Hello Friday!! I am looking forward to another weekend of beautiful weather. On Sunday, my mom and I will be participating in Potomac River Running’s Mothers’s Day 4 Miler – will I see you there? Today I am linking up with Mar, Courtney, and Cynthia and the theme is Five Ways to Share the Running Love.
1. Volunteer or Coach
Races are always in need of volunteers (especially for the non-glamorous pre-race set up or post-race break-down). There are also organizations like Girls on the Run (or some variation depending on your city) who seek out volunteer coaches for their running programs. Alternatively, if your schedule does not work with a formal program, accompany friends on their runs or races who are new to running (or cheer them on).
2. Donate Clothes or Shoes
I’m sure most of your closets look like mine……there are more workout/running clothes than real clothes. Like real clothes, there are some pieces I do not wear any longer (not into them anymore, too big, forgotten) and choose to donate. When my shoes reach the 400 mile mark, I donate them at my local Pacer’s store (they usually have a donation bin).
3. Organize an Event
My co-workers know I run…alot! In the past, several co-workers have mentioned they would like to run a 5K or get back into running. Choose a race and organize an event your team/office can participate it. Some companies, depending on their community/wellness programs, may even sponsor your team. Or you can do the same thing with your friends/family – I saw so many groups walking in DC last weekend for the Avon 39 Walk to End Breast Cancer event.
4. Join a Team/Club
This could be Moms Run this Town, Road Runners, or any other group. Last August I joined the Oiselle Flock and I’ve met so many amazing people through the team – everyone is so supportive and it is always fun when we get together to share our races, running stories, or go for a run.
5. Say Cheese!
Take pictures! I love looking at running related pictures on Instagram or Twitter. When looking/researching races, I usually search a hashtag to see what the event was like. Training run pics are always so motivating (especially you early bird runners)!
Any exciting plans for the weekend?
Have you volunteered at a race before?
Mindy @ Road Runner Girl
May 8, 2015Have a great race Jenny!!!
Mindy @ Road Runner Girl recently posted…Fitness Friday…May 8th Edition!
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015Thanks Mindy, hope you had a good weekend!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running
May 8, 2015Hope you and your mom have fun at the PR race this weekend!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Friday Five – May 8th – Five Reasons I Love Running with My Husband
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015Thanks Kathryn! Have a great time back home!
Tara @ Running 'N' Reading
May 8, 2015I love your heart shoes picture, Jenny! So cute! I love volunteering, and I know you do, too; such a wonderful experience. Hope you have a fantastic weekend!!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Share the Running Love
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015Haha the artsy Jennifer came out with the shoe hearts. Hope you had a great weekend!
Amy @ Running on Faith and Coffee
May 8, 2015What a fantastic list! I love to volunteer at races!
Amy @ Running on Faith and Coffee recently posted…Five Ways to Share the Running/Fitness Love
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015Volunteering at races is fun! I would like to try a different role next time (usually I volunteer at expos, wouldn’t mind day of duties).
Amy @ Running on Faith and Coffee
May 11, 2015I have volunteered at the packet pick up, and at an aid station. I liked the aid station better, being right there where the runners were. It was awesome!
Amy @ Running on Faith and Coffee recently posted…Sunday Musings, Goals and Menu Planning
Chaitali
May 8, 2015Great ideas! One of my cousins said she wanted to try to run a 5k but was intimidated so I signed up for a color run with her later this month. I think a lot of people just need someone to go with them the first time 🙂 I hope you and your mom have a great time this weekend!
Chaitali recently posted…Pike’s Peek 10k
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015I love accompanying friends/family to their first races 🙂 A color run must have been fun for you and your friend. Hope you have a great weekend, Chaitali 🙂
Sharon
May 8, 2015All great ways to sharing the running love! I should really look through my closets and drawers to donate workout gear. I have way too much! :p I have volunteered and hope to volunteer more because it’s such a great experience. Have a great run this weekend with your mom!!
Sharon recently posted…6 Mile Run Reservoir Family Hike Trip Report 4/19/15
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015Me too…just added to the pile this weekend …need to pick through the don’t wear soon 🙂 Hope you had a great weekend.
lacey@fairytalesandfitness.com
May 8, 2015Have a great race with your mom. We will be running with our mom this wkend as well in Disneyland. We love stopping for pictures at these races.
lacey@fairytalesandfitness.com recently posted…How a Mother Shares the Love of Running
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015Thanks Lacey! Looking forward to your pictures – hope you had a good race in Disney!
Gretchen Gretchruns
May 8, 2015That’s so cool that you’re doing a mother’s day race! Hope you have a great time, and love your suggestions on sharing the love 🙂
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015Thanks Gretchen, hope you have a good weekend!
