As I have mentioned previously, I wanted to start a new run/walk community focused on the ideas of “Move. Reflect. Connect.” This past week, I sent out the first newsletter! I was overwhelmed by the response and realized how many people are looking to not only improve their health but also support others in the endeavor.
Below is what I shared in the first newsletter, which I plan to send out every Sunday night (or Monday morning, depending on where you are located).
If you want to subscribe to the newsletter, you can join the community here! We would love to have you!
Check out the text from the first email below!
Hey everyone!
Welcome to the FIRST #EDUrance Running Community newsletter. This is a “building a plane in the air” initiative, so I hope it will evolve over time. The responses I received have been amazing and real, as many are just looking to focus on improving their mental, physical, and emotional health, not just to become better educators but to lead better lives.
As many of you know, I have experienced a significant personal transformation over the last four years (you can learn more about my journey on this podcast!), and I know how important it is to feel supported in the process. I am hoping that by starting this group, I can “pay it forward” to you and that we can all support each other!
Get ready for our weekly journey!
Each week, we will explore three key areas, Move, Reflect, and Connect, to help us all in our quest for better health and well-being.
The Move portion will be a strategy connected to improving health that has benefitted me. Please note that I am not a doctor, and I am just sharing things that have helped me, so modify as you need.
The Reflect part of the email will ask you a question to consider when sharing your answer through social media. Movement has many benefits for us, not only physically but mentally as well, and many of my best ideas have come after a run (I hope one day I will be able to include this one!).
For the Connect portion, I will either share an account on Instagram that inspires my own health tips or shout out to those who are in this community.
Here goes email number one!
Move
As this is the first week of the program, ask yourself, “What is my big goal that I am trying to achieve?” For many, it was either getting into running/walking, or losing weight. Whatever it is, I suggest writing it out somewhere and then dividing it into “Big/Medium/Small” goals. The BIG goal is what you are trying to achieve, and the “Medium/Small” steps are the habits you will need to develop to get there. Here is an example from my weight loss journey:
Big Goal – Lose a certain amount of weight
Medium Goal (Weekly) – Lose 1-3 pounds weekly and measure it every Monday.
Small Goal (Daily) – Get in 8000-10,000 steps (minimum) each day.
If you focus on the small and medium goals consistently, the big goal will happen quicker than you could imagine.
*PS. Do not commit to anything today that you can’t do a year from now. This is about developing good habits, not chasing fads.
Reflect
What are some of the “small/medium” goals you are aiming for, whether personally or professionally? Please feel free to share as little or as much as you want using the hashtag #EDUrance on the social network of your choice.
If you are unsure whether you can answer this question, please feel free to share any thoughts or reflections you have during a walk or run this week. When you use movement to clear your mind, you can sometimes make room for your best ideas.
Connect
When I announced this group, I encouraged you to connect with Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Spicer, who is fantastic. Please connect with her on Twitter (X) or follow her blog. She will inspire you through her authentic journey!
I also encourage you to connect with Jay Posick, who was one of the first people to post on the #EDUrance hashtag, as he wrote a written reflection on his marathon training! Take time to encourage him on his tweet here!
Moving Forward
Hopefully, this is short enough, but it gives you some things to try and consider this week!
As well, please share this group with others who you think might enjoy being a part of this community!
I hope to coordinate some in-person run/walk events in North America, and I would love to start this community online so we can meet in person in the future!
Have a great week ahead!
Sincerely,
George Couros
As a reminder, if you want to subscribe to the newsletter, you can join the community here!
