#GOvember2022: 9 Years of Precious GOvemories

GOvember: An Overview

Never done a #GOvember before? No problem! You picked the right place to start. Let’s begin with the basics, in the form of some of our most frequently asked questions.

WHERE DO I GET THE MAP?

Two ways to get the map! One, come in to the store and grab one. We keep a stack printed and ready to go, starting around October 25th (we'll announce on social media if we get them in any sooner). This is the fun way! We get to see your shining face, you can check out all the new + fun stuff we have in store, we can answer your questions.

Thank you so much to this year's map sponsor, Swati Saxena, for printing all the maps for us!

BONUS! This year we’re offering a Premium Package where we show up with hot coffee and chauffeur you to your run start every morning. Kidding, kidding. But the Premium Package does offer some fun perks- GOvember neck gaiter for pride and warmth, product samples, secret prizes, etc. And, we’ll be honest here, running GOvember is so fun, but it’s also expensive and time-consuming for us. If you love it, please consider “buying” the Premium Package and supporting your Favorite Local Running Store. We priced it like a 5k entry fee, since we think you’ll get that much fun out of it!

DO I HAVE TO PAY TO PARTICIPATE?

Absolutely not! If you’ve met Kate and I (Anne), the owners of Lively, you know we’re all about making this challenge one of inclusivity and celebration. It’s free! Just grab a map and a good pair of shoes. Lucky for you, both of those things are available at Lively! So come in any time after 10/25/2022 (or we’ll announce on social media if they’re ready sooner) for your own printed copy of the map. Or print one out at home! We keep a map up year-round on our website, mostly because we’re too lazy to edit our website more than once a year. 

But this year, we’re so excited to offer a Premium Package, with some little perks and extras. It’s the same exact GOvember, but with gear and swag to celebrate your accomplishments. For less than the cost of your average 5k you get a full month of fun!

WHAT ARE THE LEVELS?

There are three (awesome) levels. Pick your level carefully as you can only win one AND all of them require serious strategy. They are all named after famous Oak Parkers. Yes, for real!

Pick a challenge from the three options below and track your progress on the map provided. After each run, use a marker or pen to trace your route. This is totally on the honor system, which hasn't failed us yet!

WHAT DO I DO WHEN I FINISH MY MAP?

So, GOvember is mostly for fun, fitness, and community. If you want to finish your map and stick it on your fridge for your family to admire, that is one way to celebrate.

If you want to bring it in to Lively, WE LOVE THAT!!! We will have a photo backdrop of some sort and we will ooh and aaah over your map and take your picture for our social media.  

OR hold on to it until our GOvember Wrap Party, tentatively scheduled for 12/1 at 6p. We’ll admire them in person and discuss the trials and triumphs of the 9th Annual GOvember. But the map is yours! 

HOW DO I WIN?

If you’re doing #GOvember and you’re supporting local business, aren’t you already a winner? Yes, but let’s get real and bloodthirsty here. If you want to win a level of GOvember, you must be the very first person to bring an actually completed copy of your map to the store OR EMAIL IT TO US. We will actually scrutinize your map, so make sure you run that little nub of Cuyler south of Harrison, for example. You don’t win until your map is verified. We understand that people have jobs and it's hard to get in to the store right when you finish- we will accept completed maps photographed and emailed to info@livelyathletics.com 

Whichever map is completed and verified by us first, be it in person or via email, will be the winner. Sorry! We have to be strict.

We do look at the time stamp on the email and it does get competitive! Whoever emails the completed map first is the winner.

WHAT’S THE DEAL WITH CHESTNUT LANE?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. We know. We have a real love/hate relationship with Chestnut Lane and Marion Court. They’re on the map, they’re off the map. But love won this year and they’re back on. Address all complaints to my sister, Kate, she’s a Chestnut Lane Fan 4 Life.

LUDACRIS ISN’T FROM OAK PARK. I READ HIS WIKIPEDIA.

Ok, that’s not even a real question but we’ll allow it. He lived here briefly and went to OPRF! He was in Lively Owner Anne’s year at OPRF and she has the yearbook photo to prove it. 

CAN I BIKE IT? 

Walking, jogging, sprinting, sashaying… it all counts! (Just no driving, skating, or

bicycling, please.) Have fun and enjoy our beautiful village this month!

IS IT REALLY HONOR SYSTEM?

Yes, it really is. We don’t have the time or inclination to police people’s GPS data so we’ve just made this run on the honor system every year… and this year is no different. So mark your routes, check your data, and respect your fellow runners. 

ARE THERE PRIZES?

Heck yeah! There are amazing prizes. More to come on this one, but we always give a nice prize to the first finisher at every level. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram or sign up for our emails for more news on GOvember mini challenges.