I lived in California for more than five years and must admit it's still my favorite state. For enjoying the great outdoors, you can't beat California. When it comes to 5K and 10K races, California also has some of the best. The Human Race of Silicon Valley in California is a really fun 10K and 5K race, which this year is in its 16th year. I'm a huge charity nut, so one thing I love about the Human Race is that it's all about raising money for nonprofit organizations. Last year, The Human Race raised $400,000 through a pledge system - runners asked people to pledge to pay a certain amount of money for every kilometer they ran. One hundred and fifty nonprofit organizations could do their work just a little bit better because of the generosity of people and the stamina of the runners in The Human Race 5K and 10Ks.

The Human Race in Silicon Valley has four fun runs - a 10K and 5k run, a 5K pledge run and, the most fun of all, a 5K Dog Walk. It's such a relaxed environment, too. You can bring your kids, strollers, skateboards, rollerblades and even scooters, so you don't actually have to run the course if you don't want to. And don't worry about wiping out if you hit a dog, because dogs have their own race course (with their owners too, of course)!

Another fun thing about The Human Race of Silicon Valley is the number of teams that sign up. In past years there have been Vietnamese youth teams walking, Santa Clara employee groups, animal rights teams, wheelchair teams, music and art association teams and tons more. If you think you can get a team together for The Human Race, do it. It is more fun, and you'll end up motivating each other to finish. Plus, at the end you'll get pizza. Now that's enough incentive for me.

This year's The Human Race is on Sunday May 9 with runs starting between 8:30 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. The races are run in Mountain View, California, and entrance fees are between $10 and $35, depending on age. Children under 12 are free if they walk or run with a paying adult, so a family of four can do the whole run for the price of two adult registrations.

Isn't it funny that the only time certain cities ever make the national news is when something goes wrong? Birmingham, Alabama, appears to be one of them. The only time you hear about it is when there is a scandal. Yet, this city has evolved throughout the years. It's now an integrated, prosperous area that hosts a fun marathon.

The Mercedes-Benz Mercedes Marathon is held in Birmingham during February. Just like the vehicle it's named after, the Mercedes-Benz Mercedes Marathon is a class act. Besides being well organized, it features a few crowd pleasers like a kids' marathon, relay and half marathon. To add to this, the goody bag for participating runners is well stocked with desirable items. What is the catch? The only challenge you'll have with this race is its course.

The course of the Mercedes-Benz Mercedes Marathon is held in all of the usual places. It's strewn across the downtown area giving you a chance to see the highlights of the city. The only problem is that it's really hilly. So, if you aren't used to running up and down hills, you will struggle throughout this marathon. However, don't despair. Just buy a cushy pair of Nikes and stop by several of the drinking stations. These two things will help you finish this marathon. After it's all over, stop off to a local restaurant for a traditional southern meal and visit the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute.

So, does the Mercedes-Benz Mercedes Marathon sound right for you? If your answer is yes, register. You still have time. Just visit their official website at www.mercedesmarathon.com for more information.

After having a few episodes of crippling pain that knocked me to my knees, I was diagnosed with gallstones. I was in my late 20's, relatively healthy and active. Yet, after having my surgery, it took me around six months to fully recuperate and feel like my old self. For this reason, I was surprised to find out that the only American female to hold the record for the 800 to 10,000 meter race, Mary Slaney, had over 18 surgeries during her career.

Mary Slaney, a slight brunette, was a popular athlete in the 1980s. From a kidney infection to chronic foot pain, she experienced a lot of ailments throughout her running career. Many of them led to surgery, which ended up causing her down time. For many people, these ailments coupled with surgeries would have caused them to hang up their Adidas. However, Slaney learned to take each episode with stride and continue on. This attitude earned her great success. Here's a laundry list of her accomplishments:

Records Held
American Record: 800 m - 1:56.90 (August 16, 1985 - )
American Record: 1,500 m - 3:57.12 (July 26, 1983 - )
American Record: 1 mi. - 4:16.71 (August 21, 1985 - )
American Record: 3,000 m - 8:25.83 (September 7, 1985 - )
American Record: 5,000 m - 15:06.53 (June 1, 1985 - )
American Record: 10,000 m - 31:35.30 (July 16, 1982 - )

Championships
1988 Olympics: 1,500 m (8th)
1988 Olympics: 3,000 m (10th)
1983 World Outdoors: 1,500 m (1st)
1983 World Outdoors: 3,000 m (1st)

Because of her long-suffering and undying fortitude, Mary Slaney was able to compete in races well into her late 30's. Today, she is retired. However, her legacy lives on. She was the little engine that could and did, regardless of the pain in her body.

