Ewan Moir was not a big fan of running.
Despite being an active person most of his life, Moir found the sport to be tiring and challenging. As well, he ended up sore the next day.
Now in his 60s, his perspective on running has changed. In January 2024, Moir came across a poster at local business store about Oceanside Running Club Association's Learn to Run program. And that's where it hit him. He quipped he is either just old or has become a bit wiser.
"I decided there and then that it would be nice to learn how to run and thought I would give it a go," said Moir, who at the time I was looking for a new activity but did not have anything particular in mind. "The idea of learning to run simply arrived in my head while I was reading the details on the poster."
Moir registered for the Learn to Run Program and it was a journey that has greatly motivated him to become a runner. He got hooked.
"The length of each class is about 35 minutes and starts out nice and easy," said Moir. "During the early weeks, you do more walking than running, but as the program progresses you gently increase the running time and as a consequence decrease the time you walk. The length of each class is always at 35 minutes. It is the mix of walking and running that changes."
Moir described program director Doug Brown as an amazing teacher.
"He makes each class fun but is also very knowledgeable and honest with regards to the difficulty anybody can or will face as they push their body ... particularly an older body ... to learn how to run," Moir recalled.
"Running with your peers is fun," he added. "You get to know your group of 'learners' and I believe we were subconsciously helping each other through the tougher times. Your brain will be sending you signals to stop and you have to learn how to ignore these signals unless off course the brains signals are also accompanied by pain."
Participants in the Learn to Run Program are automatically registered as member of ORCA and are also entered in the Mother's Day 5K run and walk race. They don't have to take part in the race. It's optional but according to Brown, it provides participants with goal at the end of the program.
That opportunity was enough to fuel Moir's desire to continue improving his running skills.
"I was very much looking forward to the challenge," said Moir.
The week before the event, Brown got the class to run the 5K course as part of the program.
"This, for me, was my first-ever 5K run and I ran it too quickly," said Moir. "A ligament injury in my right knee from my early 20s came back with a vengeance the next morning. I hoped it would get better but after three days it was obviously not going to without some help."
Moir was disappointed to miss the Mother's Day run as this was the final class of the Learn to Run Program. The injury also kept him from running for three weeks.
"By this time I was enjoying pushing myself to run three times per week and did not like the idea of missing the training, missing running with my fellow runners," said Moir, who was also concerned about missing the “learn to run longer” program, which helps you run up to 10K. He visited a local physio and was able to get back in running shape and regularly runs three times a week.
What also inspired Moir to continue running was the marked improvement with his health. Before he joined the program, Moir said, his doctor requested a full blood analysis. Last August, he went through another round of blood analysis, similar to the one he took in January.
"The August results clearly showed the improvements in my overall health," said Moir. "I felt it, however, the blood results clearly showed where the improvements were being made. Yes, I had found an old injury that plagued me, but this was my mistake trying to run to fast for too long while carrying out my first 5K distance. The results from my blood analysis spurred me on to continue to run. My wife and I spent three weeks in Italy in September and I managed to find four occasions to go for a run. If you asked me to go for a run while I was on holiday prior to February 2024 and I would have thought you were joking."
The ORCA Learn to Run Program is set to start again on Jan. 30. The 15-week running course that is open to adults 19 years and over, who are beginners, former runners and those returning from injury. It is a personalized program that allows you to set your own pace in a friendly and supportive environment. You must be able to walk briskly continuously (not the window-shopping pace) for 35 to 45 minutes and possess sheer determination, "yes, I can do this."
The running program will be held in the evening from 6 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. at various locations in Parksville Qualicum Beach in all kinds of weather, except when there is snow and ice on the sidewalks. For the first six sessions, the class will be at the Jensen Centre, 321 Jensen Ave. East in Parksville.
Winnifred Rehill is another program alumnus. She entered to improve her running as her pooches do dog agility and requires sprinting to keep up with her animals. She said she suffered a stroke several years ago which affected her gait.
"I really enjoyed the format used," said Rehill. "You increase distance and time slowly. Never do you feel pressured or inferior if you cannot keep up. You are encouraged just do what you can at the time. There are people at every level and you soon become friends with those you are running with. I am only sorry I did not do this earlier but mid-seventies is still not too late."
Rehill was able to run the Mother's Day 5K and the experience led her to take part in the Run Longer Program, covering distance of over 10K.
"I must say, I do not run the whole time but my stamina is much improved," she said.
Registration for the 2025 Learn to Run Program is now open and you can go online at https://orcarunning.ca/learn-to-run-2025/
