2014: Time for running-related resolutions

With a brand-new year ahead, perhaps it?s time to make some running-themed resolutions.Maybe you?d like to run more races this year. One on the immediate horizon is the Lazy Dog Classy 3-miler in Wyoma Square on Sunday, Jan. 19, at 11 a.m. Organizer Steve Martin, who is also the Classical girls track coach, said it can fit in nicely with people?s New Year?s resolutions.?You start off at the gym the last three, four, five days, it?s a perfect way to continue on,” Martin said of the race, which is a fundraiser for the Rams girls indoor track team. “You don?t have to be super-fit. Run-walking it is fine. It raises money for a good cause.”You can register at coolrunning.com or racewire.com, or print out a copy from the Lynn Classical athletic department Web site.There is also the Great Stew Chase, a 15K, which amounts to 9.3 miles, next month. It takes place on Feb. 9 at 10 a.m. at the Knights of Columbus on Lynnfield St. in Lynn. You can register at www.stewchase.com or through Facebook.Do you have a triathlon in your plans for 2014? Bob Levine of Lynn, who organizes the Nahant Triathlon (it starts the last Thursday of May), has some advice for triathletes training in winter.?You can run the beach,” Levine said. “It?s quite peaceful. You want to train and build up your leg muscles. Run on the sand.”As for the cycling part of a triathlon, Levine said, “You can do biking, not on ice and snow. I have seen some triathletes biking in the snow.” For the swimming component, he recommended the YMCA or the Lynn Tech pool.If you?re tempted by an obstacle race, several will take place in New England this year. The Tough Mudder obstacle race will hold events in Mount Snow, Vermont, on May 31 and June 1. Meanwhile, the Spartan Race will come to Amesbury for Spartan Sprint events on Aug. 9 and 10.No matter what your New Year?s resolutions might be, I wish you good luck in achieving them!If you have a resolution you?d like to email, you can do so at [email protected].