Physical, Mental and Social benefits of Recreational Running

It may not quite have been a Field of Dreams moment but Waterstown Park has never been the same since Julie O’Connor put a call out to see if anyone was interested in doing a Couch to 5k a couple of years ago. Since that fateful call a movement developed and Waterstown Warriors evolved into an Athletics Ireland-affiliated club catering for all abilities in the Palmerstown area of Dublin.

Club member Ann Battersby takes up the story: “I think the first group had about 20 people and since then we have had seven more Couch to Warrior groups as we like to call them. “The club kind of grew organically. People finished the Couch to 5K and wanted to keep running — it was just the natural thing to do.”

The club caters for recreational runners of all abilities but the true success for Waterstown is more about a mix of fun and fitness rather than medals. “Our average runners are recreational runners,” says Battersby. “I’d say about 75 per cent of our members only took up running after completing one of our Couch to Warrior courses.

“Some are very natural runners and some find it tough every time they run, and these are the ones who work the hardest in my opinion. We cater for everyone and encourage anyone with an interest to come and join us.” The ability to cater for people’s needs has been has been greatly enhanced since forming an official club and becoming a member of Athletics Ireland.

“Initially we joined Athletics Ireland so the club would have credibility, and we have that now in bucketsful,” said Battersby on the initial draw to form a club. “We were already paying insurance so that was a reason but also to avail of the training of some of our members as coaches along with race discounts and being able to compete in national championships like the marathon and half marathon.

“I would definitely recommend other training groups to form a club as the support we get from our members on race days is second to none. Last year when we were training for the marathon, the club came into its own with those not training getting out and supporting those who were. They even met up with us on our long runs to give us water and jellies.”

IF ONE COULD RUN WITHOUT GETTING TIRED, I DON’T THINK ONE WOULD OFTEN WANT TO DO ANYTHING ELSE~ CS LEWIS

“I think forming a club for us anyway has allowed us to identify the needs of all runners and then trying to cater for these. We have some who just want to run and don’t care about racing, but we also have some very talented runners who need to be helped and encouraged. Hiring a coach is the first step we have made to carrying this out.”

It’s with that mesh of runners I took on a coaching role  to try and add an extra dimension to this energetic crew. It has been an education for all of us as we maintain the spirit of the club while also getting that little bit fitter and faster.

I’ve experienced first-hand the benefits the club has given to its members, who cut a dash in their blue strip with orange trim. Running isn’t all about personal bests but rather a congregation of a new type of church where people pound the pavements instead of saying prayers — unless they’re tackling a steep hill.

Tony Marnell summed it up after his maiden marathon. “The Waterstown Warriors are a recreational running group with a relaxed and fun approach that is inclusive of everyone regardless of their experience or targets,” he said. “No-one gets left behind. There is a very friendly social aspect to the club too.”

“The physical, mental, and social benefits of recreational running are incredible and well documented. I encourage everyone to give it a go. You might surprise yourself.”

Why not take the plunge and start your own couch to 3k journey? The FREE Irish Life Health Couch to 3k Plan is available at https://www.irishlifehealth.ie/athletics-ireland