Ladies, it is starting to emerge. It’s making its way from the depths of your closet, or in a drawer stuffed under your heavy wool winter socks. It’s your itsy-bitsy-teeny-weeny-yellow-polka-dot-bikini. Okay, so maybe you’re like me and you don’t own a bathing suit that matches this description because you’re not the subject of Paul Vance’s 1960 one-hit wonder. But chances are somewhere in that black hole of your closet, the bathing suit awaits. And gentleman, suck in your stomachs while you sport those swimming trunks. Summer is on its way.

It’s a known fact that gym memberships rise significantly in the month of January…and then rapidly decline. Sticking to New Year’s resolutions isn’t always easy, but imagine yourself in that bathing suit and it might be just enough motivation to get outside. I’m not talking about sweating in a stuffy gym, I’m talking about Vermont’s 6.1 mile Road to the Pogue race on Saturday, May 14. Start challenging yourself with a little morning jog and you’ll be surprised at how energized you’ll feel with a little fresh air. In no time, you’ll be ready for the race. The trail runs through the beautiful Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park and is challenging, but not impossible. Leap into spring by getting your heart rate up and making your body happy. Register online at www.roadtothepogue.com.