Providence RECenter7525 Marc Drive Providence RECenter's facilities include a heated, indoor 25 meter pool with 2 spas, saunas, shower and locker rooms, 3 racquetball and wallyball courts and a Fitness Center featuring a FitLinxx circuit, more than 20 cardiovascular machines, and a Pilates studio. There is an arts and crafts room, dance room and several multipurpose rooms where classes are held. These rooms are also available for party and meeting rental. Search and register for Providence RECenter classes with Parktakes Online! Directions: From the Capitol Beltway (I-495) From Seven Corners Click Here for local map. For further information call Providence RECenter at 703-698-1351. People with hearing disabilities may call 703-641-8672, voice/TTY, for information on programs. Meet Providence RECenter’s 5K team in training – an unlikely group of recreational runners who have jokingly dubbed themselves the “Ice & Advil 5K Team.” Were it not for the RECenter’s Saturday 5K training class, they probably never would have met. After 10 weeks of training, all have shaved at least two minutes off their one-mile time, all have finished a 5K race, and all are now great friends who plan to continue training together in preparation for the Healthy Strides Community 5K Race at Burke Lake Park on Saturday, April 28, 2012: Adela Wynn, 46, Music Teacher from Fairfax: “When I signed up, I thought I wouldn’t make it through. I had never done anything like this before, and showing up on the first day was really intimidating. I was the slow girl. But Peggy (Running Coach Peggy Maurizi) was very encouraging and motivated me to train during the week.” Unanticipated benefit of training: “My blood pressure went down significantly.” John Kanukolanu, 40, Financial Analyst from Fairfax: “My doctor told me to run. I’ve never run before, and I wanted to learn to do it the right way with proper stretching before the cool-down exercises.” Unanticipated benefit of training: “I started doing yoga to cross train, which made me more flexible. Because I do stretching, I don’t need Advil anymore.” Lisa Neher, 60, Artist from Falls Church: “I have wanted to be able to run a 5K for 15 years. I kept trying to get in shape to do it, but it’s not easy by yourself. Peggy gave us a schedule of running days, cross training days and rest days. Unanticipated benefit of training: The social experience. “I created a logo for our team T-shirts. We all wear them on race day.” Sabrina Nero, 37, Education Researcher from Vienna: “Every fall I would try to get into a regular schedule, then life got in the way, and I would stop when it turned cold. I needed a group to help keep me going. I knew they were counting on me to be there.” Unanticipated benefit of training: “My two children have taken note of my running, and my 9-year-old son wants to run a 5K now.” Selma Caal, 40, Research Scientist from Fairfax: “I had been out of running about four or five years and wanted to get back into it. Peggy encouraged us a lot and helped us stick to it. She really understands the importance of changing up the routine to keep it interesting.” Unanticipated benefit of training: “I feel like I’m eating healthier. You need to do that to have energy to go the distance.” Perhaps the greatest benefit is the knowledge that they collectively reached what some of them once thought was the unattainable goal – crossing the finish line. Now, as they train for the Healthy Strides 5K Race at Burke Lake Park, they’ve resolved to reach a new goal: to improve on their time from their first 5K competition. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||