Montreal is a city known for vibrant summers, cold winters and for being (in my opinion!) one of the coolest cities in Canada. This “cool” factor showed up literally for over 27,000 people who ran the Oasis Rock ‘n’ Roll Montreal Marathon this past weekend, with race day temperatures hovering around 11C and brisk winds that forced spectators to keep moving to stay warm.

In true Montreal spirit, the lululemon crew from our four Montreal stores bundled up in Scuba Hoodies and got ready for the day in Old Montreal, just past Kilometre 16. We hustled to fill as many cups with water before the first runners made it up the hill at Place Jacques Cartier and around the corner to us, and we kept on going right until the last runners passed us by.

giving thanks

As we handed out cup after cup of water, I was blown away by the amount of runners that stopped for that split second and took the time to thank us. Us?, I thought. Really? What we were doing was in no way as inspiring or tough as what they were up to that morning. But over and over, they thanked us - some gave us a little cheer, others mouthed a quick “Merci”, and many acknowledged us by taking a deep breath and picking up their pace.

It reminded me that at the end of the day we all need some support to achieve our goals – as much as we may want to just do it all ourselves. And that morning, at Kilometre 16, we were able to support the thousands of runners passing us by with something as simple as a glass of water and a smile.

the biggest cheer of all

As the clean up crews came by and the race drew to a close, we waited to make sure the last of the runners had passed us by. And we made sure we gave them the biggest cheer of all. With arms raised to create a little tunnel, every one of those runners gave us a little smile, stopped walking and then ran on through.

winter running, anyone?

Montreal, thank you for braving the elements and running your hearts out last weekend! If cool weather running is your thing, many of our stores have run clubs that continue all year. Find out more on your local Montreal store's calendar.

At last Sunday's San Francisco Marathon, our cheer station was set up at mile 23.5 - literally the last corner before the end of the race. Our San Francisco educator Lark recaps what it was like to be the light at the end of the tunnel for all the athletes that ran.

We sit and we wait, anxiously anticipating for the first runner to make the turn past our cheer station and on to the last leg of the race. Our shipping container headquarters is looking great and as the DJ finishes setting up, the team gets the signs together and we are ready for action.

The first man swings around, tired and sweaty. Even in his exhaustion he takes a second to notice the people dressed in neon, yelling as though they have had too much caffeine, crazed and jumping up and down in lemon suits. Through his exhaustion a small smile appears and we all see the reason we are here. It’s mile 23.5, after a grueling course of concrete and San Francisco hills, they have finally made it to us and even the strongest of runners need a little help for the last stretch. It’s the light at the end of the tunnel, only three miles left.

Music blaring and voices loud, cheers and cowbells can be heard for blocks. It’s almost 8 o’clock and our excitement is only growing. Every happy glance from a passing runner means we’re doing something right. Spectators and volunteers are smiling as more lululemons arrive and join the army of motivational shouting. Today, like any other day, we take part in inspiring our world to go do great things. Runner after runner, smile after smile.

The San Francisco Marathon was an experience of happiness and energy. The runners pushed our cheer levels to 11 and we gave it right back. To watch those people dig so deep was truly inspirational and the least I could do was to yell my heart out and express my admiration in effort to get them to the finish line.

Marathon Monday. To many, this phrase might not mean much, but here in Boston…it means everything.

the super bowl of running

For some, the Boston Marathon is the Super Bowl of running -- the goal every runner strives to achieve. For others, it’s a day to celebrate -- a major holiday where roads are closed and work is canceled. And starting early in the morning, fans spill outside to line the entire 26.2 mile course.

Last year, I joined the sideline crowd with lululemon’s cheer station on 'Heartbreak Hill' -- one of the hardest stretches of the race where runners need the most support. We arrived early, pumped music, and danced with motivational signs.

I still remember watching contestants pass by: wheelchair competitors, with flexed arms and sweat pouring. Military crew in full uniform. The amazing Kenyan, Geoffrey Mutai, on his way to win. And the very last charity runner, winning a personal battle for both himself and someone else. And I knew in this moment, “I want that.”

honoured, excited and terrified

Fast forward one year later, and I could not be more honored, excited and – let’s be honest – terrified to participate in this monumental day.

what we don't see

Because boy - I had no idea what I was in for! What spectators don't see are your struggles with chafing. They don't hear your alarm ring at 6 a.m. before sunrise on Saturday, feel your blisters growing, or watch you trekking through snow...in the dark.

That’s why the incomparable support of Boston’s sideline – from Newton to Boylston Street – now means more than ever before. It’s funny, but I’ve learned you actually do hear the things people say along the way. "You're almost there!" starts at mile six. "It's all downhill from here!" as you approach Heartbreak Hill. Or my personal favourite, "You're looking great!" Really? With spit foaming at the mouth, and salt crusting to my face, I doubt it – but hey, thanks for making me think I do!

why you should cheer on april 16

So, if you are in Boston on April 16, go stake out your spot and cheer on the runners. Because, we can train all we want and eat the right gel packs during the race, but it’s that smiling face, that crazy cheering fan, that is going to pick us up and push us forward when we think we have nothing left.

And honestly, it really doesn't matter what you do – hold a sign, hand out high-fives, or yell any ridiculous phrase. Because those small gestures mean more than you will ever know.

If you're in Boston this weekend, stop by and say hi at the pre-marathon expo! Look for a big, red box and you'll find us. Not in Boston? We'll be sharing our marathon weekend experience via Twitter (#bostonmarathon). Good luck to all the athletes, and see you on April 16!

