If at any time during an activity one moves faster than a normal walking pace, they can consider themselves a runner.
WITH DOZENS OF EVENTS being featured in Northwest Ohio each year, we regularly hear one common phrase from participants in defense of their “slow” finish time: “I’m not a runner.” To which we always reply, “Yes, yes you are.” It’s all relative!
The act of setting out on the journey is the first step in the process of convincing yourself that you can do it. The hardest part of running is showing up. Once you make the commitment to yourself, it’s as simple as left, right, repeat.
If at any time during an activity one moves faster than a normal walking pace, they can consider themselves a runner.
It’s all about what’s normal for you, and here in Northwest Ohio there will always be others just like you with whom you can build camaraderie. Unless you finish first at every single event you enter (this doesn’t happen), there will always be someone faster, more fit, or more athletic present. Do not compare yourself to them. Instead, compare yourself to what you were able to do the last time you made the same effort. With consistency, each attempt will become a little less difficult and exponentially more enjoyable.
In case it hasn’t been reiterated to you previously, everyone should consult their primary care physician to get a baseline set before taking on anything more advanced than normal for recent activity levels.
Get a well-fitted pair of running shoes from your local specialty shop and start moving—this is paramount for long-term success. Start by walking to build endurance, then slowly increase your pace for short intervals. The key here is to begin at an aerobic pace. That means at a pace that feels easy enough to keep your heart rate within an average zone and breathing at a level that allows for talking without feeling out of breath. Personal coaches, wearable tech, and mobile apps are very useful for monitoring this. In fact, there are several cost-effective training programs throughout the year that offer access to dedicated coaches, physical therapists, and experts in the technology that supports the process. There are even free weekly group runs led by these same people. You can find a season calendar of training programs and free group runs at www.davesrunning.com.
A great way to convince yourself that you can achieve whatever goals you set for yourself is to simply show up to one of the free group gatherings and look around. You’ll see others just like you. Introduce yourself to whoever is leading the gathering, and let them know that you are a beginner. Someone new joins all the time. Why can’t the next one be you? You’ll receive guidance on where to start and opportunities and resources readily available for facilitating your success. In Northwest Ohio, the running community is like a family and everyone is welcome. Let’s go!
Dave’s Running Shop was the first running store in Ohio and is the only locally owned and operated footwear store in Northwest Ohio. Founded in 1973, four area locations serve the community from Sylvania, Perrysburg, Findlay, and Delta. Dave’s also carries a great variety of lifestyle footwear, seasonal apparel, gear, and accessories, and provides many opportunities for runners and walkers of all ages and abilities to get off the couch via training programs, personal coaching, races, and events covering all 12 months. ✲
Don’t miss Dave’s races!
Runners, get ready to “take your mark” in these exciting community events coming in June and sponsored by Dave’s Running Shop. For full details on events (including information on registration and any applicable fees), please visit davesrunning.com.
Dave’s Kids Running Club
Monday, June 5 to Friday, July 14, 2023, 10:30 a.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays. Dave’s Kids Perrysburg meets at Rotary Park (behind the Ft. Meigs YMCA). Dave’s Kids Sylvania meets behind Stranahan Elementary School. As kids wrap up the 2022-2023 school year, Dave’s wants to provide some healthy outdoor fun that involves running, games, and tons of smiles! The Dave’s Kids coaches are all teachers, soon-to-be teachers, or former teachers that have worked with local children over the last 40 years and have a passion to help kids in all facets of their life. If you have a child in grades K-6, this program will get those little bodies moving twice a week in a safe and enjoyable setting.
Cherry Fest 10K/5K/1K Walk/Run, Kids 1K Run & Wild Walk
Friday, June 9, 2023 at 6751 Providence St. (Whitehouse Park Picnic Shelter), Whitehouse, Ohio. 10K and 5K at 7:00 p.m. Kids 1K and Wild Walk at 6:30 p.m.
