Are you up for a challenge, Charlotte? 7 Day Running Streak Challenge
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Want to show some solidarity (and maybe lose a few pounds)?
Wednesday, June 3rd was National Running Day. Our team at Active Charlotte Alliance is feeling ambitious and has decided to declare June Charlotte’s Run Month!
In support of the June Run Month, please join ACA in a 7 Day Running Streak Challenge from June 22nd-June 28th.
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The #ACARunMonth meetups are scheduled each day the week of June 22nd, Monday through Sunday, at a different local organized brewery run. No imbibing required (unless, of course, you’ve earned it).
The benefits of beer, well that’s for another article. The benefits of running are countless; here are a few of our faves:
(1) Running elevates your mood. Years ago, human survival depended on our ability to chase our food on a hunt. Some anthropologists believe our bodies developed the “runner’s high” as a natural painkiller, masking fatigue and pain from blistered feet. This feeling comes from endorphins – chemicals that are not unlike the medically engineered counterpart, morphine.
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So, you might be an endorphin addict, or you might hate pounding pavement, but most studies show that regardless of your love of running, even a short jaunt can help allay symptoms of stress and even depression. My first grader has been overheard saying, “Mom is a little bunched up. I think she really needs to go for a run.” As Ted says, “Anyways.”
(2) Running improves critical thinking skills. Exercise is scientifically proven to be the most optimal tool available to improve critical thinking skills.
According to Spark, The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain (which we highly recommend for those interested in developing high performing Corporate Athletes in the office or classrooms), embracing the science of running can help you spark brain function to improve learning on three important levels:
“First, running (or any exercise) improves intellectual alertness, attention, and motivation.
Second, it prepares and encourages nerve cells to bind to one another, which is the cellular basis for logging new information.
Third, it spurs the development of new nerve cells from stem cells in the hippocampus.”
(3) Running helps one manage weight, improve bone density, and sculpt muscles. We hope you know this. 😉
With those benefits in mind, we’ve got a challenge for you, Charlotte!
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Every day of the week (June 22nd-June 28th), a different local Charlotte business hosts an organized run in support of keeping Charlotte active in combination with a fun social atmosphere.
Explore different areas of the Charlotte Metropolitan area. Support local Charlotte businesses. Make new friends. Rain or shine.
Check the ACA Facebook page for details on where to meet your fellow ACA supporters at each run.
Post your sweaty selfies and follow us on Instagram at #ACARunMonth.
- Monday, June 22: Heist Brewery Run 6:30pm
- Tuesday, June 23: Brazwell’s Run 7pm
- Wednesday, June 24: NoDa Brewing Company Run 6:30pm
- Thursday, June 25: Triple C Brewing Company Run 6:30pm
- Friday, June 26: The Peculiar Rabbit Run 7pm
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- Saturday, June 27: Sycamore Brewery Run at 12pm
- Sunday, June 28: Lenny Boy Brewing Company Run at 12pm
Tune in to our ACA calendar tab to view details and directions for all the seven run locations!
No time to meetup with ACA? Here are a few ideas for other options:
- Run the famous Booty Loop in the morning, afternoon or evening! It’s open 24 hours a day!
- Find the CharlotteRunners and Meet Up!
- Connect socially with others on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter! Join the ACA group on Strava and get into a better routine of tracking your activities! Tell us about it: #ACArunmonth
- Reach out to Jennifer Moore at Carolina’s Rehabilitation’s Adaptive Sports & Adventures Program (ASAP) to see how you can participate in monthly workouts!
- Is cross-country your thing? Head on over to the McAlpine Park Greenway or the National Whitewater Center for some trail runs.
- Join fellow veteran Blake Bourne from Charlotte Bridge Home and other local military veterans for this Thursday’s monthly run on the Greenway!
- Grab some treadmill time at one of several fitness centers including the YMCA of Greater Charlotte, the Cornwell Center, and many more!
Or simply take 5 minutes to map out some upcoming great races in our city at any one of the following race calendar sites:
Now, go. Get your run on!