Welcome Runner's Lounge - Yoga for Runners

I'm today's host for Take it and Run Thursday over at the Runner's Lounge blog, and want to extend a huge welcome to everyone at the Lounge reading this. Before we get today's topic, here's a little about me.

About Me
I started running a year and a half ago after I finished a 2 mile race that I mostly walked. I sprinted to the finish, and crossing that finish line changed me. I decided then that I wanted to be able to run more than just a final sprint, so I started C25K. Since then, I've lost almost 30 lbs and finished over two dozen races: countless 5Ks, 2 10Ks, 2 half marathons, a duathlon, and a few triathlons. (You can read all about these experiences in my race reports.) I am now training for my first full marathon at the end of February 2010. I've been lucky to have a boyfriend and parents that not only support me, but run along with me :) We'll be doing a marathon relay in February.

For more details of my running journey, read My Evolution as a Runner. And check out the slideshow of my running milestones below, from my first race, to running with my parents, to my first half marathon, to my first duathlon and triathlon. You can also view the photos on flickr with commentary.



Today's Topic: Yoga and Running

I find yoga to be an excellent companion to my running to avoid injury, improve flexibility, and help relieve sore muscles after a hard workout or race. Tell us about your experience with yoga as it relates to running. If you have not tried it, why not? If you have, did it help? How often do you feature yoga in your weekly workout regime? What are your favorite yoga poses and routines? Pass on your recommendations for your favorite yoga DVDs, instructors, podcasts, online resources, etc.

I've written about this topic before, but I am curious about other's take on it. I try to do yoga whenever I can, at least once a week, on my rest day, but I often follow most hard workouts with a short yoga session, or whenever something aches I try to target it with yoga. I find it helps me recover faster.

YOGAmazing
I've been mostly doing Chaz's podcast from http://yogamazing.com and I love them. They are easy to follow, only 20-25 minutes, and targeted for specific needs -- such as yoga for runners, for knees, etc. You can download the last 20-25 for free from iTunes, or purchase older episodes from the archives for $1.99. I highly recommend them.

Rodney Yee
In addition to these, I still also use Rodney Yee's Yoga Conditioning for Athletes. This DVD includes a 1 hour practice geared towards athletes with pose modifications for all levels. It also has several sport specific mini workouts (cycling, running, golf, swimming, and tennis), about 5-7 mins each, that can be used as a pre/post run stretch. I also own several of his other DVDs, and I've yet to find any I did not like.

iYogaLife
Below is a list of some of my favorite yoga poses for runners (I'm sure I am forgetting many). Most of these are featured in the YOGAmazing for runners podcast. For details on these and other poses, check out http://www.iyogalife.com/poses/. This site is a great source for yoga poses, sequences, and specific yoga needs. Be sure to check out their Yoga for Runners section.

• child's pose - this is a great pose of surrender and a nice back stretch. Chaz starts most podcasts with this to focus on breathing
• downward dog - a great full body pose, and it feels great to stretch the legs and back
• pidgeon - great pose for runners, and especially the hips
• thread the needle - great twisting pose
• runner's lunge - the name says it all :) There is a variation that is also a great hip opener
• butterfly - another hip opener
• cat-cow - great to stretch out the back

What's yours favorite pose?

Summer Gear and Tips!

This week's topic for Take It and Run Thursday at the Runner's Lounge Blog is Summer Gear and Tips! 

I started running in March of last year, so I had to adapt to the heat pretty quickly or give up running. I wasn't about to let that happen this time, so I adapted. It wasn't long before the cold weather came and I forgot all about running in the heat, but it quickly came back to me as summer arrived in Florida much too soon. Here is a list what helped me get through it, and a few new things I'm trying this year.

