People

4 steps to starting your Charlotte running group

By Vanessa Infanzon

Updated October 14, 2019 7:29 AM

When my neighbor and I first started running together, we didn’t know each other. Our kids attended the same school and after dropping them off, we ran separately.

One day we decided to run together. More than two years later, we have become friends and are still motivating one another to get our butts out of bed and run.

Over time, our running duo evolved into a running group when neighbors asked to join us. We have five women in our group now, and we are training for the Charlotte Half Marathon in November. Even though our group started and grew unintentionally, we have an identity that makes up who we are and how our group operates.

For us, it happened along the way, but our experience can serve as a foundation for other running groups. Whether you are inspired by watching the Olympic athletes or need a partner or two to help you get off that couch, here are a few recommendations about how to get started:

(1) Plan a way to communicate.

How will you share information with group members? We are a low-tech group. We text the night before a run to see who will be at the meet-up location. If you want or need more structure, setting up a Meetup Group or Facebook page are ways to share changes and updates. Both options are also a great way to recruit new members.

(2) Nail down the details.

How will you determine the specifics? If you get a core group of people to run, try to work out the details together – time, days, meet-up location and routes. A collaborative effort that shares the workload may help the group stay together longer.

Another option is to set the first few runs and see who shows an interest in the group. Then figure out what works best for everyone involved.

(3) Set expectations.

What do the individuals in the group expect? Our group’s number one rule is to be supportive of one another. You show up when you can and we are just glad to see you.

Nathan Leehman, owner of Ultra Running Company, said, “Everyone needs a reason to get out of bed.”

He suggests that you keep it fun by following a program like Couch to 5K, Zombies, Run or even develop your own Pokémon Go game.

If running to your neighborhood hangout for coffee or beer works for your group, go for it. If you need to change-up the routes regularly, do it. And if you need to pretend zombies are chasing you, good luck.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BHXcemNgqb5/?tagged=zombiesrunapp

(4) Establish goals.

What does the group want to accomplish? No matter what your group is working toward – personal records for pace, extending distance, working off extra calories — setting some type of goal may help the group stay focused and motivated. If you need to see your stats, track miles and pace with apps like Nike+, Map My Run or Runkeeper.

Corey Brown is a member of two local running groups. Brown said, “I run with a group because I enjoy the camaraderie, accountability, networking and ability to build friendships with people that share a similar interest.”