MFR 146: Six Reasons to Run Off Road

On and off-road miles are not equal. Off-road miles make you a better runner, make you more fit, and make you more sane.

A mile in the woods holds greater value than any on-road mile.

Running in the wild, produces startling results. It improves strength by engaging more muscles, especially the small muscles in the feet. It increases agility as each step is placed, avoiding roots or water or slippery spots, and it enhances proprioception as each step varies from the last, forcing constant split second communication between brain and muscles.

All this makes better runners. All this will translate into faster running and better form when running and racing on roads, but there is so much more.

At least as important as all the above is the mental pleasure of being out in the woods; it's truly run therapy, and there was never a time when it was more needed than right now.

Today, I launched the Gnome Fest 250 Challenge.

According to legend, gnomes protect treasures deep in the Earth, but in more recent times, they help us tend our gardens.

Well, in these crazy times, we must protect the treasure of our physical health and tend the garden that is our spirit.

This challenge will take us over 250 miles, protecting, this time, not what’s deep in the Earth but what’s most valuable on its surface.

It's time to share another adventure, the Gnome Fest 250.

Non-club members are invited to participate this time, but club members will receive a for a $10 discount via an email at 3:30, today. Please do not share the code.

Great swag! Everyone receives a gnome medal, similar to last year's Tinsel Run medal but considerably larger, and their choice of gender specific racerback tank or short sleeve shirt.

Two challenge options:

Option 1: 250 running or walking miles

Option 2: 200 running or walking miles + 50 miles biking

When: October 15th through December 31st

Where: Anywhere

Tracking: Post activity on your Race Roster dashboard

Medal: Gnome medal

Shirt: Choice of women's racerback, men's tank or gender specific short sleeve shirt, mailed in December. The racerback is the same as the Tick Tock and purple RT racerbacks of the last couple years. The short sleeve shirts are the same shirt as the Tinsel Run shirts, last year. Spec charts in comments below.

Bib: Printable, frame-worthy souvenir bib will be delivered in a