Get Active! Fun Stuff For Fall 2011

Finally, the weather is beginning to cool down and Fall is officially here.  If you spent the entire summer locked inside in the A/C, now is a great time to start venturing out and getting active again.  Here are some fun activities to get the entire family off of the couch and into life…

Running / Walking Events:
Connect to CAR Fun Run & Family Walk:  October 15, 2011 at Living Word Lutheran Church (5K & 1 Mile Family Walk)
Walk MS:  October 22, 2011 at Katy Mills Mall (1 Mile)
Spartan Pumpkin Fun Run:  October 22, 2011 at Seven Lakes High School (5K Fun Run & 1 Mile Kid/Family Fun Run)
9th Annual Katy YMCA Turkey Dash:  November 24, 2011, 7:20am Kids 1 Mile Race, 8am 5K, 9:15am 1 Mile Family Walk/Run
Susan G Komen Race for the Cure:  October 1, 2011 in Downtown Houston (5K & 1/2 Mile Family/Kids Walk)
The Original Mud Run:  October 8, 2011 at Sam Houston Race Park
Run to Cure Huntington’s Disease:  October 15, 2011 in Sugar Land (5K)
Houston Texans Running of the Bulls:  October 16, 2011 at Reliant Park in Houston (5K)
Brazos Bend Gator Run Trail Races:  October 23, 2011 at Brazos Bend State Park (Half Marathon & 2-Person Relay Half Marathon)
Monster Mash Run:  October 29, 2011 at Sam Houston Race Park (5K, 10K & 15K)
National Veterans Day Run:  November 11, 2011 at the Harris County War Memorial in Bear Creek Pioneers Park (11K & 1 Mile Walk)
Urban Dare Houston:  November 19, 2011 in Houston (similar to a one day Amazing Race)
Run Girl 13.1 Women’s Only Half Marathon:  December 11, 2011 in Humble

Duathlons & Triathlons:
Du the Bear Duathlon:  October 2, 2011 at Bear Creek Pioneers Park
Kiwanis Kids Triathlon:  October 29, 2011 at Firethorne
Katy Triathlon:  October 30, 2011 at Firethorne
Fairfield Triathlon:  October 9, 2011 in Cypress
AMICA Try Andy’s Tri:  October 16, 2011 in Sugar Land

Biking / Cycling Events:
Tour de Donut:  November 6, 2011 at Katy Mills Mall (28 & 55 mile routes)
Novemberfest Metric Century:  November 5, 2011 in Brookshire (10, 23, 40 & 64 mile routes)
Bike the Bend for Literacy:  November 20, 2011 at Foster High School in Richmond (19, 32 & 59 mile routes)
Red White & Bike:  November 20, 2011 at Brookside Equipment in Hockley (20, 40 & 60 mile routes)

General Fitness:
Zumba Fest at the Katy Family YMCA:  September 30, 2011, 6:30pm-8:30pm

Swim Lessons (All Ages):
Katy Family YMCA: sessions beginning October 3, 2011 and October 31, 2011

Youth Sports Registrations: 
Katy/West Houston Cannons Lacrosse Club Registration Kick-Off:  October 15, 2011, 4pm-6pm at Grand Lakes Presbyterian Church
Katy Cavalier Lacrosse Registration:  October 15, 2011, 10:30am-12pm at Cinco Ranch Library and November 5, 2011, 10am-2pm at Cinco Ranch HS fields
Katy YMCA Winter NFL Flag Football Registration:  Now thru December 4, 2011
Katy YMCA Winter Basketball Registration:  Now thru December 4, 2011
Katy YMCA Teen Winter Basketball Registration: Now thru December 4, 2011
Katy YMCA Teen Winter Volleyball Registration:  Now thru December 4, 2011
Katy YMCA Winter Cheer Registration:  Now thru December 4, 2011
Katy YMCA Teen Winter Drill/Dance Team Registration:  Now thru December 4, 2011
Katy Youth Basketball 5 on 5 Late Registration:  September 26-December 9, 2011
Katy Youth Soccer Spring Registration:  Begins November 15, 2011

Adult Sports Registrations:
Winter Men’s Basketball Leagues:  Play Starts October 30, 2011 at West Houston Indoor Soccer
Men’s and Coed Adult Soccer Leagues:  Play Starts October 17-23, 2011 at West Houston Indoor Soccer

Whatever you choose to do, get out and enjoy yourself!  For more fun active ideas, visit our Sports & Recreation page.

