#61 - Gabrielle’s 5k Transformation
Gabrielle Cruises showed up on the doorstep of the park where Keep Calm And Run To The Best You Crew trains for various races. A new class was not scheduled to start for another two weeks. Would Gabrielle aka Gabby sign up for the new class? Would she say that money was tight and she could not afford it? Just how serious was Gabby about getting healthy and using running as a way to get there? In this week’s blog/podcast, we will take you through Gabby’s 8-week transformation that led her to her first 5k on July 26th, 2020 in Atlantic City, NJ. In this podcast, you will hear from some of the members of our program that saw first hand Gabby’s determination, and they share their thoughts on her improvements.
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The Doorstep
As mentioned in the introduction, without any notice that Gabby was going to be at the park on Thursday, May 21st, 2020, I showed up to the park, and there she was with her close friend Kathy. Kathy used to be a member back in 2017, before experiencing some health setbacks caused her to withdraw. Anytime Kathy would regain her strength, she always knows where she can return to get her exercise. On this day in May, she encouraged Gabby to join the program. After training our members, I got a moment to talk with Gabby and let her know that a new program would start on June 2nd, it would come with a team shirt, your race would be covered by your registration 16 in-person training and more perks. I just rolled this particular program out and was unsure how it would be received. Would Gabby feel like it was out of her price range? Would she be ready to commit to the weekly training? Later that evening after discussing it over with her husband, Gabby signed up. Here it is, we are in the midst of a pandemic, Gabby is out of work, yet she saw the need to take control of her health and that she did. Gabrielle realized that the cost to join the program was a small investment in her overall health.
The First 4 Weeks
Gabby has a strong spring to her step. Gabby has the bounce of a rabbit, so in the beginning, it was a challenge to get Gabby to pace herself, so as not to burn herself out for the second half of the workout. Another issue we wanted to help Gabby overcome, was being distracted! The phone would ping during training, or she may even be looking at it during pre-workout motivation time. We wanted her full attention to be centered on getting the full value of her training. No distractions. Within the first four weeks, I really started to see a change in Gabby! A more focused, less distracted and no longer checking her phone during times in which she should be focused on her training. Gabby saw improvement in her mile test time in week four. We always have members take a mile test on day one and again in week four. Gabby shaved a few seconds off of the day one test. I really wanted to see more, however, the weather was starting to turn up heat-wise. We see a major jump in her mile time in week 8, more on that later.
(Gabby Earns Her Shirt In Week 6)
Week 7, Gabby was challenged not to let a more experienced runner who was coming from behind not to catch her. This lady took off as Matt did everything he could to catch her, he failed. I use things like this to motivate both members from time to time. We told Gabby that if Matt caught her she would be eaten, and it seems like she took that seriously. We loved that fire down the stretch.
Race Week
One thing that jumped off the page for me when it came to race week was Gabby’s excitement and determination. Gabby saw on the schedule that she had a mile test on the Tuesday before the race. Our training on Tuesday is held at 6 pm on a University Track, not the coolest place for sure. In fact, it can be downright hot! Gabby text me on Sunday informing me that she would be heading to track early in the morning to get it done before the sun came up. I thought that was a fantastic idea. I recommended that she meet on the track at 5 am! Let’s just say that she beat me there. If that is not a story of determination I don’t know what is. Gabby rounded out the week following the program as designed. This included eating really well, especially the night before the race.
Race Day
The team came out to support Gabby in her first 5k. Due to Covid-19, it was not a live event and it was a virtual race. The Al Mackler Cancer race that would normally be held in Atlantic City, NJ, was still run on the boardwalk in Atlantic City/Ventnor. Our run group members came out and it felt like a live event. One reason for this, is that there were other tourists and locals running by or riding their bikes. It was a beautiful morning, but humid. We began our race at 7am. I collected the times of those that officially signed up to the event and turned them into the race directors.
Two members Matt and Katie Ayers came out on their 18th wedding anniversary!
Walkers Eric Keating and Kathy Elezovic came out and walked the whole course!
Young and in Charge Lisa Keating comes in first place female overall! (In our race minds anyway…. just as I came in first place male. Go Us!)
Chris Ballard continues to show nothing can stop her from being #1 in our community!
Jessica Weinstein returns to 5k running with a smile
You can’t keep Rachelle Corbitt on the ground. She is always floating with a smile!
Gabrielle Cruiess The Woman Of The Hour Comes Across The Finish Line!
(Gabby took a spill on the course but got back up and kept running. More on that in Gabby’s final thought.)
The Final Thoughts From Gabby
During the race, I had tripped and fallen on the boardwalk. After I fell, I just got back up and continued to run. I look at it like this; No matter what goal you put in place you can always reach it. It's not going to be easy and there will be bumps in the road. If you put your mind to it and keep pushing forward, you will achieve that goal.
This “RunA5k” program hasn't just taught me how to run but it has given me more appreciation for myself
For any new beginners out there that are ready to start your journey, don't let your fear stop you! You are an amazing person and you can achieve anything that you put your mind and heart in!
Watch Gabby In Action
You are invited to become our next 5k transformation!
Run A 5K (8-Week Program)
You’ll Get:
16 In-Person Coaching Sessions
Registration To Your First Race
Keep Calm And Run To The Best You Team Shirt
Access to our Facebook Accountability Group
Access to our weekly Health Connection Calls w/ Coach Tadris & Friends
