Start Training Now for SparkPeople's Fall 5K

By , SparkPeople Blogger
Fall is almost here, but Halloween candy and décor is already appearing. While everyone's favorite candy-and-costumes holiday can be a real deterrent for your diet, you can vow to stay on track—at least when it comes to your fitness—by doing something healthy that week: a 5K!
 
Running or walking a 5K is a great fitness goal for people of all fitness levels. It's an achievable distance, yet gives you a real feeling of accomplishment! While it does take a few weeks of training to complete that 3.1-mile distance, signing up for a race can keep you motivated and on track with your workout plan, whether you're a novice or seasoned runner.
 
That's where SparkPeople's official Trick-or-Treat Trot comes in! This virtual 5K race (you can walk or run) is open to anyone, anywhere. You could win some AWESOME prizes (new workout shoes and more) just by participating, and best of all, it's free! You select your route and simply run the distance the week of October 28. You could even run your race on Halloween if you dare! Here's how you can sign up and get access to your free training plan, too!

To Join and Train for SparkPeople's Trick-or-Treat Trot:
  • Click here to go to our Oct. 28 - Nov. 3 Virtual Race page. There, click the "Sign Up Now" button. Note: You can run or walk a 5K, or choose from the 10K or 1-mile race options.
     
  • Train for the race, using our 5K Your Way training plans if you'd like. Our 8-week "Rookie Runner" plan is perfect for new exercisers, and we also offer three different 5-week training plans for people who already have a base level of fitness. When you sign up for a free 5K training plan, you'll get email reminders each week with your workouts. Start training by Sept. 10 for the 8-week plan, or by Sept. 30 for the 5-week plan, and you'll be ready to run by the week of Halloween!
     
  • During the week of Oct. 28, walk or run the distance you signed up for, then return to the race page and enter your time. Use SparkPeople's Fitness Mapping feature to measure out your route.
     
  • Everyone* who enters their time on the Virtual Race page will be entered to win some fabulous prizes, including:
    • 1 person will receive a $100 gift card to Zappos.com to buy new workout shoes.
    • 5 participants will receive a copy of “The SparkPeople Cookbook: Love Your Food, Lose The Weight” by Chef Meg.
    • 10 participants will receive a $25 gift card to the SparkPeople Store.
 *See Virtual Race page for full contest terms and details.

Sharing this on Facebook or Twitter to Spread the Spark to your friends and family—and get them to join in the fun with you! It will also help you stay accountable by announcing your goal and training plan to others.
 
I hope you will join us online for this fall's Trick-Or-Treat Trot! I've already signed up. Have you?
 
Have you ever trained for a 5K? Do you plan to sign up for SparkPeople's Trick-Or-Treat Trot?

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