Hey, everybody- Reader here, and it’s that time of year again, when I start to transform myself into a high-performance, long distance runner!
Well, that might be a bit of an exaggeration, but I am getting back on track, in order to prepare for this summer’s Health Foundation Charity Road Race.
That road starts with the “Learn To Run” clinics, the first of which, kicked off a couple of night’s ago!
To start with, the first couple of sessions involved a brisk walk, and as we go on over the next couple of months, we’ll incorporate running into our training, until we just straight up run!
I’ve done the road race twice – in 2017 and 2018.
The first time, it seemed very daunting for me. I’ve never been a runner, and I didn’t know if I could do it.
My main goal was (and still is) to complete the five-kilometre course while running or jogging the whole time, without stopping to walk. I just wanted to keep up a steady pace. And I managed to do that!
It was great in 2017, as my brother Curtis came out from Balgonie to run along with me and my former morning show compadre Nik.
And I completed the 5K in just under 40 minutes, which I was pretty proud of!
The following year, I did the run on my own, and my finishing time was roughly the same, so this year, I’m shooting to break the 39-minute barrier. A modest goal, but you’ve got to start somewhere, right?
There are a number of reasons that I’ve taken on the challenge of the road race.
To simply see if I could do it.
To get up and get active – something that I need to do more of, especially since being diagnosed as having Type 2 Diabetes.
And to feel better mentally. Exercise is healthy for the mind and body. It helps to alleviate stress, helps boost your memory, helps you to get a better night’s sleep, and just makes you feel better overall, including improving your mood.
When you try something like this, if can be nerve-wracking. Fortunately, in training for the run, and meeting the folks from the Yorkton Pacers running club, it’s been such a welcoming crew, and regardless of your ability level, you instantly feel right at home!
And it all starts with our coach, Bernie Wlock, the Race Director for the Road Race. He’s one of the nicest fellows you’ll ever meet, a pretty inspiring fellow, and he’s got all the knowledge you need, to turn even the most novice runner (like yours truly), into a lean mean running machine!
Now, I had planned to do the Road Race last year. I went through the “Learn To Run” clinics, and was ready to go…
However, on the Monday leading up to the race, my youngest brother Barrett and his then-girlfriend Claudia facetimed me, to ask what I was up to that weekend.
“Well, I’m running in the Road Race on Sunday. Why?”
They went on to tell me I needed to come home to the farm and apparently, from the look on my face, I must’ve looked a bit concerned, so they figured they’d better let me in on what was going on.
They were getting married!
So, instead of running the race, I headed home to see my baby brother tie the knot. (And it was a wonderful weekend, by the way, and they lived happily ever after!)
But, I felt bad for bailing out on the run at the last minute, so I made up my mind then and there to do the road race again this year.
And the training has begun! Don’t worry – if you missed the first session, you can still come out! We meet at the loading dock at the Yorkton Regional High School at 5:45 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout May and June, and everyone is welcome.
Come on out, get some exercise, and make some new friends – if you’re an experienced runner of a newbie, it doesn’t matter. We’d love to see you!
Here’s one of my favourite songs to throw on my running playlist – seems pretty fitting!
