National Running Day: Beyond reason

I am a runner, and National Running Day is my holiday.

It is your holiday, too. And yours, and yours and yours.

National Running Day isn't just a day where we celebrate what we, as individuals, do and why we do it but a celebration of the community and camaraderie that has brought us all to this place. A place where pace, ability and motivation aren't important. The place, the starting line, matters only in a shared passion for sport, health and challenge.

On this day, many like to share why they run - giving an overarching, grand reason that digs from the sole to the soul. The reasons are good, great even, but I often find it hard to articulate what brings me to lace up my shoes each day. Today, at 8:05 a.m., I might have said "I run ... because World War III is about to be ignited over sneakers vs. sandals." My mother runners out there are sure to understand. Other days, according to my Twitter feed, the reason might be more superficial - to take in copious amounts of Salted Caramel Gu with good reason

The real answer, one that seems to fall short in my mind, is I run ... because I do. I run because this is the path I chose for myself.

I run ... because there's no way on God's green Earth that I'm doing Zumba regularly.

And so, this morning, I laced up my new Saucony Fastwitch, dropped off a frustrated Miles at daycare ("I requested sandals!") and hit the trail for a workout that made my knees shake before pressing start on my Garmin. I didn't think of much during those 6 miles beyond what paces I needed to hit and how I was breathing.

I ran smart, I ran strong and I ran with my heart. Because it is what I do.

◊ ◊ ◊

Time to celebrate!

Competitor Group discounts. Like the Rock 'n' Roll race series? Today is the day to register. The group is offering:

• $20 off domestic Rock ‘n’ Roll full, half, relay & bike 
• $5 off 5k, 10k, Mini o €5 off Int’l RNR 
• $5 off Carlsbad 5000 
• $20 off Women’s Running Series 
• $20 off TriRock (excluding Nations)

 Gear check. While not specifically for race day, Pro Compression is having a pretty rad sale - 50 percent off your order when you purchase two or more items. Y'all know I'm a fan (it's why I'm an ambassador), and I'm loving the low trainer socks for summer running. They hug my feet without making me sweat. Use the code JUNE to order.

Stay hydrated. Nuun is having a photo contest on its Facebook page. Snap a photo of you in action on a run today and post it in the comments section of the post to enter to win a runner's hydration pack (2 tubes and a bottle). You can also save 20 percent on your order using code NATIONALRUNNINGDAY.

Locked and loaded. I'm a big fan of Lock Laces - and not just for running, either. I've used them for Miles' sneakers because that kid will untie those sneakers he doesn't want to wear and chuck them at you. Use code RUNDAY to save 40 percent on a build-your-own three pack and the reflective three-pack (good for those 5:15 a.m. run dates).

Celebrate, err, good times: A giveaway

There's no great way to celebrate 32 - you know, if someone were to turn 32 years old.

A person could run 32 miles but that requires planning, training and time - lots of time. There's the option to run 32 kilometers but even that's more than 19 miles and requires endurance training and time. Throw a decimal in there and 3.2 miles is manageable but - meh - 3.2 miles. It'd be much more fun if you were 31 and wanted to PR a 5K.

Then there's the list-type celebration - 32 things to be grateful for, which by No. 31, would be that a toenail might make it to Wisconsin; or 32 things to accomplish this year but the person, not naming names, is usually just happy to have her teeth brushed before she leaves the house.

It can leave a person in quite the conundrum as she sips nuun and wonders whether birthdays are best for the 22K set. Or she could choose to celebrate with others by celebrating others.

And so it is with that in mind that I present you with the 3-2 birthday giveaway. There are three prizes for two people (six items total). This giveaway is provided by me, and the items are either unused "leftovers" from product reviews, things I've purchased or things I acquired at a phenomenally low rate with rebates. It is to celebrate you, the reader, for coming here and reading the words I spew.

So without further adieu, prize one:

A pair of Lock Laces, Nathan Sports TransWarmer Gloves (size medium) and SPIbelt. The items are each black, so it's like the Ninja of giveaways.

Prize two:

Vera Bradley tumbler, one tube of lemonade nuun and a $15 iTunes gift card.

