My Learn to Run Experience
Well this was definitely a first for me. I joined the Learn to Run program in
Charlottetown and due to work scheduling I was un able to complete this and was
a little disappointed to say the least.
I was excited to hear that there was a Learn to Run 5 km
starting up in Cornwall, so I immediately sent an email asking for
details. I must have sent like 10….I was
a little excited.
They didn’t have anyone confirmed to lead this program and
without a leader it may not have taken place.
I couldn’t let that happen so I volunteered to help out. Which meant I would be leading this 10 week
program. Me, someone who hasn’t run a 5
k yet was going to lead a group, a running group.
I was super excited to be learning along side of all the
other individuals to didn’t let fear stand in their way, I thought how hard
could it be…..
I wasn’t expecting very many to show up and I was prepared
to do more talking than running…. Well
when I showed up for our first official night I was blown away by the amount of
people there. Shocked! There were about 38 people standing in the
lobby at the Cornwall APM centre waiting for their Running Coach to give them
some tips and tricks and be off and running…..I froze….fear set in. How was I going to do this, I have never even
run a 5 km race, I don’t really know a thing about running. But by that time there was no turning back, I
was there and committed so off we went.
Of course as the weeks went on the group dropped in attendance,
but we still maintained a rather large group of 10 – 15 each night for most of
the 10 week program. They even showed up
in the rain ready to run. There was
nothing holding back this group or myself.
We finished our program and participated in the “official” T’was One Month Before Christmas
run. There was lots of excitement and a
little bit of fear all mixed in. Before
we knew it, we were off and running.
Everyone done a fantastic job and even beat some of the time goals they
had set for themselves. It was a
wonderful experience. We were even lucky
enough to have a picture or two of us crossing the finish line with that huge
smile and glowing with accomplishment.
I am truly blessed to have had this opportunity! This experience has also let me realize that I can do it! And You can do it too!! Don’t let the fear of the unknown stand
in the way of your dreams.
