Take a Look

When you're driving and you see a runner, do you turn your head to take a look?  I do.  It's a weird habit of mine.  I can't help but look at every runner I pass by in my car.  What am I looking at?

I look at their gait, their pace, their brand of running shoe, and their accessories.  I like to see whether or not they are wearing their iPhone, iPod, Garmin, water pack, cap or visor.  Sometimes I like to guess if the person is a casual or a competitive runner in training by what they wear and how they run.  It's like browsing through a running magazine, only live!

During the winter months, my running is scarce.  I usually run after work, but now that the sun goes down at 5PM I haven’t been running.  In December, my kids are on vacation and at home with me so I rarely have time to run.  So it is this time that I notice my looks turn into a gaze. 

"I wish that were me running right now," I'd say in admiration as I drive down the highway towing my kids around.  And when I see a runner in the wee hours of the morning or late at night, I shake my head and mutter, "That's dedication."

If you’re like me and have been on a hiatus, don’t fret.  Remind yourself that it is only temporary.  This is a time to refresh, refuel, recover, and re-energize yourself for your next running season.  For now, it’s okay to “look” at what others are doing.  Let them be your source of inspiration.

So if you see a woman in a silver Honda Pilot with boys in the back seat, staring at you, don't be alarmed.  I'm not a stalker.  I'm just a person yearning to be running...instead of driving.  And it could be YOU who inspires me to run with a pink skort.  It could be YOU who inspires me to run barefoot.  It could be YOU who inspires me to start running today!

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW

Ever wondered what to do with your old or unused running shirts?

If you’re like me, you don’t want to throw your shirts away because it is a reminder of your run event and your accomplishment.  The site of my shirts is like walking down memory lane.  I could pick out any one of my shirts and tell you the weather, my finishing time, and the challenges I faced during that particular race.  So the best thing to do is to turn your old t-shirts into something new. 

I've seen running shirts transformed into a quilted blanket or pillow.  But my friend Christine had a better idea.  She took my old, barely worn t-shirts and turned it into a scarf!

Turning your shirts into a scarf is not only fun and useful; it’s a great conversation piece you can take with you wherever you go.  It’s a story on a scarf!

 

Visit Christine’s blog to view more of her cool ideas of transforming something old into something new.  http://www.sewingandripping.blogspot.com/

If you pay her a visit, be sure to say Running-girl sent you! 

I interrupt this blog for an important message...

Hello everyone,
As you know, I love to run.  But what you may not know is that I like to write...not just blogs, but children's stories.  A lot of my stories and ideas transpires on my run.  The longer the run, the better the flow of my creative juices.

Anyway, I am writing to ask for your support.  My story, Funny Face, qualified for the MeeGenius author challenge.    The winning author gets a publishing contract, $1500 cash, and a MeeGenius library donated to the school of my choice.  Please visit MeeGenius, read my story, and "like" it.  But you have to hurry.  Voting ends December 18.  Please feel free to share with your friends!

Thank you so much for your support!
~Happy running...and reading!

Mentoring

It’s not uncommon for runners to lose the enthusiasm that once engulfed them when they first started running.  I've been there.  You can read about my dilemma in previous posts:  The Running Blahs, Confessions of a Runner, The Running Routine

So how do we make it exciting again?  You can play running games...with yourself; or you can mentor a new runner.  Here's how:

Go find someone to mentor.  You’ve heard it from family members, co-workers, and friends,

“I wish I could run.”

Take that as an invitation to lend your running experience. Encourage him or her to run and be the mentor you wished you had when you first started.  As a mentor you are there to motivate, inspire, and encourage.  

Discuss goals.  It can be as simple as running a mile without stopping to running their first marathon.  Set up a schedule to run together regularly.  You'll find that the accountability to each other will motivate you to get out and run even when you don't feel like it.  Your role as mentor will give you a new sense of being and give new life to your running.  Try it! 

Take the challenge and I promise you you’ll find your enthusiasm again.

Got Water?

Water is cooling.  Water is refreshing.  Water is quenching.

