RunClub Kamloops has come to Ashcroft/Cache Creek and our avid healthy communities have responded.
When Jo Berry of Kamloops RunClub and Boogie the Bridge asked me if we could become their first satellite site for RunClub, I was excited, but apprehensive. Could our little communities find 20 people to make this work? We held an information session about the highly successful run-walk program of lifelong, injury free running and more than 50 people attended! I was so proud of our little towns, but I still wondered, would 20 people actually sign up and commit to a Run Club program?
So on March 15, when more than 30 people met at the Trackside Diner for the first ever RunClub, I was bursting with pride at the amount of avid, health focussed people we have in this community!
RunClub’s mantra is “Movement is Change” and this is incorporated in everything the club does. Some of the focus points of the six week program are: A pace for everyone; Ego-less living; Union of people for community health; No one gets left behind; and Putting the Fun in Run.
One of my favourite parts of our group runs are the “pick-ups.” I have often not enjoyed running for the simple reason that I felt slower and behind everyone else. Either they were waiting for me or having to run slower in order to run with me, or worse yet, they just took off running and I was left kilometres behind. So how do you encourage “run at your own pace” and “no one gets left behind” when we all have different paces?
The answer: it’s called the “pick up.” So as the group begins to get spread out, the coach shouts “pick up!” and the runners in the front, circle back to the last person. Everyone follows the person in front until the last person is now in the lead. It’s a great opportunity to high-5 everyone as you circle back and keeps you all together without having to slow or speed up your own pace.
Another aspect I enjoy about RunClub is that there is no pressure to get your fasted time. No one asks, how fast did you do today or tells you, you should run faster. RunClub is not about stroking the ego, instead it’s about enjoying friends, the outdoors and movement.
In order to run healthy, it’s important to vary the type and/or intensity of your movement. The variety on your muscles will help to ensure you are injury free as well as put the fun into run. RunClub incorporates a run-walk method which just means, you’ll run for a bit and then walk for a bit. Depending on your goal and your fitness level, you may run for eight minutes and walk for two minutes and then repeat or you may walk for five minutes and run for two minutes and repeat. In both cases, I have enjoyed running now more than ever!
On April 27, many of us will be running at “Boogie the Bridge” in Kamloops. This charity fun run is held each year and all of the proceeds of the event are donated to local charities. This year the Boogie team anticipates breaking the $1 million mark in donations to needy local groups. If you would like to join in the fun, you can register online at www.boogiethebridge.com. Join the team by clicking on the “Corporate and Adult Teams” tab at left and then enter the “Coach Trill Fitness” team name to get in on the fun!
Vicky Trill