The Power of Starting Together

Miles with Misty’s Free 5K Program Builds Strength, Confidence, and Community This Thanksgiving Season

As the air cools and fall settles into Northwest Indiana, runners and walkers across Valparaiso are getting ready for one of the community’s favorite holiday traditions — the Valparaiso Turkey Trot. But for many, this year’s race will mean more than just miles. It will mark the celebration of a journey — one that began with courage, consistency, and the power of starting together.

This Saturday, October 18, the next session of the Miles with Misty Free Beginner 5K Training Program kicks off at Fairgrounds Park/Butterfield Pavilion (704 McCord Rd., Valparaiso, IN). Led by longtime running and strength coach Coach Misty, this free six-week training group is open to anyone who wants to improve their health, discover confidence in movement, and find a supportive community along the way.

More Than a Run — It’s a Reset

For many participants, the 1st Mile Project (as the program is known) is about more than crossing a finish line — it’s about rediscovering themselves. Whether someone hasn’t run in years, is looking to rebuild after life’s ups and downs, or simply wants to get healthier, Misty’s message is clear: you don’t have to do it alone.

“People join for all kinds of reasons,” Misty said. “Some want to lose weight, others want to find energy again, and some just want to feel like themselves. But what everyone finds is that running gives you something much deeper — strength, confidence, and connection.”

Participants train with personalized plans, learn proper strength and injury-prevention techniques, and meet every other Saturday for group runs that focus on progress, not perfection. Each runner receives a team shirt and a 36-page handbook with training schedules, videos, and tips — all completely free.

Overcoming Fear and Finding Gratitude

For many first-timers, the hardest part isn’t the running — it’s believing they can do it. But through each step, runners begin to realize what’s possible.

One past participant, Shannon, said, “At the beginning, I didn’t even know how I was going to run a mile, let alone a 5K. But I practiced, I showed up, and I did it. Misty has a gift for bringing people together who all share the same goals — and helping us reach them in our own ways.”

That spirit of shared effort and gratitude ties perfectly into the Thanksgiving season. “We train together for a race that happens on Thanksgiving morning,” Misty said. “It’s a reminder to be thankful for what our bodies can do, for the community around us, and for the courage it takes to begin.”

Join Us — Registration Closes Soon!

The next Free Beginner 5K Training Program begins Saturday, October 18, at 9:00 a.m. at Fairgrounds Park/Butterfield Pavilion.

Whether you plan to walk, run/walk, or run the Valparaiso Turkey Trot, you’ll be supported every step of the way — by a coach who cares and a team that will cheer you on through every mile.

“Starting together changes everything,” Misty said. “You show up for yourself, but you quickly realize you’re also showing up for each other. That’s what makes this program special — it’s about community, not competition.”

Ready to start your first mile?

Join the next session of the Miles with Misty Free Beginner 5K Training Program before registration closes!

Start Date: Saturday, October 18
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Fairgrounds Park/Butterfield Pavilion, 704 McCord Rd., Valparaiso, IN 46383
Goal Race: Valparaiso Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day

Sign up here: https://mileswithmisty.com/freebeginner5ktraining/