Are the trails calling your name?
During #runchat on Aug. 28, I asked a question about how much off-road training people did. As the answers poured in, there was a common theme — many of you said you should run trails more often; some of you have never been on a trail.
I threw out a challenge toward the end of those questions — who’s in for getting off the road at least once through the end of September?
Several people said they’re in, but since #runchat is so fast-paced, some people may have missed the challenge.
The challenge is quite simple — get off a road for a day. Just once. Drive 20 minutes to a trail if you have to. See what’s out there in the world. Regular trail runners are more than welcome to take part in this.
As part of the “challenge,” we’d like you to report back to us how it went. If you’re able to get a photo of your trail or the trail head sign, or the dirt on your shoes after, please email it to us at runchat@therunchat.com. If you have a blog, go ahead and blog about it and send us the link.
We’ll feature all the responses in a post in early October. Please send all the details by 8 p.m. ET Friday, Sept. 30.
So … are you in? Here’s a look at who committed during Sunday’s #runchat. If I missed you, or you’d like to join in the challenge, please leave a comment with your Twitter handle and we’ll update the list periodically.
@persimmon_girl
@MHLeavitt
@JessicaBChapman
@OCRunner
@ReneighRuns
@MoyeLauren
@cecemimi17
@numbersandnikes
@kymarie13
@teacherswhorun
@notdiyheather
@LisaEirene
@javaonline
@twittyRUN
@TheHeldawg
@thenakedrunners
@pantherchild
@runningbride2b
@Tangiers8
@LorneDaniel
@Cajun_Tisha
@NutritionNerd
@racingtales
@maeusa
@5280RunnerGal
@keath
@jwindh
@DavidJGilbert
@kandiemiller
@NickiinNY
@hblackmon
@jlaiti
@alexbridgeforth
@KatieRUNning
@bneilsmith
@bemehill
@ToddAnthony
@PantryItems
@Ryders_momma4
@JasonFitz1
@Blanda_Amania
@runningmom2boys
@kimnegaard
@joshnegaard
@runlikeacoyote
@runfastcupcake
@JimDog
@sleauxrunner
@merrymishaps
@RunMikeRun
@Amanda_Mowry
@lsmaxx21
Count me in! – Tangiers8
Yup, I’m in: @LorneDaniel
@runningbride2b
I’m in for the trail run challenge!
I’m in! Missed #runchat the other night so I didn’t see this challenge, but it sounds great! @Cajun_Tisha
@NutritionNerd
Count me in!
I LOVE the trails! That being said, it’s been a while since I visited Manassas Battlefield, Bull Run, or Fountainhead. Count me in! @racingtales
Me, me, me! I have my first trail race in December on Lookout Mtn, TN. Can’t wait!
@maeusa
In! @5280RunnerGal
I’m totally in! (@keath) And I won’t even try to count next week’s mud run.
Wow, I don’t know that I’d be able to keep a regular running schedule if I ran mostly roads.
So sure, sign me up for the challenge – but I bet I’ll do more like 15 trail runs between now and Sept. 30th. Trails are the best – beautiful and interesting, and they are so good for your body too.
My running bud and I are so blown away by all the amazing trail runs we’ve done (here on Vancouver Island) that we’ve started a website for all the pix:
http://daveandjackierun.wordpress.com
Highlight so far is running the northern half of the West Coast Trail a couple of weeks ago – check it out! But we’ve got another one planned for Friday that will outdo even that! (If all goes to plan, that is – it’s pretty long and remote). So check back in on the weekend – I think we’ll have some mind-blowing pix that will inspire anyone to get out on the trails more.
@jwindh
You can sign my buddy up too:
@DavidJGilbert
I’m soooooo up for it!
@kandiemiller
Ran THE falls 3 weeks ago and THE shoe last Saturday. Will send pics ASAP
I’m in, maybe even as early as this weekend. @NickiinNY
This is a great idea – I haven’t made time to run on a trail in ages! Count me in: @hblackmon.
I’m in! @jlaiti
I think my nickname Ultra Trail Goddess says it all.Getting in trail time on the Dickey Ridge Trail and MMT this weekend, so I will be covered.
Count me in – @alexbridgeforth
I missed the challenge the other night but I’m definitely up for this challenge! Now to find a trail to run on haha
@KatieRUNning
Great idea. Count me in, too — love the trails! @bneilsmith
I’m def in! @bemehill
I’m SO in!!! @eanconet
I’m in!!! @ToddAnthony
Count me in! Trails make me so happy!! @PantryItems
Woo hoo! I’m down! There’s some trails that I’ve been wanting to find an excuse to run on. This sounds like a good one.
I hope my shoes don’t get toooo dirty.
Count me in! @Ryders_momma4
Oh, I’m definitely in! Twitter: @JasonFitz1
I’m in! This should be fun.
I’m in!! @runningmom2boys
Nice! I’m in. Had been wanting to try trail running. @kimnegaard. @joshnegaard is in too.
I’m in. @runlikeacoyote
I need to get back on the trails. I haven’t been on them in a while. Bring on the hills!
I’m in @runfastcupcake
I’m in: @JimDog
I’m in! @sleauxrunner
Ooh, I missed this (as I’ve been a bit offline lately). Just ran my first trail half today and have the muddy shoes to prove it
Count me in!
@merrymishaps
I’m in! @RunMikeRun
Ok. This week. I promise!
@Amanda_Mowry
I’m in! @lsmaxx21