Waverley Harriers second series of Couch to 5K sessions saw 22 participants this autumn. The autumn nights meant that these sessions were mostly run on roads around Farncombe and Godalming, so as we had street lighting to run by.
The group worked really hard, both in the weekly sessions and by doing their activity ‘homework’ of a couple of additional sessions each week. It was wonderful to see the group supporting each other between each weekly session, staying in touch via text, email and running together for support.
Lots of Waverley Harriers also supported the group as C25K ‘helpers’, so the group had not only lots of encouragement, but also the great and varied running experience of the ‘helpers’ running experiences for draw on.
After 9 weeks, 14 people finished the couch to 5k programme – 13 of which completed a Parkrun. 11 at Guildford on the 5th and 12th of December and 2 who showed their dedication by doing a Parkrun in the Midlands on the 5th as they were away for the weekend.
We were once again given a warm welcome by Guildford Parkrun, and were supported by family, friends, Waverley Harriers, and one another. It was a wonderful morning, and undeterred by the very strong winds across Stoke Park on the 5th, the group celebrated their success with a medal and cake, before joining other Park runners in the Spectrum for a coffee.
Some of the group are still running together, and have become Waverley Harriers members. They’re also planning to run a 10k in the New Year as their next challenge.
We hoping to organise another couch to 5k programme in the spring, so watch this space for more details. In the meantime how about trying the couch to 5k programme yourself.
For more details of the Guildford Parkrun see here.
By Kate Horne
