As a student at Montclair State University in New Jersey, Erik Helverson received the Anita Magistro Udell Scholarship for excellence in his German program. He also serves as a historian for the university’s German Club. Outside of his academic accomplishments, Erik Helverson is enthusiastic about sports, playing tennis and participating in 5k marathons.
While a 5k marathon requires more fitness experience and stamina than is usual for the casual gym member, regimens like the Couch to 5k program allow someone from any fitness level to work their way up to long-distance races. Created by novice marathon runner Josh Clark in 1996, the Couch to 5k program has helped thousands of people gradually build up their strength and endurance while avoiding overexertion at even the most basic fitness levels.
After building up his own fitness through a gruelling routine, Clark wanted his mother to experience the benefits of the training program. To adapt to her needs and her age, he broke down the acclimation process into a number of achievable steps. The current format involves nine-week intervals, with runners increasing their challenges after each period. The beginning of the program suggests interspersing short bursts of running between longer periods of walking, three times a week. As time goes on, the running periods slowly expand until the individual is able to run for just over three miles without stopping. Most people will notice a significant improvement in their stamina within three months
In addition to the original workout plan, aspiring marathoners can download Couch to 5k-inspired apps or podcasts that provide timestamps for running and walking, and encourage dialogue from professional coaches and celebrities who have benefited from Couch to 5k.
Erik Helverson 