Run happy from the inside out — that’s what happens whenever I wear my “orange crush” combo.

These pieces, which I got recently, have become my favorite, go-to running clothes this fall. The cheerful patterns put me in a good mood. They improve my frame of mind when I might otherwise be feeling and running sluggish.

It’s not that the clothes make you faster, but feeling your best can improve any run.

I have been a runner for 20-plus years and I’ve seen clothing trends come and go.

Luckily, there are lots of reasons to like running clothes right now. Chief among them — there are a lot of options out there. The fabrics are better and whisk moisture away, prevent chafing, and a lot of clothes also have practical pockets and zippers.

My favorite thing is when fashion with function follow together. I’m not a super girly-girl but I like colors and sporty designs. My orange polka-dot jacket (Cyclone Jacket by Nike) has a good zip pocket, blocks the wind and cinches up nicely.

Every time I wear my Nike checker shorts I smile and I think of my dear friend, Snow, who lives in Chicago and is an amazing writer. My children and I visited her this summer. We kicked around the Andersonville neighborhood with her and stopped at a local running store, The Runner’s Edge, that had them in the display window. Snow talked me into trying them on that day.

I thought they would look terrible on me because of the loud pattern, but surprisingly they were cute. I didn’t get them that day but I couldn’t get them out of my mind. Then I saw them again at a store here in Colorado, Runner’s Roost in Lone Tree, with the orange Nike Cyclone jacket. I picked up the shorts that day and later found the jacket on sale at another local store.

I was sold on both of them after that.

I’ve been wearing my various new pieces on my longer runs — that’s the true test of how pragmatic they are. Items that don’t rub or chafe rise to the top of my running/racing wardrobe.

So far, so good for my lovely orange crush items.

When I lived in New Mexico there was a runner I knew who always raced wearing Mickey Mouse boxer shorts. They looked cotton and quite well loved. I don’t think I could ever race in them myself but after my recent “crush” I get the spirit behind them.

Do you have a running clothing combo you love? That puts the fun into functional?

Send me a photo or tell me about it. I post it, too.

Run well. Run hard. Run happy.

I like that.

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Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let’s go!

Mileage today: 8; Mileage since Boston: 617.1.