Get Active! Fun Running and Cycling Events to Kick Off 2011!

2011 is here!  What is your plan for the new year?  Let’s make this decade an active one!  There are a lot of great fun family and competitive athletic events in the Houston area during the first few months of the new year.  And what a great way to build memories with your family and friends!   I ran the Half Marathon at the Texas Marathon in Kingwood on 1/1/11 and set a personal record!  Before you get too impressed…I am NOT fast!  There were plenty of folks who finished before me, but I’m thrilled to say that I got up very early on New Years Day, drove to Kingwood and finished 13.1 miles much faster than I did 3 years ago before I was 40! 

So if you want to live a healthier life (and who doesn’t?)  Join me in a little challenge!  Pick an event or two (or more!) from the following list and take the next step to a healthy and active new life.  Whether you are a super competitive athlete or just regular everyday busy person (like me), there’s something here for everyone.  Come on, it will be fun!!  What do you say?

Surfside Shuffle - January 15, 2011 at Surfside Beach TX
5K, 10K & Kids’ Run on the beach!

USA Fit Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K – January 16, 2011 in Sugar Land TX
Everyone is welcome to participate.  Finish time for the marathon is a full 8 hours.

Gateway Academy Gryphon’s Flight Bike Ride - January 16, 2011 in Hockley TX
25 Mile & 40 Mile rides benefiting Gateway Academy.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

Brazos Bend Keep On Truckin’ Trail Races - January 16, 2011 at Brazos Bend State Park in Needville TX
Half Marathon, Marathon & 50K Ultra on trails through the park!  8 hour time limit on all events.

Dawson Winter Dash 5K & Family Fun Run - January 22, 2011 in Pearland TX
Benefits the Dawson High School Eagle Band and Catalyst Color Guard.

Rockets Run 2011 – January 22, 2011 at Toyota Center in Houston TX
2 Mile Walk, 5K Fun Run, and Kids 1K.

Frost Ur Fanny Duathlon - January 23, 2011 at Bear Creek Park
3 Mile Run, 15 Mile Bike, 2 Mile Run.  Individual & Relay competitions.

Frost Bike 50 Bike Ride – January 23, 2011 in Cypress TX
17 Mile, 45 Mile, and 55 Mile routes.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

Texas Children’s Hospital 3K & 1K Kids’ Fun Run/Walk - January 29, 2011 in Houston TX
Open to everyone in grades K-8 (ages 5-15 years) including children with special needs.

Bike Through The Forest – January 29, 2011 in Kingwood TX
12 Mile, 25 Mile, 33 Mile and 46 Mile rides.  A BP MS 150 Recommended Ride.

Chevron Houston Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K - January 30, 2011 in Houston TX
Host of the USA Half Marathon Championships and the 2012 US Olympics Team Trials Marathon.

Puddle for the Ducks Bike Ride – February 5, 2011 in Katy TX
30 Mile, 37 Mile, 48 Mile & 70 Mile rides departing Sun & Ski Sports at Katy Mills Mall.  Benefits Ducks Unlimited.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

The Bill Crews Remission Run - February 5, 2011 in Conroe TX
5K, 1 Mile Kids Race, and 1 Mile Family Walk.

Golden Girls Gold Rush Cycling Classic - February 6, 2011 in Montgomery TX
25, 44, & 65 Mile routes.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

Major Taylor Commemorative Ride - February 6, 2011 in Houston TX
35, 50, & 72 Mile rides benefiting the Houston Bicycle Museum.