• run in the early morning: 
• thankfully, the beginning of summer (or end of spring in FL) also means an earlier sunrise. This makes it easier to run before work but not have to do it in the dark. The humidity level is usually still high even at 6:30 am, but at least I don't have to deal with the blazing sun beating down on me. 
• running clothes tips:
• I never run in cotton even in the winter, but it's even more important to run in wicking clothes during the summer as sweat accumulates quickly. 
• While I have bought a few pricier running shorts at Race Ready (mostly for the awesome pockets), I find most of my tops for pretty cheap ($10-15) at Target (C9 by Champion is good enough and affordable) or Ross. So there is no need to break the bank to run comfortably. 
• I run exclusively in tank tops or short sleeve shirts and shorts during the summer. I even bought a black bra in case I am ever brave enough to run without a shirt. I have a feeling the weather will soon win out over modesty =P
• I find that clothing closer to my body do a better job at transferring moisture away from the skin and keep me from feeling icky. However, I also like mesh like materials and those don't have to be as skin tight to work well.
• I found a running skirt that seems to work ok for running. I am not a big fan and prefer to run in biking-style shorts, but with this increasing heat I may have to give it a try more often. 
• I read this great tip somewhere: soak your hair and shirt in cold water before a run in the heat to help keep you cool. I've yet to try this, but it should work great. Even better: soak your shirt (and maybe your hat or sports bra), ring it out, then put it in the freezer for a few minutes before you put it on just before heading out for your run. 
• body glide: 
• I use it mostly on long runs to avoid blisters on my feet, but the hotter it is, the sooner I need it.
• head gear: 
• I used to wear the regular terry cloth sweat bands, but I've since upgraded to a bondi band or halo head band to keep sweat from dripping down my face. 
• I wear a wicking hat on top of the headband to keep the sun out of my eyes--and my freezy  hair under control. 
• I still use the terry cloth sweat bands for my wrist so I can wipe the sweat off my face while I run.
• water:
• staying hydrated is even more important when is hot and humid out. 
• I am not a big fan of holding anything while I run, but for shorter runs of less than 3 miles, I can get away with the 12 oz Amphipod Hydraform Handheld Lite Water Bottle. 
• I recently purchased the Amphipod RunLite Snapflask 4 Hydration Belt for longer runs. While I've yet to actually try it out, the 8oz bottles that come with it are the perfect size to carry in my hand. 
• I like to add ice to the water bottle, which makes the bottle sweat, so I put a wrist sweat band around it to keep it from slipping off my hand while I run.
• sunscreen: 
• yeah it takes time, and its easy to forget, but you gotta do it.

PS: I just saw this very relevant article tweeted today: 3 Ways to Stay Cool on the Run.

Salute to My Running Parents

This week's topic for Take It and Run Thursday at the Runner's Lounge Blog is Salute to Running Dads. Since I missed the Salute to Running Moms in May, and my mom's birthday happens to be on father's day, I figured I'd expand this and do a salute to both my running parents.


Dad

My dad has been a runner my entire life. He is my inspiration, even though I did not fully appreciate it at the time. I remember going to countless races when we lived in Puerto Rico and when he ran the NYC Marathon. He even won a few age group awards. Back then I saw running as something I would never be able to do. 


When I finally discovered the joy of running, I was happy to be able to finally share this with dad and speak the same language :) He stopped running for about 7 years and started again shortly after I started running to train for the Race for the Taste 10k we all ran together. He finished about good 15 minutes before me, but waited near the end and ran with me to the finish line. I also got to share his first half marathon, even if he beat me by 30 minutes! :) As I was rounding the turn to the finish line, I saw both mom and dad there and they ran with me to the end. It was awesome! My dad has run 3 marathons (Disney + NYC 2x), 1 half marathon, and countless 5Ks and 10Ks.


Mom

Mom started walking and running after I did to lose weight, and now she is addicted to 5Ks. She recently had surgery and one of the first things she said to me when I called was about how now she wouldn't be able to run for weeks. I think she is the cutest runner ever! Don't believe me? See the video evidence. We ran the Disney Royal 5K together and hope to run many more in the future when she recovers from surgery.


