Have you always wanted to run in a 5K race (about 3.1 miles) but never knew how to get started or didn’t want to tackle the preparation alone? Tacoma Public Library, in partnership with South Sound Running, the City of Tacoma and other community groups, is hosting a Couch to 5K Program this summer at the Main Branch of Tacoma Public Library. The nine- week session begins at 5:30 PM on Wednesday, June 15 at the Main Branch’s Olympic Room (1102 Tacoma Avenue South) and continues through August 10.
The library’s Couch to 5K Program is a series of weekly training runs and informational sessions from local health and fitness experts. Discussion topics include stretching and hydration, goal setting, warming up and cooling down after a run, wearing the correct running shoe, holistic healthy eating and weight loss. Following each week’s program is a group run hosted by South Sound Running, beginning at the Main Branch.
The Couch to 5K Program is being held in conjunction with the library’s 2016 Adult Summer Reading Challenge, “Exercise Your Mind. Read!” “With current public interest in maintaining a healthy lifestyle whatever one’s age, the running program is a natural extension of our adult summer reading challenge,” explained library spokesperson David Domkoski. Through the program, adults are encouraged to read for 600 minutes (10 hours) between June 11 and August 6. Additionally, the library has reading programs for kids and teens. More information is available at the library’s website – www.tacomalibrary.org.
Participants in the Couch to 5K Program should be able to walk comfortably for 30 minutes. Weekly participation in the program is designed to increase the distance one can run through nine weeks of practice runs.
Ideally, three running sessions per week for nine weeks are needed to follow the program and be ready for a 5K run. Sessions can last from 30 minutes or more depending on the individual.
Participants will be able to track weekly progress online, earn weekly participation badges, and be entered into raffle drawings for running-related prizes. The program is designed to prepare participants to run in the Thirsty Summer Nights 5K at Titlow Park on Wednesday, August 17 sponsored by the Metropolitan Parks District.
In addition to the City of Tacoma and South Sound Running, other Couch to 5K sponsors include the Metropolitan Parks District, Serenity Spa, and the YMCAs of Pierce and Kitsap Counties.
Register at any Tacoma Public Library location or call the library at (253) 280-2800 for more information.
