Tips For Free 5K Registration

Since December 2012 I have successfully registered and participated in three 5Ks for free! That is a $112 value (at early registration prices). Want to know my tips and tricks? Well, here you go.

1. Volunteer, volunteer, volunteer
2. Look for freebies, sweepstakes, giveaways, etc.
3. Have friends with the in. 

Volunteer:
I volunteered the night before the Run or Dye 5K and got free entry into the race. I volunteered four hours of my night doing something that I actually found to be real fun and saved me a $47 registration fee. If you count that up into hourly wages, it equals right at $11.75/hour. Not only did I get to volunteer with my boyfriend, each of us get free registration, two free t-shirts and met some nice people but it helped reach my bucket list item of participating in at least one 5K a year.

Freebies, Giveaways and Sweepstakes:
Another 5K I got free registration to was through my workplace. I was one of the first 30 employees to turn in the 5K application and got free registration. That's it, that's all I did. Not only did I get the exact same packet as the participants who payed the $30+ registration fee, but I got it all for free!

Have Friends with the In:
My first free 5K came when a friend asked if I would like to join her team and, of course, I said yes! How could I pass up a free 5K with a friend? Also, I recently had another acquaintance mention her team's 7K team and if I would join, but unfortunately I had to turn that invitation down due to other commitments.

That's it friends; that's what I have. There aren't a lot of tricky secrets to getting free registration. Just be on the lookout and you'll find free registration!

UPDATE: As of today, yes a day after this original post, I snagged another free 5K! So, knock this list up to four free 5Ks. I snagged this free registration by being another giveaway. See guys, they're definitely out there you just have to look!

100 Pounds Lighter, Three 5Ks Later

Today marked my third 5K since December 2012. I set a goal for myself when I turned 25 that I would jog a 5K before I turn 26. Today was not that day, but I did jog more than I had anticipated on this 5K.

My coworker and I did the 5K together and we came in right under 50 minutes (my picture says 50.3 but that is because I forgot to turn it off when I crossed the finish line). This 5K wasn't as carefree as the other two I did. These runners were here for business, but it was definitely still a blast!

P.S. Every 5K I have done I've gotten for free!

I just want to end this post by saying that 100 pounds ago a 5K didn't seem possible, but never give up on a dream!

Boxing: It's Good For You

So, Nick bought a punching bag and speed bag for us a couple of weeks ago at a great price from Dick's Sporting Goods. I have been trying to up the ante as far as my physical fitness and cardio goes. I walk each day, but I need something more hard hitting and physical. With him being into boxing, his friend taking classes and them training together I decided it was a great opportunity for me to join and they're both excited to help me.

I finally got my TapouT striking gloves on Sunday and Nick showed me some basics yesterday. I will continue to do this on an every-other-day basis in addition to my daily walks. I will also train with his friend on Sundays to log some weekend workout time. As I am in no way, shape, form or fashion a boxer and I definitely don't claim to be one, but I am excited to start learning the basics and see where it eventually takes me!

Here is our own little setup in our spare bedroom in addition to a few quick facts about why boxing is good for you!

Enjoy!

Plus Size Fitness

When the weather turned crisp and the days got shorter I slacked off on my fitness routine. I went from jogging and walking four - six miles a day, five days a week for a total of between 20-30 miles a week to a maximum of 12 per week. My weight has maintained, but my weightloss has been at a plateau. 

The candy corn, Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas meals and Valentine's candy got the best of me this year. Now that all those holidays are behind me I am back and better than ever! Really, I logged my best lunch-time record today! I jog (mostly walk) at during my hour-long lunch break and the most miles I ever logged was 3.4/5. Today I busted that wide open; I started this year's routine with a bang. I kept up my pace and within 12 minutes of walking I had already logged a mile. I thought that surely my GPS was messed up or something was wrong, but sure enough I kept my pace and logged another mile 24 minutes in. My typical mile is 17 minutes, but I shaved right at five minutes from each mile today. 

Thanks to the wonderful Southern sun and some good music I felt like my old self again. I can't wait to see the pounds start melting off again. 

Thankful for the 73° Charleston weather to make myself feel normal again. 

Colonial Lake and The Battery never felt so good as it did today.