Starting a group run -- need thoughts
As some of you might know I'm a high school band director and I've been very vocal through my weight loss journey. A number of students/parents know that I ran the Detroit Marathon in October but I'm amazed at how many don't -- I thought I just kept talking about it, lol. I bring this up because next week is our big spring concert and I'll have approximately 650 parents/siblings/friends in the audience in addition to the 250 or so that I have in my classes.
All we have to do is look around anywhere in our society and we can see the toll a sedentary lifestyle takes on us (most of us are prime examples of this). I don't think I could tell anybody why i started to run nor what possessed me to do the marathon. The morning of the marathon I was amazed at the sight of 15000+ people at the starting line and all the energy and excitement that was palpable in the air. I want to get a group of people from my local town moving and doing this. Now as is typical at these large runs the Detroit Marathon offers a 5K, 1/2 marathon walk, 1/2 marathon run, full marathon, and relay teams (distances of: 5.4, 6.4, 6.5, 4, 3, & 4.5) so there truly is something there for everyone.
My goal is to get between 20-40 students/parents/teachers to join me down there for at least one of these events. While we do LOTS of fundraising (as any school group does) I want to get us all doing this for MS. My father has MS as does one of our more popular teachers in the building so it's a personal cause that I think we can all get behind.
I'm thinking that Thursday night will be our group run/walk out at the track at the school. Here's where I need all of your help:
I imagine a number of the people who might start showing up have absolutely no idea what they're doing and I don't want to lead them wrong. What I'm hoping to see is people group up by some like ability --- slow walkers/fast walkers/joggers/runners ect.
What I want to see is people out there MOVING for 30-60 minutes (less if need be). If you were to show up to one of these group run/walks what would you want to see (speaking as a newbie). I imagine after a couple of weeks we'll get groups splitting off and doing some of the track/cross country loops running from the school to the downtown area and back but at first I want everyone to be together.
Let me hear your thoughts, I know I've got 2 parents and 2 students talked into doing a half marathon and only 1 of those is a track/cross country runner so I'm hoping!
--Sax
My goal is to get between 20-40 students/parents/teachers to join me down there for at least one of these events. While we do LOTS of fundraising (as any school group does) I want to get us all doing this for MS. My father has MS as does one of our more popular teachers in the building so it's a personal cause that I think we can all get behind.
I'm thinking that Thursday night will be our group run/walk out at the track at the school. Here's where I need all of your help:
I imagine a number of the people who might start showing up have absolutely no idea what they're doing and I don't want to lead them wrong. What I'm hoping to see is people group up by some like ability --- slow walkers/fast walkers/joggers/runners ect.
What I want to see is people out there MOVING for 30-60 minutes (less if need be). If you were to show up to one of these group run/walks what would you want to see (speaking as a newbie). I imagine after a couple of weeks we'll get groups splitting off and doing some of the track/cross country loops running from the school to the downtown area and back but at first I want everyone to be together.
Let me hear your thoughts, I know I've got 2 parents and 2 students talked into doing a half marathon and only 1 of those is a track/cross country runner so I'm hoping!
--Sax
(deactivated member)
on 5/4/09 12:31 am - Chicago, IL
on 5/4/09 12:31 am - Chicago, IL
SAX,
GOOD FOR YOU!!! What you are doing is AMAZING. You are totally right on track with your thinking in regards to ability. You are going to want everyone to feel comfortable. Maybe you could do a group meeting where everyone could kind of partner up with ability. Break out into teams..have everyone exchange numbers and emails....pick captains...set up training teams if you will amongst yourself. Maybe set up a contest to see who can recruit the most people to their individual teams. Then have a contest to see which team can get the most members and who can raise the most money....I bet if you went out into your community you could share your story with some business owners and get someone to donate prizes to your teams....get your local newspaper involved, let them know what you are up to...maybe they would cover your story.....They key is making everyone comfortable at WHATEVER weight they currently are ...and they are all training to make a difference at their level as ONE team.
I am so impressed you did the Detroit Marathon!
'
I am totally inspired by you!!! I have been playing with the idea of hosting a Walk from Obesity here in Detroit Metro....you have me fired up to DO IT!!!
I am studying right now to take my NASM personal training certification. I also write a daily blog:
www.mydailydetour.com
GOOD FOR YOU!!! What you are doing is AMAZING. You are totally right on track with your thinking in regards to ability. You are going to want everyone to feel comfortable. Maybe you could do a group meeting where everyone could kind of partner up with ability. Break out into teams..have everyone exchange numbers and emails....pick captains...set up training teams if you will amongst yourself. Maybe set up a contest to see who can recruit the most people to their individual teams. Then have a contest to see which team can get the most members and who can raise the most money....I bet if you went out into your community you could share your story with some business owners and get someone to donate prizes to your teams....get your local newspaper involved, let them know what you are up to...maybe they would cover your story.....They key is making everyone comfortable at WHATEVER weight they currently are ...and they are all training to make a difference at their level as ONE team.
I am so impressed you did the Detroit Marathon!
'
I am totally inspired by you!!! I have been playing with the idea of hosting a Walk from Obesity here in Detroit Metro....you have me fired up to DO IT!!!
I am studying right now to take my NASM personal training certification. I also write a daily blog:
www.mydailydetour.com
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