The short answer: make the walk small, tie it to something you already do every day, and give yourself a goal with a finish line. A virtual challenge like Run Across America helps because every walk adds up toward a season goal, your streak shows you've kept going, and a real medal or tee arrives at the end. The current season is Holiday Hustle 2026, November 1 through December 31, 2026.
Why walking habits fall apart in November and December
- The days get short. If your walk lived at 6 pm, it's now in the dark.
- The calendar fills up. Parties, travel and shopping push out anything that isn't fixed.
- The goal is vague. "Walk more" has no finish line, so one missed day turns into a missed week.
Five things that make it stick
- Shrink it. Ten minutes counts. A short walk you take every day beats a long one you skip.
- Anchor it. Walk right after a meal, after dropping the kids off, or with the dog's first outing. An existing habit is the trigger.
- Count everything. Holiday shopping laps, a walk around the neighborhood lights, raking leaves and shoveling snow are all movement. In the Run Across America app they all count toward your goal.
- Watch a streak. Seeing the days add up is a reason not to break the chain, especially on the busy ones.
- Bring someone. A partner, sister or coworker on your team notices when you show up, and you'll notice them.
How a Run Across America season helps
You pick a season goal of 50, 100, 250 or 500 km, and you can change it any time. Every walk you log, by phone, by hand, or imported from Apple Health or Strava, moves you toward it. Badges, streaks and themed bonus challenges keep it interesting along the way. At the end of the season you get your pick of a steel medal, a super-soft tee or a seasonal item in the mail. Registration is $55, and you can add a gift to Feeding America that we match dollar for dollar, up to $50.
A simple holiday-season plan
- Pick the 50 km goal. That's under a kilometer a day over the season.
- Take one 10-minute walk after a meal every day.
- On busy days, log what you already did: errands, stairs, chores.
- Add one longer weekend walk to look at holiday lights.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to build a walking habit?
It varies from person to person, often several weeks. Keeping the walk small and tied to something you already do every day makes it automatic sooner.
How can I stay motivated to walk in winter?
Give yourself a goal with a finish line, count every kind of movement, and walk with someone. A seasonal challenge with a reward at the end, like Run Across America, gives you all three.
Does a short walk count?
Yes. In the Run Across America app every walk counts toward your season goal, along with more than 50 other activity types.
What if I miss a day?
Start again the next day. Your season goal is the total distance, so one missed day does not stop you from finishing.