It was only the second time Stacy Simon had tried a 5K run, and now she can’t wait to do it again.

Simon says she will be one of the hundreds of runners who will take part in The Advocate Cypress 5K on Jan. 20.

“I’m not a runner at all,” says Simon. “I’ve been in and out of fitness my whole life, but mostly in gyms and weight training.”

So when she resolved to run the Louisiana Organ Procurement Agency’s inaugural Run for Life last November, she started training using a beginner’s “Couch to 5K” program.

“It gets you moving at your own pace. You walk and run, and it signals when you should do it,” says Simon. “You gradually build up until you’re running a full 5K over about nine weeks.”

After completing that race, Simon and about seven others in her Visit Baton Rouge office agreed to tackle the Cypress 5K.

“Eight of us decided to run it, and, honestly, only one of us is a real runner,” says Simon, who is director of projects. “Some of them did more walking than running, but we all did it.”

For the upcoming Jan. 20 Cypress 5K, Simon plans to once again train with a “Couch to 5K” program.

The first time, Simon says she walked about a half-mile of the route.

“My goal this time is to completely run it with no walking,” she says.

Simon swears the training program is something anybody can do.

“It’s really not hard at all,” she says. “It’s for anyone at any fitness level because you’re going at your own pace.”

And, she says, she’s discovered some real perks from this form of fitness.

“Running gives you the opportunity to exercise in a very short amount of time,” says Simon. “And you don’t have to get in your car. I mean, you can, and it’s beautiful to run around the lakes and all, but you don’t have to.”

And the Cypress 5K route, she says, is absolutely gorgeous.

“It’s picturesque,” she says. “I loved running downtown and around the State Capitol.”

The weather, which she feared could make it harder, was great.

“You’re not cold for long,” says Simon with a laugh.

And, the pièce de résistance for Simon was the medal she got for finishing the race.

“It’s a bottle opener,” she says. “And I still proudly display it on my key ring.”

5K FACTS

If you want to participate in The Louisiana Marathon festivities in January, but aren’t up 26.2 or 13.1 miles, then this is the run for you. Participants in The Advocate Cypress 5K will receive an official Louisiana Marathon 5K Medal.

Sprinters, joggers and walkers can join the fun. Strollers and baby joggers can, too, but please remain towards the back of the group for safety purposes.

The course will take runners through the tree-lined streets of Downtown’s newly refurbished North Boulevard Town Square.

Run on Saturday and bring your wrist band to the Finish Festival on Sunday, where there will be bands, food and cheering for those running the Marathon and Half-Marathon.

Race Date: Saturday, Jan. 19, 2013

Start Time: 8 a.m.

Start Location: Louisiana State Capitol, 900 N. 3rd St.

The starting line is in the parking lot in front of the Capitol steps.

Finish Location: Louisiana State Museum, 660 North 4th St.

Register: www.thelouisianamarathon.com