A local fitness instructor is inviting people of all ages and fitness levels to join a new Learn to Run program in Kemptville.
Stacey Dickson is new to the area. He family moved from Hamilton to Oxford Mills in June 2018 to be closer to family. In Hamilton she was a fitness trainer and instructor at the YMCA and when she moved to North Grenville she joined the staff at Anytime Fitness.
An avid runner and true fitness enthusiast Stacey went looking for a running group in Kemptville. While she found that there was a running group through one of the local churches and a trail walking group promoted by the municipality there where no opportunities for people to learn to run in a safe and understanding environment.
The Learn to Run program allows participants to learn how their body moves and their strengths and weaknesses when it comes to running. “Your run is your business,” Stacey says. “It is so individual and personal. I want to set everyone in this group up for success.”
Stacey says her goal is to break down barriers when it comes to people finding their physical fitness. She understands that going to the gym may not be accessible for everyone and is hoping that the Learn to Run program will help people realize that you don’t need a ton of time and money to stay active. “I am passionate about helping people find what motivates them to live a healthy lifestyle,” she says. “I want to introduce people to a variety of options for exercise.”
The program also has a charity component to it. Stacey is asking for a five-dollar donation to participate in each of the 16 sessions. This comes to $80 for the entire 8-week program and all the money will be donated to the Shoppers Drug Mart Run for Women in June which supports women’s mental health initiatives.
Stacey is hoping that the Learn to Run program will be a fun and social way for people to get out in the community. Starting at Anytime Fitness, she and another instructor will be leading the run through downtown Kemptville on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings starting April 28, 2019. “I hope it brings the community together and encourages people to find their fitness,” she says.
If all goes well Stacey is looking forward to running leveled programs in the future where people will train together for a 5km, 10km or half marathon. For now though the goal of the Learn to Run program is just to get people outside, moving and socializing. “Come out and learn what your body is capable of,” Stacey says.
To sign up you can visit the Anytime Fitness Facebook page, email Stacey at staceydickson905@gmail.com or find her at Anytime Fitness in Kemptville.