I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am about the Fargo Fitness Challenge. What started out as an offer to come run the Fargo Marathon May 21/22 has blossomed into a movement to get people active and running.

Yes, Fargo is in North Dakota. No, buffalo still don’t roam free. Yes there is electricity. No, the movie Fargo was not actually filmed in Fargo (go figure). Yes, it’s flat. I mean REALLY flat!!!

It all started in November when my good friend Heidi asked if I’d like to come run in one of the Fargo Marathon events with her. She was a runner back in high school and was quite an elite level at one time until being derailed by back surgery (which has prevented her from running) and taking time to start a family. After 10 years, she was ready to give running (and her back) another shot. With my sister already committed to running, I had to finally stop waffling and sign my name to the dotted line.

So now I was running Fargo (my home town) but spiritually, I really needed more. I’ve really been in a slump lately and I needed to stoke the fires. Heidi and I spoke one Saturday and came up with an idea. What if we tried to inspire others to run/walk with us. Not just runners…but friends, family, neighbors, kids and acquaintances who might need a nudge (or push) to get active and back on the healthy track. There’s nothing better than having others there by your side encouraging, helping and challenging you every step of the way.

So that’s where we are friends. In the first week, we already have over 35 people on our Facebook page and another 11 people confirmed participating in one of the weekend events (5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon or Full Marathon). My running spirits couldn’t be higher and those that I’ve spoken to are equally inspired. With around 100 days remaining until the event, I’d like to officially challenge you to join us in Fargo, May 21 and May 22. Click the link below to go to our Facebook page and join the movement. Can’t make it to Fargo? Pass this along and help be a part of something I think is going to be pretty great.

The Fargo Fitness Challenge Facebook Page

RMFR

I grew up in Fargo, North Dakota (yes, you can now mark that one off your list) and I have tons of great memories of that place. Looking back, I’ve come to realize I have more than typical childhood memories of that time but ones that relate back to running – even though I loathed it at the time. Other than my dad being a runner (before running was cool – read more), running really wasn’t on my mind. Where am I going with this? I’m getting there…

Driving around town, there was this woman. Not just any woman, this one was special. We named her “The Crazy Walker.” I mean you would see this woman EVERYWHERE!!! Fargo’s not as small as you’d think. It’s really spread out. In the morning you would see this woman on the south side of town and then later in the day she’d be all the way on the north side. Just the distance she walked would be enough to tag her “crazy” but there was more. She had the strangest gait you’ve ever seen. If memory serves me right it included frenzied arms, a full body tilt and head that wobbled like a bobble head.

I haven’t thought about her in decades until I was watching the ING New York City Marathon. After they announced Abdi Abdirahman at the starting line and mentioned his nickname, The Black Cactus. I love that nickname!!! That got me thinking about running nicknames and I decided I want one!!! Now I’m sure the cars I pass on the same route at the same time have developed nicknames for me and I’d be honored to carry the crazy name into the next generation. LONG RUN CRAZY BEARDED RUNNING GUY!!!

RMFR