Are you willing to bet on yourself? This question is one I've asked myself throughout the years. It started when I was age 10 and decided to jump across a wide, slippery ditch. Call me crazy, but a part of me just knew I could make it to the other side even though I'd never jumped it before. Guess what? I made it! It was an exhilarating feeling that led me to push myself to do other challenging things in life. Of course, all of them didn't work out perfectly, but the fact that I was able to take risks helped me learn to trust myself. It is a feeling that I've had to rely on in order to make some of the most important transitions in life that would normally seem out of reach for me. For this reason, I was really happy to hear about a renowned runner who'd done the same: Mensen Ernst.

Mensen Ernst was a Norwegian marathon runner who was popular in the 1800s. Considered to be one of the world's first professional athletes, he traveled the world betting against himself. From Europe to Africa, he ran to beat his own times. What was his most spectacular feat? Ernst ran from Paris to Moscow in 14 days. It was unheard of in his day and set a precedence for future runners.

In 1843, Mensen Ernst died on a quest to find the source of the Nile River. However, his passing wasn't sorrowful. For most of his life, Ernst had bet on himself and it led him on an exciting lifelong adventure. As a result, his life became a testimony to anyone who wanted to achieve great things. He showed the world that if you bet on yourself, you win. Use this lesson for yourself and make the upcoming year your best one. Believe in your abilities to make the necessary changes in your life to be happy and win in 2009.

Ever wonder what happens to world-famous runners after they leave the spotlight? Maybe they become reality TV starts, like Bruce Jenner, or the focus of a scandal like Marion Jones. Either way, you rarely hear about them doing anything spectacular to change the world of running after the media loses their trail. For this reason, I was surprised to find out how much veteran runner Jeff Galloway has achieved in his life.

For those of you who don't know, Jeff Galloway is a lifetime runner who had his heyday in the 1970s as an Olympic marathon runner. He was on the track back in the day when famous runners like Steve Prefontaine were getting their props. Yet, unlike a lot of his fellow runners, he took all of the knowledge he gained as a runner back to the people. He didn't just keep it to himself or only share it with a select few.

Jeff Galloway is responsible for penning several best-selling books on running as well as devising the Run-Walk method. In addition, he opened up athletic stores, hosted fitness camps and shared his knowledge worldwide with running coaches. A large proponent of injury-free running, Jeff Galloway has set a standard for anyone who wants to be a lifetime runner without wearing down their body. Overall, his contribution to the world of running is great.

Today, Galloway lives in Atlanta with his wife and sons. He continues to run and teach others about his chosen sport. His life is a testimony to all that a runner can do in his profession - on and off the track.

Want a different view of Bourbon Street? If so, run the New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon. It's probably the only race that you can participate in that will allow you to eat a plate of craw dads, wear a funky t-shirt and get your exercise in at the same time.

The New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon starts off with a bang. The race begins at Sugar Bowl Drive, which is normally crowded with people. At this point, the course is flat and easy to maneuver. Novice runners love it! The course later becomes a bit more challenging but not too difficult for the average runner. To add to its plusses, the New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon has a lot of great scenery. If you participate in it, you will trek through historic areas such as Audubon Park, the French Quarters and Bourbon Street. These places will allow you to experience the local flavor. A final highlight of this marathon is the "Run for the Children" relay challenge.

The "Run for the Children" relay challenge benefits the local Children's Hospital. It is a new addition to this marathon. What's fun about this relay is that it allows for teams and includes categories like "Corporate Female." The whole office can sign up for this marathon and compete against each other.

If the New Orleans Mardi Gras Marathon sounds good to you, sign up for it. It's not too late. The race occurs on February 1, 2009.

In April 2009, the largest 10K in Minnesota and one of the largest in the U.S. will take place in Minneapolis. Get in Gear is in its 32nd year, and this year the event is even adding a half marathon to the 10K, 5K and 2K races to make it just that bit more exciting. Get in Gear in 2009 will be run on April 25th with the 2K Fun Run setting off at 8:15 a.m. in Minnehaha Park in downtown Minneapolis. The half marathon starts at 9 a.m. (with a three hour limit) and the 10K and 5K start at 9:30 and 9:50 a.m., so you don't even have to get up too early.

