RunFitMum - Keeping Mums running in Farnham
With gyms and classes shut, lockdown has seen a huge increase in the number of people running. It's free, socially distanced and can be done anywhere...so what are you waiting for? We spoke to RunFitMum - a local Farnham running group about how to keep motivated!
RunFitMum is a running club with a difference. It is a free community running group for women: woman who love running, women who like the idea of loving running and woman who are learning to love running!
Everyone is welcome.
Running Mums
This community spirited group was founded in 2016 by Caroline Eaton and Sasha Cowley, with an emphasis on providing a supportive and warm environment to encourage women back to fitness after having kids. The two mums felt that for many women traditional running clubs were just a bit too intimidating and there was space for a more nurturing women’s only group with the focus more on the social side of things than the racing.
Now, in 2020, they have over 400 members in their Facebook group and before lockdown they had club runs going out around the Farnham area on a daily basis.
Community running in a lockdown
But how is this relevant in a 'Lockdown'? When Sports facilities and group exercise shut down in mid March, Sasha and Caroline knew they had no choice but to do the same - all club runs were stopped in line with Government guidelines. For their committed community of runners this was heart-breaking, not only would the women miss the physical benefits of running together but the psychological and emotional support of the group as well. However.... the RunFitMum ladies couldn't be stopped and individually they kept running and supporting each other online.
Weekly run challenges were introduced – each week a local destination has been revealed which RunFitMums are encouraged to run, cycle or walk to on their own or with their families then take a selfie and share it on the Facebook group as evidence. This has really helped to keep a sense of a united goal despite the fact that the girls can’t run together. Infact over this hugely challenging lock down period targets have been smashed, goals achieved and with each other’s support (remotely) our love of running has continued. RunFitMum Sasha
The best thing about the challenges has been that it’s helped us all to stay connected. Running by yourself can feel hard, so just knowing that everyone is doing the same challenge gave us the sense of still being in it together. In many ways I think it’s made the bond between us stronger. It’s also great that it’s encouraged people who haven’t run with us before to get involved.
Katie, RunFitMum runner
RunFitMum can’t wait to start their group runs again, when guidance allows. For more information about the RunFitMum club click here or visit their Facebook or Instagram pages.
If you live in the Farnham area and you’re thinking of getting yourself back in your trainers, you won’t look back!
Please note - some photos are from club runs before lockdown!
