Get Me Started 2020 course for beginners

The Farnham Runners Get Me Started 2020 course for beginners, originally scheduled for April, finally got started in October. A maximum of 12 people signed up; nine new members, three returning from time off running for a variety of reasons.

Coach, Linda Tyler said:

With the benefit of an England Athletics qualified Coach and Leaders in Running Fitness, the club has been able to offer two sessions each week; the first on Saturday mornings and the second on Wednesday evenings.

“All the beginners had different reasons for wanting to take up or resume running, all equally committed to completing the course and it has been wonderful to watch their progress over the past few weeks”

When the latest national lockdown was announced, coach and leaders decided to keep the course going by offering 1:1 sessions with a choice of time slots to accommodate all the runners. This decision was met with universal approval from the participants with comments such as:

“Thanks for organising this, it is really helpful and quite inspiring to see such a speedy and robust response to the limitations imposed by another lockdown”

“Thank you very much. We really appreciate the coaches working to complete the course.”

“I couldn’t have been happier if I had won the marathon today after the recent week, thanks to all for spending their time with us.”

“Thanks so much to all of you for giving up your time to keep us going through lockdown, hugely appreciated.”

“Thank you for keeping the sessions going – much appreciated”

“Wow, that’s dedication! Thank you”

The first ‘lockdown’ session went very well; one coach and three leaders, ten runners, three time slots. Following a five minute warm up walk, the runners then had to run for eight minutes, walk five, then run for another eight minutes before a final cool down walk and stretches. Everyone achieved the week’s goal.

The second was held in terrible weather condi-tions but with encouragement from Linda, Jacquie Browne, Ali Hardaway and Craig Tate-Grimes they all (separately) managed to run for 20 minutes without stopping.

The runners have arranged to meet up in twos to do their ‘homework’ sessions and we are looking forward to watching everyone’s progress despite the lockdown restrictions.

Linda Tyler added:

”By the end of the course in December, we are confident that our beginners will be able to run for thirty minutes without stopping and that they will feel able to join regular Farnham Runners’ runs, training sessions and races as well as social events”.