Couch to 5K 2022 - We did it!
Healthier Jupiter, in partnership with the Town of Jupiter’s Recreation Department, and Jupiter Medical Center’s Cary Grossman Health & Wellness Center, offered our 5th annual FREE 9-week Couch to 5K Training Program to help individuals gradually increase their physical activity levels enough to walk or run a 5K (3.1 miles). Participants received encouragement and training guidance from Jupiter Medical Center Wellness Center trainers and be supported by other participants along the way. This program is a great way to ease your way into a healthier lifestyle and get ready for that 5K you have always wanted to run! And it is designed to start (or re-start) whenever! We were fortunate in 2022 to also partner with Live Like Jake and Els for Autism Foundation.
By the Numbers:
58 people registered for the Virtual Information Session to learn more about what to expect with the Couch to 5K Program
168 participants registered
18 participants let us know they would train on their own
63 participants attended Week 1
47 participants on average attended weekly meet ups
16 participants on average checked in virtually weekly
32 participants participated in the Town of Jupiter Turtle Trot - and we won biggest team!
You can check out ALL Training Photos and Race Day Photos on Facebook!
We asked participants about their experience during the Couch to 5K and here are some highlights!
About 50% of the participants were mildly anxious (worried, nervous, fearful) about participating in the Couch to 5K program. For those who were nervous, found the Virtual Information Session very helpful! Attendees felt that it provided all the details and information needed to enjoy the experience and be successful in going from Couch to 5K.
We asked participants what were some of the reasons they did not attend more Couch to 5K Saturday Morning Meet Ups and about 50% of respondents said they trained on their own, and 35% mentioned they were busy with work, events, and/or family. Additional people let us know that they were travelling, sick, or having trouble waking up early.
16% of respondents, it was their first time walking or running a 5K, and 84% have participated in a 5K before!
66% of the participants shared that they found the Mini-Education Series after some of the Couch to 5K Meet Ups (including nutrition education, mindfulness and zumba). 71% let us know they found the newsletter information helpful and majority of respondents were satisfied with the level of communication.
Participants shared: “Information was encouraging to keep up training and always reminded us that walking the 5 k was possible, that you did not have to run, to go at your own pace, always knew what to expect, how many minutes each way” and “The information shared in the weekly newsletters was reinforced at the Saturday meet-ups! Terrific support and information to promote learning and individual success”.
Many participants shared how helpful they found the training staff:
“Loved the lead runner. He was very encouraging and helped set a good pace”.
“The other staff and volunteers from JMC were awesome. They led the stretching and other exercises in addition to leading the walking/running groups. Truly appreciated Ben, Kelly, Phyllis, Siobhan and others”
We asked participants if there were any other programs, services, or resources they would like to see in the community to improve health and wellbeing, especially around physical activity. Respondents shared:
Information about 5Ks events at other times of the years that our group may want to join in
Something for kids
Couch to 5K should be open more than once a year.
Beach walk with yoga or stretching warm up
Maybe similar program for recreational bicyclists on safe roads and paths
Exercise and/or zumba in the park
More time to interact with other participants
Some of the participants had kind words to share about the program:
“Please, keep this program on. It is an excellent motivator for my family and me”.
“Excellent program”! “The entire program was well developed and executed”.
“I loved the program! I did what I could given my medical limitations and I tried to follow the suggested training program for walkers! By the end of the program I could walk 2.5 miles which is huge for me”!
“The Couch to 5K program was excellent for individuals to gain confidence in exercising safely while building strength and abilities! The side benefits of making friends, building a healthier community and getting to know more about the beautiful city of Jupiter was awesome”!!
“It was great! I met so many new people and made new friends! Positive vibes always at the meet ups, heard about many others making friends, walk buddies, etc. Cool venue/ route to walk on, easy to access. The trainers were always helpful. The prizes offered were cool! Encouragement was always there. My goal was to improve my time over my 2019 time and I improved by 6 minutes. Even though I fast paced/ walked and jogged, I had no pain in my legs after completing the walk/ run! I think Joanna and Healthier Jupiter are amazing and passionate about our community and our health! Thank you”
“Liked being a part of a liked minded community”
“Bravo!! So happy to see the partnership between JMC and the city of Jupiter to build a healthier community!! Truly a win-win-win!!! Grateful that our tax dollars are being used in such a positive manner. Thank you Joanna Peluso and the team at Healthier Jupiter for making the experience so delightful and a great success”!
“Overall a very successful Couch to 5 K program. Motivating. Supportive. Gently pushed to do more but within your ability. Assistants Ben, Kelly, Siobhan, and Phyllis were great. Loved one on ones with each of them. Made good acquaintanceships which resulted in a lot of sharing and networking. Because the spirit and vibe was fantastic. Our son had done a couch to 5K a year ago and he had been running a 5K five times a week ever since. He just completed the Keys Seven Mile Run. Not sure we’ll be able to say the same. But we do a minimum 3K every day now. Thank you very much for offering the program. And major kudos to Joanna for all of the work she put into this with such a wonderful attitude”.
“I really enjoyed this program and it held me accountable to show up on Saturday mornings and to train on my own in between meetups so that I would be able to keep up with my group. It really helped me get started on my fitness and weight loss goals, and I would enjoy participating again in the future”!
For more information about the Couch to 5K Training Program visit: www.healthierjupiter.org/couchto5k