There is a new opportunity to join a like-minded local running group in order to prepare to run in Cancer Wellness Connection’s annual 5K fundraiser. We have partnered with Medved Running & Walking Outfitters to design our own training program that leads up to our race in September. For its inaugural session, the running group program will begin on June 30 and last for ten weeks. The program is designed for participants of all fitness levels and we are paying special attention to addressing the needs of people who are in treatment currently or recently post-treatment. Friends and family supporting those in treatment are also welcome to join the group.
Andrea Newton is a coach and manager at Medved. She explains, “Medved training groups are typically small groups of 20-30 participants, which have two pre-organized meetings per week. We will have meetings on Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. and meetings on Saturday mornings starting at 8 a.m. The Thursday evening training sessions will be an opportunity to embrace the challenge of a harder effort, and Saturday sessions will be designed to for a longer but easier as far as endurance.” The sessions will meet both at the store and other locations for training variety. The first meeting will be at the store and all participants will be provided an advance schedule of where future meetings will take place.
Betsy Twohig-Barrett, president and executive director of Cancer Wellness Connections, is thrilled about this new partnership. Says Twohig-Barrett, “It can be hard to keep active during treatment and many patients are probably not up to a running program. But I know that there are also patients who are avid runners who do maintain that passion throughout treatment. What this program provides is an opportunity for people who have an interest in running and/or fitness to come together. There’s great comradery – a way of supporting each other with positive health benefits.” She also encourages caregivers, friends, and family members to participate because, “If the patient isn’t up to it, you can use this as an opportunity to take care of yourself.”
There are two ways to join the group. You can visit the Medved Running & Walking Outfitters store at 3400 Monroe Avenue (Pittsford Colony Plaza), 14618 and complete a paper registration form in the store, or online signup is available at: runsignup.com. Participants are asked to wear non-cotton fitness apparel and socks and a pair of good-fitting running shoes, and to bring a watch and a water bottle to each training. Of course, an informational meeting will be held prior to the group’s initial run.
If it is past the deadline for joining the CWC race preparation group specifically, you can still find another group to join. Medved offers other training groups: there are 5K preparation groups that begin four times per year, as well as half and full marathon training groups that begin July 5. Medved offers two distance groups, and also group runs starting from the store on Wednesday nights at 6 p.m. and Thursday night trail runs through early fall. The Wednesday and Thursday night runs are free to join – just show up ready to run!