Get in Gear is billed as the annual rite of spring, but it's actually been known to be really cold (they even had snow last year on race day!). So if you're gonna run it, make sure you've got running clothes ready for both spring and winter, because, in Minnesota, it can go either way. Don't worry though, even if it's freezing, enough folks from Minneapolis will come out to cheer you on, even if they do have to wear gloves and drink hot chocolate.

Get in Gear is great because all of the proceeds from the race go to local food shelters to help the hungry, and in this economic climate, that's even more of a necessity. The goal is to raise $50,000 in 2009, which will buy a lot of loaves of bread, boxes of rice and packs of spaghetti.

Speaking of food, the day before race day, don't forget to go and pick up your race packet (including your race number and computer chip). If you're coming from out of town, you can pick them up before the race on race day, but you'll need to allow extra time. I said "speaking of food" because the packet usually includes tons of goodies such as snacks, healthy chips and last year even a box of Minute Rice too. You'll also get a nice 100-percent cotton t-shirt just for participating in the race.

Get in Gear is a lot of fun. The race is popular, the course isn't too difficult and after the race there are boatloads of food available at many food stalls in the park from noon to 8 p.m. There's also a Vendor's Village with tons of stalls to browse. Don't forget, you can also volunteer if you don't want to run. Just give the Get in Gear organizers a buzz at (612) 722-9004.

There are two 10K races that have the same theme but take place in different places and at different times. The theme is to celebrate Scotland, but the races take place on opposite sides of the Atlantic Ocean. The Scotland Run 10K is in New York in March, and The Great Scottish Run 10K in Glasgow in September.

The Scotland Run 10K takes place in Central Park in New York City every March and takes its name from the fact that it starts off a week of celebrations about Scotland. The Scotland Run 10K is an awesome event for the family, especially for the kids, as there are loads of booths serving great food, as well as music, dancers and face painters. Runners of all levels participate in The Scotland Run 10K, which is a loop run around Central Park. While you're running, you'll hear the beat of the drums and the wail of the bagpipes, so even if you're not Scottish, you'll feel like you are. Around 6,000 runners run in The Scotland Run 10K every year, making it best to register for the race beforehand, as registering on the day of the race gets incredibly hectic, and you don't want to miss the start time. The Scotland Run 10K also usually hands out some very nice gift bags, so make sure you get yours.

The Scotland Run 10K is one of the races that are pre-qualifiers for the ING New York Marathon, so there are always a lot of serious runners in it. But, don't worry, if you just want to have fun here, you can do that too.

Crossing the Atlantic and onto Scotland, The Great Scottish Run 10K takes place in September in Glasgow. Almost 20,000 runners run in this event, so it's huge and is actually the "biggest participation event" in Scotland. The race itself is relatively challenging, with some hills but a lot of flat ground. Proceeds from the Great Scottish Run 10K go to cancer research in the UK, but just for participating you'll get a nice T-shirt, a medal, certificate and a gift bag. You'll also get the satisfaction of knowing you did your part for cancer research.

If you want to enjoy the true Scottish experience, run in The Great Scottish Run 10K (there's also a half marathon if you want it a bit more of a challenge). But if crossing the Atlantic seems a bit too much, stay closer to home and run The Scotland Run 10K in New York. You'll still enjoy all the fun of Scotland without the long plane ride.

"Men of success meet with tragedy. It was the will of God that I won the Olympics, and it was the will of God that I met with my accident. I accept these victories as I accept this tragedy. I have to accept both circumstances as a fact of life and live happily."

If you are wondering who said the above statement, it is record breaking runner Abebe Bikila. Born in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) in 1932, he was the son of a shepherd who was put in the 1960 Rome Olympics at the last minute. Adidas, olympic shoe sponsor
had few shoes left when Bikila went to try out shoes. He ended up
with a pair that didn't fit comfortably, so a
couple of hours before the race the decision was taken by Abebe to run
barefoot, the way he had originally trained for the race.

Abebe Bikila became a hero in Ethiopia by becoming the first African to win an Olympic gold medal. As you can see from his prior statement, he knew it was his destiny. Besides bringing home the gold in the 500 m, he also set a new record for finishing the marathon in 2:15:16.2. Based on reports, he did it effortlessly, sprinting toward the finish line. However, as with anyone, his life was full of traumatic experiences and one that actually ended his career.

