I am slowly trying to get back into shape. It’s hard for me to imagine that a year ago I was close to finishing up my marathon training program. After a lazy winter (and spring—and summer), I started the search for a community to help motivate my out-of-shape legs and lungs back to their competing condition.

The Pearl Street Runners offers a great opportunity to run in downtown Boulder every Wednesday night; they meet at 6:15 and start running at 6:30 p.m.

The group runs a 5K loop to and from Conor O’Neills. After, Conor’s offers free pasta and salad, and $1 off beers. (Hey, we’ve got to replenish the calories somehow.)

Bonus: Pearl Street Runners also has a hill-running group, which meets on Tuesdays at 6:15 p.m. at the Hungry Toad. After, the runners often gather at the Toad for dinner and beers.