Nevada Area Multisport gearing up for 2010

NEVADA, Mo. -- As 2009 comes to an end and everyone is getting ready for 2010, it's that time of the year when people reflect on the past and think of the future. It's typical to think about how one can improve on oneself in the coming year.

People think about a list of common topics such as how to be a better spouse or parent or how to be more financially responsible. People also think about how to improve lifestyle habits, which often includes losing weight, quitting smoking or starting to exercise to make lifestyle changes. As we enter into the new year, this is where people wipe the slate clean and take a fresh look at self improvements with the goal, "I am going to get better this year."

Nevada Area Multisports is an informal group of people with approximately 40 members who get together in a supportive environment to promote a healthy, active lifestyle, regardless of athletic ability. The organization is non-competitive with the desire to help each individual accomplish their personal training goals.

In today's athletic communities, triathlons and duathlons are much more common and our organization provides a group environment where individuals can train for these events. The group currently has more runners and cyclists who show up at weekly group activities than do swimmers or walkers. The group really wants to encourage and promote more individuals to participate in group walking in the coming year.

As time goes along, the organization hopes that group swimming will pick up, too. The organization has existed for about a year in Nevada and provides the community -- completely free of cost -- the opportunity to participate in group walking, running and cycling. Swimming is available, but does involve some out-of-pocket cost.

Last fall, the Multisports group sponsored a walk, 5K and 10K race to benefit the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign and raised around $1,300.

You don't have to be a serious athlete or a seasoned athlete to be a part of this organization. Anyone who seeks an active healthy life is welcome to join. In January and the upcoming spring season, the organization will be gearing up to promote group training activities.

There are some Multisports participants that will be running in the Groundhog Run in a man-made underground cave in January in Kansas City, Mo. Also, there is a group of individuals who plan on training for a marathon in the spring. Currently, weather permitting, the group meets at the Osage Prairie YMCA in Nevada on Saturday mornings at 9:30 a.m., for group outdoor runs.

Anyone interested is encourages to to visit the organization's Web site at http://nevadaareamultisport.weebly.com for more details on the organization as well as information about running activities, including the Groundhog Run in Kansas City, Mo.