Need Thoughts/Suggestions!!!!
Everyone please take a second and give me some thoughts as to what you'd want if you came to the following thing:
On Thursday night I presented a new thought/idea to my students and parents. With how out of shape and unhealthy so many of us are/were I have created a new group very loosely affiliated with my high school.
My ultimate goal is just to get people walking, my secondary goal/hope is to get a large group of people to participate in the Detroit Marathon either in their 5K,1/2 marathon, full marathon, or as part of a relay team.
I plan to have some packets of the couch-5k-plan there and some resources available for those interested in the full/half marathon that include some links and training plans.
I had thought I'd get maybe 30-40 people but there are so many that I never would've thought of doing this saying they're coming up so who knows -- I wouldn't be surprised right now if 100+ showed up on Thursday night.
Here's where I need your help!!!
I'm planning on doing this from 7-8 and asking people to be moving: running/walking/crawling whatever for as much of as they can. Most of the people that will show up have probably never really run NOR plan/want to. I just want to give support the best support I can to keep these people coming back and to keep moving.
If you showed up for this what would you want to have available? What would keep you coming back?
Please give me your thoughts even if it's just: A large group all moving somewhat together that I can talk with friends while getting in my exercise for the day.
Thanks!!
--Sax
On Thursday night I presented a new thought/idea to my students and parents. With how out of shape and unhealthy so many of us are/were I have created a new group very loosely affiliated with my high school.
My ultimate goal is just to get people walking, my secondary goal/hope is to get a large group of people to participate in the Detroit Marathon either in their 5K,1/2 marathon, full marathon, or as part of a relay team.
I plan to have some packets of the couch-5k-plan there and some resources available for those interested in the full/half marathon that include some links and training plans.
I had thought I'd get maybe 30-40 people but there are so many that I never would've thought of doing this saying they're coming up so who knows -- I wouldn't be surprised right now if 100+ showed up on Thursday night.
Here's where I need your help!!!
I'm planning on doing this from 7-8 and asking people to be moving: running/walking/crawling whatever for as much of as they can. Most of the people that will show up have probably never really run NOR plan/want to. I just want to give support the best support I can to keep these people coming back and to keep moving.
If you showed up for this what would you want to have available? What would keep you coming back?
Please give me your thoughts even if it's just: A large group all moving somewhat together that I can talk with friends while getting in my exercise for the day.
Thanks!!
--Sax
Just some ideas off the top of my head.
First thing I would want is a supply of water, if you could get donated reusable bottles that would be great.
Second thing I would like is information on buying the right pair of shoes. I bet there are plenty of folks who would walk more if they had good fitting, supportive shoes, but who don't know how to find them. If you could find a local place that would offer discounts it could be good for your athletes and for the store.
The third thing I would want is an atmosphere of team spirit, not competition. People should be free to walk, run or crawl as far as they can or as little as they can and be encouraged by the group for the effort, not for coming in first or going the farthest. Too often the people who least need to be at this type of thing are the ones who get all the attention, leaving the out-of-shape first timers feeling ignored or inadequate.
Good luck, what a great idea.
First thing I would want is a supply of water, if you could get donated reusable bottles that would be great.
Second thing I would like is information on buying the right pair of shoes. I bet there are plenty of folks who would walk more if they had good fitting, supportive shoes, but who don't know how to find them. If you could find a local place that would offer discounts it could be good for your athletes and for the store.
The third thing I would want is an atmosphere of team spirit, not competition. People should be free to walk, run or crawl as far as they can or as little as they can and be encouraged by the group for the effort, not for coming in first or going the farthest. Too often the people who least need to be at this type of thing are the ones who get all the attention, leaving the out-of-shape first timers feeling ignored or inadequate.
Good luck, what a great idea.
Judy
Hey Sax-
It's great that you are so motivated to set this up at the school.
I can tell you from personal experience with myself as a participant, and also from the leader perspective, that people don't like to feel as if they have to participate in a "program" every day. When you have school-age kids, you start to become suspicious of everyone that asks you for a commitment.
I think if you keep it light hearted and stress that it doesn't have to be an all day, every day kind of thing you will find people to be more receptive.
I also think that women in particular like "groups". It's really popular now to have red hat society, girls night out, knitting clubs, poker night, etc. If you can channel that idea.....put the emphasis on this being a fun social activity, that might help too.
Best of luck to you!!!
It's great that you are so motivated to set this up at the school.
I can tell you from personal experience with myself as a participant, and also from the leader perspective, that people don't like to feel as if they have to participate in a "program" every day. When you have school-age kids, you start to become suspicious of everyone that asks you for a commitment.
I think if you keep it light hearted and stress that it doesn't have to be an all day, every day kind of thing you will find people to be more receptive.
I also think that women in particular like "groups". It's really popular now to have red hat society, girls night out, knitting clubs, poker night, etc. If you can channel that idea.....put the emphasis on this being a fun social activity, that might help too.
Best of luck to you!!!
I think you've already gotten quite a few good ideas.
My only contribution is to make sure that everyone who wants to do this, feels like they are part of it. What I mean by that is make sure if people want to be in a group they get in one that is close to their skill/speed/determination level. So they stay motivated and don't get discouraged.
Good luck,
Edie
Hey I just thought of this, maybe have a tally sheet/thermometer, where you can track the miles, let people see their accomplishments.
