Staying active in winter

But even while winter continues to cling to the streets of Portland, it is possible to maintain - or bring back - that active and fit person you knew last summer.

That pact with Sloth CAN be broken. You CAN TiVo "Mother May I Sleep with Danger" and watch it later.

There's plenty of outdoor activity going on in Greater Portland to keep your heart rate elevated all season.

WINTER RUNNING GROUPS

If you're inspired by a group (because you're inherently competitive or conversely require peer pressure to keep motivated) there are several winter running groups in town.

Join Casco Bay Sports for a social running group on Mondays at 6:00 pm. This 3-5 mile winter run launches from the Eastern Prom and ends with a well-earned beverage at The Snug or North Star Music Cafe. And it's free to participate, so your money can instead be spent post-run. FMI: www.cascobaysports.com

Maine Running Company has a few options. The Freaky Bean runs leave from the Freaky Bean in South Portland at 7:00 am every Sunday. You might need a few ounces of dark roast to wake up that early on a weekend.

If the stresses at the office reach a point of near explosion, try the Thursday night runs that leave from the Maine Running Company store at 6:00 pm. There is a $60 for 1st time "Winter" Training Program Participants.

For women who find that an after-work run suits their schedule better, there's the ladies night run/walk every Tuesday night. There's a $60 fee.

Reach the Beacon training for the August 1 TD Banknorth Beach to Beacon 10K starts at Maine Running Company on March 12. It's hard to think about August while you scrape ice off your car, but starting early helps ensure you'll be ready come race time. And speaking from experience, this training group is ideal for novice runners. In addition to the runs, you'll hear experts talk about pertinent issues like nutrition, stretching and proper gear. FMI: www.mainerunning.com

For the merry beer-drinking faction of runners, get ye to the Portland Hash House Harriers. This "drinking group with a running problem" meets every weekend at one of Portland's watering holes. It ends at one of Portland's watering holes too. In between there's running through town (sometimes in costume to frighten the onlookers).

Hash runs do involved running - but the focus is on being social and having a good time, so slow or novice runners needn't fear. FMI: portlandhashers@gmail.com or on Facebook.

WINTER RACES

Running for running's sake is still a noble activity, but nothing motivates quite like a finish line. Especially a finish line with free grub and some beer behind it.

If you deign to bundle for any winter race this season, make it the Snowman Adventure on Feb. 21. It's a two-person relay that starts and ends with a sled down the hill on the Eastern Prom. One team member is responsible for running 2.25 miles, the other for biking 4.5.

The race goes on rain or blizzard, so dress appropriately. And to knock off any chill you might've caught along the way, the post-race soups from Maine Squeeze Juice Cafe should do the trick. After that, racers head to Ri Ra for happy hour and awards.

And heads up: if you're not costumed, you'll feel out of place, according to race coordinator Patrick Hackleman. FMI: www.snowmanadventure.com.

The St. Patrick's Day-inspired Irish Road Rover 5K has been running (pun intended) for over a decade. The course heads up India Street to the Eastern Prom, loops back and ends agreeably close to Brian Boru. Hint, hint.

While this March 8 race tends to garner more sersious racers than the Snowman Adventure, I don't think you'd be out of line wearing a leprechaun hat. FMI: www.irishroadrover.com.

Mary's Walk and Kerrymen Pub Road Race on March 15 enables walkers and runners to do some good for others while they do some good for themselves. "Since its inception in 1999 Mary's Walk has raised over $1,000,000 for cancer research in Maine." That's something to be proud of, in addition to crossing the finish line like a champ.

Both the walk and run are 5Ks - and both end in the Kerryman Pub parking lot in Saco with piles of donated food. It's a well-earned feast of pizza, subs and bananas. You're welcome to duck into the pub, too, though plan to get there early and stake out some space. It gets a crazy kind of packed. FMI: www.maryswalk.org

Peak Performance is hosting a free Winter Duathlon Training & Race on Feb 21. It all takes place at the snow-coated Riverside Golf Course in Portland. They're calling it a "Low-key, no fees, grass-roots" event.

The course includes a 2K run on the roads, a 5K ski and another 1K on the road to finish. There's also a training session an hour before the race. FMI: www.mypeakmultisport.com

If you've been harboring trithlon fantasies but think there's nothing you can do about it until the summer, the March 1 Pineland Farms Winter Tri might be for you. It ain't your momma's triathlon. It's a 4K snowshoe run, 10K mountain bike (on roads) and 8K cross-country ski. I think we've all harbored a few fantasies about running in snowshoes. There's just something graceful and courtly about it.

You can enter as an individual or get some pals together for a relay. And everyone will enjoy the snowy scenery at Pineland. FMI: www.tri-maine.com.

Sure, watching every Office episode back to back in one sitting is quite a feat. But your body and your good spirits will thank you for ditching the couch this winter (after the soreness wears off, of course).

- Shannon Bryan