I'm doing this is as a Rafflecopter, which makes it super easy, and I'm going to try to make this as effortless as possible. You know to celebrate you.

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Note: Open to U.S. residents only (as I'm paying for shipping). Giveaway will end at midnight Wednesday, April 24, and winners will be contacted via email. If you are picked first, your email will give you first dibs on the prize that you want.

Get into gear: LOCK LACES review

The coulda, shoulda, woulda, oh fig it moments. We've all had them - in life and in running.

When I was interviewing the too-amazing Beth Schrader last month and just chatting about running, we talked about getting into a groove and how the clock doesn't stop during a race. Event directors don't pause it, the way one can a Garmin, for potty breaks, a drink of water or to unzip the SPIbelt for a chew. Learning to run "straight" can be an important part of training as to simulate that aspect of a race, especially if you are going for a time goal.

But running straight can only get you so far if you don't double-knot your shoes.

I shared with Beth the story of my half-marathon PR (which is nearly 2.5 years old). I finished in 1:54:12 at the 2010 Fort4Fitness but I wonder what my real time was as I stopped just shy of the 4-mile mark to tie my shoes. I'm certain that I could have had a 1:53:XX finish had I prepped a little bit better.

Coulda, shoulda, woulda, oh fig it.

Of course, the way I look at it now is that those seconds are just ones I don't have to try to shave off when I try to run hard at Wisconsin in May. Mrs. Brightside, right here. Just got to learn from the mistake and not make it again.

I was recently given the opportunity to try LOCK LACES, an elastic lace and shoe fastening system that makes bunny ears and double knots obsolete.They come in 13 vibrant colors, and the company has the best. slogan. ever. Win. Never Tie.

About LOCK LACES:

LOCK LACES™ is the only patented performance lacing system engineered to meet the demands of endurance athletes such as runners, triathletes, marathoners, and walkers. Also ideal for those who have difficulty tying their own shoes, LOCK LACES™ are popular with kids, seniors and individuals with special needs. LOCK LACES™ is a national sponsor of both the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Fit Feet Program and The Challenged Athletes National Triathlon.

I was sent three pairs to try out - pink, blue and black. I only have two pairs of shoes so ... totally means I need a new pair. Right? Right!

Anyway, I decided to try the pink laces in my Lunar Flys, which I wear for shorter or faster runs. I took the laces out of the package, and I have to admit that I was a bit flummoxed as to how to lace the shoe. The directions on the package are clear but abbreviated and it was early. I found it better to look on the website and watch a video on YouTube and once I saw it done, I was laced up and ready to go in a few minutes.

I wasn't sure how I'd like the LOCK LACES as the clip doesn't secure to the shoe or lace and I was certain that I was going to feel like my shoe was going to fall off. I started the run a bit trepidatiously, wanting to be diligent and notice anything that felt off or uncomfortable. After a half-mile, I realized that the laces were doing their job, felt secure and I could just go. Like a cheetah. Or girl in a cheetah skirt.

I've been wearing the laces exclusively for two weeks now, and I definitely like them. My shoes feel secure and there is no annoyance with feeling a lace slowly loosen and become untied. I do advise to follow directions (imagine that) and lace the shoe with it on your foot. When I put the laces in my long run shoes, I didn't heed this advice and the laces felt tight. I was also a bit conservative and left more slack than recommended when trimming the laces. Doing so leads to a little more bounce than desired, and I went back to trim off another quarter- to half-inch.

My only real complaint is that it seems you would have to buy a new pair of laces every time you get a new pair of shoes as you have to trim the ends of the elastic and I don't see how it would thread through. But, at $7.99 a pair (or three for $19.99), it's not a huge cost and as the laces can be bought in stores, you can just tack it on with the cost of the shoe. Plus, there's a ton of fun colors, and it would be a great way to sass up shoes that don't come in fun colors (looking at you, Nike Structure).

But for the real question: Would I actually buy them? With my own money? Probably. I think they are nice to have - but not necessary - and I like the security of not having to tie my shoe laces. For someone who is going out for a PR or doing a triathlon where every second counts (thinking transition on the tri), it's a worthwhile purchase. If only for the sake of removing one last coulda, shoulda, woulda, oh fig it.