LET ME EXPLAIN
( 1 ) Living five blocks from the Santa Monica beach path, daily runs along the ocean are my life. There is something special
about Southern California trail time. ( 2 ) Running early in the a.m., waving at runners as you pass by, is the best way to start
your day. ( 3 ) There’s a ton of value in the key information a shoe rep at a store can provide. ( 4 ) If you’re from Chicago like
I am, then you’ll understand why I relocated to the Los Angeles area to escape the cold. ( 5 ) Being a community builder, I
live for the energ y and connection I get from group runs. ( 6 ) My body functions much better throughout the day when I
roll out of bed for a run or workout first thing in the morning. Also takes away the chance to talk myself out of doing it later.How to Be a Runner
CAROLYN GARDNER, 48, COMMUNITY MANAGER, SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA100 RUNNERSWORLD.COM PHOTOGRAPH BY HEATHER MCWHIRTER