What do you #RUNFOR?

Running. We do it for all sorts of reasons. And, at different times in our lives, we probably run for different reasons -- some more inspirational than others but, I'd say, all of them real and meaningful to the runners they belong to.

DICK'S Sporting Goods has tapped into the inspirational end of why runners run. Their #RUNFOR campaign shares truly inspirational stories about how running has impacted individual runner's lives.

One standout is the story of Alicia Shay. You may have heard a little of her story at some point. Her husband, Ryan Shay, was a promising long-distance runner who died during the US Olympic marathon trials in 2007. It was terrible -- he had a massive heart attack a few miles into the race and died.

He left behind his wife, Alicia, who is also a runner. She turned to running to work through her grief after her husband died -- eventually starting "Shay Hostel," a communal space where runners live and train. Now, DICK'S is sharing her story.

Check it out:






They have other short films, too, including one about Team Hoyt, which I also recommend you check out.

These kinds of stories can surely do wonders to motivate you on days when you don't feel like lacing up your running shoes, or when you're feeling a little out of sorts. Watch one of the #RUNFOR stories and you'll probably feel pretty grateful for what you have and you'll likely be motivated to get out there and run -- whatever your reason!!

Run on, friends!

Disclaimer: I am not associated with this campaign -- I was sent information about it and decided it was worth sharing.

The hangover.

This is kinda what I have going on over in Happy Runner-ville today:

http://www.toothpastefordinner.com/040610

Oh, Olympics. I'll miss you.

I really, really will. But I've missed my sleep dearly and the stress of all that competition has, at times, been too much. So, in a way, I'm glad you're over.

See you in four years!

And, friends, if you see me sleep sprinting, just look away. It's just a mad case of POSD!

Happy Monday, everyone!

~ Felice

Lessons from Danell Leyva.

Last night, I watched the Olympics men's gymnastics individual all-around finals and I was struck by something that I am 100% going to strive to apply to my running.

Danell Leyva rocked out on his floor routine at the start of the competition. One rotation later, he had to tackle the pommel horse. 

Unfortunately, it was more like the pommel horse tackled him. 

He had a poor routine that garnered a low score. It looked like he was out of the run for a medal. He was so low in the standings. He had to feel defeated.

He did not give up.

Somehow, someway, he shook off his "catastrophic" pommel horse routine and moved on, scoring well in each of the following rotations and moving up to claim the bronze medal.

He went from a low-low to the high of being an Olympic medalist!

Believe me, I know I'm not ever going to win an Olympic medal. But I still can learn from Danell. And, I bet, so can you.

He did not give up.

How bad must it have appeared after that pommel horse routine? How horrible must he have felt? How many doubts about himself must he have had?

Plenty bad. Plenty horrible. Plenty doubts.

I'm just guessing.

He did not give up.

So what did I learn from Danell? Well, if a 20-year-old can find a way not to crumble under pressure after almost certain failure, then I -- you know, with all the worldly wisdom that comes with age and motherhood -- should not crumble after one lousy race, one lousy run, or one lousy mile.

There is no reason to let past mistakes lead to future failures. A lousy run doesn't mean I've lost my endurance. A lousy mile repeat doesn't mean I've lost my speed. A lousy race doesn't mean my PRs are all behind me.

If I trust my training and trust my abilities, I can rise above poor performances and keep on going. 

In other words, I will not give up.

I've been feeling off ever since my crummy performance at the Boilermaker in early July. August will be my month to shake off that feeling and focus on my training and upcoming races. The Boilermaker will be forgotten.

Have you had to work hard to move on after lousy races? What worked best for you?

Thanks for stopping by!

~ Felice

Is this totally geeky?

So, I mentioned that I was out of town for a few days. This meant that with all the family action, I missed the last days of the Olympics (Thurs -- Sun). I knew this was going to happen before we left, so I made sure to DVR the coverage from Friday and Saturday evenings.

I've been watching it since I got home.

Sunday night, it was the men's marathon and the men's and women's 4x400 relays. Last night, the men's 800 and 5000. Tonight? Not sure -- I think there are a few events from Friday's coverage that I still have to watch.

Yes. I am keeping these Olympics going.

In other (non) news, I was back to running yesterday and feeling really good. I've been hampered by my right hamstring and left ITB, as well as all the family events we've had going on. But yesterday I was back! No soreness at all with the hammie or ITB. What a good start to the week!

You're only as old as you think you are.

It's old news, I know, but can we just talk about the women's marathon for a minute?

As disappointed as I was for Deena Kastor (who broke her foot and dropped out a few miles in to the race), I was all kinds of impressed by Constantina Tomescu-Dita. I could really relate to her. After all, she's a 38 year old mom. So, basically, we're like the same person. Except that she's Romanian. And a world-class runner capable of cranking out 26.2 miles in less than 2-1/2 hours.

Right, so we're not all that similar.

But, she proved that a 38 year old mom can triumph, can be the Olympic champion. And I think that is awesome. You don't have to stop competing just because you get to be a certain age. Constantina, Dara Torres and Oksana Chusovitina have all shown that. I'm sure there are others, those are just the three I've watched and rooted for.

I've heard it said that you're only as old as you think you are. It is so true. When I'm out there running, I don't feel old. I feel like a kid. Sure, a kid with occasionally sore hamstrings and ITBs, but a kid nevertheless. OK, a young adult.

But, you get the point.

For me, running and being active keeps me feeling young. The "older" Olympic champions show me that, as Dara Torres said after the 4x100 free relay, "You don't have to put an age limit on your dreams."

Hear, hear.

I feel like Yogi Berra.

I've been repeating Week 4 of the push up challenge. For the third time. It's deja vu all over again!

I swear, though, I am getting better at these push ups -- I just can't seem to get good enough to move on the Week 5. Someday . . .

In the meantime, I will be cheering ever so hard for Deena Kastor tomorrow night as she goes for her second Olympics medal in the women's marathon. And right now? I'm setting up to watch the women's 10,000 meters finals at 10:45 this morning. It's all track and field for the next few days and I'm v. excited!

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Those dudes rock.

Especially that Lezak. What a closer.

Did you watch the men's 400-meter freestyle relay last night? I know it was on late but it was AWESOME! So awesome. It was as exciting as it gets -- total Olympics moment.

Yes. I have been glued to the TV for prime-time Olympics coverage. My DVR is getting a workout. And will continue to do so for the next two weeks. Oh, Olympics, I love you!

Giddy.

I am an Olympics addict.

I have been jonesing for these Olympics for, I don't know, about four years. And now it is four days away. Oooooh, I can't wait.

I love it ALL. The track and field, obviously, but also the swimming, gymnastics, rowing, diving, even the trampoline! I would watch every second of it, if I could. I really get into it.

For two weeks, this happy runner will be one happy tv-watcher. Bring it on, NBC!