@ the nays blog...

over contributing at the nays blog today. be sure to check it out and leave some comments!

Youth running: Come as you are

View All Blogs Share on bloggerShare on facebookShare on emailShare on twitterMore Sharing Services By: Kacey Lake, Director, Ready, Set, Run! National Alliance for Youth Sports My runner’s heart is smiling. Full-toothed. You see, youth sports are featured in news stories all of the time. For better or worse. But running? And youth running, at that? Not a lot of ink. Last week, however, two different stories caught my eye. And they weren’t even just youth running stories; they were inspirational youth running stories. Enter Meghan Vogel from West Liberty, Ohio. Meghan had just won the 1600 meter run and up next was the 3200 meter. At the state track meet, mind you. As she came into her final stretch, a competitor, yes COMPETITOR, fell down in front of her. Without hesitation, Meghan helped the other runner up and supported her to finish the race and cross the finish line together. Actually, the result was that Meghan came in after her competitor.(article here) Like I said, my runner’s heart is smiling. Seen as an “individual sport” many don’t understand the full camaraderie that occurs between runners. In my humble opinion, knowing someone else is as insane as you for loving the sport, builds a bond just as strong as any “team” sport. The chatter, encouragement and can-do attitude that occurs amongst runners in any given race is truly special to the sport and sure makes me proud to be a runner. Enter Franklin Park Borough in Pennsylvania. A recent article featured their community and their involvement in Ready, Set, Run! The focus of the article? The teamwork that has been such a key element in the success of their running program and the entire community that they have effected. (article here) As the director of a character-building, goal-setting youth running program, the fire in my heart is burning even hotter than usual. Running encourages kids to come as they are, no special skills required. But it also challenges them to set goals and push themselves and, in doing that, encouraging other runners seems to come naturally. Not always, of course. But when done correctly, it’s a beautiful thing and quite unique to the sport. In the words of Meghan Vogel, "I knew any girl on that field would do that for me so I was going to do that for Arden." She just knew. Yes, it’s been a good week to be a runner.

national running day!

happy national running day! did you know that? yup, the first wednesday in june.

"a day when runners everywhere declare their passion for running. It is a coast-to-coast celebration of a sport and activity that’s simple, inexpensive, and fun. It’s the perfect way for longtime runners
to reaffirm their love of running and for beginners to kick off a lifetime and life-changing
commitment. National Running Day is a collaborative effort of the foremost running
organizations in the U.S. including Atlanta Track Club, Boston Athletic Association, Chevron
Houston Marathon, Chicago Area Runners Association, Competitor Group, Inc., Little Rock
Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, New York Road Runners, Oregon Track Club,
Running USA, Twin Cities In Motion, and USA Trac."

me? i ignored my alarm for the early morning run. i shoo-ed away thoughts of going to run some really cool path in a new place with different terrain, interesting scenery. i went without my pacer and expectations. today was about me and my loyal friend, lunch-run-around-my-own-neighborhood. and it was glorious. finding a happy running place is a gift and today we honor that gift! 

i would love to hear about your happy running place... comment or email: klake (at) nays.org. #runningday