In 1969, Bikila's city was full of unrest. As a result, after swerving to avoid hitting a group of protestors, he landed in a ditch and became trapped in his car. It was an event that would turn him into a quadriplegic. With help, he later would become a paraplegic. Yet, his running days were over. It was at this time he would release the aforementioned, famous statement.

Abebe Bikila's statement is one that shows us all that we must accept life as it is. So, if 2008 really wasn't your year, accept it and move on. Try to make 2009 a better one.

Come away with me to an island full of lush plants and rolling mountains. Sit with me on the beach and allow the ocean air to blow through your hair and bring you back to a time when you had no cares in the world. You were young, healthy and able to run for hours without ever getting weary. Okay. Now that you are fully relaxed, you can refocus your thoughts and imagine doing one more thing. What? Running the Whidbey Island Marathon.

The Whidbey Island Marathon is one of those runs you can turn into a mini-vacation. It happens in the spring when the weather is warming up, your bank account has finally recuperated from all of that holiday shopping, and you are ready for a break. This marathon offers you a chance to unwind with the entire family and turn a few days into something special.

There are many ways to enjoy the Whidbey Island Marathon. It has a course that trails along a majestic island surrounded by fresh water, a half-marathon, charity clothing drop and awards for participants of all ages. As a result, your five-year-old child and seventy-year-old grandfather have a chance to get rewarded if they finish in the top three of their age category. Oh, don't worry about getting them up to and back from the race; there are shuttle buses for that. The only thing you need to worry about is planning that special family dinner after the marathon is over and enjoying the island scenery.

So, as you can see, the Whidbey Island Marathon is the perfect mini-vacation. Therefore, come March, plan on packing up your sneakers, beach bag and windbreaker. You can use all of them if you participate in the Whidbey Island Marathon. For more information, visit their Web site at www.whidbeyisland.com/race.cfm.

Have you ever heard of April Holmes? If not, you are missing out on one of the best kept secrets of America. This woman is one of the most heroic figures of our century. Why? She's a record breaking runner who's showing and teaching others how to overcome obstacles in life. Here's her story.

In 2001, April Holmes was involved in a horrible accident. One of her legs got caught under a train, which led to her losing it. For many people this kind of event would be the beginning to a life of drudgery, pain and bitterness. However, for the prior NCAA All-American, this tragedy marked the beginning of an awe-inspiring athletic and advocacy career.

After her accident, April charged full-steam ahead in her life. She moved on to compete in the Paralympic Games and set a new record under her classification for the 100 meter. She also won medals in other events. Then, she capitalized on her success by bringing her story to the national news. She did several interviews, visited schools and even starred in a video by rapper Shaggy. April Holmes' basic message to others is to persevere through life despite what does or doesn't happen to you.

So what is April up to lately? She is easing out of her athletic career and continuing to speak out for people with disabilities. Holmes continues to travel to schools to deliver a message of hope. She is definitely a modern day hero that we all can look up to.

Have you ever been on an action committee? I have. What's my definition of it? An action committee is a group of people who talk, talk and talk some more before they actually do anything. Yet, when they finally do take action, it's big. They change laws, erect buildings and even do fun things like sponsor marathons. For this reason, it's no surprise that the Lahaina Town Action Committee is hosting the next Maui Oceanfront Marathon.

The Maui Oceanfront Marathon has all of the markings of a well-thought-out run. Besides having the usual 26-mile trek, it also has incorporated other smaller courses. There's the 20-miler, half marathon, 5k and kids' run. In other words, the Lahaina Town Action Committee did all it could to inspire locals and tourists to lace up their Nikes and participate in their marathon. Too add to all of this, the committee also made sure the course included a lot of ocean scenery. If you participate in the Maui Oceanfront Marathon, you'll get a chance to see whales, colorful foliage and other things native to the ocean. It'll allow you to experience the great outdoors in a way you can't in many other places. However, if that doesn't turn you on, think about all of the surfers and other people at the beach. This marathon will allow you to meet an eclectic group of people.

Are you ready for a run along the beaches of Maui? If so, you still have time to sign up. The race starts on January 25, 2009. You can make running it one of your New Year's Resolutions. For more info, visit www.mauioceanfrontmarathon.com.

