Meet Jennifer. She has been a part of our community for the past four years and recently found a way to combine her love of running with her passion for supporting the Women’s Centre through our Scotiabank Marathon Charity Challenge. Find out more about her story and what motivates her to run for women!
How long have you been involved in running?
Running has been a part of my life since junior high, when I joined the track team. I’ve kept it up because I love setting goals and getting outdoors. I like to do a couple of races throughout the year to keep myself motivated to train and keep active.
What made you decide to run for the Women’s Centre?
I volunteered for the Toy Room at Christmas two years ago and saw first-hand what a great, vital part of the community the Women’s Centre is. I’m happy to raise funds for such an important resource for Calgary!
How do you encourage your friends/family/co-workers to support your run for the Women’s Centre?
I’m knitting gifts for people as a way to say thank you for their donation. I set a donation minimum of $50 for people to receive a knit item. It’s been fun to pick out the yarn and pattern for each person who’s donated.
What tips or tricks do you have for new runners/walkers participating in the Scotiabank Marathon for the first time?
Be consistent with your training. Follow a training plan if you’re just starting out. I really enjoy the Aaptiv app. It has helped me improve the most out of the different training programs I’ve followed. They have 5 k, 10 km, half marathon and marathon programs. The program is a mix of longer runs with tempo and interval training. The instructor talks you through the pace and timing of the intervals, with music playing in the background. It’s like having a personal coach on your phone!
Remember to eat and drink – keep fueled!
Don’t let the weather let you down. It’s been a long winter so try to find some alternatives to running outside for the days when you can’t bear to put on your shoes and head outside. Find an indoor track or treadmill, or cross train with some swimming or spin class.
Have fun! If you have a busy schedule, it’s important to keep your training fun because otherwise it will seem like just another chore that’s easy to put off. Listen to your favourite music or a podcast, run with a friend, or find a running group to keep you motivated to lace up your shoes and go for a run!
There’s still time to support the Women’s Centre through the Scotiabank Marathon Charity Challenge. For more information, click here.