Monday's Featured 5k of the Week - Kankakee River Running Club

Ok - so switching things up a week, coming off of the heels of the Kankakee River Running Club annual Christmas party.

The benefits of running clubs.  I happen to belong to the Kankakee River Running Club, but there are tons of running clubs (NWI Striders, Park Forest Pancake & Running Club, Frankfort New Lenox Club, and so on and so forth).  The club I belong to is filled with wonderful people, who are competitive, motivating, encouraging, helpful, and just flat out friendly.  I am sure this applies to any running club you can think of.

But what is the point of joining a running club?  There are many, which I will list (because I am a list maker) - but the KRRC President really said it best - and I paraphrase here - "The 5k is only 30 minutes long, but the event is hours long.  The 5k is only part of the event, the reason for being there, but the socializing before and after is what makes the event great".  (I did paraphrase, I can't remember everything, ya know).   You can substitute 5k and 30 minutes for any distance and time - the point is the same.  But it's not just the before/after on that very day - but the days/weeks/months leading to the race and after the race.

I think the greatest element of a good running club is that it is made up of people who are willing to give and give more and give more than they take.  For example, a group of people from the KRRC Club raised a ton of money for St. Jude's Children's Hospital.  They fundraised together, they drove down to Memphis together, and they ran together.  In addition, members of the club contributed to the fund raising.

THIS is what a running club is really about.  People, with a common passion that unites, working together to do great things, to promote great things, and to be friends.  After all, when it comes down to it, isn't that what LIFE is all about?

Now, for some more tangible benefits :

1) Discounted entry to many races
2) A resource for running tips (mechanical and mental)
3) A pool of competition AND cooperation
4) Tons of encouragement
5) People to run with between races (in the evenings, mornings, weekends)
6) People to train with
7) Opportunity to give back to the community or charity as a group
8) A social club

There is nothing more fun than having someone you know near the finish line area yelling "good job" or "finish strong" or those who meet you with 1/4 mile to go and run in with you.  Having people you know pushing you, helping you achieve YOUR best.  People willing to give you tips, mechanical and mental, to make you faster - even if that means you could beat them in a race.

A running club provides excellent friendly competition, but more importantly it provides an amazing amount of support.

It's not about winning or being the fastest - it's about being YOUR best and reaching YOUR goals, no matter what clock time those goals are, and of course HAVING FUN.   THAT is where a running club provides value!

It's about the people!!

Personal note : I joined the Kankakee River Running Club about a year ago - and I immediately felt welcome and was making new friends on day one - friends who I can look to for advice, competition, and just general social fun!

If you run - I suggest finding a running club (or 2 or 3) in your region and join up.  It has brought my already huge enjoyment of running to new high!