The Boston Marathon is practically here. Saying we're excited about being at the world's oldest annual marathon is a minor understatement. We've been busy talking with ambassadors, training, doing yoga and making signs for our cheer station at Heartbreak Hill. Need a little inspiration? Here you go.

molly (hearts) marathons

Remember Molly? She's the one with bottomless enthusiasm, rain or shine. (Yes, apparently it's possible.) We got her on camera at mile 22 of the LA Marathon. She was running for the sake of seeing the city, not to qualify or set a PR so she didn't mind stopping mid-run to share her love of marathons.

why do you love marathons?

"Because it builds community and connection! The energy of all different walks of life coming together for the love of the sport is incredible! When you show up on race day, you know everyone standing beside you has put in time, dedication, and commitment to be great. You have taken different roads to get there and everyone runs for their own reasons but at the end of the day, you all end up in the same place - the starting line.  The moment after the gun blows, you're suddenly surrounded by the sound of thousands of running shoes hitting the pavement in unison.... the feeling is indescribable." - Molly

want more?

• Get what you need to prep for your next race. We have your to-do list ready.
• Be inspired by our ambassador's roads to Boston. Start with Theresa.
• Set goals to run Boston next year. We'll help you get started.

Why do you love marathons? Is it the camaraderie? The sense of accomplishment? Or in the case of San Francisco's Nike Women's Marathon, the Tiffany necklace at the finish line? (Sometimes nothing motivates more than a little something shiny. We understand.)

You don't ask questions if there's a  chance to kiss the grey goodbye and set sail for the sun. Our Creative team escaped to SoCal last weekend to capture the LA Marathon...except it rained in California and was gloriously sunny in Vancouver. (Why is Alanis Morrisette's "Ironic" coming to mind?)

pack your bags. you're going to los angeles.

Those words are music to any Vancouverite's ears. In March, there's a 99% chance of finding better weather anywhere outside of the city. This weekend it was not so.

Nothing could be more fitting than our videographer's out-of-office response: "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. It's about learning how to dance in the rain." The team took their cue from Fred Astaire himself. Sure, it poured yesterday at the LA Marathon. That didn't stop the team from capturing the amazing (albeit soggy) time had by all the athletes. 

If our marathon packing list and race-ready guide got you excited for your upcoming race (or at least stoked to set goals to run next year), we hope you'll like this visceral motivation. If they can do it in the rain, so can you.

Los Angeles couldn't rain on their parade.

The first wheelchair athlete screams by the team at the 50:21.

Can anything wipe that smile off of Molly's face? We think not.

The Brentwood cheer station broke sound barriers.

Assistant Manager Alivia set a new PR despite the rain. Goodbye, 3:15. Hello, 3:07.

So many marathons, so little time. Race season has our heart rate soaring. Up next? We interview our ambassadors who are headed to Boston. Get ready for more inspiration to put a bit more spring in your step.