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It's no coincidence that a synonym for the word running is 'working.' There are people out there who truly enjoy this particular cardiovascular workout, but many people don't exactly enjoy jogging. Working out is good for your body and mind, so why not make burning calories more fun?

You can do this by setting a goal for yourself; turn your workouts into training for a race. Whether it's a 5k, a half marathon or you are one of the incredible specimens who thinks that the 26.2 miles of a marathon sound like a good idea, sign up!

While this may seem like a daunting task, Hal Higdon offers an easy day-by-day training schedule at several different difficulty levels. From beginner to expert, from a 5k to an Ultra Marathon, he's got you covered. The best part is, you don't have to buy his book or anything; he has all of his programs posted online, as well as tips to make you a better runner overall.

So now that you know how to train for it, you'll need to figure out which upcoming race you want to set a goal for. It's always fun to make your upcoming race an excuse for a vacation of sorts, so check out various destinations that hold races. My favorite so far was P.F. Chang's Rock 'n Roll Marathon and Half Marathon in Arizona. (I did the half.)

  If you're looking a little closer to home, the Waddell and Reed Kansas City Marathon offers the opportunity to race in several different distances. Since it's only about seven weeks away, you might need to skip five weeks in Hal Higdon's training program, but it should give you plenty of time to be prepared for the half (13.1 miles). I would recommend skipping weeks two, four, six, seven and nine. If this still seems like too much, there's always time to train for a 5k (3.1 miles).

Here in the St. Louis area, there is the Summit Trek 5k on October 4, the O'Fallon Fall Fest 5k Fun Run on October 11 and the Second Wind Lung Walk on October 18 are all great opportunities. Just do yourself a favor and as soon as you commit to a race, fill out the online registration. You're more likely to follow through with your training if you've already paid the entry fee.

Lastly, if you feel like you wouldn't know what to do once you get to the race (the rows of porta-potties can be disorienting), volunteer at St. Charles' upcoming Lewis & Clark Marathon and Half Marathon. They still need lots of people to help out the weekend of the race, and that way, you'll get a feel for what you can expect for your own race.

Click here for a few race-day tips.

It might seem daunting, but be realistic about your goals and what races you register for. Sure, you're not going to be a Steve Prefontaine, but if Katie Holmes can do it, so can you.