Any sporting community has a kind of mentor system, both official and unofficial. My community (yes, my name's Zoe and I'm a Runner) has both in spades. Anyone who starts to run, be it for a 5k charity run, for fun, to lose weight or to meet skinny wide-eyed men, will find someone they know who runs too. They will either be afraid of their prowess and form, or drawn to them for advice.
Novice runners, know this: however fast, strong or crazy we seem to you, we LOVE taking on a padawan. We don't car how slow, ugly, sweaty or ill-kitted out you are. We want to share our crazy love for the sport of running and we want to gradually take over the world with our kind...mwah ha ha ha. So, don't be afraid to have 'that chat about running' in the pub or by the watercooler. It may end up a very long chat. Stop us when we begin to get too boring.
I have had a few running Jedi Masters who I have looked up to and learned from. I hold them all dear to my heart. They have given me training advice which worked, they have recommended shoes, bras, types of gel and sunglasses. I have gradually become a Young Jedi myself. It has now got to the point where I have padawans of my own, and I love it. I love to hear their fears and quell them. I love to push them to breaking, in training and in races. I love to talk kit, give recommendations, and plan race expeditions and challenges. Jedi Masters and Mistresses they will become.
My Jedi Master of the moment is a fab Northern Chap who came 49th in this year's London Marathon. He trains about 100 miles a week - I'm not kidding. But he always has time for a chat about downhill technique, stretching, or beer. He goads me into harder and faster races. He has helped me stay focussed when I am injured. The running world is all the better for relationships between runners like this.
And finally, in the style of Yoda...
10ks lead to half marathon..hmmm...half marathon leads to marathon..hmm.mmh...marathon leads to fell running..!!!
Novice runners, know this: however fast, strong or crazy we seem to you, we LOVE taking on a padawan. We don't car how slow, ugly, sweaty or ill-kitted out you are. We want to share our crazy love for the sport of running and we want to gradually take over the world with our kind...mwah ha ha ha. So, don't be afraid to have 'that chat about running' in the pub or by the watercooler. It may end up a very long chat. Stop us when we begin to get too boring.
I have had a few running Jedi Masters who I have looked up to and learned from. I hold them all dear to my heart. They have given me training advice which worked, they have recommended shoes, bras, types of gel and sunglasses. I have gradually become a Young Jedi myself. It has now got to the point where I have padawans of my own, and I love it. I love to hear their fears and quell them. I love to push them to breaking, in training and in races. I love to talk kit, give recommendations, and plan race expeditions and challenges. Jedi Masters and Mistresses they will become.
My Jedi Master of the moment is a fab Northern Chap who came 49th in this year's London Marathon. He trains about 100 miles a week - I'm not kidding. But he always has time for a chat about downhill technique, stretching, or beer. He goads me into harder and faster races. He has helped me stay focussed when I am injured. The running world is all the better for relationships between runners like this.
And finally, in the style of Yoda...
10ks lead to half marathon..hmmm...half marathon leads to marathon..hmm.mmh...marathon leads to fell running..!!!
