5Kickoff Party is this Saturday!
The first Forward Series Main Event is here, which means it's time to lace up your shoes and listen closely. You know we love to party. You know we love to celebrate a good workout. So we've designed the 5Kickoff Party to accomplish both in one fun event.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

1. Anytime between 5PM this Friday, Sept. 25th and 5PM Saturday, Sept. 26th, you will complete a 5K (3.1 miles). We suggest keeping track of your distance and time on a mobile device or watch. Honor system for timing is in effect.
2. Once you've completed your 5K:
   • Click here
   • Enter your first & last name, then click "Lookup Registration"
   • Click "Submit Virtual Results" next to your name
   • Enter your time and click "Submit Your Time"
3. Join us on Zoom at 7pm on Saturday, Sept. 26th for a virtual post-race party (trust us, it won't be lame). We'll acknowledge all finishers including fastest, give superlatives for your pics, play some trivia for prizes and have a special guest appearance. Come with your favorite beverage in hand!
   • Click here to join at 7pm Saturday

IMPORTANT STUFF:

1. In order to receive the Forward Series medal in February (pic below), you must complete all six Main Events.
   • Be sure to follow the instructions above for logging your time so we know you participated. 
2. We so badly want to see your pictures from the 5Kickoff (plus give away superlatives). Post them using #forwardseries and #vamomentum this weekend.

Friendly reminder: your friends and fam can sign up to join the Forward Series (including the 5Kickoff Party!) at any time here. Questions? Holler at us via email.

Why did we have to spin the wheel twice?! Check out the video! Congrats to Jeremy Hawkins for being the first Prize Wheel Fun Run Day winner!

PRIZE WHEEL FUN RUN IS THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17TH!
Our first Forward Series PWFRD (Prize Wheel Fun Run Day) is this Thursday. What the heck is a PWFRD?! Glad you asked. Here's how it works:

1. We pick the day. In this case, the day is this Thursday, September 17th. 
2. We pick the exercise. In this case, we're asking that you complete a minimum of three miles (walking or running) on Thursday. 
3. You will let us know you participated on Thursday by filling out a very brief tracking form (due by 11:59pm Thursday night).
4. We'll draw one participant's name out of the proverbial hat Friday morning and that person will spin the Prize Wheel on video with us! Each prize on the wheel is valued at approx. $100, except two "bust" prizes just for the fun of it (see below).
5. Video of the spin will be posted to the Forward Series Playbook and our Facebook page Saturday morning. #forwardseries #vamomentum

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES?

• New running/walking shoes (your choice)
• $100 Amazon gift card
• Camelbak hydration backpack
• Custom VA Momentum Hoodie
• Our favorite Jimmy John's sub delivered to your door (bust prize)
• Two year supply of Goodr running sunglasses
• 1 yr. subscription to Runner's World Magazine & Noxgear visibility vest
• 2018 Turkey Trot Medal (bust prize)

Friendly reminder: your friends and fam can sign up to join the Forward Series at any time here. Next time you'll hear from us will be Monday, September 21st with all the info you'll need for the 5Kickoff Party on September 26th! Questions? Holler at us anytime.

WELCOME TO THE FORWARD SERIES!
Thanks for being an early adopter of the Forward Series. The next six months will be vibrant, positive and full of ways to stay active with a community of friends. We've got a couple quick housekeeping items before we introduce you to your first VAM Video Challenge.

1. Your Forward Series shirts are being printed as we speak. They'll be mailed to you hot off the press.
2. We'll also be snail mailing you a series race bib and welcome letter.
3. Each month you can expect three things: one VAM Video Challenge (this week), one Prize Wheel Fun Run (next week) and one Main Event (Sept. 25-26).
4. Your friends and fam can sign up to join the series at any time here. 

VAM VIDEO CHALLENGE 1:
Without further ado, let's get to your first VAM Video Challenge! Here's how you can participate.

• We're challenging you to get at least twenty minutes of exercise on three of the next five days (Wednesday-Sunday)
• The catch: While you're exercising, we want you to think about someone you think deserves a compliment. As soon as you complete your exercise, send that person a text with the compliment.
• Bonus points if you feel like sharing your compliment publicly on social media using the hashtags #forwardseries & #vamomentum.

Next time you'll hear from us will be Monday, September 14th with the announcement about the first PWFRD (Prize Wheel Fun Run Day)! 'Til then, enjoy exercising and giving compliments. Questions? Holler at us anytime.

So, we've kicked off this new series of seriously cool stuff for the next six months and we understand you may have some questions. Would you do us a solid and comment with the most pressing questions you have about the Forward Series? Especially if you can't find the answers elsewhere on the website. We'll start with a few:

• What are the VAM Video Challenges? Before VA Momentum was a thing, co-founders Kevin and Alan used to challenge each other to fun, engaging workouts. "Bet ya can't run up that set of stairs ten times." We'll fire up some of that old banter to create challenges that spice up your routine. 
• What if I just want to sign up for one Main Event? It's super easy. Just subscribe for the Forward Series during the month of the event you want to participate. You can cancel your subscription the following month before it renews. But you should stick around!
• How many shirts do I get? Three. You'll get one moisture wicking, slick running shirt as soon as you sign up. You'll also get a long-sleeve cotton shirt for the Turkey Trot (November) and a short-sleeve cotton shirt for the 2021 Resolution Run (January).
• How do I get the medal (pic below)? Everyone who subscribes for the Forward Series prior to the Turkey Trot and completes all Main Events after they sign up will get the series medal (mailed in early March).
• When will my series shirt be sent and when will my main event shirts be sent? Forward Series shirts will be mailed within a couple weeks of when you subscribe so you can wear it for the next six months. Participants who are signed up two weeks prior to the Turkey Trot and 2021 Resolution Run will get their respective event shirts by the event date. If you sign up within two weeks of the Turkey Trot or Resolution Run, we'll mail your shirts the day after the respective event.
• Will there be packet pickup(s)? No. All your swag will be sent via snail mail and all the fun, engaging stuff for each event will happen virtually.
• How do I cancel my subscription? Subscriptions automatically renew on a recurring monthly basis corresponding to the date of the initial subscription until the February 2021 billing. You may cancel your subscription at any time by contacting events@vamomentum.com. Cancelations are effective immediately. Upon cancelation, no future recurring payments will be billed.
• Are you hosting any in person events the rest of this year? At this time, we will still be hosting Pound the Peak in person on October 24th with new safety precautions. 
• What’s the hashtag? Glad you asked! We'll be using the hashtags #vamomentum and #forwardseries for the next six months of the Forward Series!