Morning Milers - Stronger in 2014

The idea to Morning Milers is inspired by the current
Happy Feet in the Netherlands'
Winter Run Challenge
aka Running4Badges: CoolRunning

Have you always wanted to regularly sleep early?

Have you always wanted to regularly wake up early?

Are you working on a strong body for a stronger mind in 2014?

Well, we have the same goals! #MorningMilers #Stronger2014

If you appreciate daily motivation, daily cheers from people with the same goals, then join me as we make 2014 the most active year ever! As early - in the morning! - as possible!

“Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.”
― Meister Eckhart

I ♡ angels of inspirations all around.

http://bit.ly/JoinTheMorningMilers

font used on this photo is courtesy of
dafont.com (KG A Little Swag) and (Teen Light)

It does not matter what activity it is - what matters most is taking the first step to be active and  making the effort to do it as early, as consistently as possible all through out the year.

It takes 30 days to create a habit! Motivate others; motivate yourself!

Make 2014 your most active year, and encourage those nearest to you to do the same.

Walk, run, bike, swim, do yoga, do pilates or any work-out of your choice (you can choose one these activities, or a combination of these activities to do alternately during the week) between 4 am - 11 am for 30 consecutive days in 2014. Cheer for others for (at least!) 3 consecutive months.

Document and share your progress (photos, documented stats of your runs/walks) here.

Share this event and your goal in different social media (FB, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest etc) using hashtags #MorningMilers #Stronger2014.

For details, updates like Happy Feet in the Netherlands FB page, follow this blog http://bit.ly/HappyFeetintheNL  and the @HappyFeetNL Twitter channel.

Questions, ideas? Post a comment on this event page, or send an FB PM, or an email: happyfeetinthenetherlands@yahoo.nl

#Running4Badges Part 1: Running, Fun, Prizes & Surprises!

Here it is at last! The blog I have been promising for weeks.

I've been trying to find time and peace to creatively share the "surprise rewards" of the  Winter Run Challenge #Running4Badges - the first event organized at  Happy Feet in the Netherlands FB page.

The main prizes were named at the onset  (social running shirt, compression apparel, and a gift certificate for a pair of running shoes).  Details about this prizes will be revealed as the event progress.

The monthly prizes will be revealed a few weeks before the end of the month.

For December it will be a Road ID Gift Certificate worth $15.00.

How to win?

1. Like Happy Feet in the Netherlands FB page (and follow @HappyFeetNL)
2. Join Winter Run Challenge #Running4Badges event.
3. Share the event (FB, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest etc)
4. Win as many running badges as you can (20 badges will earn you the chance to win the Gift Certificate for the new pair of running shoes) to have a chance at winning those surprises and main prizes!

If you want to know more about this event, how to earn each of the badges (see just some of them below), perhaps even become one of this event 's (it will be held annually) future sponsor,  then please go to Happy Feet in the Netherlands FB page .

You could also place your questions as comments below this post.

Please feel free to send me a PM on FB or send me a tweet @HappyFeetNL, or email me : happyfeetinthenetherlands@yahoo.nl.

FB Down: Update on #Running4Badges Event

screen shot of the Christmas Clock (2013)
(the time is when I started writing this blog)

Last night I went to bed early.

I orignally wanted to do an update at Happy Feet in the NL's FB page for the Winter Run Challenge aka #Running4Badges: #CoolRunning.

Unfortunately, FB is down for me, and upon checking today it seems that it continues to be inaccessible.

this is currently how my FB page looks
when I log-in, since yesterday

So if you are a participant in the event, and you have already fulfilled the task, my apologies if I am unable to award you the corresponding badge!

At this point, I am not sure what to do about this situation. From previous experience, it is going to be a long wait to get a response to any FB personal account queries.

Since I am unable to view FB, I am also unable to follow the posts of participants on the event page.

Hopefully, tonight or tomorrow the glitch is fixed.

The Leaf Runner Badge

Leaf Runner Badge can be earned
between the 30th of November until the 5th of December

Have you joined Happy Feet in the Netherlands first virtual running event: Winter Run Challenge #Run4Badges /( better known as #Run4Badges: #CoolRunning ~ for other parts of the world where it is not Winter)?

Tomorrow until the 5th of December you can earn the Leaf Runner Badge.

How to earn the badge?

1.Run any distance (at least 1 km) during the period of the challenge.
For the Leaf Runner Badge it is between the 30th of November until the 5th of December.

2. Take a picture before, along the run or after a run with Autumn theme.

Ffor other parts of the world that is not Autumn/Winter - please use the theme: Running in Nature.

Share it on the event page, on FB on Twitter and (if you have!) Instagram using the hashtag #LeafRunner, and tag @HappyFeetNL.

3. Upload your run (using a print screen of your running app to show you've run) to the event page.

Disclaimer:
By posting to this event page, you agree that you’re 18+, and that Happy Feet NL can use your name, photos and running stats on it's blogsites and social pages (Facebook/Twitter).

