Lean On Me: Motivating a Friend to Run

When I ran my first half marathon at STWM in 2009 I had all kinds of friends and support for the training.

Running groups are an awesome way to get you through some tough training runs. Sometimes it's the only thing that does. For me the race was very much a solo effort. I tend to go into a zone and become very focused on what I have to do. This can be a detriment in a long race because of all the energy focused on your goal.

When my friend Phil started running a few years ago we went out for a 5km run from my house, one of my favorite routes along trails that ends at the Grand River in Cambridge. We chatted about all sorts of things including his running goals. I told him if he ever wanted to run a 1/2 marathon that I would be happy to pace him through it. I had already done it for a friend in Ottawa and knew that as you get late in a race, especially as a first timer, having someone there that believes in you or is just there to distract you can be essential in finishing.

This year I offered to coach a friend whose new found love of health and fitness had her thinking about pushing limits.  Elaine's first introduction to running happened at this year's Run for Life spring celebration when she motivated her son to finish a mile run by running the last lap with him. I saw an opportunity to take her elation in what she had just done and multiply it immensely. I challenged her to run her first race at the Cambridge Classic Mile and we greeted each other at her finish with a huge hug. I asked her a few days later what was next in her running plans, she wasn't sure. So in came the #STWM 1/2 marathon for her next big challenge. She has had an amazing journey so far in her quest for a better, healthier life. Let's hear directly from Elaine on how her journey has changed her life.



From the start of her journey running a lap with her son to her first race at the Cambridge Classic Mile to running a 20km training run this last weekend, I am so impressed with Elaine's determination and dedication to a healthier life and becoming an active role model for her kids. I know from my time in running that the journey she is on is life changing. The one thing I regret about running the marathon this year is that I won't be standing at the finish line to hug her again, I just hope she sticks around to hug me after I finish.

I want YOU to hear this message. YES YOU, the experienced runner, the veteran. You have a chance to give something to your friend that will change their life. Whether it is the support of introducing them to your group, running as their own personal pace bunny or coaching them right through the training, it's time to give back to running what you have gotten from it.

 BTW when my friend Phil and I got to to his first 1/2 and were getting ready to start when I sprung a surprise on him. I brought a video camera and was going to film his first half marathon. Here is his journey through his 1st 21.1kms.



Mike