End of Term Progress Report – View from Leader Sue Howles
As we move towards the end of our current beginners running courses I asked Sue to give us a picture of her experience as a leader with our new runners…..
‘December is upon us and we are all looking forward to our Christmas break. But first, children, and teachers have to get to the end of term, as indeed do my beginner runners!
I have led my beginner running group since they joined the club in September and I am delighted with their progress. They number from 5 – 8 and we meet up at Wyndley leisure centre on Wednesday evenings. By 6 p.m, the centre is buzzing as the 5 different running groups meet up – all abilities are catered for.
We are fortunate in Sutton to have the centre available to us and on the dot of 6.15 we are out doing a warm up before we set off. My group started off running in the park but now use the local roads.
My group are of all ages and with varying fitness. What they have in common is a desire to get fitter/ healthier/ lose weight and secondly a concern that they cannot run and worry about keeping up?
By starting slowly (walking for 1 , running for 2 minutes), and progressing week by week, my group are now running for periods of 6 minutes with relative ease and we have extended our distance gradually up to our current 3 miles. We chat as we run – holidays, jobs, food! It shows we still have breath left! My job is to know the route, to encourage good technique and to motivate. I am a licensed member of UK Athletics and a trained first aider.
My group have long got over their initial nerves, get a buzz from running and satisfaction in their achievements. They are all on course to move up to group 2 next term. I shall miss their company and award them all an A* for effort!’