They are the first group to complete eight weeks of Beginning Runners training with the Kent Island Running Group. This group of “athletes” signed on in January with a variety of goals/reasons to take on this training. Graduation for the program was to complete the Pumped for Pets 5K held on Sunday, March 11th on the Cross Island Trail.
Our first day of training was January 14th and a bone chilling 26 degrees out. Everyone passed the chill test and continued to meet every Saturday thereafter at 7:30AM for our weekly group training run. In the beginning, it was more walking than running as they completed intervals with 1 minute of running followed by 90 seconds of walking for 30 minutes at a time. After a couple of weeks of timed intervals, they switched over to distance to complete 1/4 mile run followed by an 1/8 of a mile walk. Everyone also had two days of “on their own” mid-week training to complete. Coach stressed the importance of mid-week training to help build their endurance to prepare for the longer Saturday “run”. Some failed to follow through early on and realized at the group runs they were lagging behind those that did complete their homework.
This group of “athletes” worked hard every week in all kinds of weather. Sometimes it was just cold while other days were cold and blustery. We had to cancel two of our Saturday group runs due to weather but everyone was determined and met the following Sunday to make it up. Our last training day together we were forced to run in the rain. But not even the rain could dampen their spirits. They were driven, focused and determined this last day. This was their first time to run 3 miles non-stop in preparation for race day a week later.
Finally race day arrived. It was a beautiful morning, 46 degrees out and a perfect temperature for running. Everyone was understandably anxious. We got their bibs situated on their shirt front and their timing chip on their ankle and they were off! Thirty eight minutes later the first of the “athletes” came across the finish line. Then another and another with our group waiting together at the finish line until the last of our “athletes” came across. DONE! THEY DID IT! The expression on their faces said it all!
What now? Many of these “athletes” have additional goals to complete longer distance races such as the Kent Island Half Metric Marathon on April 15th or the San Diego Half Marathon in June. Many are now hooked on running and want to continue to increase their distance. Others want the consistency of meeting every Saturday morning and running on the trail. If you ask me, I think they will ALL be back every Saturday morning!
As a first time Coach, it was exciting to see everyone improve week to week. It was exciting to see the surprise and accomplishment on their faces as some of them ran just a half mile for the first time without stopping. Then to see their confidence and excitement grow as they completed a whole mile and then two miles without stopping.
The Kent Island Running Group (KIRG) has a supported group run every Saturday morning. We meet at the old Outlets and start running at 7:30AM. KIRG registration is available at www.kirg.org. We will have more training programs starting in late April. (Date TBD) There is interest in a beginner, intermediate and half marathon/marathon training program. Keep checking our website for details on the training programs.
Pictured left to right: Cindy Wark, Kevin Murray, Cathy Spector, Coach Trudy Humphreys, Helen Dierker, Jo Patterson, Nick and Heather Kreckman, Jeanne Bentley and Wendy Hershey.
Not pictured is Head Cheerleader John Reitman.