Catalyst Couch to 5K Race Report

Back in February, I started running with a new Couch to 5K Group at Catalyst active store in Madison, Wisconsin (HERE).  The group consisted of women over the age of 50.  These ladies were excited to step-out-of-the-box and try something new. 

Over the past several months, they would run and laugh ... and joke about their aches and pains.  They enjoyed reminding me that they weren't "spring chickens" and that I needed to take it easy on them.  Wishful thinking!  They began with 1/1 intervals of running and walking for 20 minutes and worked themselves up to 35 minutes of running consecutively.  We had a few people stop in throughout the program, and a few withdraw due to injuries.  But, the group of five remained strong.  Some of them even ran together on the weekends to complete their third run of the week.  Habits formed.  Relationships formed.  Lifes were transformed.



First Group Run:  February 2012



Last Group Run:  Excited for their Race!



On April 21, the group ran their first 5K at the American Cancer Society's 31st Annual 5K at Warner Park in Madison, Wisconsin (HERE).  There was also a 10K event.  Sadly, one of the ladies was unable to join us at the event, due to a personal commitment.

I zig-zagged through the sea of runners to run portions of the race with each Couch to 5K participant.  Some ran the entire race and some took a few, small walking breaks.  But, they all finished.  And, they finished strong!!

The ladies all finished between 34-39 minutes and I couldn't have been more proud of them.  Most importantly, they finished with HUGE smiles on their faces. 

I also received this (very appropriate) adorable set from one of the Couch to 5K participants.  I look forward to remembering our fun training runs together, over my morning cup of coffee.  The clipboard will also come in handy with the other groups I am training.  I will be forever grateful for all of the paths that have crossed through this fabulous journey.