MAY is National Runners Month - says who? Says DICK!

A good day and good Friday to YOU!  Shortly after rolling out of bed today and making the trek to the coffee maker my husband happily chirps:  "May is National Runners Month."  I rolled my eyes and poured my coffee.  Eric is the early riser, he is out on the road at 5 AM.  I won't go out until around 10 or so.  Anyway, once the fog lifted I was able to respond, "Oh yeah, Jodi said that yesterday."  This is when the dialog began.  Eric is insanely clicking away on our laptop.  "Dick's Sporting Goods?"  He says.  Once again, I could not be less interested.  "The guy sort of declared it."  And that's when I got a little peeved.  Ok, mostly jealous.  Why did I not think of that?  Then I thought.  Hey, we've only been in the Running 'business' for a few months, I wonder how Nike is feeling about this?  Or Runner's World Magazine?  Good Ole Dick!  Way to grab some clients and attention and REVENUE.  GENIUS.

So after allowing this brilliant advertising idea stew with me for a while, I sat to write my daily blog and really want to draw from Dick's inspiring actions.  And when I say "Dick" I'm not sure if it is a real person, deceased, a corporation, an advertising firm...the point is there was a human behind this idea and that is what I choose to celebrate and learn from.  As a runner and now business owner, I won't wallow in jealously long, I quickly move on to how this wonderful thing can teach or challenge me.  Just like getting passed by seemingly slow or out of shape runners at the countless races I've attended - I just have to get better and remember to be inspired by their accomplishment not diminish it.  I am not in the business of tearing down, I am in the business of building up -- personally and professionally.  And so today I raise my coffee cup and offer my running efforts for the day to Dick.  The little guy that all on his own, without consulting a team of super runners, declared May NATIONAL RUNNERS MONTH!

That is a guy that probably runs how he wants. (:)

http://blog.timesunion.com/running/may-is-national-runners-month/1684/

Tweeting and Blogging and Running...Oh MY!

Fellow Running Ninjas!  how busy are YOU?  We are always in the process of juggling work, family, fitness, and the magical Social Media.  As I blog you today my mind is racing because once I finish this little update, I will be dashing out to film my very own Youtube video, with my Blackberry.  Very sophisticated stuff.  I see an Oscar in the 'short film' category.  Social Media has become the backbone of our business and for that I am overwhelmingly grateful and humbled.  I actually am enjoying these days as our little company grows.  A part of me feels sorry for the big guys like Nike, that don't have such a close relationship with their clients and potential customers.  Social Media (i.e. Facebook, Tweeter, Blogger, etc) has connected me with YOU.  With people that are completely different than me, yet exactly the same.  We runners are a special breed aren't we?  We come in all shapes and sizes and ages and economical and educational backgrounds.  But we are also a very giving group of folks.  *Charitable, because every single race you register for benefits a worthy organization!  *Devoted, because we hit the road at all hours, in all weather conditions, in spite of what is going on with us or our lives.  *Independent, because we all have our system, and our routines, and our own way that we run.  It is for all of these reasons that my husband called "running" the most democratic sport because it doesn't require fancy equipment or venue, and it's accessible to everyone.  And it is for this reason that we at Running Ninja! encourage you to 'run how you want.'

Vitamins and supplements!

As a child I was terribly iron deficient and so I was constantly being given iron supplements.  I hated them. My mother would give them to me and I would pretend to take it and then stash it or through it out.  To her credit, she also gave me lots of iron rich foods, and I believe that is what eventually cured my deficiency.  Once I became responsible for my own food intake and health, I was always aware of my tendency to be iron deficient and so, I made efforts to eat spinach, broccoli, meats, fish, etc.  In other words, I 'managed it' with foods instead of supplements.  My dislike for vitamins remains to this day and now, I feel a bit validated.  The American Dietetic Association suggest you get your vitamins from food and not vitamins.  The only time doctors recommend that you use vitamins is for a specific deficiency such as bone-loss.  And even then, they suggest that you visit a doctor or pharmacist to get the exact dosage for your particular needs.

http://www.fooducate.com/blog/2009/12/11/dietitians-recommend-get-vitamins-from-food-not-supplements/

Runners have a variety of eating habits.  Some of us are insanely healthy, others run in order to be insanely unhealthy, some of us meet somewhere in the middle, while others just try to strike a balance.  What I do know is that whenever possible, I think it's just a wise idea to eat your fruits and veggies instead of popping them in pill form.  I refuse to use the excuse that I'm just too busy to eat right - my health and well being is worth whatever time it takes to peel a banana or chop a tomato - or lace up!

Run how you want. (:)

Welcome Running Ninja!

We at Running Ninja! want to welcome you to YOUR blog.  We hope you will guide us as to the type of info and items you would like us to make available to YOU.

Running Ninja! appreciates your support and invites you to check us out at:

• Our website! runningninja.net
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Check back here often and watch for running tips, success stories, photos and all things that celebrate the Running Ninja! in all of us.

Run how you want. (:)