Cherokee Runners are shown (left-right) front row – Gerri Grady, Robin Swimmer, Angel Squirrell and Luke Climbingbear; middle row – Christi Climbingbear, Angie O’diear, Sonya Wachacha, Kathy Kalonaheskie, Janelle Maney, Sheila Brown and Sarah Teesteskie; and back row – Elnora Thompson, Terri Bradley, Pam Sneed, Gwen Thompson, Jimmy Oocumma, Kelsey Lossiah, Carolina Oocumma and Marlene Arch. (Photo courtesy of Gerri Grady)
By GERRI GRADY
CHEROKEE RUNNERS
The Cherokee Runners Couch to 5K program has 35 people registered for its 2013 spring session. The group is in its sixth week of training and attendance continues to be very strong for the 3-times a week/hour-long training periods. New runners warm up for about 15 minutes with walking, stretching and mobility exercises, then they complete the week’s running drills.
For week six, each runner will complete three rounds of a 5-minute run,a 1-minute walk, a final 1-minute walk and a 2-minute run for a total run time of 17 minutes. A cool down exercise that includes walking and stretching completes the day’s session. Runners get information on hydration and diet and are asked to self-assess and to keep a daily log. The completion of the Couch to 5K program will include the Cherokee Runners Sunset 5K that will be held on July 4.
In addition to the training program, Cherokee Runners have been competing in various local races including the Age Link 5K, the Biltmore 5K/15K, and the Cradle to the Grave 5K and 30K. Samantha Ferguson, Charlie Myers, Terri Bradley and Michelle Wolfe completed the Age Link 5K and several Cherokee Runners volunteered to help with this event. Sean and Gerri Grady completed the Biltmore 5K while Steph and Robin Swimmer and Susan Paul completed the 15K. The Cradle to the Grave 5K was finished by Tinker and Brandes Jenks, while Seth Holling, Jimmy Oocumma and Michael Henson completed the 30K (18.6 miles). The course was said to be “muddy and fun!”
The Cherokee Runners meet monthly on the second Tuesday at Age Link Conference Room. Anyone is welcome to attend. If you are interested in the 2013 Sunset 5K, please email gerrgrady@yahoo.com.
