Cheryl Lee is a late bloomer when it comes to running.
The sales representative at the Parksville Qualicum Beach News, after going through a major change in her lifestyle in her mid-sixties, focusing on health and fitness, decided to challenge herself. After achieving a personal milestone when she shed an impressive 32 pounds in 2024 through exercise and good eating habits, she was introduced to the world of running, a sport she had not truly tried before.
Running was suggested to her by a work colleague, who coaxed her into registering for the popular Learn to Run program offered by the Oceanside Running Club Association. She had reservations.
First, she thought she was too old. She also was worried it might aggravate a nagging groin injury. The thought of running a five-kilometre distance, which the Learn to Run Program wants them to achieve at the end of the 14-week course, she said, was a daunting goal.
Receiving some advice and guidance from her colleague, an experienced runner, she said gave her just enough courage and interest to register in the running program. The fee she said was reasonable but jokingly added it did cost her more as she needed to shop for appropriate running shoes and winter gear for outside runs.
The Learn to Run program is open to people who want to start running and also for those who have been runners but are recovering from injury or haven’t run for a while. It's a 14-week program that starts every February and involves one group session a week and additional homework runs that participants need to undertake on their own. The goal is to get participants ready to run the Mother's Day five-kilometre event which they are automatically entered into once they join the program.
Lee related the experience she went through after she officially joined Learn to Run and the joy she felt when she completed her first 5K distance at the Mother's Day event.
A week prior to the start of the program last February, she felt worried and a bit anxious. Her mind she said went through a variety of thoughts and she had some concerns.
"Will I be the slowest? Will I be able to complete the runs?" she wondered.
Lee eventually set aside her apprehensions and went to attend her first Learn to Run session. She felt a sense of relief and her concerns unwarranted as she found the program to be friendly and very encouraging. She found out that first day was a combined brisk walking and short running covering a distance of three kilometres. When she found out they covered 3K, it got her hooked.
"I learned a lot and was very enthusiastic," said Lee, who was given guidance about good form and technique that include posture, hand position, going up hills, pace, breathing, dealing with injuries and more.
One of the key lessons she remembered was "attitude towards running, determines success or failure. You have to have a goal .. what’s in it for me?. You have to keep your goal in mind when it gets hard as there will be good days and bad days. It's just important to keep going."
In order to improve, Lee had to find the time to do the “homework” runs. On her own it wasn't easy but she found running in a group, with members on the program, makes the task much easier she said.
"After each group run, I felt a sense of accomplishment." said Lee, who was learning to pace herself and not think that she is in a race. "I’m not a runner but I’m doing it anyway. Lots of beginner runners in my group felt the same way."
Midway through the program, Lee said she started to feel comfortable and was really enjoying the experience.
"It was getting easier," she said. "I now look forward to the group and homework runs. I have made some running friends. It was very social while running, everyone was very supportive and encouraging especially on the more difficult days. The experienced volunteer runners were awesome as they kept the group together, making sure everyone was safe on the road runs and helped encourage positive attitudes."
Lee also noticed how the program is helping her health improve.
"Wow, my legs are stronger, leaner and shapelier than before running," she noted. "My lung capacity was increasing and running longer is easier than the earlier weeks."
Lee found a good and sustainable pace which to her was "a major achievement." She was concerned about being slow but learned that finishing in your own time and pace was the objective of the program.
She also achieved her goal when she entered the program.
"I don’t have to diet so strictly - this is my 'what’s in it for me?' reason to run and it’s really working. I even lost an additional four pounds by the end of 14 weeks and added back some desserts and treats."
Lee acknowledged there are some run days that are hard.
"I accept/anticipate them and do my best to push through. I never experienced a 'runner's high' but the effort of running is definitely easier now than when I started."
The big Mother's Day Race arrived and Lee said "total excitement was in the air."
"My goal was to just do the race and finish it," she said. "My time was slow as I walked and ran the distance and did a bit of socializing along the way, but it was a feeling of achievement to see the finish line and cross it.
"I accomplished a major life achievement that I never ever thought I would do in this lifetime. When life gets hard, I will remember I did the Learn to Run and ran the 5K and with a little or a lot of effort, can probably get through anything — a great attitude that came from doing something one never considered."
Lee plans to participate in the Learn to Run program again next year and will focus on improving her personal best run time in the 2026 5K Mother's Day Race.
"More running, less chatting," is her new mantra for 2026.
