When I sat at my computer trying to come up with a Twitter handle in 2013, I didn't overthink it. I'm a graphic designer who now runs. Okay, sure, that works. Is Running Designer available? Yes! Done.

I grabbed the Instagram handle, created a Facebook page and bought the domain name. Of course, after setting up every other account, inevitably the email address wasn't available, so I reluctantly added THE to the beginning of the address. I must now officially apologize to whomever has the email address runningdesigner@gmail.com...I have a feeling you get a lot of email meant for me. 

The point of all of this is that back then I thought of running and design as very separate skills / interests I possessed. The most design-y thing I thought I would create was my Twitter header photo...

Until one day Paramedic Mike asked if I could help him out with his logo. His request evolved to this...

One of the first groups of runners I got to know were participants of the Earthathon relay. I was on Team Human Race.
​A group of these runners had the opportunity to meet at the 2015 Around the Bay. 

Michelle the Runner also asked I could freshen up her logo...

As part of the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, our large format print shop www.gawck.ca created the banners for the Beaches Neighbourhood Challenge which went on to win second place. 

gawck also did the signage for the Beaches Jazz Run in 2016... 

Jean-Paul Bédard was planning his epic quadruple marathon at the Scotia Toronto Waterfront Marathon early in 2016.
​As somewhat of a joke, I surprised him with a quick logo which evolved to the logo he used to represent the event that fall. 

JP then asked if I would design a very special logo for him. The #JPsTeam logo would represent a team of runners raising awareness and funds toward the survivors of childhood sexual abuse. 

As a race ambassador, I often used my design skills to create graphics to prome the races I represented...

Dave, the race director of the Tannenbaum 10K asked if I'd design the medal for the 2016 race. Along the way I updated the logo and got to design my first medal...which I also ran the race for!

In May 2017 I'll be running from Cobourg to Niagara in 24 hour relay with 11 other team members. I created the logo for our awesome team, the Endorphriends. Expect to see these little endorphriend monsters everywhere in the months to come! 

Most recently, Jean-Paul Bédard announced that he would be running the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon six times over the race weekend. In essence, that's 6 in the Six...

So, needless to say, I've come to realize that my quick choice of a Twitter handle has really become a huge part of what I am. I finish this by saying no, I've not learned how to be able to do both at once! 

​When I started running I considered it to be a solo activity, something to do to stay healthy and fit. I never could have imagined how running would become intertwined with so many people and things in my life. Running introduced me to some of my closest friends. It's meant having the opportunity to chat with every elite runner who has ever inspired me. I've represented races as an ambassador to encourage people to register or to support charitable races. I've designed logos, a race medal and event signage. The running community has truly changed my life. 

One of the first group of runners I interacted with were the Digital Champions of the Canada Running Series Toronto Yonge Street 10K and Scotia Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2014. They provided me so much inspiration and information. It became my goal to give back to others the way they did to me. I applied  to become a DC, but since I didn't have all of the requirements back then, I wasn't accepted. As I started working at meeting the social media and blog requirements, I started meeting incredible people and getting involved in running events. In 2015 I became an RBC Race for the Kids ambassador. It was an incredible experience and such a well organized event. Suddenly in 2016 I was being asked to represent several races, some informally because they were ones I already loved, and others as an official ambassador, including the spot I'd coveted with STWM. It was a crazy year of races and cheer-leading. A couple of the races were for really important causes, including youth mental health and assisting runners with disabilities. It felt great to be making an impact. 

Heading into 2017, I'd agreed to three more ambassadorships for the spring and summer and a couple race directors were asking for shout outs for events on social media. One day recently I found myself creating a graphic for one event, posting about a price change for another and trying to remember a promo code and hashtag for a third. It suddenly hit me that this was too much. Messages were getting diluted and told to the same audience repeatedly. Plus I was losing my own 'voice' as a runner by spending time promoting other people's events. 

Those who know me know that when I'm asked to do something, I  give it my all.  By no means does this mean that I don't treasure the incredible moments and memories I've had as an ambassador. I made friends, I helped inspire runners to try new races. I helped raise funds towards good causes. I had fun! I know that I made an impact, and I am proud. 

But, it's time to hang up my ambassador hats. I want to give other people the opportunities I've had and spend more of my time focused on other things like masters track running, trail races, and focusing extra time and effort on helping to build JPsTeam. 

It's not to say I won't be on social media or posting on my blog--I will. But instead of posting about promo codes, early bird pricing or thanking sponsors, I'll be posting about photos my training, articles I love and things that inspire. Sure, some of those may be about a great race or event, but not because someone asked. 

Thank you to all of the races that have given me the opportunity to 'run with' their event and brand, especially RBC Race for the Kids, Scotia Toronto Waterfront Marathon, Achilles Canada St. Patrick's Day 5K and the Beaches Running Group's Tannenbaum and Jazz Run.