Gotta Run: Fall Begining Runners Class just ahead
Published at 00:00 on Saturday August 27, 2022
Several years ago, I started running. The best guess says it happened for good in 1979. I led physical education class in school and I could take it or leave it. Nothing made it interesting at the time and my only regret was never considering the cross country or track teams at South Rowan High. We usually had work to do around the house and on the farm after school, and no one in my family ever considered running important.
But in my early twenties, I discovered the sport. No one helped me much, but the running boom was well underway, so others were doing it too. Races were taking place and groups of runners were forming. I never had a coach but I read everything I could to improve myself and not make mistakes. I still made a few mistakes and learned from talking to other runners who also made mistakes.
While attending a national running convention in Houston, I heard there was a movement across America to promote more running programs, especially those for beginners. That was 16 years ago and with the support of Salisbury Parks and Recreation and Novant Health, SRR and I are still at it, hoping to limit those early rookie mistakes.
The new fall class begins on September 8, a Thursday, and lasts 8 weeks. The class will again be held at the Salisbury PD head office on Liberty Street. The course begins each Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. with an in-class session that covers topics such as course overview, footwear and equipment, stretching and strengthening, running form, nutrition, injury prevention injuries and safety. A subject matter expert will teach the course each evening.
After the class session, we will go out and start running slowly and with mixed walking. This is a course for running, not a course for walkers, and while walking is certainly allowed, the point is to learn how to run. The first evening we will run or run/walk half a mile. Each Thursday class will gradually increase the distance to 8e class reached 3.1 miles, a 5K. Additional races, usually three more workouts, will be scheduled on other days of each week.
Fees for the class, one-on-one coaching, a training dri-fit shirt, a free run and a one-year membership to Salisbury Rowan Runners remain at $65, unchanged for at least six years. Graduation will take place after class on October 27, following the completion of the final 5k night run on the Greenway Certified Bare Bones 5K course, beginning and ending at Knox Middle School. Participants should not miss more than two meeting nights to graduate and receive a diploma.
Registration is available at salisburyrowanrunners.org and runsignup.com or can be done in person just before the first class. This is an adult class, but children 12 and older can attend if individually approved before the first class. All participants should pay attention. Please call 704-310-6741 or 704-202-6602 with any questions.
The two September races are just ahead. The Merrill Family Dentistry Run for the Word 5K/Fun Run will be held in Landis at 9 a.m. on September 10. All proceeds will go to the South Rowan Bible Teachers Association to fund Bible teachers at South Rowan and Carson Secondary Schools, as well as China Grove and Corriher-Lipe Colleges.
The Run to the River 5K/Fun Run, as part of Creek Week, kicks off at 5 p.m. on September 24 near Spencer City Hall and, yes, heads to the Yadkin River. The fun run follows at 6 p.m. and a sunset kayak paddle rounds out the day. A bike ride to the river and back is also planned. The Town of Spencer and Rowan Moves organize the event, and Creek Week receives the proceeds.
The fun runs are half a mile and walkers are encouraged to participate in both 5Ks.
Look for these and many other October races at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org.
