So, you may wonder what a R(un)Commoner looks like. Who are the people who sign up for #RunCommonNYE? Let me tell you a bit about those signed up so far.

We’ve got some serious athletes–people with long running goals or thousands of miles of run streaking. And, we’ve got people planning to do more walking than they would otherwise do in a day. We’ve got at least one treadmill walker. We’ve got a couple making luminaries to light their full campground loop and encourage others to walk it a few times. We’ve got some people on the fence wondering how much they’ll be able to run. We’ve got people who are running so much they hope their knees will work the next day.

The point is that anyone is a R(un)Commoner. YOU are a R(un)Commoner! The idea of #RunCommonNYE is that it’s not common. Nobody does the same thing. There’s a premise of logging miles you wouldn’t otherwise log, but you set your goal. If you’re already a runner, try for some longer or more frequent miles. If you don’t get out on your feet very often, plan on a few walks throughout the day, and you can start getting out now to get ready.

The point of #RunCommonNYE is to stretch yourself forward into 2022, and to support a good cause while doing that.

So…sign up now, set your goal, and start getting out there. Pivot from 2021 to 2022 with a healthy and fun challenge. Set yourself up to celebrate a new year and an accomplishment at the same time. You are a R(un)Commoner!!!

You may have seen a few of my posts, and maybe you’re questioning what this is. Or, maybe this is the first you’ve heard of the R(un)Common concept, and you’re ready to learn. I hope you’ll read on, then sign up!

A long-time fan of social endeavors and fitness challenges, I’ve wanted to hold an event that could encourage participation from many people in a fairly simple manner. The R(un)Common is born out of a desire to be in community with others and to do something fun that is also healthy and a personal challenge. R(un)Common is meant to be flexible and inviting to all who would like to jump in.

I started with a goal of 24 miles for this event, run in 4-mile increments over the course of a day. I’ve got some external pressure to up that goal to 48 miles over two days, which is intimidating, but I think I’ll go for it! The most important part for me, though, will be the camaraderie. I expect to have some friends setting goals ranging from one mile to 48, and I anticipate that we’ll have a group that will finish running at similar times, then get together to celebrate New Year’s Eve. This is what I hope others will do–gather a group of friends and family, set some goals (they don’t even have to be the same), get out and move your bodies, enjoy one another’s company, then celebrate the turn from 2021 to 2022.

Make it yours! Have fun! Wear your shirt! Share some laughs! Ring in the New Year with a healthy and happy start! Plus, you’ll be doing something good, as all proceeds will be donated to the Healthy Community Initiative!

Is anyone asking me to do this? No. Is there any reason I need to do this? No. Will I still love it? Yes and no. It will be hard, but it will also be an accomplishment that will feel good. I’ll question myself, then be glad I did it.

When New Year’s Eve comes along, I’ll do this again, but it will be longer. I’m planning on a full two days for #RunCommonNYE. I’ll make my own race and donate to a good cause. I hope you’ll join me with running your own goal. How about we say goodbye to 2021 with a challenge that is also a personal goal, then we ring in the new year with a party, setting 2022 off to a great start.

Gather your friends, set your goal. The premise of #RunCommonNYE is to run 24 miles in one day, but you can make it your own. It’s all virtual. You’ll get a LS T-shirt (design out soon!), and all proceeds will go to the Healthy Community Initiative. You can feel good and do good at the same time! Register Now! Your $40 fee includes your t-shirt and a donation to HCI.

Let’s get out there! The roads and paths await!