along behind her, giving her a mental boost and helping her meet her goal. Another ran her canceled 50K on local trails rather than the designated racecourse, and her family met her along the way with drinks and snacks. 

Perhaps other aspects of pandemic recreation are worth keeping for the long term, even as restrictions ease. The suggestion to recreate close to home and commute to the trail in a human-powered fashion if possible helps lower emission and combat climate change. Also, the call to show some extra love for the organizations that build and protect our trails makes a lot of sense. Becoming a member of or donating to groups like the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance, American Whitewater, Dishman Hills Conservancy, Friends of the Bluff, and the Inland Northwest Land Conservancy feels more important now than ever as we spend so much on our local public lands. 

Whatever your outlet, and however you find motivation, one thing is clear: We’ve all got to keep moving as best we can. Here in the Inland Northwest, we’re lucky to have abundant trails and public lands to accommodate so many ways to stay active. 

Summer Hess is the managing editor of Out There Venture. She is scouting alternative routes for her canceled 50K on June 6. 

The post When the Race is Canceled appeared first on Out There Venture.

Each of these downtown-based runs is approximately a 5K distance. Both offer prime river views, taking runners along sections of the Centennial Trail. 

Looff Carrousel to Hamilton Loop—a flat and fast tour of Riverfront Park with river views 

From the Looff Carrousel in Riverfront Park, head east on the Centennial Trail toward the First Interstate Center for the Arts. About a mile in you’ll hit a footbridge; cross it to continue east another third of a mile, continuing on the Centennial Trail through the GU campus until you reach this route’s turnaround point: the top of the pedestrian bridge spanning Hamilton (1.3 miles). Retrace your route until just east of the footbridge you crossed a few minutes ago, this time veering right on the trail (river now to your left). Follow the trail west (you’ll hit the underpass at Division about .8 miles after the turnaround point), passing the Centennial Hotel. When you get to Howard Street (about 2.6 miles in), take a left to follow the bridge across the river to Canada Island. Go right to traverse the island, then take a left on the trail’s narrow suspended bridge to head south. Head left and up the stairs to avoid construction, and then right and back across the river then right toward and around the Numerica Skate Ribbon, then head east to wrap up your 5K back at the carousel. You may need to modify this route due to ongoing park construction. 

Out and Back Past the Falls and Kendall Yards—with option to descend into People’s Park. 

From the Spokane Tribal Gathering Place (353 N. Post), head north across the Post Street Bridge, then go left on Bridge Ave. About .2 miles into route, veer left onto the Centennial Trail heading west. Follow the trail under the Monroe Street Bridge (look over your shoulder to admire the falls) and continue west, with Kendall Yards to your right. After a half mile on the trail, the route crosses over the Maple Street Bridge. Continue west to pass by the Olmstead Brothers Green at Nettleton St. (1.2 miles). Continue west another third of a mile until you hit the 1.5 mile mark—the trail forks here. Turn around and head back downtown to make this a quick 5K with little elevation gain. For added difficulty, tack on approximately .8 miles by forking left downhill toward People’s Park. At the footbridge, turn around to get in some hill work on the way back up. If you’re feeling strong, repeat. At the top of the hill, take a right to retrace your route to the starting point.

Sarah Hauge is a writer and editor who lives in Spokane with her husband and two daughters. She writes Out There’s Run Wild column. 

The post Downtown Spokane 5K Routes appeared first on Out There Venture.

January 3, 2012—With Spokane enjoying a mild winter, it may be easier than usual for Spokane residents to realize spring isn’t far off, and with it the 36th annual Lilac Bloomsday Run. And to help fortify New Year’s resolutions to get in shape, early bird registration for Bloomsday is now open at www.bloomsdayrun.org. Those who sign up by February 12th will have a chance to win one of two Apple iPads courtesy of Strong Solutions—1718 E. Sprague.

“Early entry to Bloomsday is a great way to underscore a New Year’s resolution to get in better shape,” said Lilac Bloomsday Association President Carol Hunter. “And we hope that having the chance to win an iPad will create some additional motivation to sign up early.”

Everyone who enters Bloomsday online through February 12th will be automatically entered in the iPad drawing. The iPad is being offered by Strong Solutions—an Apple Authorized Reseller and Service Provider. Strong Solutions specializes in sales, service and repair of Apple products, also offering classes, in-home and on-site service, consulting and solutions.

Those signing up for Bloomsday will also have the opportunity to add a donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County, which has been selected as Bloomsday’s official charity for 2012. Dedicated to inspiring and enabling all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens, Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County is making a positive and measurable difference.

“We hope our entrants will be supportive of this excellent charity,” said Hunter. “We encourage our participants to add a donation to Boys and Girls’ Clubs when they sign up for Bloomsday.”

Bloomsday ’12 will be Sunday, May 6, 2012. Full details of the 36th annual event will be released in early March, at which time printed entry forms will be available at locations throughout the Inland Northwest.

