Run clinic made journey possible
I began this journey in August with no idea I’d end up at the start line of the Vancouver Sun Run on Sunday.
I just wanted to get back in shape a bit! To be able to run with my kids again or play with my nephews. I wanted to do this without having to stop and catch my breath.
Then I was kicked out of my very first running group.
I dragged myself through an hour-long run, having not run more than 30 seconds in the last 15 years. That night was my first and last time I would run with these two women in my neighbourhood. A day later the main mom messaged me to say since they only run once a week, they need to run with someone who has more speed.
Ten days later I would complete my first 5K. That rejection fuelled me to push harder because I knew I could and they were wrong.
After having had that experience with a running group, I headed into my first Sport Med BC In Training run clinic at Week 5 with knots in my stomach and fear in my heart. That fear and anxiousness disappeared quickly — they welcomed me with open arms!
It wasn’t long before Monday nights became the highlight of my week.
The InTraining run clinic at Britannia was my saving grace. Week 13 of the 13-week program fell on Easter Monday and with that, our group would be significantly less than the week before. Many of these people who encouraged me week after week would not be there.
I had to carry myself through the 40-minute run — but I did so with more confidence than ever before! I completed eight weeks of training; that’s two months of pure dedication.
In the moment that you doubt yourself or your abilities, sign up for the Sun Run. Do the InTraining clinics. Whether it’s Learn to Walk, Learn to Run or Run Stronger, there is a program for everyone and you will find the motivation of others will help power you through when you want to give up.
In the words of the Britannia clinic leader Pepe Duarte: “Happy pace, happy place ... You can do it.”