It was a rainy East Van morning in mid-December 2021, and I was out for another long run as my self-imposed hiatus from the 9-5 working world was coming to an end. Back in 2020, I chose to leave behind my career of 15 years simply because I was so stressed, burnt out, and simply unhappy - so, for a full year I went back to school at 45 years old, took dozens of workshops and courses, worked on improving myself and my relationships, started a small business, and simply went running whenever I felt like it! On this particular winter day, while dodging mud puddles through New Brighton Park, I started thinking to myself "Ok, so what are you going to do now that your year off is over?" I had vowed to myself that I would never spend 40 hours a week doing something that actually just made me miserable ever again. So I thought - well, I love running, I love talking about running, I love the running community - hmm, maybe I should just work in a running store?!?
I had shopped at Fit First Footwear in the past, and had always received excellent customer service from Evan and the team - there is a very noticeable positive vibe from the store. In fact, it was Fit First that first turned me on to the shoe brand Hoka, which was the solution to some of my foot issues and changed my running for the better, almost immediately. I dropped Evan an email that day to see if they were hiring and we agreed to meet for a coffee and informal chat. I loved that they were the only independent shoe store in Burnaby and I truly wanted to work somewhere where there was an alignment of values, as 'shop local' is very important to me. So, in essence, we interviewed each other and both agreed that it could be a great fit for us both.
One of the topics we discussed initially was about the bi-annual 16 week run clinics that Fit First organizes, which have been a consistent Saturday morning staple in the Burnaby running scene for years. I would have the opportunity to 'lead' a run group and, admittedly, had no idea what that meant exactly, but I said yes anyways - sounded fun! I had been working at the store for about 5 weeks when the first run clinic day arrived on a cold and very wet January morning. Evan was already running around when I arrived, organizing the groups/leaders and effectively 'herding cats' - there's far more going on behind the scenes than you would expect! I received some brief instructions to 'just run at around 6:15 pace, and you'll figure it out' Sounds easy enough?
I gathered outside in the dark with about 80 surprisingly cheerful and eager clinic members, and after a brief welcoming speech by Evan, away we went....what was I supposed to do again? Oh yeah, follow the group in front of me, ok. Stay at 6:15 pace, ok. Well, the first day I pretty much ran by myself, kind of clueless and somewhat confused but following the designated route as instructed. The second week, I ran with 2 other clinic members and I started feeling a little less confused. By the 3rd week, I had a group of around 5 or 6 that stuck together and the following week, about 8 or 9. Ok, so this was my group!
I slowly found my groove out there as a run leader and really enjoyed getting to know my pace crew - whether it was discussing the latest gossip from the TV show Survivor, receiving 'constructive' relationship advice, or just learning about their lives and families and running goals every week. I was always impressed with how they were committed to improving - a little torrential rain and freezing cold couldn't stop this group from tackling the roads, hills, and trails in Burnaby every Saturday!
Admittedly, as a rookie run leader, I took a couple wrong turns and got us 'just a little bit' lost once or twice...maybe a few times! As I told my group at the time, it's all part of the adventure! I'd like to say I will improve at the next clinic but let's be honest here, if you're going to run with me, there's a 50/50 chance of a few extra steps due to my poor navigational skills!
The most inspiring moment for me was on the week of the clinic's longest training run, we had just finished 19 tough kilometers and I asked the group 'does anyone want to run their first 1/2 marathon today? We've already done 19 kms, what's 2 more?!?' Surprisingly, a few hands went up and away we went. It was an awesome feeling to push their limits and then finish the 21 kms with them, as they weren't at all expecting to complete a 1/2 marathon distance when they woke up that morning...yet, that's exactly what they did, a full 2 weeks before their actual race they had been training for! Just shows you what a little determination, resiliency, and positive attitude can do for your goal pursuits...as I tell my kid, it's a little thing called 'grit'!
At the end of our 16 weeks together, I made new friends, and gained some solid inspiration for my own running pursuits. At Fit First, it is important to all of the run leaders that every participant feels included and encouraged in their pace groups and although it's a significant challenge to be out there running many kilometers in the dark and rainy mornings, it can also be surprisingly fun when we're all suffering through it together.
Fit First Footwear runs 2 clinics a year from our store, they are 3 months long and one starts in January and the other in September. I'd encourage anyone to come out and run with us - it's an inclusive and encouraging space for all skill levels and abilities. It's a very social atmosphere where clinic members often stay afterwards and hang out, have coffee, and chit chat after the runs and it's a great motivator to know you have a group to meet with every Saturday. Fit First Footwear is right here to meet all of your running needs throughout the clinic and beyond - a friendly and knowledgeable staff member would be happy to chat with you about how we can help you achieve your goals!
I will be leading one of the 1/2 marathon groups again this fall, and while I certainly can't promise you that we won't take a few wrong turns in my group - I can promise that myself, and all the leaders, will encourage you and make your weekly group runs as fun as we can - so here is your official invitation to come join us!