When the concept of Couch-2-5K first entered the scene and vocabulary of the Castleisland area, in the late summer of 2012, it arrived as a force for good health and well-being over the unthinkable alternative.
The concept couldn’t have been more simple. Crowds of people gathered at An Ríocht and, with the guidance of the club’s fitness instructors, did a few warm-up exercises and took off at their own pace for a few laps of the tartan track.
The Notion of Exercise
It was impressed on the participants, many of whom were engaging with the notion of exercise for the first time, that they should move at their own pace. That varied. There was nothing to prove to anyone.
Some took off like the proverbial scalded cat while others moved to the outer lanes of the track and walked and talked their way through the half hour duration before a little warm down ended the evening sessions.
30 Minute Sessions
The news is that Couch-2-5K is back in force on a twice weekly, 30 minute basis on Mondays at 7:15pm and Thursdays at 8:15pm starting next month on Monday, November 6th at 7:15pm.
The cost of the sessions will be €3 per person per night and national school children will be free of charge and will need to be supervised by a parent / guardian.
“We are very excited about the relaunch of Couch-2-5K,” said facility manager, Lisa Horgan.
Team of Local Volunteers
“It was so popular when we did it here before. We’re putting a team of local volunteers together who have experience of the event and we aim to encourage and help people back to a level of fitness which we know they can achieve in the motivational atmosphere of a group setting,” said Lisa.
“The setting here couldn’t be more suitable for night time activity, it’s well lit, there’s ample parking under lights and the gates are closed while the session is in flow.
Motivate and Help
“There will be no pressure, no fitness tests, no requirement on anyone to perform but we will motivate and help people to get out and get active.
“They can do wonders for their mental and physical health by getting involved in the group activity. “They can bring along friends or family members with them if it helps – and we’ll be here to offer help and support,” said Lisa.
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