Six Ways to Celebrate National Running Day

National Running Day is Wednesday. It's a time for runners everywhere to celebrate their sport and show their passion. 

There's no shortage of runners in Mountain View. You see them logging laps around Rengstorff Park, jogging up and down Stevens Creek Trail, catching the sights at Shoreline Park or zipping past homes on California Street. in the pre-dawn hours, chugging up Bean Creek Road for hill repeats or heading out of town to hit trails in nearby Henry Cowell State Park. 

So for all the runners around town—and those who wish they had the motivation, desire or ability to join them—here are ways to celebrate National Running Day.

1. Go for a run (d'oh!). 
2. Register for a local race. This is a great motivator, whether you're an experienced runner who has grown bored with the usual workouts or someone looking to be more athletic. Asian Americans for Community Involvement 5K run takes place this Saturday, June 8th, starts and ends at Microsoft's Silicon Valley campus in Mountain View.
3. Read about running. Try Born to Run, the 2009 bestseller by Christopher McDougall that inspired a lot of people to hit the trails—many of them barefoot. 
4. Find a running group. In Mountain View several clubs focus on different running levels. The Shoreline Running Club members train for half and full marathons. Mountain View/Stevens Creek Trail Saturday morning run club is for beginners and intermediate runners.
5. Be healthier. Getting adequate sleep, eating your vegetables and drinking lots of water will make you feel better, which translates into better running. 
6. Download some running jams. Rocking some tunes can help you through the lowest moments of your run. Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run," Michael Jackson's "Beat It," and "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor are classics. 

Bonus: The Rock'n'Roll Marathon series is offering a one-day $20 discount on all their events for those who sign up Wednesday. The San Jose Rock'n'Roll Half Marathon is Oct. 20, and the San Francisco installment is April 6. 

And if National Running Day isn't your thing, don't fear. National Donut Day is coming up on Friday.

Written by Jennifer Squires and Claudia Cruz