Please note: If you publicly share a screenshot of your run with time and date info, anyone can see it.

BTW, the Cool Running badge is extended until the 31st of December. I have been very busy  this week, and I did not have the time I needed to spread the word about this event.

So please, invite your friends to join the challenge! The more the merrier, the more motivation for everyone! :) It is after all sharing the fun of running through the holiday seasons, and the first three months of the new running year, 2014.

Tomorrow you can learn how to earn the  BRRRunner Badge!

You can earn this badge from the 6th of December 2013 until 13 of February, 2014

Tuned in for "how to earn" the other badges, next week!

(available from the 5th of December 2013 until 19th of March, 2014)

You can earn this batch from the 6th until the 24th of December

Once again the FAQ of this event Winter Run Challenge #Run4Badges /(better known as #Run4Badges: #CoolRunning ~ for other parts of the world where it is not Winter)

1. How to earn the badges?

For each badge, there is a different task to be fulfilled.

Fulfill the task (every task is running related), earn the badge.

You learn about the task a day before to a week before you can earn the badge.

2. When do we start earning the badges?

This virtual event/challenge officially starts on the 1st of December.

The week before the official start is the period of inviting participants, and giving away the exclusive badges for "Early birds". These Early bird badges can be earned until the 30th of November. Extended until the 31st of December.

3. How many badges are there to be earned?

There are at least 20 badges up for grabs.

Collect as much badges as you can for a chance to win different prizes which will be revealed in the next days, weeks.

Collect all to win the  The Ultimate Happy Feet in the Netherlands badge and the chance to win a new pair of running shoes in Spring 2014!

The Ultimate Happy Feet in the Netherlands badge

MyAutumn running (self-empowering) poster
taken by mijn liefste P in 2011 (I was running for 3-4 months)

Run Santa Run: More Happy Feet in the Netherlands' Badges Part 2

You can earn this batch from the 6th until the 24th of December

More Happy Feet in the Netherlands' badges!!!!!

You can earn this badg from the 6th of December 2013 until 13 of February, 2014

In Introducing Happy Feet in the Netherlands Badges blog, I introduced the first three badges, I created for the Winter Run Challenge #Run4Badges (#Run4Badges: #CoolRunning).

In this blog, I am sharing 5 badges!

I am very excited to have the opportunity through this project to motivate everyone to be active, stay active, and encourage others to be active specially in the next months!

This project is a positive way to end the year 2013, and welcome the new year 2014 with great energy.

It is my hope that I would meet a lot of new people, who would like to actively change their lives with others through running.

As for those whose lives have already been positively changed by running, may they spread the spirit of generosity through cheering for those who are still finding their way to their stronger self.

Introducing: Happy Feet in the Netherlands' Badges

By accepting the invitation to participate
in Winter Run Challenge #Running4Badges Challenge
you earn this badge
(until 30th of November extended!)*

You can earn this badge from 30th of November until the 5th of December

This badge can be earned by running 4 consecutive Mondays from 
9th of December 2013 until the 17th of March 2014 

Very proud and excited to share the first three Happy Feet in the Netherlands badges!

It is an idea, a project I have had at the back of my mind since I begun with running Summer (August)  2011.

Now, the ideas, the inspiration are finally becoming a reality!

What are these badges for? How do you earn each of them, and what do you get when you have earned some or all of the badges?

You'll find out as days and weeks progress!

If your curiosity is piqued, please do like Happy Feet in the Netherlands FB page, and join the  Winter Run Challenge #Run4Badges .

Earn as much as 20 badges, and get the chance to win prices and have fun with a lot of surprises!

It is all about engaging, motivating and encouraging every runner (newbies, advanced or those who are attempting their first baby steps) all over the world to run consistently, in the months of December until March.

Are you all with me? Let's do this! :)

#FlashbackFriday - after losing our home 31st December, 2012
due to the water damage caused by the fire being put out  above our flat,
we lived by mother in law for 2 months.
Running from January until March helped me cope
with the stress of what happened, yet another change,
and another major transition in our lives.

It's amazing how this year seem to have just flown by.

Lots of major changes, lessons learned but most of all love all around, which helped in coping with all those changes, and having the openness to accept those much needed life lessons.

My family and I look forward to the adventures 2014 will bring.

The best lesson I learned in 2013? Keep on moving (forward) because it is the only way to make the most out of life whether you are stuck in a rut or having the best of times!

Most importantly, don't wait for the "best time" to actualize your ideas, dreams and goals...the "best time"is always now. :)
(*Cool Running Badge: Extended! although this "acceptance of invitation to participate badge" will no longer be available after 30th of November.  Everyone can join the Winter Run Challenge #Run4Badges at any time, from December until the 19th of March, 2014, and earn this badge)

 How to Earn....:

The Leaf Runner Badge