Flag City 5K Presented by Marathon
Saturday, June 10, 2023, 9:00 a.m. (Kids Run at 10:00 a.m.) at 539 S. Main St., Findlay, Ohio. Take a 3.1-mile tour of Findlay on foot to celebrate our community in the one and only Flag City, USA. There’ll be something for everyone, including food and brew from local establishments, a fun course, activities for the kids, as well as a one-of-a-kind t-shirt, refreshments, free photos, finish line video and finisher certificate, plus much more.
Sip Run Give 5K
Friday, June 16, 2023, 6:00 p.m. at 3100 Main St., Maumee, Ohio. 5k supporting families right here in NW Ohio by donating proceeds to a different local charity each year. Kicking off the second annual race, Driven Fitness Studio and Barr’s Public House will continue their charitable work by teaming up to give you a fun, unique way to donate, yet stay fit while doing it, plus the added bonus of receiving a free drink at Barr’s Public House post race! Participants will start and finish at Fallen Timbers for an out-and-back course on the Wabash-Cannonball Trail. Runners will head out at 6:00 p.m. with walkers to follow.
Poppy’s Purpose 5K
Satuday, June 17, 2023, 9:00 a.m. at 7035 Providence St., Whitehouse, Ohio. Poppy’s Purpose is an organization that partners with the ProMedica Russell J. Ebeid Children’s Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It was started by two parents whose daughter, Poppy, had a NICU stay last June. While there, they were loved on by many friends and family, but what they realized was not every set of parents have the same support system. They designed Poppy’s Purpose to love on all parents while their child is staying in the NICU.
The Dirty Duathlon
Saturday, June 17, 2023, 8:30 a.m. at Michigan Technical Resource Park, 8000 Yankee Rd., Ottawa Lake, Michigan. This exclusive run-bike-run duathlon will pit you against 4x4 test track features such as dirt, logs, rolling hills, and more. Each participant will run a 1-mile paved route, jump on their off-road-capable bike for a 9.6-mile (3 laps of a 3.2-mile course) technical and challenging off-road course, then complete a 1.75-mile paved run on the test track.
I Have A Vision 5K
Saturday, June 24, 2023, 9:00 a.m. at 130 Viking Dr., Dundee, Michigan. The I Have A Vision 5K Run/Walk is to help children and their families overcome obstacles to a healthy life. The race focuses on raising funds to support local children with vision needs, providing them with financial resources and medical attention.
Pettisville Friendship 5K
Saturday, June 24, 2023, 9:00 a.m. (Kids 1-Mile Run at 8:30 a.m.) at Pettisville Community Park, 18405 County Rd. D-E, Pettisville, Ohio.
Rudy’s Runners 5K Run or Walk
Saturday, June 24, 2023, 9:00 a.m. (Kids 1-Mile Fun Run at 8:30 a.m.) at 801 Joe E. Brown Stadium, Holgate, Ohio. Virtual participation is also offered. This race was started with the Rudy Casillas family as a memorial 5K in Rudy’s honor. Rudy Casillas was an active runner and marathoner from Holgate Ohio and was seen daily running around town. Funds raised from the 5K will continue to go to the Rudy’s Runner Memorial Scholarship, which is for Holgate High School seniors who ran cross country or track. The race will run through the streets of Holgate.
Whitehouse Multi-sport Festival
Saturday, June 24, 2023 at the Nona France Quarry at Blue Creek Metropark, 7035 Providence St., Whitehouse, Ohio. Duathlon and Triathlon at 7:30 a.m. Super Sprint Relay Triathlon at 9:30 a.m. Choose from a sprint distance triathlon, duathlon, or the exciting triathlon Super Sprint Relay. Swim, bike and run in this beautiful setting. The biking will take place on the roads to/from the park, and the run will take advantage of the trails through the natural setting inside the park area.
3rd Annual Operation: Stronger Together
Sunday, June 25, 2023, 8:00 a.m. at 6710 Providence St., Whitehouse, Ohio.
Woodville 4th of July Celebration 5K
Friday, June 30, 2023, 7:30 p.m. (Kids One Mile Fun Run at 7:04 p.m.). A nice out and back along the Portage River on Fort Findlay Road, starting at Trail Marker Park in Woodville, Ohio. ✲
