Just under 40 #MileShyClub first timers turned out today at Stretford ParkRun to take on their first 5k. This was truly an epic achievement for us as a club - it was so wonderful to see everyone achieve their goals. We really had a strong presence today at the ParkRun, and it was great to see so many of our more experienced runners come out and run and volunteer, cheering everyone on. We hoped you liked the Slimming World inspired goody bags too!
The #MileShyClub teams up with Slimming World
We were super excited and grateful for an invite this evening to Slimming World. We met with existing members of Slimming World and gave a talk about what we do here at the #MileShyClub and how exercise in any form can be a way to help lose weight. We really had a lot of interest from our session, and we have a feeling we’ll be seeing lots of you soon! Many thanks to Area Manager Claire, who organised our visit.
We donate fitness clothing to charity shop, The Light
During January, one of our club members, Caroline, took it upon herself to collect any pre-loved fitness clothing, or unwanted Christmas gifts, which could be passed on to those wanting to get into exercise in an affordable way. It was wonderful today to present our items to The Light charity shop. Many thanks to other running clubs in the local area who supported this initiative.
Club Founder Jane appears on BBC Radio Manchester to talk all things running...
Radio DJ Chelsea Norris is training to complete her first 5k, and who better to invite along for advice than #MileShyClub founder Jane Dennison! It was a pleasure to talk all things running with Chelsea, and offer some expert advice. We’re looking forward to seeing how Chelsea gets on!
Our Mental Health Support Team Launch 'Run Around the Block' sessions
We are super excited to share news of a very special monthly 'run'. You may know that we have a mental health team here at the #MileShyClub and the team are going all out to try and encourage more of you to try running for the first time. We are calling these sessions a 'run around the block' - we won't be covering more than a mile, and you are free to walk rather than run. The aim of the session is to provide you with a much more relaxed introduction into running, and it will be a chance for you to meet some of our coaches (and find out what all the fuss is about!). Our flyer with more info about these events is below. Our first Run Around the Block session is next Wednesday, so if you are one of the many people who often get in touch to say you're going to give it a go, but lose your nerve, then this session is specially for you.
We visit Trafford College and talk all things running!
We are big believers in getting everyone into running so jumped at the chance to be part of Trafford College’s Health and Wellness event. It was a great way to meet other like-minded companies, and to introduce ourselves to the students and teachers, with free mini goody bags and on the spot prizes! What a great way to be involved in the community, and we look forward to enticing lot of newbies to our popular sessions in the Trafford area!
Hello 2019! New sessions and our birthday!
We started the New Year in style! Urmston launched on the 7th January, with over 40 newbies to running taking part - we were absolutely astounded at how many people turned up! We always said we’d go to Urmston if Sale did well…
Then on Tuesday 8th January we restarted our popular Sale sessions, which again had a fantastic turnout. To make the night even more special, it was our 2nd birthday so there was cake for everyone! There was even a poem, which we felt we just had to share (thanks Sam!):
MileShy, MileShy
This is the story of MileShy,
Started by Jane, with a twinkle in her eye.
January 2017 was when it all began,
She turned up at Sale Waterside clipboard in hand,
Nervous and twitching and not knowing what to do,
Hoping at least someone else, would show up too.
Kath and Parveen showed up on day one,
Nervous and excited, as they had never ever run,
They enjoyed it so much that they decided to stay,
Now Jane can’t get rid of them, no matter what she says.
Over the last two years,
Members have come and gone,
It’s like one big family,
With lots going on.
It started out as a Couch to 5k,
But the Club has progressed in a big way,
5K, 10K and Marathons too,
Whatever your goal, MileShy is for you,
To help you on your journey,
There is an excellent team,
Sam, Bronagh, Bram and Jill,
To name but a few!!
Wanting to do 5K and above,
Then Coach Bram is your man,
Every Thursday he appears, with cones in his hand,
Round and round the waterside he goes,
High Knees, Squats and point them toes,
Mental Health Issues are at the forefront of Jane’s mind,
Having struggled herself, she devotes it a lot of time,
Making sure you are put at ease from day one,
She has her amazing ambassadors,
Clairey and Trish, to help you settle in
Primarily a running club,
It has a social side too,
From Glow in the Park, to the Mo run,
And even the odd party or two,
Winning awards along the way,
Such an inspiration, what can we say,
To club and coach, of the year,
For this achievement we need a cheer,
If after hearing all this,
You are still not happy,
Feedback can be provided, to our very own Mr Jolly,
Big or Small, we want to hear it all,
To help us grow and learn some more.
So now that MileShy has reached the age of two,
We would like to propose a toast,
To Jane and the MileShy crew!!!
2018... what a year!
Success stories, new friendships, better health, appearing on the BBC, featuring in Runners World, taking part in countless races, having the best socials and even winning an award or two (or three!) Below are our #MileShyClub #Bestbits… happy viewing!
We host Sale's first ever Sale Santa Dash!
Thanks to a whole host of supporters, we were able to bring a family 2.5k Santa Dash and a 5k Dash to the residents of Sale for the first time. It truly was a wonderful day, one which saw 350 runners and over 50 volunteers descend onto Sale Water Park to raise money for charity at Christmas time. We had so many sponsors and raised £992.13, which was later increased to a round £1,000 thanks to a generous member of the public. Our sponsors MUST be noted for their kind generosity: RME Financial, Sale Podiaty, Claire S Physio, Sports Direct, Taylors of Sale, Derek Stuart-Cole (photographer), plus our sponosors who preferred to remain anonymous. Thanks also to Trafford Council who gave us permission to use the Park for the morning, and to the Mayor of Trafford who started our first race for us! Below are just a small selection of photographs!
Our first #MileShyHeroes awards evening!
Our Christmas Do was a sell out, and there was no better time to recognise the efforts of our runners and volunteers. Our winners were decided by other runners at the club who took part in our awards and feedback survey last month. We are delighted to announce the winners of the following awards:
Volunteer of the Year - Bronagh Dowdall
Coach of the Year - Bram Appleton
Most inspiring runner of the year (3rd place) (joint winners) - Jill Hudson and Bronagh Dowdall
Most inspiring runner of the year (2nd place) - Sam Ahmad
Most inspiring runner of the year (1st place) - Mark Jolly
