Learn to Run program....

Courtesy of the City of Williams Lake:

The Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex is starting its 12-week ‘Learn to Run’ program on Thursday, April 4th at 5 p.m. The program is designed for beginner runners and will give you the basics of establishing your own sustainable running program that you will carry on beyond the 12-week program, theoretically the rest of your life.

It will provide you with adequate base training to enter the local Kidsport Classic on Sunday, June 23rd either in the 5 km (team) or 10 km (individual or team) categories. The program is designed to gently increase your running distance. It starts with 30 seconds of running and 4 minutes of walking and slowly increases the endurance so that you are able to participate in a 5km Kidsport Classic Run at the end of the program.

The Learn to Run Program changed the lives of Angela Laprairie, Jillian Neuner, Treena Brown, Jill Jennings, Tammy James, and Janice Laurie. In 2006 Jill Jennings signed up to take the Kidsport Classic training program so that she could learn to run. Jill was soon hooked on running, and convinced three of her coworkers to try the program the following year.

“That first running session, I had ‘lawn mowing’ runners, sweat pants and a T-shirt to wear,” laughs Angela. “And the first thirty seconds of running was the longest thirty seconds ever!’ It was hard for the group to believe that they would actually run 5 kilometres, let alone someday be running ½ marathons.
Although the training program initially brought the four women together, the “homework runs” really developed the group. They met at each others’ houses and carefully stuck to the timed walk/run schedule that their trainer gave them. “It is a mistake to look ahead in the running schedule because you will scare yourself. Just stick to the week in front of you,” explains Dora Foote, who joined the group in 2008.

The cost of the program is $89.00. For more information, contact Denise Skarra at 250-398-7665.