Saturday 26 October 2013

The running partners everyone should have....

It's a beautiful, sunny, fall day out there, or at least at it is in the neck of the woods, and the perfect day for a run.   While getting out there on these kinds of days is a day-maker for any runner, it's always better when you share it with someone else, right?   Here are some of the run partners that everyone should try at least once:

1)The too-fast-for-you friend: It probably won't be a conversation to remember as you'll be too busy gasping for air but running with this guy/gal will improve your cardio conditioning and show you what you're made out of (tough stuff, of course).  

2)Self-centered Johnny/Jane:  A boring run for sure, Johnny Self-Centered only talks about his past exploits and future plans and never asks about how you're doing these days.  The benefit?  Learning to tune out distractions and focus on getting through the tough part of a run.  Also useful for learning all kinds of info about Johnny you can use for blackmail in the future if need be.

3)A small child:  This group makes the too-fast-for-you friends look like a bunch of wussies.  I recently took my 7-year-old out for a run with me and got schooled, big time.  She was running circles around me, showing me how she could speed-walk as fast as I could run and doing cartwheels, all while keeping pace with me.  The upside?  Remembering that running is a joyful activity and actually seeing that joy on someone's face.  Just make sure you have the parent's permission before you take off running with the kid.

4)The dedicated power walker:  A walker you say? Yes.  Sure it sounds like the world's most boring activity but if you have ever tried to keep up  with a dedicated, hard-charging walker, you know how difficult it is.  Not only will you gain some serious respect for this group, you'll work some muscles you didn't know you had (and you'll reallllly feel it in the morning).

5)The Newbie:  Three words-pay it forward. Getting out there with someone just starting out can show just how far you've come as a runner and also shows the newbies the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, i.e, it won't always be gasping for air and doubling over in exhaustion, sometimes it's fun!  Confidence building and good-karma catching all on one run-a win/win for sure!

So there you have it-did I leave anyone out that should have been included?  Hope you get the chance to get outside and enjoy the fall weather before Old Man Winter is upon us!

See you out there!

Sunday 6 October 2013

Who knew cornstarch could be so rad?

This past Saturday marked the 2nd running of Colour Me Rad in Vancouver but probably (hopefully!) not the last.  Here are the top 5 reasons you should be either sad and full of regret for missing it or counting your lucky stars for being able to take part in this sold out event:

5) The organizers have very good karma and don't mind sharing with you:  How else can you explain the weather on Saturday?  The weather this past week has been very typical of October in Vancouver-rainy, cold and blah.  But somehow, when that coloured cornstarch started flying, the sun came out!  No rain and warm temperatures, love it.

4) Great swag:  The typical race has that typical t-shirt that you will never wear and/or you will send directly to the thrift shop.  Not so with Colour Me Rad.   Not only did I score a sweet, soft cotton tshirt that I plan to wear over and over again but I came home with a pretty sweet pair of shades!  The merch tent had many options including but limited to shirts, knee socks, stickers for reasonable prices too.

3) Fun for everyone: There were runners, walkers, kids, people with canes, people in costumes you name it, they were there.  Every participant seemed to have a perm-grin too!   Three generations of my family (ages 5-50 something) and everyone, even my non-athlete husband said it was a lot of fun and are already looking forward to next year.  Can't say I've seen that at most events!

2) Behaviour that is generally frowned upon is encouraged:  Ever wanted to throw cornstarch at a fellow runner?  Or lay down in the street and make powder angels?  Break into a random dance?   I saw all of this and more on Saturday and it only fed the atmosphere of joy.  Definitely a nice break from the every-race!

1) Good bye PR anxiety:  A lot of runners (myself included) worry about not hitting that personal record and it's ruined many a run.  Contributing to the fun atmosphere is the fact that Colour Me Rad is not a timed event.  That's right: no timing chip.  No clocks.  Awesome.  And according to the guy with the mic, if you ask about your time, expect a punch in the esophagus.  How's that for incentive?


Yup, Colour Me Rad is rad.  The merch tent is rad.  The course is rad.  So is the after party.  Do yourself a favour and make sure you add this one to your list of "must do" races.  For those of you who were there, would you do it again?