running_day_main_logoThis year, I thought I'd do something different. This year, I'm offering several dumb-aleck suggestions on how to celebrate National Running Day. Just to mix things up.
For the uninitiated: National Running Day is a national day meant to promote, uh, running. Of course, for us runners, a day to promote running might feel a little redundant. In much the same way Christmas Day must feel for jolly, fat men with white beards.
Still, there are many ways that even we "regulars" can mark this special day — ways to telegraph our love of running and to encourage others to give our sport a whirl.
For example:
Goad some walkers into a jog. Pick a spot near a busy sidewalk, and "spectate," cheering and urging pedestrians not to walk. Shout that they're "almost there!" and that they can "do it!" Offer orange wedges. Bonus points for homemade signs and noisemakers.
Run at every possible opportunity. From the shower to your bedroom, for instance. Or from your office to a meeting. Or while shopping at the supermarket. Stopped at a red light? Hop out and run laps around your car. Try running up to other motorists' windows and screaming at them to join you. They'll love it!
Spell it out for them. Attend a sporting event with six friends and attract attention by standing and removing your shirts, revealing the word "R-U-N-N-I-N-G" spelled out on your chests. No sporting event scheduled in your area today? Do this same thing next to a highway, or in a restaurant. Don't have six friends? Find two friends, and just spell out "R-U-N." Don't have two friends? Jeez, forget National Running Day — go find some friends.
"Shoe" someone the way. Proper footwear is vital, especially for beginners, who often wear the wrong shoes. Pick up a variety of running shoe styles and sizes, and a Brannock Device, and pick out a few lucky strangers to fit with the right shoes. They might resist at first, but be persistent. They'll thank you for it later.
Have knee surgery. Just kidding. Although this really is how RW Editor at Large Amby Burfoot is celebrating National Running Day. (No joke; click here to read more about that.)
Happy National Running Day, everyone. And Amby: Best wishes for a very speedy recovery. *
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