Set Your Sights on a New Goal for Autumn - Learn to Run at the Elkins/Randolph County YMCA

(Elkins, WV April 4, 2010) We all know how to run from something - but now you can get help with running towards your health and wellness goals. The Elkins/Randolph County YMCA is offering a 20-week “learn to run” program starting May 25^th that will lead you through a training plan to help prepare you for the Mountain State Forest Festival 10k race on Sunday, October 2nd.

This program, designed for all levels of runners, will answer your questions about running, help you find your pace, team you up with people to run with, as well as outline a training plan focused on injury prevention and fun. Participants will train together for the 10k event and may chose to work with the instructor for the Elkins half marathon in the spring on 2012. All running goals can be accommodated in this running group.

The program will meet for weekly group coaching and/or runs on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:15 p.m. at the YMCA. Some nights we'll run but I have found a few new hands on ideas that we'll be using the time with and when lessons are small, we'll get in a run. I will continue to assess strides for folks as well and hope to have you achieve ideal posture in your running and walking.

Carl Bolyard (that's me) will instruct the group. A runner since High School and an experiential educator for fifteen years, Carl had no aspirations to enter a race until autumn of 2007 when he used his first marathon to kick start his running program and began really enjoying the regular benefits of running again. Drawing upon advice from Tom Holland, Bart Yasso, Tim Noakes, Philip Maffetone and others, he believes in a simple low mileage plan that is focused on injury prevention and directed by the individual’s goals. Several running experts from our region will also contribute to the course by presenting some Wednesday evenings.

In the interest of encouraging wellness in the larger community, Learn to Run will offer a supplement to the regular twenty week program as a bridge course that supports runners who wish to train for their first half marathon. Davis Health System’s annual half marathon, scheduled for April 2012, is a wonderful challenge and runners who wish to train with Learn to Run, will have the opportunity to subscribe to a bridge course to continue to build their fitness from October until the race date in April.

The class fee of $100.00 for YMCA members and $110.00 for non-members includes the cost of the class textbook and training materials, advice and fitness planning each week and running plans that will be tailored to the individual’s fitness history. All revenue after expenses will be donated to the Randolph County Girls on the Run program.

Advance registration is preferred. Participants can visit the YMCA to complete an enrollment form. Sign-ups will also be taken at the first session on Wednesday, May 25^th at 6:00 p.m.

The Elkins/Randolph County YMCA was established in 1908. The YMCA is dedicated to improving the lives of men, women, and children in the region through quality programs, classes, and activities. Financial assistance is available based on household income and family size.

The YMCA is located at 400 Davis Avenue and can be reached at 636-4515. Visit the Elkins YMCA on the web at www.elkinsymca.com

Register by contacting - Sue Gillispie - Elkins YMCA- 304-636-4515 - memberservices@elkinsymca.org