3rd ANUAL 4TH QUARTER CHALLENGE. SO WE HAVE CREATED A CLASSROOM FOR US TO TRACK OUR DAILY PROGRESS. WE WILL BE USING A GOOGLE DOC TO TRACK EVERYONE AND SHARE STATUS UPDATES HERE AS WELL. SO ALL YOU NEED TO DO IS AFTER YOU COMPLETE YOUR DAILY MILES AND PUSH UPS COME HERE AND POST IT ****TO THIS CONVERSATION THREAD**** WE WILL ALSO BE SHARING ALL 4TH QUARTER UPDATES HERE. This challenge is a grind I promise, but there is nothing like making 2026 the best year yet, by finishing out 2025 on the right note!!!

❄️ Winter Running Tips (ECRC Edition) ❄️ ***add the best tip you have for "winter running in your current geological location. 1. Dress in layers…Because nothing humbles you faster than starting a run freezing, and finishing it looking like a sweaty onion with clothing tied around every limb. 2. Warm up inside, do some high knees in your kitchen. Do some butt kicks in your hallway. Bonus points if your family watches you and questions every life decision you’ve ever made. 3. Accept that you will slip on ice.Just call it “dynamic balance training” and pretend it was intentional. Olympic-level agility, baby. 4. Don’t overdress, You may start the run feeling like you’re entering Antarctica, but 10 minutes later you’ll swear someone put you in a sauna with a windbreaker on. 5. Protect your face.Wind chill will slap you harder than your alarm clock at 5AM. Buffs, balaclavas, or your hand pretending to be a shield — use something. 6. Accept the snot rocket.Winter running is basically a faucet you can’t turn off. Do it discreetly… and away from the wind. (Trust me.) 7. Keep your water warm.Because nothing says “athlete” like trying to drink your hydration only to discover it’s turned into a slushy.

If you're shopping (for yourself or others). Here are some deals that I've gotten in my email. I tried to add the relevant info, but I'm sure there is more fine print, so check the actual sites. Reminder: anyone with an REI Member coupon - it expires today! 🐶 Pet Supermarket: VIP members up to 20% off on orders $75+, Nov 23-29. Online only. Max savings $50, exclusions apply. (Someone signed up my email, I can't even get this discount!) 😎 Sunglass Hut: up to 50% off on select styles, through Dec 1. Online and instore. https://www.sunglasshut.com/us/sunglasses/special-offers. US only (sorry). And other fine print, no other coupons. ☀️ Constantly Varied Gear: up to 50% on select styles for workout clothes, more are added. (we discussed them before - they have pockets!) 🐑 WoolX: up to 30% off sitewide (merino wool clothing), plus code BFCM for additional savings. Ships to Canada and US only (again, sorry!) 🧚‍♀️ Faerie Houses: not technically on sale but I love them 📸 Holdfast (hand made leather camera gear, small leather goods): 20% popular and curated items, use code "BLACKFRIDAY2025" 🚀 Kennedy Space Center: Save $20 on the Atlantis annual pass with an additional month for free. Trivium Series up in Michigan is having/will have Black Friday deals (they have a Black Toenail Friday Half on the 28th, which cracks me up). Coastal Race Productions in North Carolina is having a 25% off their series for 2026. Their medals are great... they get me every year. Even though I say I'm not going to do it, I end up signing up. Everyone, everywhere, all at once is having Turkey Trots! And usually Frosty Runs! This is perfect running weather!

I'll be MIA for a while. I have to remove the app from my phone because of storage issues 😭 so I'll figure out how to get this loaded on my laptop when I get back from vacation.

I am planning to run R2R2R in the Grand Canyon next October and would love some company if anyone wants to go. I use the word run loosely as there will be a significant amount of hiking. I have a few friends who might go but the more the merrier! I am going to be booking my hotel room at the south rim’s Thunderbird Lodge for Oct 3rd-8th. This hotel is not too expensive and is walking distance to the trailhead. They open up reservations on Oct. 1st for next October. Let me know if you are interested or have any questions.