Texas Med 5K Fun Run/Walk - February 12, 2011 in Houston TX
Benefits the Hospital District’s Mammography Services.

Piney Woods 10 Mile and 5K Trail Run - February 12, 2011 in New Caney TX
Run through the trails at Lake Houston Wilderness Park.

Pedaling the Prairie - February 12, 2011 at the Waller County Fairgrounds in Hempstead TX
24 Mile, 45 Mile, 55 Mile & 71 Mile routes benefiting Faith West Academy in Katy.  A BP MS 150 Recommended Ride.

Jail Break Run 1/2 Marathon - February 12, 2011 in Baytown TX
Benefits the Baytown Municipal Police Officers Association and the Marcus Lee Zaruba Criminal Justice Foundation Scholarship.

Run Away With My Heart Trail Run - February 12, 2011 in Spring TX
5 Mile Run, 3 Mile Run/Walk, and a 1 Mile Kids Run.

Counseling For A Cure - February 13, 2011 in Clear Lake TX
5K and 1K Family Fun Run at UH Clear Lake.  Benefits Pancreatic Cancer Action Network.

Ride to the Rescue - February 13, 2011 in Manvel TX
33 Mile, 43 Mile and 60 Mile routes.  Benefiting animal rescue groups.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

Humble Lions Club Bike Ride - February 19, 2011 in Humble TX
25 Mile, 46 Mile, 55 Mile rides.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

Galveston Mardi Gras Marathon & Half Marathon - February 20, 2011 in Galveston TX
No time limit on the Half Marathon.  6 Hour time limit on the Marathon.

Bulldog Bike Ride & Pancake Breakfast – February 26, 2011 in Waller TX
25 Mile, 32 Mile & 50 Mile routes.  Benefits Waller Jr High.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

ConocoPhillips Rodeo Run - February 26, 2011 in Houston TX
Kick off the Houston Rodeo by running down the parade route (before the horses).  5K & 10K.

Surfside Beach Marathon, Half Marathon & Crazy Hard 50K - February 26, 2011 at Surfside Beach
Starts and ends on the beach!

Gator Ride - March 5, 2011 in Baytown TX
33 Mile, 43 Mile, 51 Mile & 62 Mile routes.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.  + a 6.2 Mile Family Ride! 

Continental Airlines Cycling Classic - March 6, 2011 in Montgomery TX
25 Mile, 47 Mile & 67 Mile rides with hills.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

Brookwood Benefit Bike Ride - March 12, 2011 in Brookshire TX
28 Mile, 42 Mile, 54 Mile & 70 Mile routes.  Benefits The Brookwood Community.

Bayou City Classic 10K Run & Walk - March 12, 2011 in Houston TX
Special categories for participants in costumes and centipedes (6 attached runners)!

The Great Escape Bike Ride – March 13, 2011 in Pearland TX
Details to be announced soon.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

B-geO Magnolia Miles Bike Ride - March 19, 2011 in Magnolia TX
30 Mile, 41 Mile & 71 Mile routes.  A BP MS 150 Recommended Ride.

Seabrook Lucky Trails Marathon & Half Marathon - March 19-20, 2011 in Seabrook TX
Run the Half Marathon or the Marathon, or take on the Pelican Challenge by running the 1/2 on both Saturday and Sunday.  And then there’s the Trail Challenge: run the 1/2 Marathon on Saturday and the full Marathon on Sunday!  You can also compete as part of a relay team.

Galveston Beach 5K Run & Eco Duathlon - March 26, 2011 in Galveston TX
2 choices here:  a 5K Run or a Duathlon featuring a 2 Mile Run, an 8 Mile Bike, and another 2 Mile Run!

Schlumberger Education Expedition – March 26, 2011 in Missouri City TX
A BP MS150 Recommended Bike Ride benefiting Fort Bend Education Foundation.

