This past May long weekend, Thunder Bay’s annual Ten Mile Road Race drew nearly a thousand dedicated runners completing the ten-mile course. Running a ten-mile race is by no means an easy task; months in advance of preparation are needed to successfully complete such a distance under a time constraint. For seasoned runners, the Ten Mile Road Race offers the opportunity to reach a new personal best. For novice runners, it can represent a chance to pursue new goals and challenges.
One of the pleasures of living in Thunder Bay is the wealth of athletic opportunity for its residents to take part in. From dry land to water sports, like running, rock climbing, to kayaking, there are plenty of activities for a new athlete to get involved in. With summer right around the corner, there is no better time to get involved with a new sport. And one of the best places to start your new journey is at the Thunder Bay Public Library (TBPL).
One of the greatest appeals of running is the accessibility of the sport. Nearly any able-bodied person can begin to run. With minimal gear and plenty of enthusiasm, running can be embraced by nearly anyone. Ian MacNeill’s The Beginning Runner’s Handbook: The Proven 13-week RunWalk Program is a guaranteed useful tool for new runners. Written with professional insight, MacNeill’s handbook provides useful instruction that ranges from how to properly train, to setting goals, as well as the importance of maintaining a healthy diet.
If running is not for you, perhaps a water sport is what you seek. Lakes and rivers surround Thunder Bay’s geography, which make water sports easily accessible. Kayaking is a great hobby if you enjoy both the serene and/or extreme side of the sport. Falcon Guides’ Kayaking and Bill Mattos’ Kayaking Manual: The Essential Guide to all Kinds of Kayaking are immersive photographic books that illustrate different forms of kayaking. Along with basic introduction to paddling technique, these books will leave you hungry for the actual experience. Along with recreational enjoyment, competitive athlete Jodi Bigelow’s Kayaking For Fitness: An 8-week Program to Get Fit and Have Fun uses kayaking as a tool to increase core fitness.
If you are looking for a water sport that is labour intensive but not as extreme, consider taking up rowing. While rowing can be enjoyed from a competitive or recreational perspective, it is a sport that demands concentration and good technique, and rewards in fitness. Keith Mayberry’s Rowing: The Essential Guide to Equipment and Technique is a step-by-step approach that instructs how to prepare yourself and the boat, the importance of posture and balance, all the way to successfully rowing. With practice, rowing can become an exhilarating and rewarding experience. To better understand the dynamic between determination and reward, check out Daniel James Brown’s The Boys in The Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at The 1936 Berlin Olympics, the true account of eight rowers and a coxswain as they train to compete at the 1936 Olympics.
All the aforementioned resources are just some of the ways one can begin to get involved with the athletic scene in Thunder Bay. TBPL is a great place to network with other athletes and discover what community programs are available. Be sure to check the monthly calendars on the TBPL website using the “view all library events” link to see if any exciting events could take place. Meeting spaces are also available for community organizations to share information and experiences.
Petar Vidjen
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