This week, let's take a somewhat early look at the 2015 swim, bike, walk, run and fun schedule. With spring quickly approaching, it is time to start planning which of the many different events you want to sign up for! This year, we have a number of new events like standup paddle board races and many events that will be missed like the St. Joe River Marathon.

2015 at a glance

Feb. 7: Frosty Eagle Half Marathon and 5 Mile, Seattle

Feb. 22: Leprechaun Scurry 3 Mile Walk/Run, Coeur d'Alene

Feb. 28: Richland Run Fest Marathon, Half and 5K, Richland, Wash.

March 14: 8th Annual Centennial Trail Run up to 37 miles, Spokane

Match 15: St. Paddy's Five Mile Run, Spokane

March 21: Rapid Rabbit Run 3 Mile and 5 Mile Run, Spokane Valley

March 22: Mead Marching Madness 5K, Spokane

March 28: Spokane Super Hero Run 5K, Spokane

April 11: Hope Run, 10K, 5K and Kid's Run, Spokane

April 11: Rock Creek Ramble, 100K, 50K, 30K and Half Marathon, Sprague, Wash.

April 12: Negative Split Spokane Half Marathon and 5K, Spokane

April 12: Hauser Lake 10K Ice Breaker, Hauser

April 18: 27th annual Grizzly Triathlon, Missoula, Mont.

April 19: Spring Dash 5 Mile Run, Coeur d'Alene

April 19: Spokane River run 50K, 25K, 10K and 5K Trail run, Spokane

April 26: Lilac Century and Family Bike Ride 100, 66, 25 and 15 Mile Rides, Spokane

May 3: 39th annual Bloomsday 12K, Spokane

May 9: State Park Series No. 1 Farragut State Park, Half Marathon and 5 Miles, Athol

May 8-5, 9: North West Paddlefest, Lake Sammamish, Wash.

May 9: Spartan Beast 12 Plus Mile Mud and Obstacle Run, Big Fork, Mont.

May 16: America's Armed Forces Kid's Run, Spokane

May 16: Breakthrough For Brain Tumors 5K Walk/Run, Spokane

May 16: Tour de Cure 100, 50, 25 and 4 Mile Rides, Spokane

May 24: Coeur d'Alene Marathon, Half Marathon and 5K Run, Coeur d'Alene

May 23-24: 24 Hours Around the Clock MT Bike 14.8 Mile Laps, Spokane

May 24: Priest Lake Spring Run Half Marathon, 10K, 5K and Kid's Dash, Priest Lake

May 24: 22nd Annual Onion Man Triathlon, Walla Walla, Wash.

May 30: Liberty Lake Trail Run 8 Miles, Liberty Lake, Wash.

May 30: Spokane Troika Half Ironman, Spokane

June 6: Woodrat 25er MT Bike Race 25 Mile or 12 Mile, Priest Lake

June 7: 7th Annual Windermere Marathon and Half Marathon, Liberty Lake, Wash.

June 7: Bay Trail Fun Run 10K, 5K, Sandpoint

June 13: State Park Series No. 2 Heyburn State Park, Half Marathon and 5 Miles, Plummer

June 13: Color Me Rad 5K, Spokane

June 20: Trail Rail Run 50 Mile 50K, 30K and 12K, Mullan

June 28: Ironman Triathlon, Coeur d'Alene

July 11: Let's Climb a Mountain 34.3 Miles, Spokane

July 11: Hayden Triathlon, Hayden Lake

July 11: Seattle to Portland Bike Ride 202 Miles, Seattle

July 12: Jacey's Race 5K, Sandpoint

July 12: The Valley Girl Triathlon, Liberty Lake

July 18: The Dirty Dash 3.5 Mile Mud and Obstacle Run, Nine Mile, Wash.

July 18: Kids Race The River Triathlon, Coeur d'Alene

July 19: Windermere SUP CUP (Paddle Board), Missoula, Mont.

July 19: 8th Annual Race The River Triathlon, Coeur d'Alene

July 25: State Park Series No. 3 Mount Spokane, Half Marathon and 5 Miles, Spokane

Aug. 1: Long Bridge Swim 1.76 Miles, Sandpoint

Aug. 8: 32nd Annual Coeur d'Alene Triathlon and Duathlon, Coeur d'Alene

Aug. 14-15: Spokane To Sandpoint Run or Walk Overnight Relay, Spokane

Aug. 16: The CDA Crossing 2.4 Mile Swim, Coeur d'Alene

Aug. 29: Priest Lake Triathlon, Priest Lake

Sept. 12: State Park Series No. 4 Ponderosa State Park, Half Marathon and 5 Miles, McCall

Sept. 19-20: Bike MS Trail of the Coeur d'Alene's 150 mile or 84 Mile 1 or 2 day Option, Silver Mountain, Kellogg

Sept. 20: The Scenic Half Marathon 10K and 5K Run, Sandpoint

Sept. 26: Priest Lake Marathon, 50K, 25K and Half, Priest Lake

Sept. 26: Valleyfest Run for a Cause 10K, 5K, Spokane Valley

Sept. 26: Coeur d'Fondo 108, 85, 37 or 15 Mile Bike Ride, Coeur d'Alene

Oct. 17: Hayden Lake Marathon, Hayden

As I mentioned, not all events are listed since they have not set actual dates this early in the year. I was not able to confirm all dates with organizers, so dates or information may change. If you know of an event and do not see it listed, please email me information with its date to [email protected] and I will do an updated schedule in March.

As always, here are those basic points to consider when preparing to participate in any distance or multi-sports event:

* Be sure to read and understand all event details like age limits, packet pickup times, start times and course map. Most races require you to sign a liability waiver. Read them before you sign.

* Race distances vary depending on age group, type of race and in some cases, the event could be an open fun run for a charity with no set distance requirements.

* Ensure you're outfitted with appropriate shoes, clothing, hat, sunscreen, etc. for the weather conditions and type of race. If you're not properly prepared, it can lead to a very unhappy set of blisters, a sunburn or a chilly outing!

* Set a goal to participate in a set number of events throughout the year. Tie a fitness program to these goals and recruit friends and family to train with you.

Coeur d'Alene and the Northwest is one of the most beautiful places in the country and with so many events scheduled, make every weekend count. Now get involved, sign up, compete or volunteer... just be sure to have fun.

Judd Jones is a director for the Hagadone Corporation.