Bluebonnet Express - March 27, 2011 in Waller TX
30 Mile, 54 Mile, 68 Mile, and 75 Mile rides.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

Angie’s 1/2 Crazy 1/2 Marathon – March 27, 2011 in Clear Lake
Participate as an individual or as part of a relay team.  Time limit is 4 hours.

Gateway to the Bay Triathlon Festival – April 2-3, 2011 in Kemah TX
Choose from a Sprint Distance Triathlon:  500 Meter Swim, 12 Mile Bike, 3.1 Mile Run or an Olympic Distance Triathlon:  1,500 Meter Swim, 24.85 Mile Bike, 6.2 Mile Run.

Gateway 5K & Kids 1K – April 3, 2011 in Kemah TX
Enjoy the hype and fun of the Triathlon Festival without competing in a triathlon!

Gran Fondo: Texas TMCO – April 3, 2011 in Hockley TX
25 Mile recreational ride for all ages, and 42 Mile, 100K, and 100 Mile rides.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

Katy Ram Challenge – April 9, 2011 in Katy TX
12 Mile, 35 Mile, 46 Mile, 62 Mile & 74 Mile routes.  Benefiting Mayde Creek High School’s Mighty Ram Band.  A BP MS150 Recommended Ride.

Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Lonestar Triathlon – April 10, 2011 in Galveston TX
A long distance triathlon:  1.2 Mile Swim, 56 Mile Bike, and 13.1 Mile Run.

Space Race – April 11, 2011 at Gulf Greyhound Park in Houston TX
20 Mile, 40 Mile, 62 Mile, 78 Mile and 101 Mile routes!  A BP MS150 Recommended Bike Ride.

BP MS 150 Bike Ride – April 16-17, 2011 departing Rhodes Stadium in Katy TX
The Granddaddy of local fundraising bike rides!  Ride from Houston to Austin to raise money for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Hippity ROC Half Marathon & 5K Run/Walk – April 23, 2011 in Cypress TX
5K is open to everyone ages 5+.  Half Marathon has a time limit of 3.5 hours.  Benefits Run Over Cancer.

Green 6.2 – April 23, 2011 at Town & Country CityCentre
An eco-friendly 10K Run/Walk and Kids 1K Fun Run.

Step By Step 5K & Kids 1K – April 30, 2011 in Houston TX
Benefits Trinity Lutheran School.

Whew!  That’s quite a list for the first 4 months of 2011!  So which one(s) will you pick?  Did we miss any?  If so, leave a comment and let us know so we can add to the fun!  Have a healthy 2011!!!

Get Active! Fun Running & Biking Events

Feeling the need to get off the couch and enjoy this beautiful weather?  You’re in luck!  There are several active events coming up in our area.  Whether you are a hard-core competitive athlete or a family looking to get some exercise together, one or more of these events could be just what you are looking for!

The Brent Event – October 23, 2010 in Sugar Land
5K Fun Run & 1 Mile Walk.  Benefiting Brent Weaver in his fight against cancer.

Katy Triathlon at Firethorne – October 24, 2010 in Katy
500 meter swim / 16 mile bike / 3 mile run
Registration is limited to 900 participants plus relays.  Feel pretty good about one of the legs, but not so much the others?  Put together a relay team!

Koala Health/Wellness & Luke’s Locker Half Marathon & Relay – October 24, 2010 in Houston
Individuals & 2-person Relays

Gobble Hobble 5K - October 30, 2010 in Stafford
5K Competitive Run & Family Fun Run / Walk

Tour de Donut – November 7, 2010 in Katy
28 Mile Donut Consuming Challenge (receive a 5 minute time credit for each donut you eat!) & 55 Mile BP MS150 Recommended Ride
benefiting Make-A-Wish

HMSA Classical 25K & Relay- November 14, 2010 in Houston
Serious race for folks who can complete at least 15.5 miles in 3:30 hours or less.

