This past weekend we had our Moms Run This Town Spring Welcome Run. What’s a Welcome Run? A chance to come out and meet “the group” in non threatening way. It certainly didn’t feel too “springlike” this morning but that didn’t stop us. After the winter we’ve had, ladies couldn’t wait to get out again.
Our chapter has been growing so quickly the past few months that it is impossible to know everyone by name or sight anymore. We’ve noticed that many ladies join our group and then don’t come out on runs or attend events. I’ve also heard that some newer members were reluctant to join us because they were worried about being too slow or too fast or not knowing anyone etc. Well we can’t let that happen!
Some of the other chapters in our area started having Welcome Runs with great success so we figured we’d give it a try as well. We had our 3rd Welcome Run last weekend and had a huge turnout. We organized pace groups ranging from 8 mm to walkers and everything in between. We even had a few stroller runners. This gave everyone an opportunity to comfortably place themselves with a built in group to run with.
When we first started 2 years ago, I knew everyone by name and that was great. Because we usually have runs at all times of day and evening, it’s hard to meet people who run at different times and days. Our group has grown into a wonderful “family” with so many new friends. Encouraging newer members to come out on the weekend and meet seasoned members allows them to see that we do have runners of all paces and distances. I’ve also heard that newer members are afraid to come out and join for fear that we may be “crazy, intense exercise freaks!?” Well there may be a few of those too! LOL.
We set up coffee and breakfast at Panera afterwards which gave us even more time to chit chat and get to know each other.
I was overwhelmed by the turnout for the run and all of our wonderful new members who came out. I’ve made some of my best friends through our group and I hope that my other mamas feel the same. What made this run especially meaningful for me was that it was my first group run back since my injury this winter. There was no place I’d rather be! Here’s to hoping you have your special group of BRF’s to run with as well.
linking up with Anne Marie and Diatta
this looks like so much fun! I like the idea of a welcome run, I no I no I need to look at this idea again 🙂
You so do!! 🙂
That’s great that the chapters are so active in Northern Virginia. I joined a chapter in Bucks Co, but they aren’t active. An occasional FB post which may get one or two comments but as far as I know they don’t coordinate any events. It has made it harder to meet people. I’ve met more cyclists through the local cycling clubs.
You might have to take over! You would be good at it. 🙂
Welcome runs have been HUGE for us, especially with almost 1500 members!! Awesome turnout!
I am loving them!
Deborah, oh this sounds like such an awesome group of ladies! I would love to find a similar group here in Charlotte. I had to give up my running last year due to my hips being all sorts of crazy but would love to try to pick up more than 3 miles at a time (without pain). Glad you had such a great turnout!
Have you checked to see if there is an MRTT chapter there? Many people run shorter distances.
It can be so hard to know everyone in a running group–like with Team Challenge, there are just so many times that people simply can’t make runs. But that also makes it so much fun–there are always new people to meet as well as old friends to see!
Absolutely! That’s what makes it so great-always a new person to run with.
This is so awesome! I wish we had a MRTT chapter where I live….I almost wanna start one, haha! Thanks so much for linking up <3
Ok I so need to talk you into starting one! You won’t regret it
What a great group! Love that running is bringing fabulous women together!
It’s been so much more than I hoped for!
What a fun idea! I’m glad you give women a safe, inviting group to run & interact with. 🙂
Exactly! it’s been really amazing
That sounds so fun. I want to join in lol!!
Have you checked to see if there is a chapter by you?
This looks so fun! I am part of a MRTT on Facebook but I’ve never been out to an event or gorup run…it’s kind of loosely organized. Sounds like a great way to get the lurkers (ie me!) to join in the fun!
That sounds awesome. Being too slow has always been my fear for joining any sort of run group. Recently I ran with a group though and they did a circle back every half mile when running that way it didn’t matter which pace you ran at, you all stuck together which I thought was awesome.
We try to do similar things as well so no one feels left out. Maybe there is a chapter by you?
What a cool group! I should find something like this local to me! I’m just getting back into running and it would be fun to meet other runners/walkers in my area.
Thanks for linking up for Wild Workout Wednesday!
Oh absolutely! There are chapters all across the country perhaps there is one in your area check the main website momsrunthistown.com
That is a great idea! I should look for something similar in my city!
