As metaphors go, running is a pretty great one for life. Who we are as runners is always evolving. The relationship to our incredible bodies, what they are capable of, their shape, health, energy can be marked by seasons and can change day-to-day like the weather. We have seasons of growing and caring for a family when running is just a whisper in our lives. Seasons consumed by traveling, race schedules, and group runs. Seasons of devastating injury of body or ego. Ahh, the weather, the same body that felt unstoppable one day feels sluggish the next...or unstoppable one minute and lay-down-on-the-trail bonked the next.
What was universal from this Woodlands Running community feedback on the inclusivity survey is that the "micro-climates" of every.single.runner are very different. Isn't that WONDERFUL?! The whole point of inclusion is creating space and loving people for where they are at this moment, when it's sunshine on asses and when facing things that many of you shared in the survey such as:
Being new to running
Returning after injury or illness
Taking an extended time away from running
Trans people, those on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum, Black people, Indigenous People, People of Color, impoverished people, and other marginalized groups not commonly represented in the sport(s)
Being a new mom/dad returning after pregnancy
Those facing mental health issues such as anxiety
Elder AKA experienced athletes who are intimidated keeping up the way they once could
Those less seasoned runners only interested in movement, not racing
Many of you shared your deeper vulnerabilities, stories of what it feels like to not feel like you belong in the sport. Our shared stories include:
Joining group runs who immediately take off, leaving us to run alone only to catch up and have the group immediately take off again. There are no relationships built, no value in the group when you can't keep up
Having others define "running slow" using a pace that you have never hit on your best day
Fear of judgment or bias based on how you move, think, look, and any non-sport-related factors
Calculating race cutoff times that induce anxiety or exclude/discourage participation altogether as the primary reason to select a race
Having an awesome race and having a person complain next to you the reasons they are running "slow" which is why they are "behind"
Not being interested in going faster or changing your body or optimizing or risking injury to keep up
These are isolating, lonely feelings and the good news is you are NOT alone. There are many of us - we just need a space/place to belong.
In response to your honesty and openness, Woodlands and Women of Woodlands are introducing an additional running group option we're proud to call Party in the Back. What that will look like:
Select current group runs will have an alternative route and distance. These will be posted on our social media and website ahead of each group run.
All routes/distances will begin together and end at the same spot/time
We will plan to hike/run/walk at a pace that keeps the group-run vibe intact
Depending on interest, adding a Party in the Back only group run to our regular calendar of events
You'll also see an additional way we're calling attention to our inclusivity pledge with the use of the #AllPeopleAllPace hashtag.
We are embracing what it means to be in the back of the pack, that we're there by choice or circumstance and are not only proud of that, we celebrate it. Running is supposed to be FUN. Hopping around the woods, chomping on snacks, feeling alive while deepening friendships new and old. It's not a workout, it's a celebration. That is our mission at Woodlands: Celebrate the Adventure of Running.
Look to our socials for our schedule as well as check out the growing races available in the race calendar below. Thank you for making your voices heard and for being who you are exactly as you are.