Entering races is one of the most effective ways to ensure you'll actually train. Sign up online and pay the race fee ahead of time -- it's cheaper if you do it early and you'll have already paid for it so you'll be less likely to cop out. If boring old road races aren't your thing (they're definitely not my thing!) enter in a few of the new "adventure" races -- at night through city streets, on an obstacle course, or a mini-triathlon.
