It’s that time of year that many people set New Year’s Resolutions because it’s only natural to want to start fresh at the beginning of a New Year.

Back in September, I created a birthday list of things I wanted to accomplish or incorporate into my life over the next year. One of those things on this list was to run in a Color Run event. I’m excited to announce that yesterday I signed up for the Twin Cities Color Run scheduled for July 14th. (Thank you, Ann!) This is a fun 5k event set up for people of all ages and abilities. You can learn more on their website.

However, one of my top wishlist items is to inspire others to run this year.

Last year, I used the Couch to 5k program in my own effort to start running. By the anniversary of my first 5k, I will have run 12 races in 12 months. If you asked me a year ago if I would do that, I would have laughed and said, “Just let me get through my first 5k!”

The truth is, I’m not fast. I’m still pretty slow. But we all have to start somewhere. The only thing I can do is try to improve my own time each and every time I run.

So why don’t you join me?

I announced in November that I’d love for you to join my on April 21, 2013, in running the Challenge Obesity 5k in St. Paul, Minnesota, around the beautiful Lake Como. It is the event I felt most comfortable doing as a first time runner. Runners, run-walkers and walkers are encouraged. If you aren’t local, please consider signing up for a local event around that time or doing a virtual 5k on your own. It would mean so much to me!

I have just created a team for the Challenge Obesity 5k:

Team Season It Already!

To join us, you can register online here.

When you are registering, be sure to choose: Team Member Registration.

Under the “Select a Team” drop box, choose team: Season It Already!

Team password: seasonitalready (all one word, lowercase)

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I have also recently signed up for a new challenge – to do 13 races in 2013. Jill at Fitness, Health and Happiness has set this up and has even secured sponsors and prizes! Am I crazy? Maybe. Especially since my sciatica has been giving me grief and I need to ease back a little bit. {Any and all advice regarding running with sciatica is appreciated!}

I will be starting the year off with a couple of virtual races. The first one is honor of the birthday of Katie at Runs for Cookies. A week later, I’m running another virtual race: the Sandy Hook Elementary Memorial Virtual Half Marathon and 5K. Funds raised from this event will benefit the United Way of Western Connecticut. That will be an emotional one.

So who’s joining me this year?

Cheers~
Carrie