Here is to many more runs with the best parents in the world! Love you mom and dad! :)

TIART: Relays, Ultras, and Tris

This week's topic for Take It and Run Thursday at the Runner's Lounge Blog is Relays, Ultras, and Tris - Oh My!

It absolutely amazes me that I am even taking part in this topic when a little over a year ago I thought I'd never run a mile. Now I can run 3 miles in a row, or 13 with some walking breaks. Likewise with biking: I remember when 2 miles seemed like hell, and now I regularly ride 15+ miles with little trouble (damn you headwinds!). Now swimming, that is a whole other story, but I'll get there eventually.

Duathlon

When I started running, I found that biking was a great way to cross train and keep knee pain at bay. Now that I commute 15 miles each way to work 1-2 times a week, I figured I should put all that biking to some good use and venture into the world of multisport events. I've signed up for my first Sprint Duathlon on June 28 at Baldwin Park. I am excited, and a little terrified, but I know I can do this. The distances, 5K run - 13.4 mile bike - 2.5 mile run, are all distances I know I can complete. It is just a matter of how fast, but my main goal is just to finish.

Triathlon

Jason completed his first triathlon in March and I think it has really changed him (for the better). Now he wants to do an olympic and eventually a Half Ironman. Doing these 3 sports regularly is a great way to stay fit, and I want to train for one even if only for that benefit. I am not a strong swimmer (I can't even swim with my head in the water), and I am terrified of open water, but I really want to give this a try. So I found the perfect first triathlon for me and registered. On August 8th, I will compete in the Faces of Courage Reverse Sprint Triathlon: 5k run - 10.5 mile bike - 200 yards swim.

Relays

I was going to run the Gasparilla Marathon Relay with mom, dad, and Jason this year, but it sold out before we were able to register. It was for the best as the weather that day was awful, but it was disappointing since we were all really looking forward to doing this as a family. We'll try again in 2010, but I now also have my sights set on the Ragnar Relay. This one is a bit more ambitious than a marathon relay and I need a 12-person team, but I've had lots of interest and plan to put a team together for the Miami to Key West Relay in February once the info is up on the site. I think it will be an incredible challenge and great way to bond with some fellow runners.

Who knew that my little journey a year ago to get healthy and lose some weight would lead to all this? I am excited and eager to see what's beyond the next turn in my journey :)

Running Gadgets

How can I resist participating in today's TIART when the topic is Running Technology Tips? :)

I'm a geek and love data, so of course I use gadgets on most of my workouts--not just running, but biking too and sometimes even walking! I just love to be able to log every mile and see my progress. Below is a list of the gadgets I use now, or have in the past, and how they help me train.

iPod:

When I started running, I used the Couch to 5K podcasts to get me through it. Once I finished the program, I ran with my ipod listening to music. That didn't last long. One day I yanked off my headphones out of my ears halfway through a run because I could hear them moving in my ears and I couldn't stand it. I thought I'd never be able to run without music, especially for long runs, but I went out and did it and loved it. I found that I was able to pay better attention to my body and concentrate on my breathing when I had nothing to distract me. Now I rarely run with music unless I am on a treadmill or in a funk and need to mix things up.

Mapmyrun / Google Maps:

Before I bought the Garmin, I still craved to know my millage, so I always mapped my runs and figured out my pace with a plain ol' watch. I've used various sites, but I think they are all based on Google.

Garmin 305:

Once I knew I was serious about this running thing--and because I got a tip of the Garmin 305 being on sale--I made the leap and never looked back. I love the instant feedback and analyzing the data after every run. I also love the virtual partner feature, even though I've only used it a few times, but it is neat to have someone to run against :) I also love it because it makes using run/walk intervals a piece of cake.

