RUN | TRAIN | BELONG

Community. It’s the heart of my vision for Performance Running. You’ve seen our tagline – Run | Train | Belong. Here is what that means to me:

Run: Yes, we have awesome treadmills that are great to use during our cold, snowy, dark winter months. But I want us to be more than that. I want PRG to be a place to meet your friends to go for a run. I want PRG to be a place to go for a group run and then socialize with your community. I want PRG to be a place to come and do your speedwork with other members on the flat, fast Greenway behind the gym. Or warmup 2 miles to Calhoun and run a tempo run around the lake. Head over to Theo Wirth and run endless miles of trails. Use the FB members group to meet up with other runners with the same goals/pace. I am also in the process of putting together a trail race training group (with road options)  from the gym as well – stay tuned!

Train: My hope is to provide runners with a place to train for whatever it is that they hope to accomplish. Maybe that’s a first 5K. Maybe running 2 miles. Could be a marathon or a 100 mile race. Strength training is an important piece as well. I cannot overemphasize the importance of strength training to running performance and injury prevention. We should be strength training year round, with the exception of the 2 weeks heading into a race. Consistency is key when it comes to strength training. Unfortunately, we can’t just lift weights for a few weeks, stop strength training, and keep any muscle we gained. That is why it’s so important to develop good, consistent habits in the weight room. Even more important is the motivation to perform this training consistently. I’m certainly more motivated when I’m able to train with friends and other like-minded people in a place that inspires me to work hard. Find a workout partner to hold you accountable. These things will make a big difference in your progress and improvement.

Belong: This. This is why I created Performance Running. It is so important for me to offer a place where runners feel like they have a home. A place to get to know other runners and to hang out with friends. I encourage you to feel comfortable hanging out at the gym anytime. Before a run, after a run, or anytime you feel like it. We will be adding some patio furniture outside. Go for a run, cool down, grab a shower and hangout with your favorite post run beverage or snack. (Steel Toe Brewing happens to be a couple buildings away!). This is YOUR running clubhouse. We have free WiFi, so fire up your laptop if you need to! Just know this – you DO belong at Performance Running. Introduce yourself to someone you haven’t met the next time you’re here. We are all runners. Let’s get to know each other.

I also wanted to share a few things coming up at Performance Running. I am working on a few different seminars and speakers that will take place at the gym. These will involve nutrition, injury prevention, gait analysis, reflexive performance resets, and more. I’m planning to start a trail race training group (with road options), as mentioned above. Maybe you’ve already got a coach or a training plan? No problem, these training groups will allow you the opportunity to get in some of your speedwork or long runs with a training group. I’m working with Woodway to try out one of their awesome Wattbikes at the gym. More to come on that soon.

Now that the weather is nicer, stay tuned for fun upcoming member events: cookouts, fun races, movie nights, and outside boot camps.

Thanks for reading and for being a part of Performance Running! I am very thankful for all of you and I look forward to helping to build a strong running community.

Mark