Lace up your running shoes and get ready to celebrate -- Sunday, November 8 is World Run Day 2009!

World Run Day was conceptualized in 1999 by veteran runner Bill McDermott, who told Active.com, "The idea was an international day of charity, built around running. I thought if we could just focus on one day, wouldn't that be great for all of us?" The first actual World Run Day was the following year, and after September 11, 2001, McDermott refocused his energy into the holiday to make it something people all over the world could take part in.

The idea of World Run Day is that, rather than having to run in a specific organized event to raise money for a cause, people can raise money and just go out for a run on their own. If you'd like to participate in a group event, Active.com has a list of World Run Day events near you.

A day just for running and helping charity that doesn't romanticize a marathon? Nobody can object to that!

As the temperatures dip, drying your hair before leaving the house becomes more important than ever. Hey, I remember the days of watching my wet hair freeze while waiting for the bus as a kid. Not such a big deal in the third grade, but when you're an adult on your way to work? That's a look you want to avoid.

If you work in your workouts before heading to work, there are a few tools and products that can cut your drying time down significantly.

When it comes to the dryer, Sedu is tough to beat. Sarah James of Hair Thursday says, "I love my Sedu 4000i Hair Dryer. It cuts drying time in half, and actually isn't that big, given how powerful it is. Total lifesaver when you're in a time crunch!"

Valerie Bertinelli is a total inspiration. She worked hard, lost weight, and looks amazing. And now, she has a fitness DVD -- "Valerie Bertinelli: Losing it and Keeping Fit."

The DVD is divided into three sections: a 20-minute Level 1 workout, a 40-minute Level 2 workout, and then Bonus Features. Both workouts feature Bertinelli with celebrity personal trainer Christopher Ross Lane, who was instrumental in helping the actress sculpt her new body.

Obviously, the workouts worked for Bertinelli. But is this DVD right for you? I tested out both workouts to find out.

The Elspeth New York Royalton Tote. Photo: elspethnyc.com

The Elspeth New York Royalton Tote is a flawless combination of fashion and function. It looks fabulous with any outfit, whether you're heading to work or to workout, and it has compartments for everything from shoes and shampoo to your billfold and keys.

This week, we're giving one away to a lucky That's Fit reader -- all you have to do is head over to the original post and leave a comment (not here!). If you haven't entered to win yet, hurry up! The giveaway ends tomorrow!

Ever wonder what super-healthy people have in common? Turns out, many of them share the same habits.

Sure, some of them are obvious, like getting plenty of vitamin C and regularly exercising. We all know we should be doing that. But what about gargling? Or getting a massage? Did you have any idea these actions could help ward off sickness?

It turns out they can, and there's more surprising information where that came from. To learn how to incorporate new ways into your life, and to find out about more healthy habits, head on over to FitSugar for the full scoop! And don't forget to come back and let us know which of these healthy habits surprised you most.

The Elspeth New York Royalton Tote. Photo: elspethnyc.com

Nothing ruins a perfectly put-together outfit like a big, ugly duffel bag. Whether you carry your stuff from the gym to school, or from work to a workout, wouldn't it be great to have one bag that serves double duty?

The Elspeth New York Royalton Tote is a perfect option. It's nylon (easy to clean) with a leather trim (so it looks elegant). The large interior with three big pockets is roomy enough to hold your clothes and everything else you need for the day, and two sliding pockets give you a place to store your shoes.

Oh, and this week, we're giving one away to a lucky That's Fit reader. And entering to win is simple!

• To enter, leave a confirmed comment below telling us about the biggest problem you have with carting your workout gear around town. Do you forget things? Lose them? Just can't fit it all?
• The comment must be left before 5 p.m. ET on Friday, November 6, 2009.
• You may enter only once.
• One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
• One winner will receive an Elspeth New York Royalton Tote in brown (valued at $285).
• Open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada (excluding Quebec) who are 18 and older.
• Click here for complete Official Rules. Winner will be notified by e-mail, so make sure to check next week to find out if you've won!

So, you can run 26.2 miles on the ground and think you're pretty hot stuff, huh? How do you think you would fare if you had to take your race in an upward direction?

Though you might not have tried it, vertical marathons are actually fairly common. On November 15, if you're in the Chicago area, you can take part in Skyrise Chicago Tower Up at the Willis Tower. With 2109 steps, you'll be climbing North America's tallest set of stairs, and you can climb by foot or by using specially installed hand cycles. And lucky you -- they're still accepting registration!

The following weekend, Swissôtel Vertical Marathon 2009 lets you race to the top of one of Southeast Asia's tallest hotels, located in Singapore. Last year, a new record for climbing the 73 stories was set at six minutes, 52 seconds. Think you can beat it? Registration for this year is closed.

Editor of Self magazine, Lucy Danziger, has the option of getting a free ride to work every morning. Nevermind the black town car provided by Condé Nast. Insead, Danziger is practicing what she preaches on the pages of her magazine, riding her bike to work most days, according to The New York Times.

The motivation behind this choice is twofold. For one thing, it's active and healthy, which fits right in with Danziger's lifestyle. According to The New York Times, on the morning they caught up with the editor, she'd already run six miles before leaving (on her bike) at 8 a.m.

Additionally, it's a nod to the chilly economic climate. With all of the publications Condé Nast has shut down and the budget cuts they've asked remaining mags to make, it makes perfect sense that employees would find alternate means of transportation. It seems as though Danziger is leading by example, however, can you imagine Anna Wintour doing such a thing?

Two years ago, the authors of "Eat This, Not That" published a list of the 20 Worst Foods in America. Since then, half of those unhealthy dishes have either changed their nutritional content drastically or have been taken off the menu altogether, reports Men's Health (via Today).

Could this be the start of a trend where restaurants offer menus filled with good-for-you meals?

Well, that might be stretching it, but it does look like many restaurants are taking lists like the one mentioned above seriously. For example, gone is Ruby Tuesday's Colossal Burger, as well as Baskin-Robins Chocolate Oreo Shake. With books like "Eat This, Not That" on the market, more and more Americans are educating themselves about the food available at restaurants, and when we know that a meal packs a day's worth of calories, fat and sodium, most of us are not as likely to order it.

Yoga facilitates weight loss in multiple ways. Sure, you get the physical benefits -- increased strength and flexibility -- but there's more to it, and that's a large part of what Element: Yoga for Weight Loss seeks to benefit.

Instructor Ashley Turner is not only a well-known and respected yoga instructor, but she also has a Master's in Counseling Psychology. She combines physical instruction and mental application to give students the greatest benefit from their yoga practice.

Like the other Element videos, Yoga for Weight Loss is filmed in a beautiful outdoor setting, and instructions are given in a voice over. But of all the yoga DVDs out there, is this the right one for you?