The lululemon Princeton cheer team on a Saturday morning.

My professional athletic career is something I may never be able to brag about to generations to come because, well, I never had one. My could-be-professional career as your biggest fan, well, that’s another story.

When you walk into lululemon Princeton, you see our team working the floor. What most people don’t see though is our team huddled in the brisk late-April air at the edge of Mercer Lake at 7am on a Saturday with Sarah Trowbridge paraphernalia. Sarah is an educator on our lululemon team and more amazingly she’s training on the US National Rowing Team, so when she informed us all she’d be racing, we had to be there—her face in hand.

Sarah's team got crafty to cheer her on.

Although I only went to a one-week rowing camp for a single summer when I was 16, I quickly understood that the fan base for rowing even on an Olympic level was slightly less than that of, say, the NFL. But in Princeton, we’ve adopted the rowing team as our extended family and rowing as our favorite sport. Rowers are our store managers, our Elite Ambassadors, our educators, and our favourite familiar faces, so it was no surprise seeing all that lululemon walking around at the boathouse. All those athletes trying to achieve their goals and making it happen was some serious inspiration.

Inside the Princeton store with Sarah's face

All of our teams’ goals are posted in our store to remind us daily that what we want is out there waiting for us to grab it. Whether it’s eating healthier, mastering the NYC subway system, finishing a Masters Degree, or winning gold at the 2012 Olympic Games, we’re always up for cheering each other on. Support (like a good sports bra!) can make all the difference. So keep rowing, Trowbridge, we’re right there with ya!

Wanna make your goals a reality? Take a read through our goal setting tips.

Rachel is a Key Leader at lululemon Princeton, New Jersey. She's a huge fan of her team and goal setting!

I ran the San Jose Rock n Roll Half Marathon recently. I'll discuss my performance later in the post, but I had to get some thoughts out of my head and onto the screen (pen and paper in the past, right?).

Every time I go to an event, or race...if you prefer to call it that, I am touched, moved and inspired. This starts the day before the race: race packet pick up day!

the day before

You can feel the energy of anticipation from tens, hundreds or thousands of people, whether it is their first race or their 100th.

As I stroll up to the packet pickup table, I can't help but move with a sense of confidence. I can't help but smile as the volunteer hands this seasoned volunteer his race number. This is it: all of the work you put in to the days, weeks and months before, culminating in just a few hours. I thank the volunteers for their time (required!) because these people make the races we love so much fun.

I walk the expo floor, searching for the coolest new athletic gear, like most endurance geeks do. I rarely find anything I haven't seen before, but alas, I did get something and put another item on my wish list! I bought a Power Balance band, this little wristband that is supposed to help with your electrical field and balance. The expo conjures up memories and emotions of races past and as I leave I call my best friend, reminiscing about our first half marathon four years ago.

race day

Race day is here! This is it: graduation day. You put in the work and this is the easy part (most of the time). The energy reaches its climax when the starter's pistol sounds. Off we go! The fun is trying to harness your excitement in the first mile, to remember your pace!

For this race, I ran in a faster group and couldn't help but feel more alone despite the other 9,000+ runners. The silence of fast runners was draining! The best part about running in slower pace groups is the eavesdropping on neighboring conversations and engaging in your own friendly banter.

I run with a purpose. I'm out to do my best each and every time I tie my shoes. I also run for fun. I smile and thank all the volunteers, I high-five the kids and cheerleaders lining the street. Their energy and support carry me in every race. It is so cool that random people are cheering you on as if you were Michael Jordan on the court! As the miles add up, so do the thoughts running through my mind. I am no longer running on the initial anxiety, but more so on pure guts and personal pride. I have a goal and I will attain that goal or be damned trying. At mile 12, it is almost over, I'm almost there and my body is begging me to walk...but I won't. I feel the nervous energy of the racers around me, each running for the best finishing time of their life. I turn on the juice, and start to pick people off. "Go Jonny Go! Hold that pace! You are an animal!" I finish and feel accomplished, I've more than reached my goal, I kicked its ass.

Wait! I'm not done yet! I haven't told you why I just put my mind and body through the spin cycle.

1) I did it to inspire. I not only run for myself, but I run for those who can't as well as those who won't. I run with the hope that my athletic pursuits will inspire others to make the most of their wonderful bodies. The abilities we each have are amazing and a gift. Why not use them? I think I inspire others with the desire and will to push beyond what we THINK is possible. Why be mediocre when you can be great?! No one can tell you when you are great or not, that is something only you will know. It is easy to answer with one question...Did you do your best? If you said anything other than an ecstatic YES!, then you weren't great, and only you know it. Give it your all, and see what mental and physical rewards you will reap...I guarantee you will be pleasantly surprised.

2) I race to be inspired. On the walk to my car, I look at the faces of the people still running, two hours after I had finished. I can't help but cheer and clap them on. Most of them don't look like "athletes" but they are and not because anyone said they were, but because they are doing it. At times I have to take a deep breath. Everyone has a story for why they are out there. Is it to raise awareness for a cause? For someone who couldn't be there that day? To challenge themselves? For the free stuff? My eyes fill with saline (just a little)...as I couldn't be more inspired by these people. I'm inspired that people are living...and choosing such a fun way to live.

So folks, keep moving, keep grooving and keep inspiring me to be great. I promise to do the same.

I guess you could say I race because it makes me smile, and we could all use a good smile. Why do you race?

Want great insight on listening to your body and resting between runs? Check out Janice's blog: http://www.lululemon.com/community/blog/run-hard-rest-harder