Every now and then I'll run without it and just enjoy it, but this is rare. Even if I don't care about my pace and don't look at the watch much while running, I almost always have it just so I can accurately log the run afterwards.

During my 1st half marathon, the Garmin refused to aquire a signal and I actually ran it without it. Jason was shocked when at mile 3 I threw my arm warmers, gloves and Garmin at him because he knew my obsession with this gadget and the data it provided me. Amazingly enough, I was not bothered by this and I think I had a better experience for it.

Dailymile:

This is my latest obsession, er ... I mean find and where I currently log all my workouts. Even though I do not post here as often as I used to, I post there daily. So if you don't see a post here for a while, you can check my dailymile profile for an update. The site is much more than just a blog; it also provides social networking for support from other athletes, and I've made some great friends there.

Twitter:

I also post about my runs/rides and woes on twitter. I've met several local runners there, as well as some from other locations. It is nice to get support from those who can relate to not just running in general but to running in Orlando and our schizophrenic weather. A few of these I've met in person, and I know I'll eventually meet the others.

iPhone:

After I bought the race ready LD fitness shorts with pockets, I started running with my phone. This is mostly for safety reasons and in case I get lost (it has happened). During my 2 half marathons, I used the phone to tweet my splits and other highlights. It was nice to have live snippets recorded that I could use to remind me of the race and turn into a full race report.

Blog:

Finally, there is this blog; but more on that next week :)

Bike Crash

Yesterday's TIART at the Runner's Lounge was, "Only in Running ..." I'm a day late, but here's my contribution:

Only in running do you fall off your bike and your first thought is, "I hope I can still run" :)

We rode our bikes to Orange Cycle this morning, had some lunch at College Park, then rode back. The ride was great and uneventful, until I turned onto the driveway to my apartment, slipped on some leaves, and wiped out. I landed on my side and I think my left hip took the brunt of the impact, then my head. Thank god for helmets!

Nothing is broken, but I have a big nasty scrape on my left elbow (I think 1 layer of skin is gone), a small gash and scrape on my right knee (why is it always my right knee!?) and bruises on my left thigh/hip that are slowly materializing and changing colors before my eyes. Of course, this would happen the one time I forget to wear my cycling gloves, but my right hand just has a tiny scrape.

My biked may have looked worse than me, as it layed in a contorted heap on the ground. The front wheel and handlebars were twisted to one side and Jason thinks that the breaks may be broken or at least need to be realigned or popped back in. So I may be getting a new bike sooner than planned, though I planed to start seriously looking next week anyway.

I really did think about how this would affect my running schedule as I was falling or as I layed on the ground--it all happened so fast. I amazed myself with how much I have changed. Had this happened last year, it would have ruined my day and I would have used it as an excuse not to bike or exercise for a while. But today I just popped back up and started immediately analyzing the damage and thinking about what I could do to ensure I was back running and biking as soon as possible. I was laughing and smiling almost immediately as Jason took photos of the damage.

I've somehow transformed myself into an athlete and suddenly find myself seeing a whole new world I never knew existed--or at least it seemed so far away that I never thought I'd be part of it or get to even peak through the fence. Now I can't imagine it being any other way, and I look forward to where the next turn in the road will lead me.

OUC 1/2 Marathon Eve (+Running Dreams & Wishes)

Tomorrow is the big day, and I am ready! I just wish it would hurry up and get here already as the anxiety of waiting is killing me.

Yesterday I went for my last run before the race. Jason came with me and I left my watch at home. We just ran and talked and walked whenever we felt like it (about every 1/2 mile). It was really nice and liberating. I think we were actually going at a pretty fast clip so I wish I had it timed, but it did not matter. The weather was perfect and I really enjoyed just running. It made me feel great because I can actually keep up with Jason now. I've come a long way since April when I could barely run for 1 minute at a slug like pace.

