Be Prepared: You're Not Always As Safe As You Think You Are

Nothing like enjoying nature's beauty during a run.

We runners are a pretty carefree lot at times. We love to just pick up and go for a run, don't we? After all, it's a blast to just hit the pavement and/or trails, push our bodies to the limit and enjoy the joy and freedom of running.

It can be pure bliss.

While running emboldens us and gives us a great sense of freedom and strength, it is important to be prepared in cases of emergencies. You never know what can happen to you during a run. Don't believe me, just ask Dorothy Beal.

My Finish Line

Saucony has this great promotion going on right now called "Find Your Strong."

The concept of the program is pretty simple: what is your strong? What do you find your strength? What motivates you? In other words, where do you find your strong?

This is a pretty great promotion in and of itself. But since Dorothy Beal - a Twitter running friend, is one of the faces and voices behind the project, I'm an even bigger fan. Saucony didn't hype this promotion with a bunch of superstars and high-priced athletes. They used real runners from all walks of life and backgrounds. I highly recommend you check out Dorothy's blog and story.

But I'm getting a bit of subject here. (What? Me ramble? As if ...) This week's "Find Your Strong" asked for people to share photos of their finish line - where you finish your run. The photos range for the typical photo of someone's home to finish-line photos. Others are a different take such as a couch, a person's favorite post-run beverage and their kids.

National Running Day!

It's National Running Day!

Normally, I'm not a big fan of celebrating created holidays, but this is one I can really get behind and support, and not because I am a runner - although that does help.

No, this is a day that needs to be touted, promoted and so much more, especially since we are living in the 'Age of Obesity.' Should this not be a day that everyone gets the day off from work to go for a nice, long run? I would think so.

When Did I Cross Over To The Dark Side?

I'm not sure when it happened, but it most certainly did. And to be honest, I never saw it coming. In fact, I swore up and down to myself that it wouldn't happen. I was not going to allow it.

But yet, it happened.

I crossed over to the dark side, thinking more and more about running marathons and beyond.

It wasn't so long ago I solely focused on doing as many half marathons I could. Now, the half marathon distance is a nice, long run on weekends.

What has happened to me?