Community Corner

Six Ways to Celebrate National Running Day

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

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

There's no shortage of runners in Scotts Valley. You see them logging laps around Skypark in the pre-dawn hours, chugging up Bean Creek Road for hill repeats or heading out of town to hit trails in nearby Henry Cowell State Park. 

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. The Santa Cruz CORE 5k River Run on June 22 is part of a new Outrunning Hunger series, a benefit for Grind Out Hunger.
  3. Read about running. Try 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. The Santa Cruz Track Club meets for workouts a couple times a week, 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. 
Bonus: The Rock'n'Roll Marathon series is offering a one-day $20 discount on all their events for those who sign up Wednesday. The San Jose Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon is Oct. 20, and the San Francisco installment is April 6. 

And if National Running Day isn't your thing, don't fear. National Donut Day is coming up on Friday.


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