The aims of the Wellington Marathon Clinic are to assist its members to set achievable challenges for themselves, get fit, meet new people, and have fun.
We have three different walking groups and 8 running groups that cater for all levels of fitness, age, and speed. We meet every Sunday morning at the Kilbirnie Aquatic Centre at 8.00 and after a short introduction by the pack leaders go out on walks or runs for approximately 2 hours.
We have a general rule that if you cannot talk, chatter, and gossip while exercising, you are in the wrong group.
Basically, we are in to LSD- long, slow, distance running or walking. If you are new, and a bit concerned at two hours, the pack leaders arrange 'drop off' points for people to get back to the Aquatic Centre.
Despite the implication of the name, not all members run marathons. Many are happy to keep coming along to just do a 10 - 15 kilometre run or walk. Most of us however, do aim for the Capital Half Marathon in June.
And - if you do get seized with the ridiculous thought 'could I run or walk a marathon?', and you cannot get it out of your head - the answer is 'yes - you can - and we can help' . And believe me, it is the most liberating and empowering feeling in the world. Few people can hold back the tears of emotion when they cross the finish line in their very first marathon - regardless of their time. (A word of warning - running marathons can be addictive - after the first one, you start thinking 'I wonder if I could do better?')
So - Why Run for the Clinic?
Why go to all the trouble of hauling yourself out of bed at 7 o'clock of a Sunday morning to come down to Kilbirnie? Especially in the winter months when the southerlies are howling across Wellington.
Much more sensible to stay in bed and perhaps go out by yourself later on.
- Running or walking by yourself is boring. Two hours seem to last forever.
In the pack it always comes as a surprise to see how quickly time passes; - If you do pull the bedclothes up and snuggle down you know you are going to feel disgusted with yourself for the rest of the day - even if you do go out later by yourself;
- Knowing that you will be going for a 2 hour run come Sunday motivates you to go running during the week.
- Clinic people are fascinating and enthusiastic. You find yourself accepting challenges you would never have dreamed of previously - running the Abel Tasman, the Rimatuka run, entering a Triathalon, going Skydiving, doing the London, New York, or Hawaii Marathons. The enthusiasm is contagious.
- You make great friends at the Clinic. In many cases people have paired up permanently.
- You learn heaps about training, the need for hydrating (drinking water), avoiding or coping with injury, the best type of running shoe, stretching, running in cold weather, road safety, and diet.
- The Clinic sweatshirts, T-shirts, and singlets are cool. Wear them around Wellington, Auckland, or overseas and they are an immediate talking point. (Hey - you're from Noo Zeeland?)
- Pack running is a great way of seeing scenic Wellington. The Southern Walkway, Ataturk Memorial, Mt Victoria walking tracks, a Capital City, the Botanic Gardens, the harbour and bays.
- The Clinic organises social events and runs. We will be organising a bus to the Rotorua Marathon.
We have a host of social events planned not the least of which will be our mid-year social. - It is great to catch up with members of the pack each week. In many cases people lead lives that are so fascinating they would make great plots for Shortland Street.
- It is cost effective. Do the maths. For your $32 annual fee you get morning tea each Sunday($1.00), a free shower ($0.50), subsidised to the mid-year social ( $20 last year), and pay only $1.50 instead of $3.50 to go for a swim if you present your membership card after the Sunday run. If you did this for only 40 Sundays a year you get back $160. Not a bad investment.
So - don't ask why you should run for the Clinic. Rather ask 'Why not?'. Come and visit us on Sunday.
Newcomers are more than welcome for at least 3 visits before they decide whether they want to join.
