Twitter Road Race

Doug Cassaro

The following is being reposted from fellow blogger Doug Cassaro's blog-I don't wear headphones when I run.It's such a great idea I thought I'd share his idea by reposting it on RunnerDude's Blog. Read on to learn about the Twitter Road Race..... 

If you're like me, you're always trying to find a way to keep running fresh. You run a different route. You hit the trails instead of the road. You run in the morning instead of the evening. You join a running group. The list goes on and on. 

I got to thinking about how it would be fun to combine the camaraderie of road racing with the powers of Twitter...a twitter road race! 

Thanks to everyone's amazing feedback on Twitter, the race is on! Those that are interested in participating can register here. The 1st Twitter Road Race is going to be held on Saturday, January 21st. Race distance is a 5K. 

So, what do you do on race day? Simple, head out the door and run the race distance! Choose which ever route you want. You get to decide how easy or hard the course is. 

When you finish, there will be a form similar to the one you used to register where you can record you finishing time. I will post that form as race day nears. To be classified as an "official" finisher, you MUST submit your time on the date of the race. Also, don't forget to tweet about your run using the hashtag #TwitterRoadRace so everyone can read how you did! 

I will post the results for the race within 24 hours. 

The goal of this race is to create a new and fun way to connect with all the awesome runners on Twitter. It's a way for us all to run together even though we might live on separate sides of the country. 

I welcome any and all comments/suggestions for this race. Please spread the word to all your followers on Twitter! I'm leaning on you guys to help get this race trending! Don't forget to use #TwitterRoadRace when you tweet! 

You guys rock! Can't wait for January 21st! Happy running! 

Doug
@seedouglasrun

I Run Because...

Recently I joined Twitter—a free social messaging utility for staying connected in real-time. Basically, you message other twitterers by answering the question "What are you doing?" in 140 characters or less. My Twitter name is "RunnerDude_" and I've used the site to connect to my fellow runners, health nuts, and fitness buffs. On a member's homepage, there's a constant scroll of his fellow twitterers' comments. It's oddly mesmerizing to read how individuals feel about their runs and workouts or just their everyday routines. Reading about their various daily experiences in running, it got me to thinking about why people run in the first place. So, I twittered my fellow twitterers and asked them to finish the following statement, "I run because..." Below are their responses. The contributors' twitter names are at the end of the comments. If you're already on Twitter, look them up. If you're not yet a twitterer, consider joining. It's a great way to connect with fellow runners and others from all different walks of life.

I run...

• "because I am addicted to the post run euphoria." —npalefsky

• "because as cheesy as it sounds, it frees me—mentally, physically, spiritually." —ottovoss

• "because I like the shirt that says 'runners do it faster'." —RunnerHeidi

• "because it always makes me feel good. Even when the run doesn't. Weird huh?!?" —Lurtz

• "because it's the only time I'm truly alone with my thoughts, and I can work a lot of things out in my head." —clhennessey

• "because I love feeling fit, love burning calories, love the hi-tech clothes, love competing, and love winning the occasional age-group award!" —runner510

• "because I'm training for triathlons....IRONMAN" —SteadyState

• "because the law is after me and I gotta keep one step ahead. Oops, here comes the police now, gotta go" —itsDice

• "because it helps me realize my physical potential and I've met some amazing people through it!" —amlemus

• "because it is my peace! Listening to my breath, footsteps, music, my time. Love the challenge of adding miles. GOALS!" —tortaliz

• "because of the enjoyment, but also to try and lower my pace times to improve overall triathlon times." —kimokali

• "because it makes me a stronger person- inside and out. I run because it feels good. I run because I can." —alitherunner

• "because of the opportunity it gives me to set goals & challenge myself and hopefully to inspire others to do the same." —mawoolard

• "because it keeps me fit and sane. It provides me the solitude to think or not to think." —RunnerDude_