I completed my third 5K race in 2011.  It's been a real eye opening experience.  I have never considered myself a runner and haven't really ran until this year and have found that running is one of the best exercise experience (second to biking).  I am now training for a half marathon in late fall and hoping to run a personal best time as well.  Running is a great stress reliever.  Instead of impulse purchases and emotional eating, just going for a run provides a nice break from daily stressors.

As a parent, I am always encouraging my kids to associate themselves with the kind of friends that have the best set of core values and children who make good choices.  As my priorities in life have evolved over the years and my interest in eco-friendly living has increased, I've sought the same (looking for and making friends with "like minded" eco-friendly people).  Studies have shown that your environment or community of people that you associate yourself with has a greater influence in your decision making than anything else.  So, if you are struggling to make more eco-friendly choices, join a group or attend a local eco-friendly event.  If one can be "guilty by association," one can also be "successful by relation."

Now that I have been actively training for a halt marathon, I have begun to meet other runners through local running groups and running store sponsored clinics.  It is great to share the same challenges and struggles with each other and know that we can all lean on each other for words of encouragement.

Biking to work saves money on gas and enables you to get a workout without spending extra time in the gym.  However, it maybe a bit intimidating to bike to work.  National Bike to Work week starts today.  Biking to work is not an "all or nothing" decision.  You can do any of the following:
- Bike to the nearest train station or bus stop and park your bike there (instead of driving your car to the train or bus stop).
- Bike to work during certain work days of the week (e.g. Fridays may work best for you given that many offices have a casual Friday dress code).
- If a colleague lives closer to the office than you do, consider driving to your colleague's house and parking there (obtain his/her permission first), then you can ride your bikes to work together (aka buddy system).
-If your company has a large office campus, consider biking from one office location to another for your meetings instead of driving around within the campus.

Remember that safety always comes first!  If traffic is not conducive for biking to work, do not get frustrated.  Instead of biking to work, consider riding your bike to your local grocery store for grocery purchases and for local errands.

I am training for a half marathon scheduled in October.  It's a huge commitment between working full time, being a mother and wife.  It's completely worth it.  I find that I need races to keep me motivated and to help me train, so the first thing I did was sign up for a race (in this case, the Ramblin Rose Durham Women's Half Marathon Event).  Now that I have a goal and deadline, I am much more motivated to train and to run. 

In addition to helping me sleep better at night (yes, running a few miles can be the best sleep aid), it has also gotten my complexion a lot clearer (must be all of the sweat leaving my system and cleansing my face from inside out).

I also find myself less likely to park near store entrances because I don't mind the extra walk anymore.

I have not joined a running group because my hectic scheduled is quite unpredictable.

The following are some truths that I discovered regarding running:
- You really need to run about 10-15 minutes to let your body warm up before you run at a faster pace.
- Stretching after each run is important, before each run is optional.
- If you alternate your sneakers (between two pairs), they last longer.
- Quality socks makes a difference.
- Running is the cheapest and most effective exercise there is!
- Cross training with other sports makes you a better athlete.
- Reading about other runners either online or in magazines is a great motivating tool.
- Running can be and should be a family event (if your spouse or partner is a better runner, have him/her push a jogging stroller with a kid in it and you will be able to level the running field).
- Drink plenty of water.
- If you feel guilty having a rest day, then, do some cross training (biking, swimming, etc.) so your body still gets some exercise.
- Running can be viral (you don't realize it, but once you run, you inspire others to take up the sport).
- It has alot to do with getting into a rhythm (still working on this, but having a certain rhythm to my strides help me as a runner).

The Bicycle Commuter Act of 2009 enables employers to offer bike vouchers to their employees up to $240 per year.  These pre-tax bike vouchers can be used like cash for bike related maintenance and bike related purchases.  This is a great incentive that employers offer to their employees to encourage commuting via bike. 

Find out from your employer today to see whether this benefit is offered.  For more information, please visit the following website, www.bikeleague.org

May is National Bike Month.  Did you know that the average kid bike cost less than $100?  It is a great source of exercise and entertainment for children.  Studies have shown that children who are active when they are young and more likely to remain active athletic as adults.  Riding a bike is a great skill to teach a child.

I usually ride my bike at least once a week and honestly I always wish that I have more time to ride.  Bike riders always give each other a happy nod or wave because we are sharing a great time on the road.

I am getting ready to sign up for my next 5k race and have found out that there are a number of races that are committed to being eco-friendly.  Before you sign up for your next race, contact the race administrator and encourage the race administrator to adhere to these guidelines.  The "race without trace" mantra is as follow:
"Race without a trace" BEST PRACTICES

• Maximize use of paperless marketing strategies such as email newsletters and digital advertisements on televisions located in the facilities of sponsors, host venues, etc.
• Across-the-board messaging reminding participants not to litter on the race course. 
• Provide portable toilets that use eco-friendly deodorants, solvents, and chemicals. 
• Provide post-race water via large (reusable) water coolers versus individual plastic bottles. 
• Recognize the eco-friendly efforts of clients, partners, sponsors, and other businesses. 
• Compost leftover event food and paper cups used for water when possible.
• Minimize the purchase of overly packaged race day refreshments.
• Provide trash cans and recycling bins at each event.
• Assign “Master Recycler” volunteer roles to those individuals responsible for sorting recyclables and maintaining a clean race site during the event.
• Implement reusable event day signage.
• Rent, borrow, share, or reuse event equipment when possible.
• Allow athletes to opt out of free event handouts such as t-shirts, hats, bottles.
• All race apparel to consist of environmentally-friendly fabrics and screening inks.
• Influence MORE events to adopt "Race Without A Trace" best practices.

I have been promoting a number of eco-friendly brands in the past and believe that this Oakley Ambassadorship is a great fit with my eco-friendly living blog as well as my healthy lifestyle goal.  I am now ranked on the top 50 out of more than 500 individuals who have entered this contest. 

Please visit the following link daily to vote for me to be the next Oakley Woman Ambassador:  Renaissance Girl

http://apps.facebook.com/performbeautifully/contests/99398/voteable_entries/19583660?ogn=facebook&order=recency

I completed my first 5K for the year this morning.  It was about fifty degrees but no complaints.  I had a great time running.  

Please visit the following link to vote for me to be the next Oakley Woman Ambassador:  Renaissance Girl

http://apps.facebook.com/performbeautifully/contests/99398/voteable_entries/19583660?ogn=facebook&order=recency

As I prepare for my 5K race, I realized that we can all run in a more eco-friendly way.  Specifically, here are some suggestions on how to run a more eco-friendly race:
1) Refuse the goodie bag - if you find that when you run a race and realize that you toss out all of the promotional items, then, it is best to refuse the goodie bag.  If you like getting the promotional items, you can bring your own shopping bag and refuse to take the plastic bag with you.
2) Ask the race administrators to use paper or eco-friendly cups instead of the styrofoam cups.
3) Remember to throw the cups into the trash and do not litter along the way.  Some race volunteers might clean up afterwards, but it's best to clean after yourself.
4) Reduce your carbon footprint and carpool to/from the race whenever possible.
5) Choose quality over quantity when it comes to running shoes, running t-shirts and shorts.
6) Run outdoors (to reduce the need to use treadmills and electricity whenever possible) but be smart and run with a friend or group of friends.  
If you have additional ideas or suggestions on how to run in a more eco-friendly way, please feel free to share.