The Ultimate Edmonton Run List 2017

There are so many great fun runs popping up, I've rounded up this list for you. Get some friends together for a team or train for a long run. Either way have some fun!

Edmonton Gorilla Run May 13th

Be a gorilla for a morning. Dress up your costume to enter to win prizes too!

Teddy Bear Fun Run May 13th

Supporting the children of the Stollery Hospital and you can be entered to win a Mothers Day Spa Retreat in Edmonton.

Super Cities Walk for MS May 25th

Walk/run to support MS research.

Big Gifts For Little Lives 5km Walk/Run May 27th

A run hosted by the parents of a child on the heart transplant list. Funds raised going to the Pediatric Heart Transplant in the Stollery.

Edmonton Shoppers Run For Women May 27th

Supporting women's mental health programs. This run also has a little 1k for the kids!

Edmonton Defeat Depression Walk May 28th

Raising funds for CMHA and mental health programs and awareness.

Woman 2 Warrior May 28th

Supporting Easter seals and families overcoming the challenges of disability and mental conditions

Color Me Rad Edmonton June 10th

Find your white shirt and shorts and get covered in colour bombs!

Edmonton Pride Run & Walk June 11th

Celebrating our diverse community and raising funds for the new Edmonton Pride Run Endowment.

5k/10k Ice Cream Run June 11th

Post run massages and a community potluck afterwards!

JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes June 11th

Supporting finding the cure for Diabetes.

Kids running for Kids June 12th

Supporting the efforts of Jacob's Wish 2.5 km and also 5km and 10km options.

Pheonix Fun Run June 18th

Walk/run supporting Endometriosis Awareness.

Do It For Dads June 18th

Raising awareness and funds for prostate cancer.

Run for H20 - June 24th

Supporting efforts to bring clean water to rural parts of Ethiopia

Superhero Run/Walk June 25th

Helping support Edmonton's inner city youth.

Pets In The Park June 25th.

Walk with your pet in Hawerlak Park supporting the Edmonton Humane Society

5K Foam Feast Leduc July 1st

A fun way to cool off from the summer heat, running/walking in foam!

Mega Bounce Run July 8th

Whats better then bouncy castles? Running on them and supporting the Ronald McDonald House!

Run to Quit July 9th

Focusing on a healthy lifestyle with the aim to support those quitting smoking.

Spartan Sprint & Super(Red Deer) July 22-23

Get a little dirty and test your skills.

Edmonton Ice Cream Run July 23rd

Benefiting the Mountain Gorilla Conservation Society. This event has a "little scoops" 1k run for the kids too.

Foam Glow - August 11th

Foam. Glow In the dark. Fun

Mud Hero (Red Deer) August 12-13

Get dirty on the hills and show of your skills.

Hope Run 2017 - September 2nd

Supporting the Make A Wish foundation of Northern Alberta.

Instabox Dog Jog September 9th

Running to support Second Chance Animal Rescue.

Insane Inflatables September 16th

A chance to let out your inner kid. Bounce and run around!

Terry Fox Run September 17th

Continuing the legacy

Night Race September 23rd

Pull out the headlamps and flashlights or even glow sticks for this fun in the dark race.

Welcome back to Self Care Sunday. Last week we talked about A Simple Bath. Did you make time to care for yourself this week? It's okay if you didn't. Guess what? You get another shot this week!

This week I want to chat about walking. Again a simple self care most of us can do. Almost every day I wake before my family. I'm an early riser. A few days a week I meet my friends and we do workouts at 6am, but one day this week I woke up and went for a walk in my neighborhood. I felt the rising sunshine on my face, the still crisp cool morning air on my skin and since I was walking without a "purpose" or "place to go", I was able to slow down and take in the smell of the trees, lawns being watered and notice details of my neighbors houses I've never noticed before.

I finally walked far enough to this space that open up and overlooks the river valley. I've been here before, but never really paid attention to the view or noticed the trail that leads down the side! I've always been so busy as I pass by. I took a moment to sit on the ground and have a few big beautiful breaths and stretches. I got home feeling refreshed and rejuvenated as much as a sweat dripping, muscle burning workout.

Walking is a simple task, it feels good and gives you the time to reflect. Daydream a little, sort out problems in your head, listen to your favorite music, plan your week ahead, reconfirm mantras and positive affirmations. You can also check out this wonderful post 17 Health Benefits of Walking.

A few tips for getting in your walk:

Schedule a day (or more) and the time that you will take this walk. Put it in your calendar and note it's as important and someone asking you to do something else. Note if you are a morning or evening person and possible go with the sunrise or sunset.
Wear comfortable clothes and shoes. This isn't a fashion show.
Download some calming music or an inspiring podcast if your neighborhood or time of day is a noisy one.
Talk a water if you will be gone a while or it's hot out.
Get help with children. Ask your partner for this time alone, ask another friend to watch your kids and then when you are done you watch hers and she can go for a walk. If you have to bring the kids, there is no shame in giving them toys or distractions in the stroller to occupy them a little. Remember this is about you, not them.
Put your phone on airplane or don't bring it. No Facebook or tweets or emails or phone calls. This is your time to be with yourself.

Share with me where your walking journey takes you.

Love,

Jen