Registration Opens For Annual 'Y Be Fit Palm Desert Challenge'

From FG Creative: Registration for the 4th Annual Y Be Fit Palm Desert Challenge, set for Sunday, October 1, is well underway, with more three-person relay teams signing up for the Reverse Mini-Triathlon, and the 5K Run/Walk. Now is the time to ramp up training and making the commitment to participate in this fun day of health, wellness and fitness with family and friends. All proceeds directly benefit the many programs of the Valley’s own Family YMCA of the Desert, which works with over 3,800 children every day, at 41 locations across the Coachella Valley.

There’s still time to get ready for either of the events, even during the last days of summer. The event organizers, Family YMCA of the Desert, encourage the Mini-Triathlon participants, whether doing it solo or in a three-person relay team, to train in a variety of ways. Swimming laps is the best way to stay fit and prepare, and the Palm Desert Aquatic Center is the perfect place to train and get the feel of swimming the 300 meters required. Swimming also helps with overall fitness and can assist 5K participants in staying fit while the heat stays high. Daily lap swim times can be found here.

For the cycling portion of the Reverse Mini-Tri, since the 10-mile course is relatively level, hill training is not necessary, so athletes should focus their training on level terrain and get started early in the morning, before temperatures start rising. Indoor, stationary bikes are also recommended for weather-safe cycling training. When training outdoors, be sure to check the air pressure in your tires for maximum energy conservation and consider the use of bike shoes designed with stiffer soles to provide more efficient energy transfer as you pedal.

To prepare for the run portion, consider short runs building up to greater distances to increase speed and endurance. As with the cycling portion, start your conditioning early in the morning, before it heats up. As hill training is not necessary, also consider conditioning indoors, on a treadmill, this will allow you to train at any time of day, without succumbing to the desert heat. As conditioning progresses, begin combining running, cycling, and swimming into one session to condition muscles and prepare them for the transition phases of the Reverse Mini-Triathlon.

For those wishing to participate in the Reverse Mini-Triathlon but are not confident in their ability to complete all three legs, consider joining a team where each team member will complete one leg of the race, relay style. Palm Desert Aquatic Center has offered to help match participants with potential teammates, so if you are a cycling enthusiast, or a runner, but not a swimmer, call PDAC today to get matched up with a partner who will take over that part of the event!

The 4th Annual Y Be Fit PD Challenge begins and ends at Palm Desert Civic Center Park, at 43900 San Pablo Avenue. A Health and Fitness Fair will be held at Civic Center Park and PDAC from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., including vendor and information booths, entertainment, and activities. In addition to participants in the event, the public is invited to attend the fair. Activities will include a mini-Boot Camp with the 29 Palms Marine Base, pool-side yoga, spin classes, and more.

Family YMCA of the Desert is one chapter of the national YMCA, a leading nonprofit organization, strengthening valley communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. This event raises money for the more than 3,800 YMCA children that participate daily in various youth programs across the Coachella Valley. The sponsors for the Y Be Fit Challenge are City of Palm Desert, YMCA, FG Creative, Inc., Burrtec, Prime Time International, Alpha Media, FirstBank, CV Weekly, The Desert Sun, Klein Clark Sports, Palm Desert Aquatic Center, Desert Willow Golf Resort, and JNS Next. Those interested in sponsoring the event, can contact Family YMCA of the Desert at (760) 341-9622.

Early bird registration is available until August 31; the 1K Color Run is $10 (YMCA members $5), the 5K Run/Walk is $30, the Reverse Mini-Triathlon is $40, and the Reverse Mini-Tri Team is $70. For more information or to register visit here or call (760) 341-9622.

For more information on the Family YMCA of the Desert visit here.

Image via Pixabay