In 2015, Waveney Valley Athletic Club introduced beginner’s sessions in order to encourage anyone with a desire to improve their fitness, to do so with the help of qualified athletics coaches.
The club had held sessions previously but it was in 2015 that they really took off and during 2016, over 400 different people had tried them, either in Lowestoft or Beccles. Quite a few of those have since become members and three of them, Sarah James, Jane Spendlove and Laura Head competed in the London Winter 10k on February 5.
Sarah joined WVAC in May of last year after seeing a Facebook post advertising the sessions at Normanston Park and thought it a fun way to get fit. Initially, she found the 30 seconds walking and 30 seconds jogging very tough but at the race in London, she recorded a very good time of 1-08.27. This achievement she credits, in less than 12 months of running, to the encouragement and support of the coaches.
Jane also joined the club last year after starting in the beginner’s sessions in the summer of 2015 and enjoys the support and friendliness of the group. The London 10k was her second race at the distance and she ran a personal best 1-13.48.
Laura started the sessions in June 2015, never having previously done any sport. She was nervous about joining but the friendly support from the coaching team made her feel it was something she really wanted to do. She went on to run in her first 5K parkrun in October that year. At the London 10K, also her second 10K, she recorded a time of 1-05.54, almost 15 minutes quicker than her debut time last August.
WVAC started another beginners group last month and there will be more starting in April in both Lowestoft and Beccles.
Experienced runners are welcome to join the sessions as well. Please contact Alan Fairs on 01502 513176
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