The Workout: Kick Off Your Summer Right

June is in full swing, which means it's time to kick-off summer, starting with Father's Day on Sunday. Personally, I cling to the belief that Father's Day is a time for Dad to bond with the kids. Somewhere else. For the entire day. And if Mom gets a day to sit home alone and read a book, well, that's just a nice bonus. So, to that end, instead of letting Dad take a nap in the hammock, consider having him get a little exercise before that well-deserved rest.

Most Dads love golf. It's almost a prerequisite to the whole fatherhood thing. If that's the case in your household, check out the Park District of Highland Park's Father/Son Golf Tournament. It's a chance for the gentlemen in the family to spend an entire day together working on their game. 

For some family bonding that involves a little more cardio, try a Father's Day running event. The whole gang could join in for the Loop the Loop for Kids Father's Day 5k Run/Walk. If Dad wants to channel his inner rock-star runner, have him run the Chicago Rock and Roll 5k.  Or perhaps the Dad in your family is more of a “let's just play it by ear” kind of guy. If so, he can participate in the Father's Day Virtual Run. Dad can decide for himself when and where he wants to hit the pavement. Maybe the course will just be from the hammock to the refrigerator for a cold one, but hey, every step counts.  

For a completely different kind of celebration, look ahead to the Summer Solstice next week on the longest day of the year, June 21^st. Why should we care about the Summer Solstice? Take a moment to remember the short days of December, when the sun wasn't up 'til late morning and set just a few hours later in the mid-afternoon. We were light-deprived and anxious for summer. This is our chance to make up for it: 15 hours, 13 minutes, and 31 seconds of sunshine on Tuesday. Get out there and make every minute count.  

Local yoga studios Generations and Breathe are doing special events in honor of the Summer Solstice: outdoor sessions featuring 108 Sun Salutations. Yes, you read that right, 108 Sun Salutations, outside in the fresh air.

The Generations Summer Solstice event is Monday at 9:15 a.m. at Gilson Beach in Wilmette, and the cost is $20. The Breathe Summer Solstice event is Tuesday June 21^st at 11:00 a.m. at Kalk Park in Glencoe (off Park just East of Green Bay) and it's free, with donations accepted to benefit the Lynn Sage Cancer Research Foundation.

If you miss those events, the summer celebration continues next weekend with the Summer Sunset 5k Run/Walk through Busse Woods in Schaumburg on Sunday afternoon. The 4:00 p.m. start time should appeal to those runners who aren't morning people. 

Next weekend also brings us Glencoe's largest sporting event: the Glencoe Grand Prix on Saturday June 25^th.  Bicycle racers of all levels - including international cyclists - will descend upon the North Shore to compete in this exhilarating event. What's more, it benefits a good cause: the Glencoe Educational Foundation. There are activities for the whole family, including kids races, so plan to make a day of it on Saturday watching some great cycling right here in our own back yard.

Looking for a challenge of your own? Next weekend features the Pleasant Prairie (WI) triathlon and the BigFoot Triathlon in Lake Geneva (WI). Get out and give it a try. Or just take a lesson from Dad and practice your sprints from the hammock to the refrigerator. Happy June!