Marlborough – On Thanksgiving morning, 23 people from the ConnectingPoint Marlborough Couch to 5K program ran in the Stow Gobbler 5K. For many of the people, this was their first time running in a 5K race.
The training leading up to this point consisted of workouts at least three days per week for 11 weeks, with many of the final workouts being run in the dark using flashlights at Ghiloni Park's track and paths. The participants enjoyed the camaraderie of running together and many said it made the workouts easier to do.
The first few workouts included doing eight sets of 60 second runs with 90 second walks, and some found it difficult to do, but they persevered and by the end were running for 35-straight minutes.
“It was really great to watch people progress and get stronger as the weeks went on,” said Bill Schade, one of the program leaders.? “Also, some new friendships were made by those who encouraged each other to keep going if they saw someone having a tough day.”
On race day all of the people who started, finished the race and some were surprised by how well they ran.? One participant, Joan Morrissey, finished third place in her age group and won a medal.? She noted, “I had celebrity status with my family.”
Many are very pleased with the results and plan to continue running over the winter months to keep the physical improvements that have been gained.? There were others who could not make it to the race who are going to keep the momentum going.
ConnectingPoint Church is planning to do the program again starting in the early spring.? The church held the program to directly help people in the community and improve their health.? For more information on the program, visit http://www.connectingpointchurch.org/couchto5k/ or www.facebook.com/ConnectingPointMarlboroughCouchTo5k.
