Why walk or run the Mini Marathon?

You may find the idea of pinning a race number on and lining out with others a bit daunting at first but once you have taken part in that first event you will never look back. Taking part in local organised events is a brilliant way to make contact with the wider walking and running community.

You might be feeling a bit nervous about entering the ‘Western People West of Ireland Women’s Mini Marathon’ so here are some reasons why you should take part:

Motivation

When you walk or run your first complete, non- stop mile this give you an incredible high. Then after time that mile seems less of a chore as you progress to doing mile two or three. When you enter an event like the ‘mini marathon’ it gives a renewed focus to you and a reason for you to vary your training. This variation may be you simply looking at what you do as ‘training’ as opposed to saying ‘I am going for a quick walk or jog’.

Confidence

You may think that you aren’t fit enough or not able to walk or jog the mini marathon. Often I hear people comment ‘oh, I am not a runner’ or ‘I don’t think I will be able to walk that distance’. We often tell friends that we are going out ‘for a bit of a walk or that we don’t run we just jog or plod and are not real ‘runners’. As soon as you stand on the start line of your first event, e.g. the women’s mini marathon you will definitely know that you are indeed a walker or a runner. If you have been following the training guides you will find that you will exceed your own expectations and the atmosphere of the mini marathon will give an adrenaline rush and boost your performance in the mini marathon. You will have accomplished what you thought you never could.

Getting Fitter

Seeing the Sunday May 6th date marked on your calendar will spur you on and get you thinking about getting out and preparing for the mini marathon. Having the target date will help to change your fitness and transform you. If you write down the days you were out training either walking or jogging, this is a great help and it will give you the satisfaction of ticking off each session, making you push yourself a bit harder and walk or run a bit faster than you thought you could. This will help you rediscover that ‘first mile’ feeling you had when you started out first.

Discovering yourself

Each walk or run you go on tells you that you have drive and determination. In the mini marathon you may even shock yourself with your own strengths. When the going gets tough and you dig deep and push on and complete that 10k distance, you find a deep down strength that you will be able to call on in many difficult situations throughout life. Knowing you are tough and you can get through it is not only mini marathon day accomplishment but a metaphor for life.

Community

Although walking and running are solitary sports and can often be lonely, throughout the county and country ‘meet and train’ groups have been formed that can add a lot fun and company for you as a walker or runner. So whether you are from Castlebar, Belmullet, Claremorris, Ballyhaunis, Westport, Ballina or Swinford there is a meet and train group near you. (Find out more details on our website www.mayosports.ie on meet and train in your area). Some beginners choose to walk or run alone as they worry about feeling too embarrassed if they go out with others, they feel they may not be able to keep up. When you are at the start of the mini marathon at the mall in Castlebar take a look around at the start and the other women at the start, and you will see that the walking and running community really welcomes and embraces people of all ages, of all shapes and sizes. Walking and running is a wonderful way to get to meet other walkers and runners from your area, you can chat about many things, about your experiences, about running gear, about the different routes you can walk or run in the county e.g. The Great Western Greenway, the many wonderful loop walks, and other amazing areas and facilities. You can stand there at the start and experience the support and the camaraderie among the other women. Here is a great chance too to involve your own friends and family in your new interest, ask them to come along and they will be able to cheer you on along the mini marathon route. Next Year you might find they will be standing at the start line alongside you.

The mini marathon Medal 2012

Research has shown that those taking part for intrinsic rewards (e.g. self confidence) rather than extrinsic (Mini Marathon Medal) do much better. However I think that taking part for your ‘2012 Western People West of Ireland Women’s Mini Marathon medal’ is great motivator and as you wear your medal around your neck on May 6th you will feel so proud of what you have accomplished.
So Women use the mini marathon as a way of having a day out, of getting yourself motivated, of getting a bit fitter, of meeting others and of building up your self confidence. When that mini marathon medal is in the bag, then start to think about the next event and mark it on your calendar, this way you can participate in many of the other wonderful events within the county or country.

This article is written by Anne Ronayne, Community Sport Development Worker with Mayo Sports Partnership. For further information on the ‘Western People West of Ireland Women’s Mini Marathon’ contact msp@mayococo.ie or telephone 094 9047025.

Enter online on www.westofirelandwomensminimarathon.com or cut out the entry form on thisthe Western People Newspaper each week and post to Mayo Sports Partnership, Mayo County Council, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Entry fee is €20.

Remember all profits from the mini marathon go back into sport development in communities throughout County Mayo. So everyone is a winner!

Meet and Train

Fit4life Meet and Train groups will also help you get started. Its great to exercise with others, its more fun and its great to get encouragement from others too. You can go along and be part of the Meet and Train group nearest you.
 

There are groups in Ballina, Ballyhaunis, Ballinrobe, Castlebar, Claremorris, Swinford and Westport.
Check out www.mayosports.ie for full fit4life timetable and phone numbers of Fit4life leaders.

If you work in the HSE, Mayo County Council, GMIT, VEC or in Western Care in Castlebar you can also be part of a new mini marathon meet and train group who meet at the GMIT running track(adjacent to the hospital) on Wednesdays and Fridays from 1.10pm – 1.50pm. Email: aronayne@mayococo.ie for further information

Venue for Fit4life’Meet and Train’ Groups 2012 Day /Time

Contact name and Contact details of leaders for each area below:
 

Ballina (Belleek Track)
Tuesday
8.30pm
Liz Murphy 087 24193909
 

Ballina (Belleek Track) Thursday 7pm Liz Murphy 087 24193909
 

Ballinrobe (at soccer club) Thursday 7.45pm Joan Walshe 087 6726029
 

Ballinrobe(at soccer club) Sunday 10am Joan Walshe 087 6726029
 

Claremorris (running track) Thursday 7.30pm Michael Mc Grath 086 8534729
 

Breaffy (GAA Pitch) Monday 7pm Ann McDonnell
Maggie Heneghan 086 8635534,087 6324252
 

Westport (Horkans Hill) Tuesday 7.30pm Gerry Kilroy 086 0638188

Westport
(Horkans Hill) Tuesday 7.30pm Gerry Kilroy 086 0638188

Ballyhaunis(Friary Field) Tuesday 7pm Anne Cunnane,Tracey Cunnane 094 9630311086 0618126
 

Ballyhaunis (Friary Field) Saturday 9am Anne Cunnane, Tracey Cunnane 094 9630311086 0618126

Swinford (Amenity Park) Tuesday 7pm Michael Oliver 086 8196511

Swinford (Amenity Park) Sunday 12noon Michael Oliver 086 8196511

Swinford(Community Centre) Friday 7pm Michael Oliver 086 8196511

Meet and Train lunchtimes Weds and Friday from 1.10 to 1.50pm at Castlebar GMIT running track contact: Anne Ronayne 087 6973587
 

Don’t forget to enter the mini marathon on www.westofirelandwomensminimarathon.com and get further information

Any other queries please contact Mayo Sports Partnership on 094 9047025 or Email msp@mayococo.ie , website www.mayosports.ie or find us on facebook.

For Further information on any of the above contact Mayo Sports Partnership on 094 9047025 or Email msp@mayococo.ie ,website www.mayosports.ie or find us on facebook.