"What in the world is a 'run date', Elyse?".

"Only my favorite kind," I replied.

I was chatting with a friend during an easy jog, and as what frequently happens in the world of a twenty-something single female, the topic of dating came up. For me, running is my life. I work in run, I run for fun, and I train competitively. So, by default, I meet a lot of runners. Hence, the run date is no stress, a lot of fun, and keeps me right in my element.

No matter how running fits into your life, I find the run date to be a perfect and practical first date. What could be better than a few miles to chat and get to know one another? I guarantee that during the run there will be far less awkward pauses than meeting up for drinks or dinner. Additionally, you will both be in running clothes, so there will never be a question of "how dressed up should I be?" And, if anything, you will have gotten your workout in.

Neither person has to be a hardcore runner, but even for a casual jogger nothing can beat a run date. The most important thing is to keep it simple. At the end of the run, grab protein shakes, coffee, or brunch. Save your excruciating post-run ab routine for the second date!

Here are some guidelines for the run date:

1. Route: Plan out a route in advance. Decide before how many miles you are going to cover. I like to let the guy to pick a route, but I will always have a back-up in mind, in case we need it.

2. Pace: This isn’t a race. It is a casual run and conversation. Run a pace that is comfortable for both of you. You should run next to each other. One person should not be a few steps ahead of the other. If this is happening, not a good run date! Save the racing and speed work for serious training sessions. Resist the temptation to compare times and race stats.

3. Attire: Yes, it is a date, but you still need to be able to run comfortably. Avoid a lot of jewelry, unless you normally run with it (some of us can’t run without our pearls), and wear functional running clothes that you are comfortable being active in. And don’t wear perfume or cologne…sweat, running, and designer scents don’t mix.

4. Have fun: You are doing what you love, running, and you are sharing that with someone else, who probably loves running too. Keep the pressure off and enjoy being outside and each other’s company.

See if there is a running group in your community to meet fellow runners and let us know about the roadside romance!

As we talked about the small town experience in our meeting we realized two things: a) complimentary shipping is a great way to thank guests of ours in faraway towns who have to take road trips to get their lululemon fix, and b) many of our web team members are actually from small towns!

For the shipping details of online orders between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15, please visit this page http://shop.lululemon.com/help.html#shipping

And to learn more about some of the people behind lululemon.com and why we're loving small towns so much this month, keep on reading!

Alexandria, Online Product Specialist: Coldlake, Alberta

Alexandria pointing out (roughly) where Coldlake is.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in Coldlake, AB, and the city slogan is "Strength in Unity."

What's your favourite thing about Coldlake?

It had a bunch of lakes for swimming in the summer and great snow for snowmobiling in the winter.

How far is your town from a city?

356Km from Edmonton, AB.

How does your small town sweat?

I was too young for most of the sports there at the time but my dad would suit me up and take me snowmobiling with him all the time. It is my favorite memory.

What is something that you can only do in your small town, and not in a city?

SNOWMOBILING!

Nate, Art Director: Huntsville, Ontario

Where did you grow up?

Huntsville Ontario (was where Shania Twain learned to sing and perform).

What's your favourite thing about Huntsville?

Everybody knows everybody.

How far is your town from a city?

1 hour.

How does your small town sweat?

Hockey, beer league slow pitch.

What is something that you can only do in your small town, and not in a city?

Hmmm, you can ride into town on a snowmobile and no one will think it's odd.

Alana, Online Content Specialist: Campbell River BC

Where did you grow up?

Campbell River, the Salmon Capital of the World!

What's your favourite thing about your small town?

The fresh air, the pier, my parents, and stormy days when the trees almost snap in half and the ocean gets all crazy.

How far is your town from a city?

About two hours (to Nanaimo), and fiveish to Vancouver including ferry time.

How does your town sweat?

Campbell River is on the ocean and very close to mountains, so you can do lots of outdoor activities like hiking, skiing/snowboarding, kayaking, and mountain biking. Other activities: walking to Tim Hortons and, when I was growing up, tap dancing (little known fact about me: I am a very good tapper)!

What is something that you can only do in your small town, and not in a city?

You can swim with salmon! Also, you can hike Ripple Rock - site of the world's largest non-nuclear explosion!

Carolyn, Online Community Manager: Oliver BC

Carolyn showing us where Oliver is... approximately. [Editor's note: it is about a millimetre above her finger!]

Where did you grow up?

Oliver, BC - Wine Capital of Canada, and home to the World's Largest Cherry Pie!

What's your favourite thing about Oliver?

The slushes from Eastside Grocery of course, and the spectacular natural beauty. The juxtaposition between the dry desert and the lush vineyards take my breath away every time I come home.

How far is your town from a city?

Penticton is the closest city to us and it's about a 45 minute drive.

How does your small town sweat?

Oliver is a desert, and surely one of the hottest places in Canada - so we sweat just living there! We also love to golf, to ski in the winter, to ice skate, and to swim / canoe / windsurf / sail! It's an active place, and even though it's a small town I'm sure you'd find almost every activity available.

What is something that you can only do in your small town, and not in a city?

Drive along Black Sage Road. This is most beautiful drive and to me it rivals the jaw dropping beauty of the Pacific Coast Highway.

What's another little-known fact about Oliver?

Apparently the Ogogopo, the Okanagan's version of the Loch Ness monster, was born in our very own Tuc-el-Nuit lake!

Sheena, Ecommerce Operations Coordinator: Oromocto and Fredericton, New Brunswick

What's your favourite thing about your small town?

It's always safe to cross the street

How far is your town from a city?

Oromocto is about a 30 minute drive.

How does your small town sweat?

It's a hockey town.

What is something that you can only do in your small town, and not in a city?

Get your picture taken next to the Big Potato.

small town love

So, small towns everywhere - we've been thinking about you! If you feel inspired to tell us more about your own small town, send us a photo for October's monthly challenge. Details are here: http://www.lululemon.com/community/challenge