There’s no better way to blow off steam and stay in shape than running or biking this fair city. And whether you need a little help working the winter kinks out of your joints, or you’re simply looking for a way to dissipate some of your boundless energy, Springfield’s biggest running and biking groups have something for you. Even if you’re not a seasoned veteran sporting the fanciest gear, even if you’ve never laced up a pair of running shoes or your only bicycle still has a basket and streamers, these groups offer training to fit your level of skill and fitness. And it doesn’t hurt that they’re genuinely helpful and encouraging as well.

The , formed in 1980, now has about 1,100 members and helps runners get moving with training groups and races throughout the year.

Summer runs include informal evening meetups at Washington Park and Sacred Heart Griffin track during the week, as well as longer morning runs taking off from downtown spots on Saturdays.

“If you set a goal to run a race, you’ve got something to shoot for,” says Tim McCaughey, president of SRRC. “If you’re just running a little bit here and there, it’s really easy to talk yourself out of that. The idea is to run that first 5k, then a second 5k, and if your second time is faster, you know you’ve accomplished something.”

All of that preparation and training should be put to use, so the SRRC has races throughout the summer to test your mettle. , a 10k road race, is run Aug. 22, the last day of the Illinois State Fair, preceded by a 12-week training course for SRRC members. The training course, called Abe’s Army, is already underway, but it’s not too late to start training on your own. The SRRC can plug you in to other summer races as well, from the two-mile July 10 and the on July 21 to the 15k in Peoria on June 19.

“It’s a lot easier to train with a group than to train on your own because of the friendships you develop,” McCaughey says. “They help you keep motivated. The camaraderie is unbelievable. Heck, I started running 10 years ago, and some of my best friends are in the road runners club.”

If cycling is more your speed, the will keep you pushing the pedals this summer. They offer group rides nearly every day of the year, from leisurely jaunts to tougher long-distance rides.

“It can be a lot of fun,” says Karl Kohlrus, SBC president. “You make a lot of friends, because it’s really a social club. Once you get out on the quiet country roads, you can ride side-by-side and talk. It’s a fun way for every-