WHEN THE government put the country into
lockdown life changed for all of us. Old
routines ceased and we had to start making new positive ones. Not just in terms of how we are temporarily
living but how we want life to be after COVID-19. Please be aware that none of the groups are
currently running but they will be back.. check the websites.
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| Ardingly 8km Village Run |
A result of this is a lot of people have decided to start
running. People run for different
reasons whether it’s to compete, improve their fitness or maintain good mental
health. Behind each person is a journey
and a story of how running has impacted on their lives. Running isn’t for everybody but for those
who enjoy it there are huge advantages.
Running isn’t a destination, it’s a journey and here is
mine with the intention of giving people options and ideas on what they can do,
whether that’s to just continue with what they are doing or try to improve from
where they currently are.
Three years ago, I suffered from work related stress and
didn’t know how to deal with it. I knew
that exercise was good for stress so I joined the Dolphin Leisure Centre. This was my first steps to improve my stress
and fitness levels.
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| Worthing 10km |
The Dolphin and its sister The Triangle in Burgess Hill were
amazing. As a novice they gave me a personal trainer for three sessions as an
introduction. This gave me an overview
on how to use the equipment and a tailored fitness plan to work with. This was
when I discovered running machines.
I started to think about running outside instead of using a
machine and downloaded the C25K app. (Couch to 5km). There are many of these available but they
are all roughly the same with the aim of getting you off the sofa and
running. The apps work in easy
digestible chunks, slowly building up your endurance.
The (trainer realising that I was running more than rowing)
asked if I had ever heard of Parkrun.
He explained what, where and how I could get involved so I looked it all
up online, joined and by the end of the week I had completed my first 5km run.
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| Run Gatwick Half Marathon |
Running suddenly took on a different meaning for me. Up until now I had gone out on my own. Suddenly it was about community and running
with other people. Parkrun isn’t a race,
it’s about going out and completing the distance any way you want to do
it. Run, walk, run and walk it doesn’t matter.
What did matter was the community around it from the runners to the
volunteers. Parkrun is held every
Saturday at 09:00 in Clair Park, Haywards Heath.
Later I discovered the “Run Together” group J&M Running. They are a registered England Athletics run
group and teach people how to run using coaches and experienced runners. Instead of using an app you can join a
community from the beginning who help support and motivate you. There is a small fee for the lessons which
offer great supportive practical lessons.
Once I was established as a regular Parkrun member, I
started to learn about other local events that anybody can take part in. Lindfield 5km and 10km and Ardingly 8km both
held on their village days and all monies received from the running goes to
their local charity which is well worth supporting. These were big changes for me as I had got
used to running 5km. I was now pushing it out to 10km runs around the villages and
countryside of Sussex.
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| Haywards Heath Harriers |
There are a lot of running events you can sign up for and
they can cost a lot of money. You need
to be choosy about which ones you want to do.
After starting to achieve 10km I wanted to have a go at a half
marathon. Being born in Redhill, Surrey
I signed up for Run Reigate 10km and the following year I completed the half
marathon as well as RunGatwick. Because
my wife is from Wales I ran the Cardiff University Half Marathon as well.
Still a member of Parkrun and enjoying their runs I started
to talk to Haywards Heath Harriers and managed to get three taster sessions. From there I joined and this really expanded
my running. I got regular training
sessions with a qualified coach and support by both Harriers and England
Athletics to run events including cross country.
Through running with Harriers I learned about the WestSussex Fun Run League, 18 affiliated clubs who organise one run per year for
all the clubs to enjoy and race. They
are also open to anybody who wants to join in.
Current price is £3 per run which is fully marshalled and all are very
different.
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| Cardiff Half Marathon Race Bib |
Along with being a member of The Dolphin, once a week I do
Hybrid Boxing for full strength and conditioning training which is about cross training
for running. This strengthens my core
which helps to lift me through the difficult parts of a run. Hybrid boxing costs £10 and is held every
Sunday at Sussex Zest at 10:00.
From Parkrun through local events, Haywards Heath Harriers
and West Sussex Fun Run League there is a real sense of community full of
people who support and motivate you to join in. As I said at the beginning it’s not just
about running, it’s about community.
If lockdown has started you running and you are wondering
how you can take this further then I hope this has given you some ideas.
