I never liked the word 'should'. Although words may be just words, I find you put a lot behind them, both consciously and unconsciously. To me, 'should' is surrounded by negativity: guilt, frustration, self-doubt. Even when used in a seemingly positive sentence like, "Oh you should go for that job, you are brilliant!". The word adds pressure to the person's decision to make the 'right' choice. But if we eliminate that word, we embrace the opportunities that lie before us, not making either right or wrong, merely a path we choose.

'Deserve' is an amazing word. Just this last week, I started substituting it for the word 'should', to an amazing affect. I found that it gave me a new sense of motivation when I realized I deserved greatness in my life. Honestly, this can apply to all areas. For example, washing dishes is my absolute least favourite chore to do. Too often I find myself having this conversation while sitting on the couch: "Oh, I should do the dishes... but I don't want to... gah but I really should do them..." etc. However, when I say, "I deserve clean dishes!", I'm like "Yeah!! I do!" and set about cleaning them.

I took this and applied it to my writing, my workouts, free-time, the lot! And I have to say I clearly notice a vast improvement, especially in my happiness and feeling of vitality. You all deserve an amazing life, the life you truly want. I challenge you to join me, in a 'should’-free diet!

Above: Nine lululemon eductors from the Annapolis and Logan Circle stores wearing matching Bon Bon Pink Cool Racerbacks.

A good friend of mine once told me that for every three races you run, you should volunteer at one race. Without volunteers, many of these events would not be possible. Volunteers play a huge role - doing everything from handing out the water and race numbers to ensuring participant safety. In fact, volunteerism is a huge part of the run community. Many runners volunteer their free time for their run clubs, as coaches for run programs, and at various running events.

On a recent very early Sunday morning, nine lululemon educators, all in Bon Bon Pink Cool Racerbacks attended the Zooma Women's Half Marathon in Annapolis, Maryland. Four of the educators ran stellar races, while representing the lululemon athletica team. The other five educators volunteered at the race and were posted at the finish line. Two of the educatars handed out the finisher's medals, which at Zooma are lovely necklaces, while the other three educators poured Gatorade and cut orange slices for the race finishes. By pure luck, the educators had been assigned to volunteer with elite runner and lululemon ambassador Kristen Henehan, winner of the 2007 Marine Corp Marathon and 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials participant. Kristen's spirit of volunteerism and commitment to the sport was truly inspiring.

I was truly touched by how many race participants appreciated our presence and thanked us for volunteering. At the end of the day, both the runners and volunteers came out as winners and with a sense of satisfaction. On a personal note, even though I have volunteered at many events, and volunteer a great amount in the run community as a whole, my experience volunteering with a group of friends and colleagues has inspired me to promote a greater sense of volunteerism at races within my own run club and within my run network as a whole.

Happy Running!