Elon Faculty/Staff Wellness begins Couch-to-5K program for Elon employees.
The group that showed up for the first session of the Couch-to-5K program offered by Elon Faculty/Staff Wellness on Monday evening was ready to get started.
While technically the goal is to run the Turkey Trot together on Nov. 22, people showed up for a host of different reasons. Participants were a mix of former runners who wanted to ease their way back into shape to beginners excited to give running a try. Many were seeking motivation to stick with an exercise plan.
Led by coach Megan Squire, associate professor of computing sciences, and two guest judges, Tom Arcaro, professor of sociology, and Melissa Murfin, assistant professor of physician assistant studies, the group completed day one of the 11-week program.
It was hot, but it was fun rotating between 90-second walks and 60-second runs. Together we traveled almost two miles. While I know it was hard for some of the participants to imagine they will actually be running a 5K in 11 weeks, the program does work if you stick with it.
In addition to the exercise and the camaraderie, Squire promises to provide helpful tips and plenty of inspiration to keep everyone motivated. There also will be different guest coaches each week.
Squire has created a website to keep everyone on the same page. It includes a complete schedule, frequently asked questions as well as a great blog to keep you moving on days when the group isn’t together.
The group meets from 5:20 p.m. to 6 p.m. every Monday and Thursday in front of the Wellness Center at 301 S. O’Kelly Ave. Participants need to do the program one day a week on their own. If you can’t make a Monday or a Thursday, that’s OK. You can run with the group once a week and get two workouts done on your own.
Even if you missed the first day, it’s not too late to start. The fall is a great time to start a running program.