Bike for Little Heroes – November 21, 2010 in Hockley
21, 38 & 57 mile bike ride benefiting children of US soldiers

Bike the Bend for Literacy – November 21, 2010 in Richmond
benefiting The Literacy Council of Fort Bend County

The Seawall Half-Marathon, 10K, Crabwalk & More! – November 20-21, 2010 in Galveston
Truly something for everyone!  Run the Half-Marathon, Walk the Half-Marathon (aka Crabwalk!), or Pick the 10K!  They also have 2 races for kids:  the Li’l Shrimp 1K Fun Run & the Jumbo Shrimp 2K Fun Run!  It’s 2 full days of fun on the Island!

Katy Family YMCA Turkey Dash – November 25, 2010 in Katy
5K, 1 Mile Kids Race & 1 Mile Family Run / Walk

Sealy 5K Jingle Bell Fun Run / Walk – December 4, 2010 in Sealy
Competitive 5K, 5K Family Fun Run/Walk & 1K Fun Run benefiting Sealy High School Choir Boosters

Sugar Land Finish Line Sports 30K – December 12, 2010 in Sugar Land
Serious race that must be completed in 4:15 hours or less (average pace of 13:45 per mile).

Run Girl 13.1 – December 12, 2010 in Humble
Women’s only Half-Marathon.  13.1 miles must be completed in 3:30 hours or less.

Surfside Shuffle – January 15, 2011 at Surfside Beach
5K, 10K & Kids Run on the beach!

USA FIT Marathon, Half Marathon & 5K – January 16, 2011 in Sugar Land
Everyone is welcome to participate.  Finish time for the marathon is a full 8 hours.

Frost Ur Fanny Duathlon – January 23, 2011 at Bear Creek Park
3 Mile Run / 15 Mile Bike / 3 Mile Run.  Individual & Relay competitions.

NOTE:  If you know of a biking, running or walking event that isn’t here…post a comment to let us know about it!  (just added the Seawall races in November…looks like a ton of fun!  Thanks Heather!)

Making Memories…What Can Be Better Than That?

It’s been a CRAZY week!  Here it is 10pm on Friday night and I finally have a minute to sit down and blog…YEA!  With our hectic schedule this week, we’re definitely ready for some family time this weekend.  Have you been making fun memories with your friends and family so far this summer?  Well, if not…what are you waiting for??  Step away from the computer and get out there!  (Oh…but read this first…thanks!) 

So what do you like to do?  Now that Tropical Storm Bonnie has been demoted (sorry Bonnie) to a Depression, our chances of rain have subsided a bit over the next few days.  So here’s a few ideas for spending time outdoors…

• Bust out the kites and generate some wind power
• Play a few rounds of mini golf over at Katy Minature Golf & Batting Cages or Mary Jo Peckham Park 
• Go for a stroll around your neighborhood and chat with your neighbors
• Grab the bikes and head over to George Bush Park for a nature ride or meet other riders at Bike Barn Katy for a Saturday morning ride
• Is running more your thing?  Katy Fit is kicking off the training season this weekend!

And what about indoor activities?  There are plenty of those to choose from as well!  How about…

• Take in a performance over at Katy Visual & Performing Arts Center (KVPAC)
• Have a friendly bowling competition at Times Square Entertainment or Ten Pins Bowling (bumpers or no bumpers?)
• Check out a movie at AMC Katy Mills, Cinemark, Alamo Drafthouse or Rave Motion Pictures
• Show off your skating skills at Mason Road Skate Center or Bear Creek Roller Rink (you’ve still got it, don’t you?)
• And if you feel like a real adventure, take a drive over to the Houston Museum of Natural Science to see (and smell) Lois, the Corpse Flower bloom!

What other activities are you enjoying this weekend and for the rest of the summer?  Whatever you choose, have fun making lasting memories!