Still Time to Train for the Cruise in Shoes 5K Run/Walk

In an effort to create more family inventory at the , a will take place on Aug. 18 on a closed stretch of southbound Woodward from 13 Mile Road to Normandy for approximately 30 minutes.

“It’s so exciting," said Suzi Stock, co-director of Cruise in Shoes. “We are really thrilled to be involved.”

Participants can run or walk in the 5K (3.1 mile) event, Stock said. There will also be a costume contest, a kids’ run and inflatables set up for little feet that prefer bouncing to running.

"We are really trying to capture the whole spirit and energy of the Dream Cruise,” Stock said. “The race starts at and loops around and goes right down Woodward.”

Stock is working with Greg Rassel, president of the Woodward Dream Cruise, to work out all the logistics. She’s hoping the event will bring community togetherness. All the money raised goes back into the Dream Cruise to keep the event going, she said.

Join the fun

Would you like to be a part of the Cruise in Shoes, but worry your sedentary lifestyle will leave you flat? Don’t fret, said Stock. Three weeks is enough time to train.

“It’s not like you are going to get off the coach and win the race,” she said. “But there is enough time to train so you can run across the finish line. That’s the goal. That’s the accomplishment.”

From couch to finish line in three weeks

Stock, who trains runners for marathons for a living, offers some simple advice for training for the Cruise in Shoes.

Beginning this weekend run and walk as far as you can and see how your body responds, Stock said.

Don’t try to run three miles the first day, she said. “No one goes from zero to three miles,” she said. “You don’t want to end up with a stress fracture.”

The first week, run every other day to give your body a chance to recover. Do a combination of running and walking and figure out where you are. And if you are getting off the couch for the first time, be sure you do a lot of stretching, she said.

“Build slightly,” she said. “Try to increase what you do by 10 percent every time you go out - go a little farther or walk less and run more.”

The second and third week you can try running daily, she said.

Make sure while you are training you are eating healthy. Eat more carbs for energy and drink lots of water, especially if it’s hot, Stock said

The day of the race some good things to eat are bagels, peanut butter, bananas and oatmeal, she said. You should eat three hours before you run, which might mean waking up at 4 a.m. and eating and then going back to bed

“You should practice your eating routine the week before the race,” Stock said to see how it goes. You do not want to have an upset stomach the day of the race, she said, so see how your body feels the week before—but definitely eat before you run. Your body needs the fuel.

With determination, in three weeks you should be ready to run a 5K race and if you can’t, don’t sweat it. Walk if you have to. The goal is just to cross the finish line and have fun, Stock said.

Tale of the trail

• The 5K race will begin at 7:30 a.m. from the course start line located behind on Yorba Linda Boulevard.
• The finish line will be on Shrine High School’s track in front of the bleachers.
• Streets will be closed to vehicular traffic at approximately 7:15 a.m.
• Northbound Woodward lanes will remain open at all times during the event.
• The family-friendly event will be open to participants from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. with registration will taking place from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.

For more information visit: cruiseinshoes.com

Online registration goes through Aug. 16 at cruiseinshoes.com/registration.