Sun
May 8, 2015I volunteered at a Girls on the Run 5k a few years ago. It was such a wonderful event. I was on the course helping to direct the girls along the path. It was amazing seeing their effort and joy in doing a race!
Best of luck at your race this weekend 🙂
Sun recently posted…Lightened-Up Chili Mac
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015That is one race I would like to volunteer. I heard it is such a fun experience to watch their first race.
Debbie @ Deb Runs
May 8, 2015I love your donation suggestion!
I will not be at the Mother’s Day 4-Miler because I’ll be running my own little Mother’s Day run. Every year my MD gift request from my sons and hubby is that they go on a run with me! 🙂 Hope you and your mom have fun!
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…Sharing The Love – Running, That Is
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015Hope you had a fun Mother’s Day run with your sons and Bill! Looking forward to your pics and “recap” 🙂
Kelli
May 8, 2015Enjoy the Mother’s day 4 miler! That’s awesome. I have volunteered before – at Army 10 miler. It really opened my eyes to the behind the scenes logistics. More recently, my husband and sons volunteered at an aid station at a triathlon. My younger son was so proud that the leader picked his cup of water to grab!
Kelli recently posted…Ironman Mont Tremblant 70.3 – Training Update
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015Thank you Kelli, hope you have a good mother’s day yourself. I’ve never volunteered at the ATM, but heard it is well organized. I never though of volunteering at a triathlon (I did packet pickup once), that would be a fun/difference experience.
Coco (@Got2Run4Me)
May 8, 2015You are such a great running cheerleader because you always seem to have so much fun! It’s been too long since I’ve volunteered!
Coco (@Got2Run4Me) recently posted…Essential Ingredients For A Good Day
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015Thanks Coco 🙂 Hope you had a good Mother’s Day weekend!
Farrah
May 9, 2015These are all great ways to help! I love volunteering at races–it’s a lot of fun! :]
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015They are! I should start looking for my next volunteer gig 🙂
Cheryl
May 9, 2015Have a great race! I coach the kids JH spring track and cross country kids teams at school–it is so rewarding!
I like your sneaker heart–very clever!
Cheryl recently posted…My favorites
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015Coaching must be so rewarding – helping them achieve their goals (on/off) the track/field must be amazing. Hope you had a great weekend.
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets
May 9, 2015Great ideas! I really enjoy volunteering at races and I need to do it more often. I know I appreciate them a lot more now when I run a race! Have a great time with your mom on Sunday!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…My Best Race Ever – Rock & Roll Philly 2011
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015Thanks, Janelle! Agreed, now that it is warmer I appreciate the water stations even more now.. would like to try that one day (seems like that assignment fills up quickly).
Kristina @ Blog About Running
May 9, 2015I love looking at race/running pictures too! That’s why I follow so many runners on Insta. It’s really the most motivating thing there is!
Kristina @ Blog About Running recently posted…Getting Curious About Heart Rate Training
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015I’ll need to look at your IG list – wouldn’t mind adding some new ones 🙂
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC
May 10, 2015donating is a great idea, jenny! hope you had a great weekend 🙂
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Five Ways to be an Awesome Running Buddy
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015Thanks Courtney! Hope you had a good weekend.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero
May 10, 2015I volunteered at a kids race once and they were so cute!
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…Race the Landing 5K Series #1 – 2015
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015Aww that must have been so fun!
GiGi Eats Celebrities
May 10, 2015I have so many sneakers I could donate, no problem! But I am such a hoarder LOL!
GiGi Eats Celebrities recently posted…The D Train: Are You On It?
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015Haha it is hard for me too! I tend to say “I’ll wear these old ones for hiking” ..but once I start accumulating 2 pairs of “hiking shoes” one goes.
Victoria @ Ice Packs and Races
May 11, 2015I love the idea of getting a group together at work! One day I hope to be the token runner coworkers come to for help 🙂
Victoria @ Ice Packs and Races recently posted…Weekend Wrap-Up: 10K Dreaming
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015I’m sure you will be 🙂
Nathasha
May 11, 2015Love this – great ideas! I haven’t volunteered at any races yet, but hope to one day soon! Hope you and your mom had fun yesterday! 🙂
Nathasha recently posted…Marine Corps Marathon — Take 2
Run Jenny Run
May 11, 2015Thanks! Oh by the way – I learned how to update my comment system so you get replies 🙂 This will be the test for you hehe.
Nathasha
May 11, 2015YES! It works — I received an email about your reply! Woohoo 🙂
Nathasha recently posted…Marine Corps Marathon — Take 2
thesimplepeach
May 11, 2015#3 & #4 are things I need to work on! These are great Jenny 🙂