By Jackie Albanese
It all started June 2018. I was frolicking in a field with my dog, and we had a miscommunication about what direction we should be going, leading to me laying in the grass with a broken fibula. (He is still the best boy though). I had recently moved here full time and had pledged that this would be the summer of making local friends. A real commitment for a quiet person who works remotely. Those plans were postponed until fall. Four months later, with uneven calf muscles and zero stamina I decided to go to my first TNT. It was not a tremendous success. After TNT, at 6:30pm, another group arrived at the track that seemed more my speed, literally. Recommitted to my make local friends pledge, and also the desire to even out these calves, I talked to a bunch of strangers who told me this was the Couch to 5k group, and that I could email Leb Rec to see if I can sign up late. I’ve been part of Couch to 5k in some capacity ever since. Over the years we’ve celebrated big birthdays (80 years!), seen children go from babbling babies to talking kids, traded gardening tips, and everything in between.
Every spring, including this one, we begin the session with some cold early mornings and sometimes rainy afternoon – impossible to imagine we’re training for a race that almost always is the hottest one of the race series – the Red, White and Blue. This spring was my first session as head coach, joined by the other coaches, Matt, Scott, Meghan, Kristen, and Jess (most of whom started as participants, like me). We had nearly 40 participants who worked diligently every week to increase their running distance and time. A handful are alums who set themselves up with new goals each session. This spring session we added a speed workout once a week which led to race PRs, changed some of the stretches and bodyweight exercises, and promoted more integration with the rest of the running group. On race day, we had a great showing of runners – despite the heat and humidity. I would list their names, but this pictures is more fun.
This summer you should see a few C25k folks at TNT and Saturday morning running. Our next C25k session starts mid-August. If you are interested in joining as a coach, let me know.