I guess at this point I should make some kind of predictions about my performance or set some goals. I know I can cover this distance (I've already done it in training), but anytime you go out for a run there are many variables you can't control. What if this is a bad run day? What if the weather takes a turn for the worse? No matter, I shall focus on the positive and do my best. I've been training for this and I know I can do it; it is just a matter of how well. However, just getting to that starting line and crossing the finish line is a huge accomplishment and I will be damn proud of that fact.

Goals for OUC 1/2 Marathon:

1. Finish!
2. Run across the finish line.
3. Pace myself well to be able to finish strong and run at least the last 1/2 mile without walk breaks and be able to sprint to the finish. The plan is to run with my Galloway group using the 2:1 intervals at least through mile 7, then assess how I feel for the last 10k. If I am still feeling strong, I'll speed up or increase the run intervals to 3:1 & maybe 4:1 for the last 5k.
   
4. I know with this being my first 1/2 marathon race, I should not be setting any time goals, but I am confident I can finish in under 3 hours. I've averaged this pace or faster in training, and I don't plan to walk as slowly during the walk breaks.
   
5. Not-so-secret time goal: Finish in under 2:45. According to Galloway's magic mile predictor, this is well within my reach. I haven't done a magic mile timed trial since the end of September, but I don't want to set too fast a goal and be disappointed. After all, this is my first 1/2 and I don't want to set the bar too high since I want to show a significant improvement at my 2nd in Feb.
   

Yesterday's TIART at the Runner's Lounge Blog was Dreams & Wishes. I am a day late, but I think this goes well with this post.

My Running Dreams & Wishes:

• Finish the OUC 1/2 Marathon tomorrow feeling strong and above all have fun!
• Finish the Melbourne & Beaches Music 1/2 Marathon in February with my dad and show a significant improvement over the first.
• Finish the Gasparilla Marathon Relay in March with Jason, Dad, and Mom. I think this will be so fun and a great bonding experience, so I hope happens.
• Run a sub-30 5K.
• Run a sub-35 5K with no walk breaks (except for water stops).
• Run a 10k in under 1 hour.
• Finish a marathon in 2009.
  
• Continue to enjoy running for the rest of my life. This is part of the reason I am taking this so slowly and taking my time. I do not want an injury or bad experience to turn me off to running because I am so grateful that I finally converted myself into a runner and I want to continue to improve, be fit, and maintain my new healthy lifestyle.
  

Running Green

This week's topic for Take It and Run Thursday at the Runner's Lounge Blog is Running Green.

I try to live a pretty green life, even though I know there is a LOT more I can do. Some of the green things I do on a regular basis include biking to work (and anywhere else I can instead of driving), bringing my own canvas bags to the grocery store/farmer's market, and using my Kleen Kanteen water bottle instead of buying bottled water. I am sure there is more, but those are the big ones.

The November 2008 Issue of Runner's World was all about running green and they now have a Green Running section on their site. I am going to use one of their articles, How to Be a Greener Runner, as the basis for this post and a sort of meme. Below is a the list of "30 things even a busy, sane person (i.e., you) can do" and how my own habits stack up (written in green and italics below the items from the article).

Get to Workouts

• Good: Bike to all group runs and track workouts.
• Better: Run to a local farmers' market to buy produce.
• Best: Start all your runs from your home or office.

What I do: I drive to my long runs with the Galloway group because it is too far, and too early, to bike there. However, I make it a point to make the most of the drive and run errands in the area, such as going to the farmer's market. Most of my other runs I do around my neighborhood so I do not have to drive to run. From time to time, I will run to or from work or bike to a local park to run.

Race

• Good: Participate in eco-conscious races (check out page 74 or go to runnersworld-greenteam.com)
• Better: Carpool or take public transit to get to and from events.
• Best: Race in your hometown as much as possible.

What I do: Most of my races are within 30 minutes of my home and I carpool to them with Jason. We recently ran a race at UCF, where we work, and we biked there and to brunch after. It was awesome and I wish they had more races close enough to do this more often.