I can’t go on a run without carrying a water bottle or wearing a hydration pack- no matter what the distance is.  It’s like a safe haven for me.

I like to be prepared and would hate to be without water when I need it most.  My routes don’t offer water options.  I don’t always have the luxury of water fountains or convenience stores conveniently placed on my route.  So I bring my own water. 

One hot day in San Francisco, I was surprised to see the number of runners who didn't carry water.  Running in the heat makes me thirsty.  I wondered why most runners didn’t carry water with them.  Is it because they feel they are not running far enough or long enough to need it?  And what it the minimum distance a runner will run before they feel it necessary to carry water?  This led me to my poll questions. 

I’m inviting all runners, new and seasoned, to take my poll which is located on the right of the blog. Help me understand your running habits.  I'll be sharing my results with you at a later time.


Happy Running...and remember to BYOW!  

The Liebster Award, Part 2

This is the moment you've been waiting for.  As I mentioned in my previous post, I was awarded the Liebster Blog Award by Lady Gwen of Run Gwen Run.  And it is my honor to award the Liebster Blog to five of my favorite blogs. 

And the winner is...
(In no particular order)


Picture This!
http://www.robsanderswrites.blogspot.com/
Rob Sanders is a children's author and educator who offers his expertise on writing for children.  His daily guide to picture book writing is a valuable resource for me.   If you want to learn how to write a picture book, this is a great place to visit.


A Family That Reads Together
http://kidlitblog.wordpress.com/
A blog that promotes reading.  Author, Wendy Lawrence  includes a book list that highlights new and classic books that she recommends.  She also has ideas and activities you can share with your children.  A great resource for parents, guardians, and teachers.


Sewing and Ripping, etc.
http://www.sewingandripping.blogspot.com/
This is such a wonderful place to exercise your creativity.  If you like crafting, this is the place for you.  Christine's blog is all about making something new out of something old.  Her motto:  Repurpose, reuse, remake, redo.

Food is My Favorite
http://www.foodismyfavorite.com/
I think the blog title says it all.  This blog is all about food.  The author, Janice, shares her food adventures and captures the mouthwatering flavors all on camera. One of her fun activities is finding the best burgers in town.  Find out what's in store for her next by visiting her blog.

The Tao of Me
http://www.inaomi.com/
I absolutely adore this blog!  The color palate, the lay-out, and logo are all very cute.  Aside from the aesthetics, this blog is a fun read.  Naomi's personality is reflected in her writing.  She writes about her running experience and also writes great reviews on the events she's participated in.  


Congratulations to the winners!  Now it's your turn to spread the love.  Just copy the Liebster Blog Award and paste it into you sidebar and link back to my blog from yours.  Then award the Liebster Blog Award to five of your favorites.


-Happy running...and blogging!

The Leibster Award! (Part 1)

I don't usually like running in circles, but today I am.  My face is glowing, my arms are flailing, I'm jumping up and down, and running in circles.  No, this is not a new-age exercise.  It's my HAPPY DANCE!

But sorry to disappoint you.  I'm not dancing because I mastered the art of drinking out of a paper cup while running, without spilling all over myself.  Or have I been able to call an 8-minute mile my "easy pace."  And no, I haven't won first, overall, in the 5k women's division.  Better yet...I won the Liebster Blog award for favorite blog! 

After 2 years, 37 posts, and 24 followers, I finally recieved my first award from Lady Gwen at Run, Gwen, Run.  The Liebster Blog award is given to bloggers, with less than 200 followers, who have inspired others in some way.  The Liebster award helps spread the word about new bloggers to the blogging community. The idea is to give a little, get a lot.

Thank you, Lady Gwen, for your kindness and generosity.  Lady Gwen is a blogger after my own heart.  We are both runners and aspiring book authors.  According to Lady Gwen's husband, who is a linguist, "liebster" means favorite.  And she is definitely a Liebster Blog award winner in my book.  But now the torch has been passed on.  As a recepient of the Liebster Blog, I have the honorable task of awarding 5 other bloggers this award. 

Please stay tuned for my selection of the next recipients of the Liebster Blog award...