#RunCommonNYE FAQs

Yes!! You can complete the R(un)Common NYE on your own schedule around other events. Ideally, you can get all of your friends to run with you, so your R(un)Common is a party in itself. What better way to complete a goal than to celebrate a brand new start?!?! Log your miles and party like it’s 2022!

Nope. This event is about you setting your own goal and working to achieve it. You can set a schedule that works for you. It’s fun to have multiple runs throughout one day and to know that others are also doing something similar, so challenge yourself to get out throughout the day. If NYE is just not the day for you, feel free to adjust to a close by date. No worries! You do you!

Nah. You know yourself, and you know what might push you to get out the door and do something uncommon. You can do 24 miles, or pick what’s right for you. Make it a challenge, and make it fun. Something that pushes you beyond the ordinary is your own perfect R(un)common.

The design is being finalized, but participants will receive a long-sleeve spun cotton (read soft) t-shirt. It will be cool. You’ll want to wear it. Details on deadline for registration to receive a shirt will be coming.

For sure! Get out and move your body. Walk, crawl, hop, skip, cha cha slide, whatever gets the miles. Time on feet and miles covered is the goal. You can accomplish them however it’s right for you.

I hope you’ll pull a group together to take on the R(un)CommonNYE and have a blast at the same time. The more, the merrier is true of running events for me. Also, share your experiences–photos, stories, calorie intake, outfits, mileage schedule, etc.–on your socials with #RunCommonNYE.

You can join in the R(un)Common fun from anywhere on the planet. So, if you must find good weather aim for Hawaii, the Canary Islands, or San Diego. Or, if you’re like me, embrace a good winter day and get out there. If you must, you can adjust course, time, whatever to make the R(un)Common work for you. But, if you run in harsh conditions your invisible badge of honor will be cooler and bigger!

You set your own course. There is no suggested route for the R(un)CommonNYE. You can do a one-mile loop over and over. You could run with friends and move your course from house to house. You can include stops along the way or just pure running. The first time I did this, I followed just a couple of pretty boring routes. This time…I hope to jazz it up a bit and also have some company! Wherever you end your R(un)Common, be sure there’s a chance to celebrate immediately! You’ve earned that!

The main principle of the R(un)Common is multiple runs adding up to 24 miles in one day. If you haven’t noticed by now, you can do whatever you want for your own R(un)CommonNYE. If you’re planning on one mile per hour, I suggest starting around 12:50 a.m. on 12/31/21. This way, you’d wrap up your mile at about 1:00 a.m. (make adjustments for your pace). Each subsequent mile would end about on the hour, with your 24th mile ending right at midnight 1/1/22…time to pop a cork, kiss a loved one, and ring in the new year.

If you’re running four miles every four hours, you could do something similar. Start your first run in order to finish around 4:00 a.m., then again by 8:00 a.m., noon, 4:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m., and finally midnight! You could adjust to starting at midnight on NYE, then finishing in the 8:00 p.m. hour, leaving yourself time to get dolled up and off to a party.

Bottom line…set a schedule that works for you!

Great question! The dark can be cold, lonely, and scary. Unfortunately, here in MN, we’re in for a lot of dark these days. If you are only up for daylight running, plan accordingly. Otherwise, here are some tips for running in the dark:

• Run with others–not only is it more fun, it’s safer
• Wear reflectors–here’s my go-to reflective running vest
• Use lights–a good headlamp, maybe a clip-on red light on the back of your reflective vest and clip-on white light on the front.
• Run in areas with street lighting
• Tell others what your running plans are–where you’ll be and when you’ll be out

All proceeds from the inaugural R(un)CommonNYE will be donated to the Healthy Community Initiative (HCI). I am pumped to support this organization. HCI has used millions of grant dollars and community collaborations to support youth in our area. This is a local collaborative effort working for the success of all youth, providing abundant resources, education, service opportunities, and community networks for young people and families. I love the breadth of support HCI provides for programs supporting youth. One example that is near and dear is the Northfield Promise, one program that promotes academic and social growth from cradle to career.

R(un)Common events will not always donate to the same non-profits, but they will always give to organizations with missions and actions that support the common good. Even if you are not a Rice County resident, you can feel good about your support for HCI, knowing that donations from your R(un)Common registration and additional donations will impact youth for the better.

The question is, Why not?! You could spend the day exchanging holiday gifts, cleaning house, running errands, or running for a cause. Ok, I realize you have lots of great options for what to do with your time and energy. Participating in the R(un)CommonNYE very intentionally lets you close out 2021 (let’s face it–this year hasn’t been the easiest) and welcome in 2022 with all its hope for newness in a positive way. By completing your own personal challenge for R(un)Common, you are literally running into 2022 with a healthy start and hopefully realizing some of the huge potential that lies within you. Plus, it’s a bit crazy and fun, and you can invite all of your friends near and far to participate as well!

Sure. You can. I can’t, but you can. More power to you if this is how you like to check off your miles. You can watch a show, listen to a podcast, not face the elements, and have a conveniently tailored course that always ends at the exact distance you’re looking for. While I’m not a huge fan, you’ll never hear me call it the dreadmill…if I have an option to choose running inside or outside, it’s good. Nothing wrong with extra options at all!