Hydrate

• Good: Buy powdered sports drinks and mix them yourself.
• Better: Wave away plastic race cups by carrying your own water in a secure container (like Amphipod's Hydraform Handheld Pockets).
• Best: Use reusable bottles instead of throwaway plastic water bottles.

What I do: I don't drink sport drinks, so the first does not apply. I used to carry my own water bottle when I ran, but I find that it started to hurt my shoulder as I got faster. I guess this means I need to work on my form or get a fuel belt. I hardly ever buy bottled water any more and refill my own instead, but I do grab bottled water when at races. I do try to find the recycling bin to dispose of it. Now that I think about it, I will bring the bottles home and recycle them if I can't find a recycling bin at the race.

Buy New Shoes

• Good: If you run on trails only occasionally, buy one pair of shoes that can handle light off-road use.
• Better: Pick shoes that are made with fewer nasty solvents and recycled components, such as the Nike Air Pegasus 25 and END's Stumptown.
• Best: Buy the Brooks Trance 8. Its midsole is made out of BioMoGo, a material that reportedly decomposes 50 times faster than conventional midsoles.

What I do: I have no idea how environmentally friendly my shoes are. I should look into this.

Buy Apparel

• Good: Buy shirts, outer layers, and especially socks made with merino wool, a natural and renewable resource.
• Better: Buy clothes made from recycled postconsumer polyester, like Patagonia's Capilene 1 T-shirt. And when you're done with it, Patagonia will recycle it into other apparel.
• Best: Hold off on new purchases and wear your existing apparel as long as you can.

What I do: I have no idea how environmentally friendly my clothes are, but I do recycle my clothes by giving them to my mom or the local thrift store. Since I just started running, I've been buying a lot of gear, but I am going to try to make do with what I have for now. I do need a few things for winter running, but after that I am done! :)

Make a Difference

• Good: Donate to the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, local parks boards, or other organizations that create and promote new trails or running paths.
• Better: Volunteer to clean up a local trail, or adopt a road you like to run on.
• Best: Organize a recycling drive at a local race where participants can bring old gear.

What I do: None of these apply, but I should look into getting more involved in making my running community more green.

Care for Your Gear

• Good: Restore the breathability and repellency (and extend the lifespan) of your waterproof gear by washing it with McNett's ReviveX.
• Better: Reduce your consumption of plastic and water by switching to superefficient concentrated forms of laundry detergents.
• Best: Wash your apparel in cold water and hang dry. (Bonus: Your clothes won't pill, and they'll last longer.)

What I do: I always wash all my clothes in cold water. I do not even know when was the last time I washed anything in warm or hot water. We recently installed a clothes line in the backyard, and I am actually enjoying hanging all our laundry to dry every weekend.

Fuel Up

• Good: Recycle energy-bar wrappers with the Energy Bar Brigade (see terracycle.net), which up-cycles them into other products. For each wrapper you save, sponsors give 2 cents to a charity you pick.
• Better: Make your own energy bars. You can buy mixes or see page 41 for a recipe.
• Best: Eat one less serving per week of meat, which requires significantly more fuel and water to produce than other sources of protein.

What I do: Ever since I started losing weight, I've been trying to eat less meat as well. I go through phases, but I am definitely eating way more veggies than I used to and my meat portions are a lot smaller. I need to get back to Meatless Mondays.

Cross-Train

• Good: Run outside whenever you can (rather than inside on a treadmill).
• Better: If you need snowshoes, a bicycle, or a set of weights, purchase gently used equipment rather than new gear. Try buying it from someone local through a resource like Craigslist.org.
• Best: Leave your car in the driveway and bike or run to the gym once a week.

What I do: I hate the treadmill, so running outside is a given. I am in the market for a new bike and plan to check out our school's bike auction next week. I bike to work at least 4 times a week and to run errands whenever possible.

