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 . . .
She Runs: Cardiff
If you are looking for a virtual support and guidance from a ladies running group in Cardiff we can highly recommend ‘She runs: Cardiff’. This innovative and inspirational group have managed to transform from a physically supportive community to an awesome virtual support network. They have shown so much empathy to their members, by adapting there goals, aims and support to help all the ladies feel supported and encouraged to continue their running journey . Here is what Dani from the group told us..
‘We felt it important to keep momentum in the group and continue supporting our ladies as much as we could from afar. Many of our ladies have worked so hard to get to where they are on their running journeys and we know that She Runs: Cardiff has played a huge role in this. That being said, we felt it was our duty to continue to support these journeys where possible.’
‘Firstly, we introduced a virtual run club, which takes place on the same days as our scheduled runs would have taken place. We know a lot of ladies are still out running solo so we thought it would be nice if we could encourage the group to post about their runs on these days so that they can be congratulated on their efforts and feel like they’re still running as part of a collective. ‘
‘Instead of medal Monday this week, we did an appreciation post for all of the key workers within the group.’
‘Today we introduced our April self-care challenge. For the last two months we have done physical challenges; January it was a daily plank challenge and February was a daily squats, mountain climbers and crunches challenge. However, since social distancing started, a lot of us She Runs: Cardiff founders / run buddies have really felt the strain of not being able to run with others and it has had a negative affect on some if not all of our mental health. So we thought if we are feeling mentally low, then other members of the group must be too. Hence why we moved away from a physical challenge this month and set a challenge for the group to take some time look after themselves. There is an idea for each day of the month, they don’t have to be followed in order or they can just pick a few that they do throughout the month but we’re just trying to encourage them to take some time out. ‘
We also did a mental health check in post which we will be doing every week.
💜Mental health check in 💜
In these very strange times we are all here for each other.
How are you all doing? Leave us a heart and tell us how you’re feeling. A problem shared is often a problem halved. xx
💜 I’m doing great
❤️ I’m OK
💚 I’m hanging in there
💛 I’m finding things difficult
🧡 I’m having a hard time
🖤 I’m in a really dark place
With this, were just trying to offer some support, or an ear to bend for anyone who may be struggling.
And finally, we have a number of ladies in the group with children who are autistic so a number of ladies are taking part in the #7kfor700k for World Autism Awareness Week this week. As there are no races at the minute, a lot of ladies have signed of to do this both in support of the cause and to have something to work towards.
This fabulous group has over 750 Facebook members! And I think you can see why!
Run Wales would like to say a huge well done to She Runs: Cardiff.
Another Resilient Runners blog post will be coming your way Thursday.
#Innovate2Unite