BLOOMSDAY ‘12 ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Early Entrants May Win iPad from Strong Solutions

January 3, 2012—With Spokane enjoying a mild winter, it may be easier than usual for Spokane residents to realize spring isn’t far off, and with it the 36th annual Lilac Bloomsday Run. And to help fortify New Year’s resolutions to get in shape, early bird registration for Bloomsday is now open at www.bloomsdayrun.org. Those who sign up by February 12th will have a chance to win one of two Apple iPads courtesy of Strong Solutions—1718 E. Sprague.

“Early entry to Bloomsday is a great way to underscore a New Year’s resolution to get in better shape,” said Lilac Bloomsday Association President Carol Hunter. “And we hope that having the chance to win an iPad will create some additional motivation to sign up early.”

Everyone who enters Bloomsday online through February 12th will be automatically entered in the iPad drawing. The iPad is being offered by Strong Solutions—an Apple Authorized Reseller and Service Provider. Strong Solutions specializes in sales, service and repair of Apple products, also offering classes, in-home and on-site service, consulting and solutions.

Those signing up for Bloomsday will also have the opportunity to add a donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County, which has been selected as Bloomsday’s official charity for 2012. Dedicated to inspiring and enabling all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens, Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County is making a positive and measurable difference.

“We hope our entrants will be supportive of this excellent charity,” said Hunter. “We encourage our participants to add a donation to Boys and Girls’ Clubs when they sign up for Bloomsday.”

Bloomsday ’12 will be Sunday, May 6, 2012. Full details of the 36th annual event will be released in early March, at which time printed entry forms will be available at locations throughout the Inland Northwest.

BLOOMSDAY ‘12 ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Early Entrants May Win iPad from Strong Solutions

January 3, 2012—With Spokane enjoying a mild winter, it may be easier than usual for Spokane residents to realize spring isn’t far off, and with it the 36th annual Lilac Bloomsday Run. And to help fortify New Year’s resolutions to get in shape, early bird registration for Bloomsday is now open at www.bloomsdayrun.org. Those who sign up by February 12th will have a chance to win one of two Apple iPads courtesy of Strong Solutions—1718 E. Sprague.

“Early entry to Bloomsday is a great way to underscore a New Year’s resolution to get in better shape,” said Lilac Bloomsday Association President Carol Hunter. “And we hope that having the chance to win an iPad will create some additional motivation to sign up early.”

Everyone who enters Bloomsday online through February 12th will be automatically entered in the iPad drawing. The iPad is being offered by Strong Solutions—an Apple Authorized Reseller and Service Provider. Strong Solutions specializes in sales, service and repair of Apple products, also offering classes, in-home and on-site service, consulting and solutions.

Those signing up for Bloomsday will also have the opportunity to add a donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County, which has been selected as Bloomsday’s official charity for 2012. Dedicated to inspiring and enabling all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens, Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County is making a positive and measurable difference.

“We hope our entrants will be supportive of this excellent charity,” said Hunter. “We encourage our participants to add a donation to Boys and Girls’ Clubs when they sign up for Bloomsday.”

Bloomsday ’12 will be Sunday, May 6, 2012. Full details of the 36th annual event will be released in early March, at which time printed entry forms will be available at locations throughout the Inland Northwest.

BLOOMSDAY ‘12 ONLINE REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Early Entrants May Win iPad from Strong Solutions

January 3, 2012—With Spokane enjoying a mild winter, it may be easier than usual for Spokane residents to realize spring isn’t far off, and with it the 36th annual Lilac Bloomsday Run. And to help fortify New Year’s resolutions to get in shape, early bird registration for Bloomsday is now open at www.bloomsdayrun.org. Those who sign up by February 12th will have a chance to win one of two Apple iPads courtesy of Strong Solutions—1718 E. Sprague.

“Early entry to Bloomsday is a great way to underscore a New Year’s resolution to get in better shape,” said Lilac Bloomsday Association President Carol Hunter. “And we hope that having the chance to win an iPad will create some additional motivation to sign up early.”

Everyone who enters Bloomsday online through February 12th will be automatically entered in the iPad drawing. The iPad is being offered by Strong Solutions—an Apple Authorized Reseller and Service Provider. Strong Solutions specializes in sales, service and repair of Apple products, also offering classes, in-home and on-site service, consulting and solutions.

Those signing up for Bloomsday will also have the opportunity to add a donation to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County, which has been selected as Bloomsday’s official charity for 2012. Dedicated to inspiring and enabling all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens, Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County is making a positive and measurable difference.

“We hope our entrants will be supportive of this excellent charity,” said Hunter. “We encourage our participants to add a donation to Boys and Girls’ Clubs when they sign up for Bloomsday.”

Bloomsday ’12 will be Sunday, May 6, 2012. Full details of the 36th annual event will be released in early March, at which time printed entry forms will be available at locations throughout the Inland Northwest.

The post Bloomsday ’12 online registration is open! appeared first on Out There Venture.