You can feel like a fitness winner too...Sign up for a race!

photo by Eva Johnson

Starting last year, to celebrate St. Patty's day, I signed up for the Ann Arbor Shamrocks and Shenanigans 5K run. Since then, I have decided to make this an annual tradition. If you have seen annarbor.com's slideshow of pics from the event, I can promise that it isn't just a healthy way to celebrate the holiday, but so much fun as well.

Sporting my new Target Champion Running skirt and cute shamrock knee socks, I took off at my own pace, which I would classify as somewhere between a slow run and a very brisk walk. (I lovingly refer to this as "yogging.") For me, it isn't about speed but the fun of it all. I yog along and just enjoy the run.

I love to look at all of the people in their shamrock wear and their healthy spirits. I love the policemen and policewomen who block off the streets and smile at us as we go by. I love the businesses who dress up an employee in the mascot costume to give me a high five and a $2 off coupon (thanks, BD's Mongolian Grill).

I love to see those families gather together on the sidewalk and cheer on their loved ones, some of them holding personalized posters! Lastly, I love to finish my race and pick up the shamrocks pint glass to use for my next healthy beer.

The race atmosphere is not only fun and festive but a perfect celebration of fitness! All of us are from different places and different circumstances, but we all gather together to run or walk at the same time.

If you have ever thought or even dreamed of running a race, let me try and encourage you to go from thinking to doing it.

Running or walking in a 5K is a great first fitness goal. The anticipation and adrenaline of race day will carry you through, and the crowds cheering you on will really make you feel awesome.

Get into the spirit and sign up for a race this year: Take on your fitness goal and win! It isn't about winning a prize, but to feel like you are a winner because you can run or walk a race.

This event is a lot of shenanigans, with a few shamrocks... and Ann Arbor at its very best!

Eva Johnson is an ACE (American Council on Exercise) certified personal trainer who is currently debating on trying her yog at a 10K this year. She lives in chaos with her husband and two boys. To see her complete blog about how to stay sane and in shape in the real world, visit www.fitnessbyeva.com.