The Caribou Marathon is getting closer
— have you signed up yet?
By Evan Graves
Special to The Star-Herald
CARIBOU, Maine — On Sept. 18, 2016, Caribou is going to host the first Caribou Marathon. Race day is still roughly 25 weeks away, but planning to participate in such an event starts now with making the commitment. Once that is complete, preparations for running such a race become all too real.
Get a close friend to join you in signing up for the run and that will make the training commitment that much easier. The initial motivation comes with that initial signing up. Once that part is done, there is a burst of emotions, including “what did I just do?” To be honest, that is normal! Now that the payment has been made, the commitment is real, and the running preparations can begin.
Running is something that is such a positive part of life. It’s a natural body movement and it brings on a healthy lifestyle. If you’re not much of an exercise person, start with small goals of walking or running through a local “Couch to 5K” program or do one online and work at building up your time walking and running throughout the summer. Set smaller goals to complete one of the many local races offered.
If you already live a healthy lifestyle and do some exercising, bring yourself to a new challenge in life to try one of the races offered, a part of the relay, the half marathon or the marathon in September. If you’re an avid runner who’s never stepped up to the longer distances, now is your time to make the jump up and try one of these wonderful races.
The marathon distance is something that will change your life for the best. Completing the marathon on race day is a huge accomplishment but the journey of getting there and the positive impacts it will have on your life are what you will remember and keep you coming back for more. The energy that comes with a marathon race is wonderful and will have such a positive impact on our communities.
Spring has sprung and the weather will begin to change for the better! With that change, think about changes that you can make to start fresh. What better way than to make a commitment to a healthier life with signing up for the inaugural Caribou Marathon, half marathon or relay. A marathon training block can be done in 12 to 18 weeks, which leaves plenty of time to begin the process of preparing for such an event.
If you’re unable to participate as an athlete on race weekend, volunteers are a very large part in hosting such an event. Runners and volunteers alike can sign up online at www.caribouraces.org. If you know of a runner in or out of the area who might consider running, please spread the word and encourage them to attend Maine’s newest marathon and the most northeastern marathon in the United States — the Caribou Marathon.
