Walking Into A Great You
**Guest blog by Denae Olberding, Lululemon Run Ambassador, Flywheel Fitness Instructor and Influencer Marketing Guru at Sideqik **
Daily we’re given an opportunity to step out into the world and take on the day. How many steps exactly are we taking throughout a day? We may not even know nor care, but we may also already be crushing step goals and challenges that are set in society. Whether you are tracking steps, taking a run down PATH400 or just simply commuting to and from one restaurant, shopping center or coffee shop down Peachtree; you’re taking steps to better your day in the right direction, often, without even knowing it.
Lace up your running shoes with us as we explore Buckhead.
The great part about the weather changing and the urge to get outside is, you are filled with options to do so in Atlanta. The urge for happy hours are happening on our favorite patios. Our sidewalks are filling with walkers and runners. For everyone it’s different, and that’s perfectly fine. I found myself at different starting lines around the city and I never put a mile marker or time limit on my journeys. Running became my greatest passion not because I set out step goals but rather I took an approach to my commute around the city on foot. As an Atlanta transplant that I now call home, I found myself discovering ATL through many miles and neighborhoods. It’s a mindset game rather than a physical game at first. I found myself looking for landmarks in the city that I could run to. I then set out to run to that same location and run back. This cycle continued and over time I found myself at a different starting line and finish line every Saturday morning that brought me closer to the city and closer to the reality of feeling like a runner. Runner, walker, whatever you declare yourself is what you are.
Tuesday nights Run Club is a favorite of mine. A group of walk, runners and supporters of each other comes together and we hit rush hour traffic with a different mindset. We parade down Peachtree on foot while others find themselves on Peachtree behind the wheel. Switch up your routine of jumping right in your car at 5 and instead take off for a walk. If time doesn’t permit – no problem there is always a way. Lunch breaks are key points of the day for a stroll or taking laps around your office building wherever you are. Creating these habits now as we approach spring will only turn into pride heading into summer. Ever think about turning your parade down Peacthree to happy hour into parading down Peachtree for the 50th running of the Peachtree Road Race, the world’s largest 10K and an iconic Atlanta event to be apart of? There’s still time to get a training runs in with Livable Buckhead and Lululemon on Tuesday nights, get race-ready with BuckheadRUN! 5k on June 1 and by July 4th you’ll be ready for the Peachtree Road Race.
Now that your mindset has changed from “I have to get these steps in to win this challenge” to you telling yourself I get to enjoy the long route to dinner and walk or better yet, I’m going to go for a run Tuesday night before I hop in my car and head home from work – it all counts! Getting in steps and movement when the Atlanta spring weather is calling our names has never been easier.
With the help of Livable Buckhead’s BuckheadWALKS!, BuckheadRUN! and the Buckhead community; you are given an opportunity to take on the day with an even greater pep in your step and step goals become a lifestyle.
About the Author
Denae is a Lululemon Run Ambassador, Flywheel Fitness Instructor and Full-Time Influencer Marketing Guru at Sideqik here in Atlanta. She started running just 5 years ago and continues to align her passion of community and running to inspire others in the office and outside. While running the Boston Marathon a few times is fulfilling, nothing tops running with the Tuesday night Livable Buckhead <> Lululemon Run Club. A Kansas native who now calls Atlanta home, she’s usually exploring Atlanta through miles followed by a cup of post-run coffee with her fiance and dog on a regular basis.
