Photo by Seeveeaar via Flickr's Creative Commons
I know I don’t resemble your average couch potato. After all, I do have roller derby practice 3 days a week and I try to fit in as many 6+ miles trail skates as I can into the nice weather months. But once my skates come off my feet, I turn into a total lump complete with brainless television and snacks. I especially hate to run. Any running I do is accompanied by a constant stream of complaints and whining (I know, I know. I should save my breath.). So, needless to say, I have never been tempted to run a 5k.
Until now.
The Color Run is both a 5k and a performance art. All participants are required to wear a white shirt. Why? Because each kilometer of the run is represented by a different color. As participants run (or walk) along, a special colored dust is thrown by volunteers onto the participants (don’t worry, the dust is safe, natural, and even edible). So by the end of the race, everyone is completely coated in color. I just can’t even express the number of ways this makes me happy. It’s one part silliness, one part art, and one part ancient custom. This year the Color Run is coming to Ann Arbor on July 22nd and Grand Rapids on August 5th. Sadly, the events are both sold out already for runners but it is still possible to volunteer. Maybe next year I will lace up my running shoes with a smile.
If you are interested in running, improving your running form, or setting running goals, the library’s GR Reads program has two events to experience. You can explore the Grand Rapids Urban Adventures Race on Saturday, July 14 or find the Secrets of Minimalist Running on Tuesday, July 17. Of course, the library has oodles of books and DVDs on all types of running.
Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner by Dean Karnazes also on DVD
What I Talk about When I Talk about Running by Haruki Murakami
Zen and the Art of Running: The Path to Making Peace with Your Pace by Larry Shapiro
The Lure of Long Distances: Why We Run by Robin Harvie
Run!: 26.2 Stories of Blisters and Bliss by Dean Karnazes
This library is a congressionally designated depository for U.S. Government documents.
I have some friends doing that are doing the Color Run. It does sound pretty fun! Of course, so do the Urban Adventure and 80s Scavenger Hunt. So much to do this summer!
I have some friends doing that are doing the Color Run. It does sound pretty fun! Of course, so do the Urban Adventure and 80s Scavenger Hunt. So much to do this summer!