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Annual Learn to Run Clinic

2010 CVRR RUNNING CLINIC

Anyone considering taking up running in '10 or interested in improving and learning more is encouraged to sign up asap for our 2010 CVRR 5K RUNNING CLINIC. It's still the most popular clinic in town and, by far, the biggest bang for your buck.

Cost: $45 before Dec 31, 2009.  After Dec 31: $50.

The fee includes:

Finale: Timed 5k fun run 

Register at Extreme Runners or the Lewis Center.

Fitness for Everyone! 
This Clinic is multi-level - From couch potato to active walker or someone looking to run 5km faster, the clinic is broken down into different levels assuring that you can participate and progress with others at a similar level. There is a level for YOU!! 

There's more info in the Courtenay Rec. winter 2009 program guide and from the staff at Extreme Runners.

A participant's Notes

Well, here I am again after a lapse of several years: My old, beloved Clinic T-shirt is in tatters, I can't find my orthotics, and my left hip now gives me more accurate weather reports than the local news.

What am I doing here? My goals, as before, are quite modest but this time around perhaps I'll have the wisdom not to expand them. I want to run in Seal Bay Park again. I want to fly down the soft, narrow trails, around banked corners, watching the sunrise pouring in under the forest canopy, making the ferns and tree trunks glow and waking up the birds. I want to pass those trees as if they were standing still (they're not: one jumped out in front of me years ago). I want to return home knowing that, no matter what happens in the next 16 hours, this day will go down as another Good Day.

Arriving at the Clinic on Saturday, I found the same old air of anticipation on new faces as 86 others sat in the chairs around me. First Ed, then Dave explained how the clinic would unfold this year and helped us to decide which level we would start in (we are allowed to change our minds or switch later if we like). Time flew, and, a lively young coach was directing us through our warmup! Let the fun begin! Arms and legs flying, we all tried not to inflict injuries on each other or on the volunteer Road Runners observing on the sidelines.

After choosing our running level (beginner, sometime jogger, or runner), in some cases with difficulty, our little group of 10 "assorted-sized" people met in the parking lot to begin our first little jaunt. Leslie, Kim, Chris and Frank were on hand to guide and encourage us. As beginners, we were to run for 30 seconds and walk for 4 1/2 minutes, repeating this for 30 minutes. We

walked out from the Florence Filberg Centre and began our first running repeat as we crossed under the Fifth Street Bridge. In 30 seconds, Leslie was telling us to slow to a walk. For some, this seemed a ridiculously short time: others were more grateful the 30 seconds were up.

We continued along the new walkway to the Air Park, walking and running, and getting to know our new friends. We were blessed with one of the year's first truly gorgeous days, mild with the promise of spring. It was exhilarating to be out in the fresh air, doing something positive, meeting new people, hunting for Kleenex.

Before we knew it, we were back at the Florence Filberg Center. Leslie led us through a series of stretches to help minimize the likelihood of injury, while Dave cheerfully heckled some of us from the sidelines. Once we were back inside, Leslie helped a few people with specific stretches geared towards their particular needs.

The Running Clinic is truly a great way to enter the sport of running: Friendly veteran Road Runners are everywhere to give you advice and encouragement, and you are joined by others who are also new to running. While you are making a positive lifestyle change, you are meeting new friends and running partners. As Dave said in his introductory talk, this is so much better than just going out on your own with no one to answer your questions and nobody to share your experiences or give encouragement. While beginning a running program does require personal commitment, the Running Clinic greatly increases your chance for success.

Of course, we have to keep up the good work during the week between clinics! On Monday I met my friend Brenda and her dogs and we completed my "homework." Today, Wednesday, we will venture out again. It's still dark, and I do hope the weather is clear. That is the tricky part: Getting out in the rain, heat, ice and snow, no matter what. At first it's more difficult: This is awful, I'm wet and cold! This is going to make me feel better? Once you are "hooked" on running (and running enough to keep warm), the weather matters less.

I'll be out there today, rain or shine. See you on Saturday!

D