Something for everyone outdoors in Charleston

The older I get, the more I can feel the ebb and flow of life in relation to seasons, holidays, school, weather and community events. The pace of life speeds up, slows down, cheers up and mellows out.

With Labor Day weekend putting an unofficial close to yet another summer, it's time to return to more a more structured, predictable life.

I see that even in a calendar of fitness events that I keep updated on the Running Charleston blog on postandcourier.com. Amazingly, from now until mid-December, there is at least one -- usually more -- fitness-oriented event taking place. And most are for health-related charities.

And as I have said before, one of the best ways to stay in shape is to have a goal. So check out this array of events that is available right here in Charleston and do something. There is something for everyone -- walks, short runs and long runs, small events and big events, an outdoor spinning event, bike rides, a yoga marathon, and fun stuff, like holiday events that welcome costumes and walking or running in your pajamas.

The exercise won't be the only good thing about getting out and sweating. You will meet a diverse group of people, too.

Schedule

Sept. 11: The Bridge Ride. Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park. 6:45 a.m. Cycling and outdoor spinning events. http://www.eccocharleston.org.

Sept. 11: Francis Marion Dirt Dash, Half Marathon and 5K (on dirt roads). 8 a.m. Francis Marion National Forest, Awendaw. http://francismariondirtdash.blogspot.com.

Sept. 11: Leslie McCravy 5K Run. 8 a.m. Edwin S. Taylor Fishing Pier, Folly Beach. http://www.pethelpers.org/LeslieMcCravyRun.html.

Sept. 18: MUSC Wellness Run. 2-mile race. Charleston. www.musc.edu/hsc.

Sept. 18: Tanger Style Fit for Families 5K Run/Walk. 8:30 a.m. Tanger Outlet Center, North Charleston. www.tangeroutlet.com/race.

Sept. 19: Kiawah Island Triathlon. 7:30 a.m. Kiawah Island. www.theextramileinc.com. Contact logmanracing@comcast.net or 853-9987.

Sept. 25: The 2010 Start! Lowcountry Heart Walk. 8 a.m. More at http://startlowcountrysc.org or startwalk.lowcountrysc@heart.org or 853-1597.

Sept. 25: Carolina Children's Charity Run/Walk. 8K run, 2-mile fun run and walk. Hanahan. Contact Sonya Beala at (843) 554-6222.

Sept. 25: Make-A-Wish Foundation's 6th Waves & Wishes 5K. 8 a.m. Folly Beach pier. Contact Jessica Woolsey at jbcharleston@gmail.com or 843-860-4770.

Sept. 25: Trinity 5K Faith Run and Walk. 7 a.m. Greater New Bethel Sounds of Praise, Summerville. www.trinity5k.com.

Sept. 25: Mullins Lions Club Run for Sight 5K & 10K. 7:30 a.m. Mullins. Contact Dr. F.G. Mason at 843-464-8324 or fgmddsrun@bellsouth.net.

Oct. 2: Isle of Palms Connector Run for the Child. 10K and 5K. Isle of Palms. www.iopconnectorrun.com.

Oct. 9: Louie's Kids Yoga Marathon. Marion Square, Charleston. www.louieskids.org.

Oct. 9: Mount Pleasant Hospital Trot for Tots 5K Run/walk. 9 a.m. Roper St. Francis' new Mount Pleasant Hospital. www.active.com or www.mymountpleasanthospital.com.

Oct. 9: Kiwanis Club of Summerville 5K. 9 a.m. St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Summerville. www.setupevents.com or cthornton@dhwealthadvisors.com.

Oct. 16: Komen Lowcountry Race for the Cure. 9 a.m. Daniel Island. www.komenlowcountry.org.

Oct. 16-17: Folly Beach Challenge Weekend. Kayak and stand-up paddleboard races on Oct. 16. 2nd annual challenge -- consisting of a paddle, bike and run -- on Oct. 17. www.ccprc.com.

Oct. 23: Crowfield Plantation 5K run and walk. 8:30 a.m. Middleton Park, 101 Hunters Lane, Crowfield Plantation, Goose Creek. http://www.crowfieldhoa.org/news.php.

Oct. 24: Jerry Zucker Ride for Hope. Metric and half metric century bike rides. Francis Marion National Forest. http://charlestonrideforhope.com.

Oct. 24: Barrier Island ECOthon. 5-mile paddle, 10-mile run/trek, a total of a 0.6 mile of swimming and a 20-mile bike ride. Starts at George Garris Boat Landing, Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge in Awendaw. Brett Carlson at 530-0843 or ecothon@gmail.com.

Oct. 30: Fight For Air Run/Walk (formerly known as the Asthma Walk). 9 a.m. Folly Beach. www.FightForAirRunWalk.org.

Nov. 6: James Island Connector Run. 10K and 5K. 8 a.m. www. jamesislandconnectorrun.com.

Nov. 11: Holiday Festival of Lights Fun Run & Walk. James Island County Park. www.ccprc.com.

Nov. 13: Folly Beach 10 Mile Run and 5 Mile Walk. 8 a.m. Folly Beach. www.theextramileinc.com.

Nov. 13: Old Village Harbor Run. 8:30 a.m. Mount Pleasant. www.townofmountpleasant.com.

Nov. 13: Knology Pajama Run and Walk. 5K. 10 a.m. Joe Riley Park, Charleston. www.knology.com/ pajamarun.

Nov. 20: Run for Thanks. 9 a.m. Pinopolis. Bill Greene, 899-2275.

Nov. 25: Knights of Columbus Turkey Day Run. www.turkeydayrun.com.

Dec 1-5: Festivelo bike festival 303-3334 or www.FestiVELO.org

Dec. 4: Reindeer Run. 9 a.m. Charleston. Charleston. www. reindeerrun.com.

Dec. 11: Kiawah Island Marathon and Half Marathon. www.kiawah-resort.com/recreation/marathon.

Reach David Quick at dquick@postandcourier.com or 937-5516. See updates at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/running_blog