Running Challenge Anyone?

In posting yesterday the 21 Day Yoga Challenge (thru Yoga Journal) starting January 9th and preparing the upcoming 12 Week Challenge (thru this blog) starting January 6th, I would be remiss if I didn't offer up some running inspiration for those of you who would like to train for a 5k, 10k, half or full marathon.  I don't have a specific "challenge" offering, but do have some sites/apps you can check out to get you on your way to run the race of your dreams.  Cool Runnings has all kinds of couch to race plans on their site (coolrunning.com) (specifically: coolrunning.com/training); they also have apps for your smart phones with the running plans mapped out for you.  An app that I use when I run is Joggy Coach.  There is both a free and pay version of this app.  It is great because it works with your music, uses GPS to track your run terrain and distance and gives you verbal cues throughout your run.  It also tracks and saves all of your runs so you can see your improvement over time.  Even if you have never run before, these programs can literally get you from your couch to a race methodically and safely.