I know what you're thinking: "I'm not an athlete. I was picked last for volleyball. I couldn't even complete the Presidential Fitness Test in fourth grade!" Even if you panic at the mere suggestion of running (or biking or swimming) to a finish line, competing in a race really is a realistic and rewarding goal.

Whether setting your sights on something ambitious, like running a marathon, or something more modest, like completing a 5K run at a brisk walking pace, competing in a race can do wonders for your physical and mental fitness. The experience focuses your training efforts, strengthens your commitment to stick to a program, and perhaps most importantly, gives you confidence. Crossing your first finish line may inspire you to ask, "If I can do this, what else can I do that once seemed out of reach?"

If you'd like to give racing a try but don't know where to start, help is just a click away. Whether you want to swim, bike, run or do a combination of the three, you can find national organizations for each sport. At the national organizations' Web pages, you'll find listings and contact information for local clubs. These groups of regional enthusiasts can tell you when and where to find races, advise you on training, guide you to local resources, and most importantly, connect you with like-minded people of comparable ability for regularly scheduled runs, rides or swims.