Tag: Learn to Run

Learn to Run….yep, a new clinic!

WarrenLeave a comment

so yeah, why not share here…..kind of what I wanted this Blog to be at some point so…

I’m not training or running today..it’ll be a rest and recovery day…I’ll get back to that running thing tomorrow…

And yes..I’m at it again…a Learn to Run virtual clinic began this morning…a Half Marathon Clinic beginning in October…..so I’m going to share, a little anyway…..it’s what I do here…

The Learn to Run Clinic begins.

I’m an instructor….thee instructor

I’ve been at this for a long time. It all began with walking into the Callingwood Running Room in 1996 to sign up for a Learn To Run Clinic…….and than what I thought would just be 10 weeks of my life never stopped. Now 10 marathons later- in Kelowna, Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton and New York City, a ton of other distances, more than a few triathlons – including a couple shots at the Canadian Ironman Triathlon in Penticton mixed in, I’m still at it. 15 years ago I took on the task of instructing clinics. It felt like it was time to give back, with just one goal: to introduce many to this world, and to the joy running brings. Also to help participants live out their dreams….maybe accomplishing that part of their bucket list, or just making this a part of their lifestyle. Success, and the biggest rush is seeing those that have taken clinics or maybe just joined us for a run club run, out and continuing to run… This has become a huge part of my life, and no matter how many times I’ve stumbled and have taken the odd break …like that first love, I’ve always returned.

think about life, your life.. look at your weekly schedule, what’s there, and pick the spaces where you can get those 3 days a week set, and make those training days as important as anything else….your time. Make sure everyone knows that, that no matter what, those are your me time, your day……your training time.

Make this like those things you do every day, and as important…like brushing your teeth, sticking to an important appointment, or going to work. This is seriously all about you ! make an appointment with yourself…some days will be about that run….others will be an attention to something involved with this goal, your goal.

I’m a huge fan of having that partner or partners to train with – your crew – ….that gives an incentive to stick to that program and be consistent!…Get or find a group, a crew…..I know not everyone has that in person training partner….can you do this with someone remotely?…….

Most of areas where there is a Running Room, most now have a Wednesday evening Run Club, and even those that don’t, the staff there will know of someone or of a group in your area….there are other options, check out Park Run….they’re all over the planet and have a Saturday group run home | parkrun Canada | parkrun Canada…….there’s November Project for you early risers (3) November Project Canada | Facebook……and I know there are other groups everywhere….Vancouver for instance has an amazing group just called the Vancouver Social Run Club Home | Van Run Club (socialrunclub.com)

breathing – it’s just breathing…don’t over think it, but listen to it…if you’re huffing and puffing, back off, most of this clinic you should be doing this effortlessly…yes, I know some have speed goals, we’ll get to that soon – listen to your breath now, how’s that feel and sound, when you run, how does that feel..and when you speed up, listen again…we’ll talk about how that relates to heart rate and effort…..but yeah, also understand, while there are a few basics when it comes to running, there’s a lot of leeway in how you get it done…..but even if you run like Phoebe, there’s nothing wrong with that…seriously you can’t run wrong, we’re built to run!

This weekend…….either today or Sunday, if you can and it works for you, go for a training run…..for most of you, if this is your first shot, break that run up into 2 and 1s…..walk 2 minutes and run 1 minute, go for six sets…..3 one way, 3 back….learn how that feels…and a piece of advice, find ways to enjoy that run….running should be fun or at least enjoyable….find something to get that, running with others, chat, on your own, distract yourself…enjoy the ride…..enjoy being outside..make the run just a part of that journey, get to know your neighborhood, another one…a local trail or park…….and yes, if you have someplace where you can get away from running on concrete or asphalt and can get onto a natural surface, do that…..way more fun, and, your knees, ankles and feet will thank you….

Now, have you a goal?……..it doesn’t have to be anymore than a time goal, a distance, a race or a fun run, a run with friends, a personal bucket list thing…but pick something…that’ll give you an incentive…

Write that goal down somewhere – I use our bathroom mirror – and keep that in mind…even if it’s just to keep at it for 10 weeks…..

yep, that’s the first email to the clinic folks, and now to get ready for that first meet….

life is getting busy, and I’m feeling a bit overwelmed, I’m skipping a race tonight..I just don’t feel up to running 10K tonight at 8PM..I know the point is a run in the dark, but, I’ve an early Sunday morning run of epic proportions planned…..not sure why I registered, but whatever…….I’ll save it for later, and just be a good dad and husband……..

and I guess, plan for the week ahead…

w

Learn to Run a Beginning…

Warren1 Comment

This could distract, maybe, a small, virtual, Running Room Learn to Run Clinic….with a weekly intimate Zoom meet with almost 70, lots and lots of emails, and me working towards that BMO Vancouver Half Marathon……while doing so….clinics, instructing always seem to motivate me (I’ve gotta set a good example)….

well, maybe not too perfect of an example?

This was a good week….a handful of steady runs, a really good Sunday, a couple of rides on the bike trainer…so all good and only 17 more weeks to go…….I’m feeling a little positive….this little light of mine, I’m going to let it shine?

I for some reason am also taking a couple of those virtual half clinics….not sure why? (why not?) ….I guess, the more information, the more knowledge, motivation?…..whatever it takes?…..Two Half Marathon Clinics, one is almost done, one, aimed specifically at that BMO race began last week…..I like the interaction even if it is just virtual….one Zoom a week, Facebook posts, STRAVA , it all helps…..as well digging into what my fellow bloggers are up to……..all helps. Just more thinking, listening, sharing…..the more the better…

I’m not sure how I feel about STRAVA…saving and seeing what I’ve done, it’s nice to have that, I know it’s nuts, but having that validation has a benefit….if I can’t post it, did I actually do it?…..but, there’s that competitive thing……yes, it’s good to keep up, sharing what I’ve done with others, other friends, is that a good thing?..better to see what others are doing provides that inspiration (idea on routes, distances, challenges) and motivation – if someone else can wake up at run a 4:30 in the morning and runs 15K when it’s God awful cold…if they, yep, so can I?……or are we all a little crazy?

I don’t care if others follow me at Strava Runner Profile | Warren Footz …..that competitve part always bothers me a little, or a lot……..but, well, the benefits outweighs the negatives…

I love taking on clinics, I like seeing those participants getting hooked……this particular group is great, maybe a bit of a challenge…..but I like that too…….it’s a learn to run, but for a lot, it’s a re-learn, return, getting back, getting fit, and yes some that have never run before in their lives……so 11 weeks to answer to all of that, yep, it can be done…..

Virtual is hard…I can’t actually run with those in the clinic, I can’t watch them run and make sure they do the training…and actually coach in person, that would be way better right? But it is what it is, and there is some reasons why virtual works…a lot of those 70 people don’t live in a place where in person at a Running Room would be possible……..even 1 that lives in Lima Peru!…….and I can do this and have….

The payoff is seeing those in past clinics succeed, and by succeed I mean just making running/being healthy, possibly fit a part of their lives…….I’ve been doing this since 2006 (yes I was alive way back then, and I am that old)…….I have no idea how many clinics, how many participants……lots……

Tomorrow a new week, a new 7 days………here goes nothin’ for this well seasoned old guy..