Resilient Runners is a series of blogs about the brilliant ideas that our running community have been coming up with to keep each other going in these unprecedented times . . .
A catch up with the Swansea BSR Team
Penllergare Valley Woods trail running group, led by members of 3Ms Gorseinon, was originally set up by Paul Harris. Paul has been busy setting virtual challenges, whilst also training for Ironman himself and coping with sad family news. This pandemic has really shown just how caring the running community is.
Their latest challenge has been to run/walk for an hour, with the greatest elevation gain they can achieve. Thinking skills included in the task….no hill reps allowed and route must be a loop as they can’t retrace their steps…physical and mental challenge, I like it!
In the meantime Paul’s own training has included swimming in the hot tub and 150 miles on the wattbike!
Campions’s Champions of Llanelli, led by Run Wales award winner Rob Campion of Llanelli AC, have painted the town blue. Their latest challenge was to post a 5K run dressed in blue, as a few of the runners are NHS staff. Many took part in this, showing their huge support and gratitude to the NHS and indeed to all the key workers keeping us safe in general. They’ve done a few challenges lately, of different distances, to ensure there’s something for everyone, no matter what their running abilities. Well done all!
Arvato workplace running group, led by Tina Gabb of Swansea Harriers and Claire 
Winfield of Run4All, have been motivating their Couch to 5K and intermediate groups. They’ve been posting sessions on the group chat and runners have been keeping each other going. The weather has helped, as has the need to get out once a day to do some exercise, albeit alone. Well done all, especially the new C25K group, as they were only on week 3 of the programme when restrictions were imposed. Lots of positive mental strength shown to keep going. Their latest challenges have included taking selfies with objects whose first letter is in the name ‘Arvato’ as well as finding items to match the colours of the rainbow as they run, great stuff!
Tri Hard Harriers of Swansea, led by Michael Roderick and a group of 
run leaders, have been active on social media. They’ve been posting lots of ideas for people to be able to do weekly, including speed and hill work sessions. They’ve also had a 5K run challenge, a virtual competition for people to upload to the Strava club set up, so that results can be collated. Plenty of motivation to keep the group going, as they adjust their training goals now, as a result of cancelled races. Their most recent challenges have been a ‘run a mile in your garden’ and one of the best yet…run the streets to spell out your name with the first letter of a street name…distance will vary depending on your name and where you are! Fab ideas!
Swansea Striders, led by Chris Lewis of Moti, have been very busy, 
despite Chris and his wife expecting a new addition to the family any day now (we wish them all the very best!) Chris has been busy doing Joe Wicks’ body coach sessions with his young son, as well as pushing on with his own training and motivating the others in the group. Wearing the vest has helped remind him of better times as solo running can be tough, but this mental toughness now will serve as a great help in races later on this year. Just before ‘lockdown’, Swansea Vale Runners had also joined Swansea Striders for training sessions…I’m sure they can’t wait to unite again!
Paul Popham Running Club, under the guidance of Jo Popham, have 
been finding lots of strength from each other and keeping in touch on a daily basis. They’ve been continuing with their training schedule under this new ‘normal’, asking people to run alone or with someone from their household, observing all social distancing measures. They are also creating little challenges for the group on their Strava Club.
Also running to stay physically and mentally healthy are the rest of the Swansea BSR team, busy motivating their own friends and group colleagues, as well as looking forward to being able to rearrange the next Big Social Run. I’m sure many new routes are being recce’d as we speak! So thank you also to Paul Cullen, Gill Powell and Andrew Stevens of Llanelli, Helen Popham and Simone of Swansea, Tina Arthur of Village Joggers near Neath and last but not least Mel of Penygroes. A HUGE thank you from Run Wales to all of you!
Another Resilient Runners blog post will be coming your way Thursday.
#Innovate2Unite