Sports

Six Ways to Celebrate National Running Day

Lace up your shoes and go for a RUN. Wednesday is National Running Day.

By Jennifer Squires

National Running Day is Wednesday. It's a time for runners everywhere to celebrate their sport and show their passion. 

From Mount Tam State Park to Stafford Park and every trail and path in between, nary an outdoor minute goes by without a Marin resident catching sight of a runner. That's especially true this week, just four days before the 103rd edition of the iconic Dipsea Race takes place Sunday morning. 

So for all the runners around town—and those who wish they had the motivation, desire or ability to join them—here are ways to celebrate National Running Day.

  1. Go for a run (d'oh!). 
  2. Register for a local race. This is a great motivator, whether you're an experienced runner who has grown bored with the usual workouts or someone looking to be more athletic. 
  3. Read about running. Try Dipsea: The Greatest Race, by local writer Barry Spitz, or Born to Run, the 2009 bestseller by Christopher McDougall that inspired a lot of people to hit the trails—many of them barefoot. 
  4. Find a running group. From vaunted groups like Tamalpa Runners to trail specialists like The Endurables, Marin is loaded with running groups of all stripes, and Team In Training almost always has a group training for an event. Both are good options if you're looking for a coach to guide your exercise.
  5. Be healthier. Getting adequate sleep, eating your vegetables and drinking lots of water will make you feel better, which translates into better running. 
  6. Download some running jams. Rocking some tunes can help you through the lowest moments of your run. Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run," Michael Jackson's "Beat It," and "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor are classics. 
And if National Running Day isn't your thing, don't fear. National Donut Day is coming up on Friday.


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