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

Eileen, both an ambassador and an educator at lululemon Walnut Creek, with her final installment on the Best Buddies 100 Mile Bike Ride. You can read her other entries on training for the challenge here:

Cycling 100 Miles: Step One
Cycling + Nutrition

After weeks of training, I had the opportunity to join Team KCBS/KPIX Channel 5 to ride in the Audi Best Buddies Challenge 100 mile bike ride alongside my good friend, Channel 5 weatherwoman Roberta Gonzales. Best Buddies is an organization that supports individuals with intellectual disabilities and Maria Shriver is the spokesperson for this event. I am happy to report that this year with the help of so many amazing individuals, Best Buddies raised over $4 million. People are amazing!

The ride was absolutely breathtaking, and an unbelievable experience. 100 miles with 7,000 feet of climbing! A couple of Garmin Slipstream professional cyclists were in attendance to make the ride even that much more fun. The Tibco pro women’s cycling team was also there and wanted to get in a good 'hard' ride.

The first nine miles of the ride started off very controlled with two escort Audi TTs leading the way. My husband Reid, fellow triathlete Steve Cramer and I quickly moved up to the front of the pack with the pro riders. The pro cyclists were so cool and fun to ride with.  We had a good pack of about 30 strong riders, moving along at a good fast pace along rolling terrain. It was not until we passed through Big Sur, Ventana hill that the pace got a bit too fast for my hill climbing. Reid, Cramer and the pro riders were putting the hurt on the rest of us. But I was lucky to have a couple nice guys slow up for me so that I could pace off of them up that crazy climb! At the top of the climb, Reid and Cramer were waiting for me. Reid asked if I was ready to work hard to catch back on to the lead group. I knew this would be challenging and I am always up for a challenge! 

We were flying up and down the California coast, trying so hard to catch back on to the fast moving peleton. It hurt and we were all working hard, breathing extra hard, and feeling the serious burn in our legs. Within a couple of miles, we were back on and so happy to sit in and draft. Phew! It is incredible what our strong minds can help us accomplish. Believing in yourself can take you to reach new heights once thought unimaginable.

On to the crazy part. A mile after catching the group, we hit some big rollers and I once again was in the red zone. My legs were screaming, my lungs were burning, but my mind was fresh and willing to deal with it all. I stayed on pace for as long as I could until I felt like I was going to pass out. I backed off at that point, only to have a California Highway Patrol officer on his motorcycle tell me to hold on and pointed to a part of his motorcycle that I could actually hold on to. Super cool! When does this ever happen!?

I was so stoked to have gotten so far with some amazing riders.  Plus this was my longest ride in a year! I couldn’t believe how great I was feeling despite all the crazy hard efforts. Reid, on the other hand, was still looking fresh and ready for another 100 miles. Our ride time was just a bit over five hours. This is my fastest 100 miles ever and I am coming off a 6-month injury. It must have been the great company, the amazing goal setting team at lululemon and great cause that inspired me to ride fast. What an unforgettable experience!

Recently the Biggest Loser teamed up with Tri California to complete an Olympic distance triathlon. Eileen Swanson, a lululemon ambassador and educator at our Walnut Creek store, and her husband had the amazing opportunity to work as the Biggest Loser's coaches for this race! Read about their experiences below:

Reid and I were honored to have the amazing opportunity to change the lives of 16 inspiring individuals (Biggest Loser finalists and winners from the past 7 seasons) by coaching them to be able to complete the San Francisco Triathlon on July 12th. We sent them each a training plan to get ready for this race in 6 weeks. Not much time, but we knew they could do it!

The day before the triathlon, Reid and I did a walk-through of the course with all the athletes. This was so much fun. I love answering question from first-time athletes. They were all so excited, it was refreshing. Each and every former BL contestant we met was super friendly, sweet, and eager to listen and learn.

After the walk-through we were off to a media lunch at Joe’s Grill in the city. It was a delicious lunch and great time to get to know each other better. I sat with Heba & Ed (finalists season 6), Coleen (season 5), Ali (winner season 5), Pete (at home winner season 4), Suzy (2nd place season 2) and Holly (finalist season 4). It was interesting and inspiring to hear how each individual ended up on the TV show and to hear how motivated they were to compete in a triathlon.

The triathlon morning came quicker than expected for all. Reid and I helped each athlete get set up in the transition area, worked on their bikes, helped put on wetsuits and gave some last minute advice. Whoa, there was some serious energy in the transition area. We all had an amazing time watching these newbies get ready for an experience of a lifetime!

The swim start was unreal. I was brought to tears watching all of these athletes giving each other high fives in the water, screaming with joy, and seeing the happiness written all over their faces.

The run was an incredible sight to watch. Heba, Ed, Matt, Pete, Bernie, Blaine, Coleen and Dane looked strong and were always so happy to be out there on the run course and loved the cheers from everyone. Nothing explains this better than some pics of those big smiles. The best part of this amazing weekend was watching each one of these amazing individuals cross the finish line with so much joy! Incredible! It was an absolutely surreal moment. We, as coaches, could not have asked for a better fairytale ending. Congratulations to all Biggest Losers! You truly are inspiring, amazing individuals. Anything really is possible. Keep it going…