IT’S JUST AS MUCH ABOUT WELL BEING AS THE PHYSICALITY
RUNNING GROUPS AND NEW CONCEPTS AROUND EXERCISE FUELLING GROWTH
IT’S difficult not to notice the dozens of high vis tops on our streets and roads as people take up running in increasing numbers as we head into Spring.
Many have made running and exercise their New Year resolution but most have already been caught by the running bug and are picking it up again after the Christmas break.
And, the biggest age group out and about with the various running groups are the middle aged. It’s not just the physical benefits they are after with running but also mental well being.
The benefits of physical activity has long been documented as a form of reducing stress and anxiety levels and promoting an inner peace.
And, it’s this new way of looking at running that’s the concept behind a new sports store which has opened in Sligo.
It sells all the running gear you will need but it also embraces podiatry, nutrition, yoga classes and a running group.
Runpod has been brought to Sligo by Martin McGeough, the successful businessman behind Firefly orthotics on Markievicz Road.
Just closeby is the new store, Runpod being run by John Delany and where Irish international runner, Mary Cullen also works.
It’s like a jigsaw all coming together at Runpod. Well being, fitness and sports equipment all under the one roof, well nearly, with a running group meeting there three times a week before taking off for a loop around town.
Laois native John always had running in the family as he grew up. His father participated in Ironman events while John competed competitively up to about the age of 14 and concentrated on football and rugby.
College days followed and John studied podiatry at NUIG, earning his BA in the relatively new subject.
There are different fields in podiatry said John and he gravitated more towards biomechanics and movement rather than the more medical side of it which includes diabetic care for which there is great demand mainly due to an increase in the disease much of which is down to a rise in obesity levels.
John, who previously worked in sports shops elsewhere as well as his own private clinics, said he always had a vision of linking up what he studied with other aspects of keeping fit such as running.
He was doing this in Oranmore, Galway when Martin approached him about his concept for Sligo and he immediately was sold on the idea.
“Martin wanted to get as much people as active as possible and to link the business closely with the various athletic clubs, park runs, physiotherapists.
“It’s really all about making exercise as accessible as possible. It can be quite an intimidating process for someone starting out and not used to a routine to go out in the dark evenings on their own,” said John.
Once Runpod becomes more established in the coming weeks, John hopes to host yoga classes in the mornings there while he also has plans to have a nutritionist give a monthly talk. The mixed running group goes out three evenings a week and usually heads in the direction of Doorly Park.
It usually takes about 45 minutes to cover 5k. The group has the Tubbercurry 5k in mind in March as their initial goal. There’s even a welcoming cup of coffee at the shop when they return from their Saturday morning run.
“After the ten weeks are up I’m hoping this group continues running. There’s the social aspect too of meeting up with other people who just want to combine fitness while also at the same time clearing the mind.,” said John.
He’s a great advocate of Sligo’s park Run which takes place each Saturday at Cleveragh Recreational Park and helps out with its running though he says it needs many more volunteers.
Runpod as the name suggests has everything for the beginner runner right up to the more seriousd. AQll the leading brands are there including New Balance, Mizuno, Adidas, Inov8 and Altra, which is one of the fastest growing brands in the United States.
Running gear is in abundance too with Ronhill one of the top clothing running brands available in tops and shorts.
And, for winter running there’s headbands, gloves and hats too.
John stresses the need for a person’s running style to be analysed before they pick out a pair of runners.
At Runpod there is a 36 feet running strip which people run on which is videoed. This shows John and his staff what type of runner is best suited. Not everyone can wear a neutral runner with many needing arch support.
This gait analysis can be emailed to the runner and while the purchasing of runners can be a person’s main objective it is also very useful for looking at injuries.
The videos can be emailed to podiatrists and physiotherapists too.
The good ideas don’t stop there at Runpod. John is also hoping for exercise programmes at national schools level in the near future.
Running groups are springing up all over Sligo.Cleveragh Recreational Park has been an excellent addition for those who want to keep fit outdoors and the fact it is fully lit means people can use it during the winter months.
It has proven to be extremely popular and links up with the scenic Doorly Park nearby to give every walker, jogger or runner a choice of distances. It is the meeting place for several running groups including Sligo Athletic Club, Sligo Couch to 5k and Sligo Running Club.
Outside of Sligo, there are also several running clubs including North Sligo, Corran AC and Tubbercurry which also cater for juveniles as well as adults.
The running boom is certainly back and the biggest growth area appears to be amongst the middle aged. Goals can range from 5k and 10k races to half and full marathons. Last year, the Dublin City Marathon attracted its biggest ever field, some 20,000 entered. Each year running seems to attract more and more beginners.
The road race scene will get into full swing over the next couple of months and these will present the first tentative steps for many to proving their new found fitness at a competitive level.