For those who believe they can't...

So for whatever reason, you decide that running is the way you’re going to lose weight and get fit.

You throw on a pair of jogging bottoms and a t-shirt, grab an old pair of trainers and head out the door full of enthusiasm. 3 minutes later (or 1 minute, or 8 minutes, or the end of your cul-de-sac) and you’re forced to surrender, totally and uncomfortably out of breath.

Maybe you feel a little bit sick. So you turn and go home. You believe that you can’t run, and you decide you’re not a runner after all.

 

I know because I repeated that process several times myself over the years before I finally learned something. And it’s something that I’ve become passionate about.

The thing is, if you’re a runner reading this, the chances are that you were never taught to run. And if you’re reading this and you don’t consider yourself a runner, you probably believe you can’t run.

But I’m here to shout that IT’S NOT TRUE! We wouldn’t expect to be able to swim, or ride a horse, or throw a javelin without being shown how! What on earth makes us think we can run without being shown how?

One of the most fulfilling things for me at Walk2Run is teaching men and women of all ages how to run. 80% of people that come to Walk2Run have never run a step before (bus catching and school 100m excepting). I can almost guarantee that when I first invite people to come to a session, they will say ‘I can’t run’, ‘I’m not a runner’, or ‘I’ve never been able to run’. I understand that. If you’ve tried and failed as above, then you will mistakenly think you can’t.

But Walk2Run is different.

And the fulfilling bit is watching people develop both physically and mentally as they learn to run with the support, supervision and encouragement of our qualified coaches. You can hardly believe it until you see it – people walk taller, smile wider, their self-talk changes, you can actually watch self-belief emerge as their ‘can’t’ turns into ‘I did it’.

Walk2Run is different because we teach you how to run, starting wherever you’re at. The sessions are planned and structured in such a way that each participant can start, learn and progress at their own level. Walk2Runners don’t need fancy gadgets or kit and we won’t blind you with traditional running club speak. All you need is a comfortable pair of shoes, weather appropriate clothing, and perhaps a bottle of water.

You can find details of the classes on the ‘Timetable’ tab above, just turn up to a session, no need to book. Or you can email your comments and questions to me at  Jacky@Walk2Run.org

If you believe you can’t run, I would love to prove you wrong.

Come and run with us, it might just change your life.