Get ready for Cicada Crunch 2013 with the C25K team!

  

We're always impressed when people go out and try things that previously may have seemed near impossible -- we love a good underdog story! Do you know about Cheverly's homegrown beginner's running group: Couch to 5K? These dedicated people -- not traditional runners -- go out and train for the annual Cicada Crunch and Turkey Trot and get fit along the way. That's impressive. Even more impressive? The group ranges in age from 20s to 80s -- and they all finish the race! In fact, one of our favorite moments of Cheverly Day 2012 was watching former Mayor Al Dwyer hit the finish line. Absolutely inspiring.

We asked one of the Couch25K leaders, Abel Olivo, a few questions about the group:

What is the Couch to 5k group? The Couch to 5K (C25K) program brings together people who are interested in running a 5K (3.1 mile) race but who have little or no experience running, or who haven't run in a while. It is also support group for people to encourage and challenge one another. An opportunity to share an experience and to live a more active life. Lane Thompson and I are heading up the Spring 2013 group.

How/why did Couch to 5k get started? The C25K program was started because of a conversation that I had with Dave Kneipp. I hadn't seen Dave in a few months and I asked how he was doing. He told me that he was doing the C25K training and that is was challenging but going well. The previous year I, too, had undertaken running as a way of living healthier because, frankly, I needed it. After the initial month, I felt better and healthier. After talking with Dave, a light went off in my head that this program can work for others too. I remembered how hard it was to get started for me with no support, no official program to follow, no one to talk to about the aches and pain, etc. So, with the help of Robin Kaye, we got the program off the ground in the Spring of 2012.

Where/when do you meet? We meet at Town Park on the lower track at 6:30 pm on Tuesday and Thursday and 8 am on Saturday. After the fourth week, we will move to the streets of Cheverly. So drivers, please keep an eye out for runners in the coming months.

How does the program work? The C25K program eases you into running through a gradual increase in time and distance so that literally anyone, even a couch potato, who desires to run a 5K, can. It starts out with a combination of walking and jogging that helps build your stamina for longer distances. Running 3 miles can seem like such a daunting task, the C25K program brings that to you in a very gradual and achievable way.

How many people participate? So far the C25K program has "graduated" about 40 Cheverly residents. The Spring 2013 is just getting under way and there is time to join in until the end of next week. After that, it would be a bit difficult, though not impossible, for someone to join. If you are interested in joining the group please email Lane lane.thompson@yahoo.com or Abel abel_olivo@yahoo.com -- or stop by the track. If you can't make the times, but are still interested in doing the program on your own, let us know and we will send you the training schedule.

And don't forget -- registration for the 2013 Cicada Crunch 5K Race/2K Fun Run/Walk is now open -- visit our website for maps and the registration link!