They have chapters all across the country hope you do check it out. You won’t be sorry 🙂
I really need to find a group like that – it would be awesome at this point in my life!!!
You do! Have you checked the national site to see if there is one near you?
The welcome run sounds like a great idea! The thought of joining a group where everyone else may already know each other is intimidating but I’d assume that there would be multiple new people at a welcome run and that would make it easier 🙂
Yes absolutely! I love them
This is such a cool idea, and your group sounds so awesome and friendly!!
It really is thanks! Loves these ladies.
This is such a great, feel good story. I have ZERO running friends that live near me. All the running groups are not close enough to be convenient. I would love to find a group closer! I want BRF’s! LOL
Ok you are just going to have to start a chapter of your own! It’s so easy to do!
That’s awesome, I would love to be part of a group like this! Running community with women is a beautiful thing! Glad you can get to know your members better and help everyone feel more welcome!
There must be a chapter near you-have you ever checked??
MRTT is such a wonderful thinkg – thanks for all you to lead and support other mother runners. 😉
Aw that’s sweet! You know I could gush about you all forever!
This is such a great idea! I wish they had them here in Brooklyn.
I think there is a NYC chapter. You could start your own!!
Looks like you all had fun! What a great idea! I really should find out if there is MRTT group near me – I could use some new running buddies.
Oh yes yes! Check the main site and see.
How awesome!! If I lived there, could I be in your group even though I’m not a mom? haha
Absolutely! How much fun would that be?!
THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER!!!!!!!! What a terrific feeling and there is nothing I love more than meeting new people and creating new bonds!!! 🙂 I hope this grows EVEN MORE in the upcoming months!!
Thanks so much! I know it will
That sounds like an awesome group, and welcome runs are such a great idea to give everyone a chance to meet each other + have someone to run with! :]
yes exactly!
Glad to hear that the welcome run was a huge success! I’m sad that I’ haven’t been able to make it to any events, but between the schedule not working with my school schedule and us living further away now its just hard.
I am sure it is hard to balance everything. Hope we get you out one of these days. We are having a big event the first weekend of May at Road runner.
This is wonderful! I am going to check the site and see if there is one near me!!
Awesome! Let me know if you find one!
I found one right in my town!! This is so great – I will shoot them an e-mail. Thanks Deborah!!
I’m so excited! I want a full report
I don’t have a group of friends to train with. I guess logistically it would be hard to do because I run so early in the morning. I do have friend I race with so that’s fun and makes up for it.
I’m so proud that I have my group of women who I enjoy running with. I run with BGR! when I can and then with my special running boo’s when my life allows. Boy do I miss them and they are family.
It’s great how they become family isn’t it!
#wowlinkup
I can see myself joining this group when I’m mom to someone else besides a furry four-legged friend. 🙂 Looks like a lot of fun!
We actually have members that are moms to pets. You can totally join. If you are in Arlington there is a huge group
Sounds like a great group of ladies. I hope I can join a group like that some day once I am settled into my own place and not have to travel so much.
I hope so too
THIS IS SO GREAT! I live in the middle of nowhere Vermont, so we don’t really have the people to make up a group like this. I’m very much looking forward to moving back down south and joining a running group again. Hopefully they will be as welcoming as your MRTT group is!
I belong to a running group whose motto is ‘no woman left behind’ . I goes a long way to making everyone feel comfortable with their pace. Congrats on having such a great social.
I’m so glad you’ve found your peeps too!
I LOVE this idea! Hmm… maybe i should restart my MRTTs and attempt this??
Is your chapter not together anymore? These are working so well for us I would totally give it a try. Happy to help you with whatever you need anytime. Love to spread the mRTT Love.
That sounds wonderful! My city has a MRTT, but I don’t know if there are actual meet-ups. You’ve motivated me to find out more. <3
I hope you do! I can’t say enough about how much I love them
LOVE this! Last fall I started a mommy running/walking group here in Fredericksburg and we have already 60 members. I love it!! So great to stay accountable! Ans the babies enjoy the playtime afterwards.
Thanks! That’s really great about your group. These ladies are really some of my best friends now and don’t know what I would do without them!
It is nice to have group that can encourage you. When I used to run I belonged to a small run club. Most of us don’t run anymore but we do keep with each others workout activities. #wowlinkup
It’s been such an amazing experience for me!