116 people are registered for our Run for Hope 5K and guess what, it is just over a month away on May 4th! As you might already know, all  registered runners will receive tons of swag and snacks along with a custom keepsake race bib!

Yet one of the coolest pieces of swag is this year’s t-shirt which features a new, fun snazzy design on a sharp black shirt. However, to get this t-shirt in your size, you must register by April 12th either online or by using our offline form that you can drop off or mail to Valley Natural Foods. If registering offline, do remember to make the check out to Hope for Tomorrow Mentoring, the beneficiary of this year’s race. Also, registration rates will go up after April 12th, from $28.25 to $35.00 so do register today!

However, you may say that you are not a runner, so why should you register?  All walkers are welcome to participate in the Run for Hope 5K and you can even bring strollers! Walking is a great form of exercise and the Run for Hope 5K welcomes everybody, no matter what fitness or skill level you are at.  And with all the freebies that you receive for participating besides the fact that all proceeds benefit a great cause, there is no reason not to register!

However, if you would like to run the race, be sure to check out the article entitled “Busy Moms: Give Running a Chance” on page 6 of the April/May issue of Valley Natural Foods’ This is Living Naturally magazine. Three busy moms give their tips and advice for including running as part of one’s fitness routine.

Bibs,  swag bags and t-shirts must be picked up on Friday, May 3rd in-store at Valley Natural Foods’ demo kiosk from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. There will be no race-day pickup of these items.

We already have 55 runners registered for Valley Natural Foods’ Run for Hope 5K  on May 4th!  And although snow is on the ground yet, spring is right around the corner!

So step into spring and support local youth mentoring by registering today! Your registration fee is tax-deductible since all proceeds will be donated to Hope for Tomorrow Mentoring, a 501 (c)(3).  Registration is $28.25 until April 12th; rates go after this date.

But why would you want to register for this race besides it benefits a good cause? There are lots of reasons:

• For one, you will get a free t-shirt! That’s right, if you register by April 12th, you will get a free race t-shirt in your size.
• Lots of swag is in your future! You will get a bag full of treats and goodies from Valley Natural Foods’ very generous vendors. As of today your bag will already include KIND bars, Enjoy Life Trail Mix, Think Thin Bars, Iceland Spring Water and Garden of Life protein shake mixes. That is just the beginning! Look to get lots more swag and coupons as more product is donated.
• The top three placing men, the top three placing women and the top three placing children (under 18) will win Valley Natural Foods’ gift cards.
• You don’t have to “run” the race! We invite all walkers to register too. Bring your friends and make walking the race a time to catch up and get some exercise! It will be a fun event for the whole family.

Therefore, we encourage you to take a moment and consider the Run for Hope 5K. Registering and making that goal to run or walk the race is a great healthy “step” in the right direction!

It’s mid-January and maybe you are already struggling with that New Year’s resolution to stay healthy and fit. You realize that having a goal to work toward would really make things easier. Valley Natural Foods has a healthy goal that you can work into your resolution: registering for our 3rd Annual Run for Hope 5K! Hosted at our location, the race begins at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2013.

However, what is the point of committing to a race that is a little over 4 months away?

• If you register by February 15th, you will get the early bird rate of $23.25! The cost goes up after that to $28.25 and continually increases until race day.
• Making the commitment now will give you the motivation, perseverance and the positive, uplifting attitude that is needed to get you through that exercise routine on these frigid wintry days. You have something to look forward to, something to work toward.  Whether you run or walk the entire race, all that matters is that you finish! When you cross that finish line, it will make all those workouts in wintry weather worth it and you will have a great sense of accomplishment!
• 100% of all race registrant costs minus $3.25 in Active.com fees will be donated to this year’s beneficiary: Hope for Tomorrow Mentoring, a 501(c)(3). 250 boys and girls participate in Hope for Tomorrow’ mentoring program within school districts located across the Twin Cities, including the Burnsville/Apple Valley area. Over 70 business leaders within the local communities volunteer their time each month to mentor a student. They give students the confidence, guidance and direction they need to carve a successful path for the future. Mentees get the chance to plan for their future through field trips to area businesses and colleges. As Valley Natural Foods’ Run for Hope 5K beneficiary for the last 2 years, we’ve helped raise over $11,000 for this organization. The funds helped secure the organization’s 501 (c)(3) status, open new chapters and hire an executive director.
• Everybody who registers will receive a t-shirt in their size (if registered before April 12) and a goodie bag full of awesome snacks!

Register today to improve your health and the health of Hope for Tomorrow Mentoring! It’s a two for one deal!

There is still time to register for the Run for Hope 5K!  Our t-shirt deadline has been extended to April 23! April 23^rd is the absolute last date to register where you can be guaranteed a t-shirt in your size and an awesome swag bag.  Everybody is welcome to register up until May 12^th but early registration is encouraged.

Just as a reminder, the 5k  run/walk will commence on May 12, 2012 at 8am at Valley Natural Foods.  All proceeds will benefit Hope for Tomorrow, a volunteer youth mentoring organization in Dakota County schools.  Let the 5k  serve as a fun activity that you can do as a family! Don’t be intimidated by this race if you are not a runner! You can walk the 5K too. Just come to the race to enjoy yourself and get some exercise.

Also, we want to thank our top sponsors, Amica Insurance and Life Wellness Center.

Learn more about our top sponsors here

If you participate in our Run for Hope 5k on May 12, 2012 you will not only receive a T-shirt but an awesome swag bag full of yummy items!

BE SURE to REGISTER by APRIL 20th to be guaranteed a t-shirt! The registration cost is only $28.25.

