I’ve reference this idea before, but I think it is important to repeat over and over.  (Especially because it is my favorite part of running and I do it over and over again.)

“Use the run as social time: See runs as an opportunity to catch up with friends.  It doesn’t have to be dinner, drinks, or coffee.  Get used to the social opportunities running provides. If you enjoy talking, start running and talking.  Avoid trying to run faster or listening to your ipod.  Just enjoy meeting your friends over a run.  Have fun talking about your families, friends, TV, Philosophy, anything.

Run to social engagements: If you’re meeting friends in town run, run there.  If you’re meeting your family on Sunday afternoon in the park, get your husband to drive while you run [or get him to run too!…just saying -cd] Just make sure you’re comfortable in your running gear or that your can get changed easily.  The network doesn’t have to be people you run with; it can be the reward for the run.” -Kara Goucher

Or you can combine the two as I like to do.  This past Friday, Carl Swedberg, Steve Waterbury, and I become the first 3 people ever to complete the Hollywood Challenge.  The challenge, should you choose to accept it, is to run the 4.25 miles from Willows Road PROclub to the Hollywood tavern.  Consume 8 beers (Steve decided being the first run we should do 9, therefore we did.) Run back.  Piece of cake.

What was hard were the games that the local patrons of the Hollywood Tavern play.  We played hit the nail in the log with the tack hammer.  Trust me, that was the hard part of the evening.

We had some of America’s finest beer on tap; Coors Light, Bud Light, and Pabst.

We also had some amazing canned beers from Olympia (also known as Oly)

to Rainier

We did make it back. Running the whole way.

The challenge nows lies to you should you choose to accept it….