The Next Challenge…It’s Time to Lace Up Your Shoes

Just look at all of those beautiful red faces! These are some of the dedicated, motivated runners who joined us on the first challenge.

It’s time for the next Red Faced Runners Challenge. Whether you joined us on the last challenge, or you’re someone who hasn’t run a step since junior high gym class, we want you to join us on this next challenge. This has grown to be an amazing group of people who support each other through every walk or run, celebrating our accomplishments or commiserating with each other on the difficult days.

And now we want to bring even more people into the group.

If you’re convinced that you could never run a 5k, or you’re certain that you couldn’t run one second faster or longer, then I beg you to hop over and read Cindy’s (our coach and fellow red-faced runner) motivating and informative post that she wrote for my blog at the kick-off to the first challenge.

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of the second challenge. It’s a two-parter!

The 5k:
Do you find yourself telling the same story every year when the holidays roll around? You eat too many sweets, you stop exercising and everyone but you is on your priority list. Not this year, my friends!

This year, we want each of you to take a few minutes several times each week to take care of YOU! Embrace the cooler air, pull on some of those cute fall and winter running clothes available at your local running store, and start training for the next 5k.

Local running calendars are filled with turkey trots and fall harvest runs. On the weekend of November 17th, we will all join together once more to run a 5k race in our towns and cities (or around your own neighborhoods).

If you haven’t ever trained for a 5k, be sure to check out Cindy’s printable 5k Training Plan (it’s a walk/run program).

Here are a couple of sites that are helpful for finding local runs:
Running in the U.S.A.
Running Room (U.S. and Canada)
Running Races in Canada
Active.com

Share the love:
Of course, this is optional, but could be more fun than you think!

As Cindy said the other day, this is the season to “share the love, sweat and (happy) tears…bring a friend into running”. You might be surprised by how many people are inspired by your new running lifestyle. And I’ll bet you anything that one or two of them would jump at the chance to join you, but may not have the courage to do it without some encouragement.

It doesn’t mean that you have to physically run together (though that’s pretty great, too). Maybe you decide to send each other daily text messages to keep each other motivated, or you may want to meet for one of your weekly workouts. However you decide to work it, staying accountable to each other can help both of you reach your goals.

What do you say?
So what do you say? Let’s beat those holiday exercise blues together. Let’s spread the red-faced love.

We’re excited to take on this challenge with all of you!

Remember to keep us updated on your progress on the Twitter hashtag #RFR5k and/or on the Red Faced Runners Facebook page.