National Running Day and a few tidbits

Today is National Running Day! I can’t believe it’s already been a year since I won a CIM race entry. I mean, really…this year has flown!

Tonight, I joined the SRA (Sacramento Running Association) for their five mile run along the American River to celebrate this special day. It was a warm HOT evening of 95 degrees when we started. Yup, not my favorite time of day or temperature to run in, but I did it anyway. I needed to get out of my house and get some miles in and it felt good to get a run in, even though I got a little side cramp about halfway through from some lentil soup I ate for lunch. Ugh. But I pushed through it.

After, I grabbed a water, cooled down a bit and snagged a free tech shirt. They had all the leftover shirts from past events out and we were able to grab one. And that’s how I celebrated National Running Day! What did you do today? I hope you had a great run!

I won!

If you didn’t know, I entered a photo contest in May as part of Marathon Tours and Travels bi-monthly photo contest. I am trying to find other ways to get into some of the World Marathon Major races that are difficult to get into and this company provides guaranteed entries into races all over the world if you book your accommodations with them. The photo contest would gave me an opportunity to win travel vouchers to use towards any race, so I said “what the heck!”

After asking harassing all my friends and family to vote for my three pictures over a two week period, I won the “Scenics” category and this picture will also be entered into their end-of-the year contest as well! I won a $100 voucher and I am also eligible to enter the next contest in hopes of winning another $100. I’m super stoked that I am on my way to getting into another amazing marathon and adventure and hopefully it could be London, Tokyo or New York!

The winning picture

The winning picture – taken in Berlin, Germany

I’ve become a running geek

Yeah, yeah. I’m already a running geek, I guess. But I really felt like one when my package from PRO Compression arrived last week with the “grab bag” of three pair of compression socks that I was lucky enough to snag before they sold out in less than two hours. This was a super score! Normally these compression socks are up to $50 a pair, so to get three pair for $30 was just ridiculous. Since it was a “grab bag” I couldn’t choose colors or patterns. It was a mystery and I hoped I didn’t get pink ones (I’m not a girly girl). But I was happy with the ones I got. Even though I am just getting used to my PRO Compression calf sleeves, I can’t wait to try these lovelies out!

The goods

The goods

“Going the distance”

Last week we received our monthly The Costco Connection magazine in the mail and it caught my eye because it had ultradistance runner Scott Jurek on the cover. I was really surprised to see this and I almost immediately started reading the article. It’s only a few pages but it was a great little piece about his career, eating well and motivation. He’s been a vegan since 1999 and is quite an accomplished runner. I found this article to be inspirational and was an exciting part of my day. Check it out!

http://www.costcoconnection.com/connection/201406#pg25

One last thing

Runner’s World had posted a teaser video last week for a longer film that was going to launch today. The original “teaser” was only a couple minutes but it really touched my soul. That’s what it was supposed to do. So today I watched the 21 minute video, “Finding Strong”, and I want to share it with you. I think it will touch your soul as well.

 

I won?!

Today is National Running Day. I have no idea how long this has been going on for, but this is the first year I have heard about it. For weeks now, I saw posts on Facebook from different running organizations putting on special runs for today.

One that caught my eye was by the local Sacramento Running Association. They organized a 5 mile run along the American River Bike Trail tonight at 6pm. There wasn’t much broadcast about it other than a time and a place and maybe free swag. Well, I didn’t care about the free swag necessarily, I just knew I needed to get a run in today, so why not join them.

photo(19)I don’t usually join groups to run with because my schedule is so crazy, so I can’t stick to one group consistently. But I marked my calendar for tonight to get my butt down to Guy West Bridge to check it out.

Earlier today I caught my friend Scott, who is also a Track & Field coach at Sac State, on Facebook and he said he was going to be down there as well. So it was also a chance to see him and catch up for a few.

I arrived not knowing anyone, but got in line to fill out a raffle ticket.  I picked up a water since it was blazing hot out. And we were able to pick up a free tech shirt from a past race (I got two, while others were grabbing what looked like several). It’s always nice to stock up on tech shirts to run in.

After the 5 mile run along the river in the 85+ degree weather, I cooled down with some water and chatted with a fellow, Alex, that I introduced myself to while we were waiting for the raffle.

photo(20)Next thing I know, they called my name! What?! Me? I never win anything. I won a free entry into this year’s California International Marathon! Kinda cool! So, if any of you want to run the CIM this year, let me know. I have already paid for my entry (the early bird special) and you could get a great discount if you want the entry. They can’t comp my entry or give me a refund, so I would have to sell my freebie. But it was still cool to win!

Great evening overall! 5 mile run in, free shirts, free marathon entry…couldn’t ask for much more.

Happy National Running Day to you all! Hope you got a run in!