My only contribution is to make sure that everyone who wants to do this, feels like they are part of it. What I mean by that is make sure if people want to be in a group they get in one that is close to their skill/speed/determination level. So they stay motivated and don't get discouraged.
Good luck,
Edie
Hey I just thought of this, maybe have a tally sheet/thermometer, where you can track the miles, let people see their accomplishments.
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Sax,
What a great idea. Walking with friends is so much better than walking alone. I play poker with the girls from work (we're all retired now) once a month. I'll mention it to them and see if they're interested. The furthest north we go for our poker games is Clay twp. Not too much further to go up 94 to reach Port Huron. I walk with my dogs, but they don't have much conversation with me. Good luck and keep me informed. your first meeting is this Thursday? Where? are you doing Flyers?
What a great idea. Walking with friends is so much better than walking alone. I play poker with the girls from work (we're all retired now) once a month. I'll mention it to them and see if they're interested. The furthest north we go for our poker games is Clay twp. Not too much further to go up 94 to reach Port Huron. I walk with my dogs, but they don't have much conversation with me. Good luck and keep me informed. your first meeting is this Thursday? Where? are you doing Flyers?
We're going to be doing it every Thursday even though I'm going to be going to see Billy Joel/Elton John next week -- can't wait but I'll miss the Thursday group the 2nd week we're going, oops.
We're going to be doing this @ Port Huron High School. The address of the school is 2215 Court St. Port Huron, MI 48060. If you google/mapquest it the track is actually in the back of the school off from 20th street.
Let me know if you gals are gonna make it up, it'd be great to put a face to someone from this board
--Sax
We're going to be doing this @ Port Huron High School. The address of the school is 2215 Court St. Port Huron, MI 48060. If you google/mapquest it the track is actually in the back of the school off from 20th street.
Let me know if you gals are gonna make it up, it'd be great to put a face to someone from this board
--Sax
Hey Sax -
I thinking having a clear and precise schedule, expectations, mini goals and ultimate goals all laid out really helps people understand where they are now and where they are going to end up. I'm a part of the Crim training program and they have five different training groups you can join based on your ultimate goal:
5k/8k walking group
10-mile beginner walking group
10-mile advanced walking group
10-mile beginner running group
10-mile advanced running group
Each of those groups have a schedule laid out for the Tuesday night training sessions and then exactly what is expected of members throughout the week for "homework". For instance the 10-mile beginner walking group starts the first night of training by walking 2 miles, then each week after that increased their training walk by 1 additional mile (with some variations once you get up into the longer mile walks) ... so at the end of the 15-weeks of training you're easily ready to do the 10-mile race.
And with homework expectations laid out ahead of time, we know exactly what our commitment is to the program before we even begin. So for me, as an advanced walker, I know that I have to set aside 6 days of my week to either do a long training walk, a maintenance walk or just an easy walk to keep my muscle tuned to the exercise.
I have the schedules in an Excel spreadsheet if you want them... just shoot me your email addy.
As others have said. What keeps me going back is the enthusiasm of the leaders, commraderie of the group, the commitment, etc. And what keeps me doing my homework? Knowing that everyone else is doing their homework makes me scared that if I don't do mine then I won't be able to keep up with the group and they'll have to keep "circling back" to pick me up because I'm the slowest one in the group.
I also signed up for the extension program which is an additional 6-7 weeks of training to get you ready for a half marathon after doing the 10-miler. Unfortunately I won't be able to do the Brooksie Way this year, so I'm contemplating doing the Detroit Half instead. :-)
I think it's great that you're doing this! I hope it's a huge success!
Pam
I thinking having a clear and precise schedule, expectations, mini goals and ultimate goals all laid out really helps people understand where they are now and where they are going to end up. I'm a part of the Crim training program and they have five different training groups you can join based on your ultimate goal:
5k/8k walking group
10-mile beginner walking group
10-mile advanced walking group
10-mile beginner running group
10-mile advanced running group
Each of those groups have a schedule laid out for the Tuesday night training sessions and then exactly what is expected of members throughout the week for "homework". For instance the 10-mile beginner walking group starts the first night of training by walking 2 miles, then each week after that increased their training walk by 1 additional mile (with some variations once you get up into the longer mile walks) ... so at the end of the 15-weeks of training you're easily ready to do the 10-mile race.
And with homework expectations laid out ahead of time, we know exactly what our commitment is to the program before we even begin. So for me, as an advanced walker, I know that I have to set aside 6 days of my week to either do a long training walk, a maintenance walk or just an easy walk to keep my muscle tuned to the exercise.
I have the schedules in an Excel spreadsheet if you want them... just shoot me your email addy.
As others have said. What keeps me going back is the enthusiasm of the leaders, commraderie of the group, the commitment, etc. And what keeps me doing my homework? Knowing that everyone else is doing their homework makes me scared that if I don't do mine then I won't be able to keep up with the group and they'll have to keep "circling back" to pick me up because I'm the slowest one in the group.
I also signed up for the extension program which is an additional 6-7 weeks of training to get you ready for a half marathon after doing the 10-miler. Unfortunately I won't be able to do the Brooksie Way this year, so I'm contemplating doing the Detroit Half instead. :-)
I think it's great that you're doing this! I hope it's a huge success!
Pam
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