Running Challenge: 36 Days of Awesome

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Running Challenge to get you from Thanksgiving to New Year'sLooking for motivation to keep your heart pumping from Thanksgiving to New Year’s? Go on a running streak with the 36 Days of Awesome challenge!

Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the holiday season, and so begins five weeks of hustle and bustle, holiday travel, time with loved ones, and lots of yummy food. While I treasure the holiday cheer, my health can sometimes take a toll with poor eating habits, less exercise, and higher stress levels.

When a friend asked me to join her on a running streak this Thanksgiving, I knew it was the perfect motivator to keep me healthy during the holidays. Of course, she was referring to the Runner’s World 36 Days of Awesome running streak, which begins on Thanksgiving Day.

The Challenge: Run at least one mile each day for 36 days – every day from Thanksgiving to New Year’s.

As you prepare for Thanksgiving, look forward to a holiday season that will be healthier and happier. This streaking challenge will increase your physical activity and reduce your stress, resulting in better health and wellbeing. Recruit your local InDependent community of friends, family, and coworkers to hold you accountable and be a source of positive energy and encouragement.

For extra support, be sure to join our new Facebook group InDependent | Fitness. It’s a closed group just for military spouses where you can ask questions, discuss workouts, and share your struggles, successes, and ideas.

According to Runner’s World, you must run each day, rather than walking, biking, etc. However, if you have a group that wants to do a 36 Days of Awesome walking streak, then I say go for it! Any exercise is good exercise. Of course, if you have health concerns, get your doctor’s approval before starting the streak. And, if it’s cold where you are, be sure to dress appropriately.

For you fierce competitors out there, the United States Running Streak Association confirms that 64-year-old Jon Sutherland holds the current (and ongoing!) streaking record. Jon’s been running every day for an astounding 45 years! So once you’re done with your first 36 days, if you want to continue the streak, then keep on running.

Who’s in?