Your FREE swag bag will include bars from Clif Bar, Pro Bar, Nature’s Path, Think thin,  Annie’s Organic, and fruit squeezable smoothies from Happy Squeeze and Happy Morning, a trail mix from Enjoy Life,   and tea from Choice Organic Teas . On race day you will receive water from either Ice Box or Evamor,  a banana from Equal Exchange   and a yogurt from Chobani! These are all companies who donated product for this event and we sincerely appreciate it!

A special thanks also goes out to our Plantium sponsor Amica Insurance, our Silver sponsor Life Wellness Center, and Bronze Sponsors, Dakota Electric Association and Crown Rental.  Your support is greatly appreciated!

100% of all  sponsorship and participation funds will be donated to Hope For Tomorrow Mentoring, a non-profit organization of volunteer business professionals who mentor students in Dakota and Hennepin County schools.

The Run for Hope 5K, hosted by Valley Natural Foods, is just over a month away on May 12th! We encourage you to register online today or before April 20^th to be guaranteed a t-shirt in your size! 100% of the proceeds will benefit Hope for Tomorrow Mentoring. Bring your family and  join in the fun!

However, you may be asking–what is Hope for Tomorrow Mentoring and what do they do? This is a non-profit mentoring organization  run by volunteers in our local business community. One of the volunteers is Valley Natural Foods’ very own HR manager, Paula Sahin.  These volunteers mentor young boys and girls within mostly  Dakota County and within some Hennepin County schools. These students have been identified by teachers and/or counselors as individuals who will benefit from a trusted relationship with mentor. Through this program the young boys and girls will realize their full potential.

The mentorship program is built around the theme “Partnering with Tomorrow’s Leaders.”  It was designed to help young people create individual road maps for their future by providing life skills through mentoring partnerships with successful women/men in our local community.  Throughout the school year, focused sessions include, but are not limed to, the following topics: Attitude, Choices and Peer Pressure; First Impressions, Presenting Yourself, and Etiquette; Health: Mind, Body and Spirit; College Campus Visit; Dreams and Goals; and Corporate Visits.

 Tips for Healthy Runners by Dr. Ridge, Life Wellness Center in Lakeville

Running is hard! Per minute of exercise it burns more calories than cycling or swimming, and it can seem even harder if you haven’t done it in over six months-or six years.  I  had a very athletic friend who would get very frustrated because he could only run 3 blocks before he had to walk.  I couldn’t figure out why he couldn’t run farther given his overall fitness level.  Then we went running together.  He took off so fast I didn’t bother trying to keep up with him.  That was the “ahah” moment.  Even though your lungs may be fresh remember to start slowly and that will help you to maintain your pace through your warm up and well into your workout.  This will also help your injuries such as shin splints and plantar fasciitis.

Dr. Ridge is a chiropractor at Life Wellness Center in Lakeville, MN.  She has completed 7 full marathons and 2 Ironman triathlons. Look for the Life Wellness Center tent at Run for Hope 5K to help you stretch and tape.

See you Saturday at the Run For Hope 5K registration tent. Race begins at 8:00 a.m!

We are 100 runners strong and getting stronger!

We are gearing up for our Saturday, May 7th Run for Hope 5k and we want you to join us!

There is still time to sign up—it is only $28.25 and all proceeds go to a wonderful cause–Hope for Tomorrow.

But what does Hope for Tomorrow do? They provide meaningful mentorships for young people. They work to build the confidence and self-esteem of girls and boys so they can be successful and achieve their goals.

Take this story. Renae Pereira is a five year mentor and an active board member for Hope for Tomorrow. Renae is reminded of a young girl she mentored that wanted to be a cheerleader. She didn’t have the confidence to try out and she just felt she wouldn’t make it. However, Renae encouraged her to just try and continuously worked with the girl to set goals and go for them. Not only did the girl try out and  make it, but she also won the “Most Spirit Award!”

Hopefully this story inspires you to run on May 7th.  The proceeds raised will help Hope for Tomorrow expand their programming into more schools in Minnesota so more girls and boys can have the opportunity to reach their goals and build their self-esteem.

For more information, view the Run for Hope press release from March 2nd.

Even with the March 23rd snow, we are still gearing up for our May 7th Run for Hope 5K at Valley Natural Foods! It just over a month away, believe it or not. Rain or shine, or I hate to even mention the word again–snow, all runners will be strutting their stuff for a great cause.  All proceeds will benefit Hope for Tomorrow, a mentoring organization for young people in the south metro.

Although we can’t guarantee the weather on May 7th, we can guarantee that if you register by April 7th online or in-store, you will receive a free t-shirt in your size! This is only a few weeks away! Therefore start thinking spring and gearing up to participate in our 5K! Sign up today!

Once you have decided to enter our 5K race, the next step is to start practicing. Coming to the race unprepared could put you at risk for injury. Figure out your weak spots during training and focus on those. Practicing prior to the big day will prepare you for what’s to come! It is also important to incorporate stretching into your workout routine. Warm up your body by doing stretches from head to toe. Stretch everything from your neck to your hamstrings. This will also help prevent injury!

For more information on the 5K event and Hope for Tomorrow, read our blog from last week and/or the official press release.

South metro families can take strides together for health, wellness and hope this May. Valley Natural Foods will be hosting its inaugural 5K walk/run – the “Run for Hope”- to benefit Hope for Tomorrow, a local non-profit mentoring organization for young boys and girls. The event will begin and end right outside the Valley Natural Foods parking lot on Saturday, May 7th, 2011. Participants must pre-register at www.runforhope5k.com by April 7th, 2011 to receive a free t-shirt. Register today!

All proceeds from the event will directly benefit Hope for Tomorrow. This organization partners kids with successful individuals in the community, based upon the theme: “Partnering with Tomorrow’s Leaders.” These mentors meet with the students once a month, utilizing curriculum focused on confidence building, planning for the future and building a healthy, mind, body and spirit. 

Click here to view the entire press release.