Deal with Old Shoes

• Good: Wear them casually afterward. They may lack cushioning for a long run, but they're fine to walk the dog.
• Better: Donate them to Nike's Reuse-A-Shoe program, which recycles the shoes to help surface new tracks and for other uses.
• Best: Donate them to Soles4Souls, Shoe4Africa, or One World Running, outfits that give shoes to needy people. For more information, check out runnersworld.com/donate.

What I do: I just bought my 3rd pair of shoes, but still using my 2nd pair. I mainly bought these new shoes now to break in a bit and wear at my first 1/2 marathon. I am using my 1st pair to bike and other non-running activities. I am going to look into donating shoes once I start accumulating more.

Life Lessons

I am a little late, but I want to contribute to this week's Take It and Run Thursday at the Runner's Lounge: Life Lessons Learned from Running. I am a fairly new runner, but I've already seen how much running has to offer.

• Hard work and patience really does pays off. When I started C25K back in April, running for 1 minute seemed like an eternity, and I was quickly out of breath. 5 months later I have countless miles and 5Ks under my belt, I'm about to complete my 2nd 10K, and I'm training for a 1/2 marathon. I always told myself that I was not a runner and never would be. Turns out what I needed was a little motivation, dedication and hard work.
  
  
• Confidence goes a long way. One of the things I love most about running, whether running 1 or 9 miles, is how empowering it is. After going from 0-5K, suddenly no distance seems out of reach, eventually :)
  
  
• Running is the gateway to lifelong fitness. While I have some immediate goals of completing races, those are just a means to an end for me. The race is not the end, but a mere milestone in my journey to becoming a lifelong runner to be fit and healthy. Once I realized that I can do this, and how good it feels, biking to work every day or 28 miles round trip to Sweet Tomatoes doesn't seem like much of a hurdle and I actually look for ways to sneak in exercise into everyday activities.
  
  
• Life is not always easy, but we can't let the rough patches deter us; we must learn from them and grow stronger for the next time. Running is a love/hate relationship. Most of the time I hope for that great run, but I know that most runs will just be ok. From time to time, I have a horrible run that makes me question everything about myself and my ability to run. When I have that great run, I feel like I can take on the world. Regardless of the quality of the run, I (almost) always feel great when it is over and extremely accomplished. Running is not easy, and it takes a lot of discipline, but it is always rewarding.

That is a great running t-shirt!

Today's Take it and Run Thursday at the Runner's Lounge is all about Running T-shirts. I don't really wear t-shirts; so other than the ones I got at 5Ks, I don't own any running t-shirts. But I've seen lots of great ones online and I am considering investing in some singlets I can run in with witty sayings.

Here are some of my favorites from https://www.onemoremilerunning.com

I should have worn this one to my first race: "Who Moved the Finish Line?"

I can't wait to be able to wear this one, hopefully in March: "13.1 Miles: Been There, Run That"

and hopefully I'll finish like this: "13.1 Miles and Still Smiling"  

I should probably wear this one for my first marathon: "This seemed like a good idea 3 months ago"

When I can out run Jason, I'm so buying this one: "Some girls chase boys, I pass 'em" :)

You are a runner ...

I joined the Runner's Lounge and today is Take It and Run Thursday, where the moderators pose a challenge to the blogging community and we post our answer in our own blogs. Today's challenge is to complete the thought, "You are a runner...." in 13 words or less. Here is my contribution.

You are a runner when you see a trip as an opportunity to run someplace new.

When I first got into photography, I would look at anything as a photo opp. If I didn't want to partake in an event or trip or whatever, I would just think of the photos I would be missing out on. Now I get that same feeling with running. I am so tired of my neighborhood and desperately need a new running location. I may have to join our local running group just for some variety, but I hate the idea of driving someplace to run.

I also joined the Virtual Run Club as another way to stay motivated and accountable, as well as connect with other runners, and send in a request to join Run Your City.