Are you a rebel? Do you see the world in a different way? Or maybe the way you accomplish a certain task differs from the average Joe. If so, you have a lot in common with the world famous runner Michael Johnson. He defied conventional methods of running with his own unique style, which led him down the road to success.

Michael Johnson is a native of Dallas. Born in 1967, he was the last of five children. Throughout his youth, it was obvious that Johnson was a runner. By the time he attended Baylor University, it came as no surprise that he was a track star. While there, he won a number of NCAA titles. Consequently, this early success prepped him for the future - one that would include the Olympics. Yet, unlike his predecessors, he'd get there using his own unique running style.

Most record breaking runners adhere to a certain running style. They lean forward, lift their knees high and spring ahead. However, Michael Johnson didn't do it this way. Instead, he stood upright and took very short steps. It was a controversial way of running, but ended up helping Michael Johnson break the record for the 400-meter run. Eventually, it also led him to the Olympics where he'd establish a new name for himself. What was it? He was titled the world's fastest man.

Today, Michael Johnson no longer runs, but remains in the public eye. He is a television commentator for the BBC and also writes a column for the Daily Telegraph. His work outside of the American media is unlike that of most U.S. born athletes. However, it is like Michael Johnson. Simply put, he does things his own way and always will.

I grew up in the Yorkshire Dales, one of the most beautiful areas of England. The Yorkshire Dales are famous for many things but especially for the Three Peaks Race. The Three Peaks Race is one of the longest, long-distance road races in the UK, going over three mountains - Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent - for more than 24 miles. In early 2009, the 55th Annual Three Peaks Race will occur, and people from all over the world will descend on the small villages of Yorkshire to participate in the race.

The race begins at Horton-in Ribblesdale. I remember going with my Dad one year when I was a little kid to see the runners set off. Thousands of runners were lined up in colorful running shorts and vests, and when they set off, it was like a herd of cattle running down the street. Apparently, the first Three Peaks race attracted only six runners. Now, it attracts a few thousand (there is a sign up ceiling of 600 though, so if you want to run in it, get your registration in early).

In Three Peaks Race history, the race is always run on a Sunday. Although in 2008, it was on a Saturday for the first time, so it will be interesting to see if they stick with the very successful Saturday race or move it back to a Sunday in 2009.

The men's record for completion of the race is 2 hours, 46 minutes and 3 seconds, which is pretty amazing for a race that is run in some areas more than 2,500 feet above sea level. Talk about thin air!

Interestingly, in 2001, the Three Peaks Race was actually cancelled because of foot-and-mouth disease among the cattle on the Yorkshire fells. Luckily, the local authorities managed to get this disease under control and hopefully it won't happen again.

Most of the runners in the Three Peaks Race are men. It's an incredibly grueling fell (mountain) race, which seems to put off a lot of women. You're running uphill for a lot of the race, over fields, mud and hills littered with rocks and, in some places, with steep drop-offs down to a nasty death below. If you love a difficult challenge though, you'll love the Three Peaks Race. You'll feel like you died when you've finished it, but a few beers in the pub afterwards will soon revive you!

"Have you lost all of your marbles?" This question must be the running joke hurled at all of the great people of Marblehead , Massachusetts. For this reason, it's a good thing they have a local female celebrity who is able to refute any of the negative connotation surrounding their town's name. Who is she? She is record breaking runner Shalane Flanagan.

At 27 years old, Shalane Flanagan is a slight, cross country runner who showed up big at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Besides coming in third in the 5000 meter race at the U.S. Olympic trials, she also took home a bronze medal in the 10,000 meter race. These wins were a great follow-up to her prior 2007 record-breaking runs where she set a new U.S. indoor 3000 meter record (8:33.25) and outdoor 5000 meter record (14:44.80). However, what's crazy is that these events aren't the most interesting aspect of Shalane Flanagan's life.

Shalane Flanagan was born with a rare condition that gave her an extra bone in her foot. Unaware of her condition for most of her life, she just found out about it three years ago. How? She was in excruciating pain and couldn't figure out why. After seeing a series of doctors, one correctly diagnosed her with an extra bone that happened to be tearing through a tendon. This event prevented her from competing in the year of 2006 but probably is responsible for her amazing rebound as a runner in 2007.

So what's the moral of Shalane Flanagan's story? If you come from a town with a funny name and just happen to have an extra bone in your body, you just might have the makings of a great athlete. And if you don't, you at least have a good story to tell.