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Put the Fun in Your Run 9

bond us together and keep us close. When you take a run with a friend, you are creating
new memories and helping to guarantee that your friendship will withstand the tests of
time. If none of your friends are runners, most cities have running clubs that are happy
to accept new members. With a little digging, you can probably discover a group that
would love to have you join. Before long, you’ll have plenty of friends who are thrilled to
run with you. And, of course, all of your non-running friends will want to start coming
too when you tell them how much fun it is!
If you aren’t able to find people to run with, you might try running with a four-legged
friend. One of the great things about dogs is that their schedule is always open. When-
ever you have a free moment, so do they. With a dog, you’ll never be without a running
partner. If the only time you can squeeze a run into your schedule is at four o’clock in the
morning, your dog will still be more than happy to go with you. This brings us to another
great thing about dogs. They are continually upbeat and cheerful. How many sad looking
dogs have you seen running lately? Their enthusiasm will quickly become contagious
and you’ll find your dog’s exuberance helps to boost your morale as well. Running with
a dog can also help to ensure your safety. Many women state that they feel much safer
running with a dog than running alone. Lastly, dogs need exercise, too. Just as running
helps us to stay physically, emotionally, and mentally healthy, it helps dogs do the same.
Although you might not automatically think of it as another way to add excitement to
your running routine, signing up, training for, and completing a race is great fun. Some
of the most fun I have had while running occurred during the training sessions that I did
in preparation for the half-marathon I ran last year. I wanted to see how far I could go
and enjoyed seeing myself improve week after week. The experience of training for a race
was both incredibly motivating and satisfying. It doesn’t matter what race you sign up
for—maybe one that supports a cause you are passionate about, or maybe one that just
fits well into your schedule. You will find that training for a race adds a sense of purpose
to your running routine.
What’s more, some races are parties in and of themselves. The Color Run is a popular
5k (3 mile) run where runners wear white t-shirts and get doused with colored dye all
along the course. The finish line is just one great big color celebration. The race is a na-
tional circuit with locations all across the country. In 2013, The Color Run will visit over