From less stress to a boost in self esteem, being outside and being active benefits your brain as well as your body.
“And you might be surprised how great you feel afterwards,” says Shirley Hunt from Up and Running Guelph.
Hunt is the co-founder, executive director and a running mentor at the organization which delivers friendly and supportive running and walking programs for women looking to improve their mental well-being.
Programs are designed to promote the benefits of exercise in nature while making social connections, ultimately helping women manage their mental health.
Modelled and named after a similar program in the U.K., Up and Running Guelph was launched in the fall of 2016 due to the collaborative efforts of board members, coaches, mentors and various community partners.
Hunt and co-founder Jane Palmer finally found something that would help bring peace and connection into the lives of women locally, while also helping to improve their emotional and mental-well-being.
“The focus was on nature. I knew I wanted to share the benefits of nature and running so we got an advisory board together and very quickly, more and more people became involved with different areas of expertise,” Hunt said.
“In the U.K., there was one similar program I noticed in a small town where two women began it and that was my inspiration.”
An avid runner herself, Hunt discovered a significant amount of research connecting “green exercise” with improved mental health.
“There is so much research, especially in Europe. Walking or running outside has such a powerful impact. We wanted to do something for women that removed all barriers, to help them get outside and be active.”
Since the beginning, Up and Running has continued to grow and this year, over 180 participants are registered.
‘We have really grown in terms of our programming. We started out as a running group but now, we offer a variety of programs to suit individual needs and there is such fluidity with our participants,” Hunt says.
“It’s a community. We are not counsellors. The goal is to get outside and be active. But we also want to bring in the peer support and the social connection. It’s that combination that has such impact.”
The non-profit organization has a focus to build community and improve mental health with programs designed to feel like, “a walk with friends”.
Up and Running offers eight-week morning and evening sessions which include running, walking and moms with strollers/carriers walking programs.
Sessions cost $40 and run every spring, fall and winter.
“We have quite a few who keep coming back. Some runners or walkers move between two groups and some participants have never run before. We have participants come from all fitness levels,” Hunt said.
Monica Forget joined Up and Running in 2017 with an idea to start a walking program and today, she is a walking lead coach with the organization.
“Many women are intimidated by running. So, what a great option Monica was able to offer. We want everyone to be able to access this. Many who come to us are recommended from doctors and medical practitioners. People come with different experiences such as the loss of someone or the loss of a job, mild to moderate depression and anxiety. We want to be a complimentary tool to other health services as well,” Hunt said.
Studies continue to demonstrate the numerous health benefits of “green exercise” including elevated mood, improved self confidence, stress relief, and reduced anxiety.
“We were so lucky to have had a professor from the University of Guelph evaluate the impact of this. It was a two-year study and it was found that participants were less depressed, more confident and happier with their lives,” Hunt said.
“I felt so lucky to have her come to us and to hear that this is having positive outcomes. It really is working.”
Kelly Legge has been with the organization from the start and as a lead coach, she says it’s about empowering others though running and exercise.
Following an accident in 2007, Legge, herself was forced to revaluate all aspects of her life.
“Running was a way to come to terms with my injury and improve my quality of life. I always wanted to try running so I started with a 5 km run, then a 10 km and then a half marathon. I have now completed so many races,” Legge said.
“I think the biggest benefit for women running in our groups, is community. Sure, they are outside but it’s also the connections they make and feeling understood.”
Runs/walks take place along the trails at Royal City Park for approximately 40-60 minutes.
The running program is geared for beginners starting slowly with periods of walking and running, progressively running for longer periods over the 8 weeks.
“For many, this is something that they don’t expect and it’s out of their comfort zone and then when they complete it, they feel confident. They feel that they have achieved something,” Legge said.
“They keep coming back because they are over coming challenges and it’s amazing to see their self growth. I love knowing that I have helped empower them.”
Up and Running has over 54 volunteers dedicated to the cause this year.
“I’m blown away by our volunteers who show up every week and that includes lead coaches and mentors. They are there in the rain, snow and storms. Sometimes we can have up to four mentors per group. Their role is to walk and run with participants. No one is left behind,” Hunt says.
Up and Running continues to make strides within the community and Hunt says that with getting bigger, they hope to reach out to other populations and perhaps begin a men’s group in the future.
“We are not intimidating, and we are so inclusive. This is what we hear the most. We hear lots of stories and we are so thankful because the impact is so huge. It can be so difficult to get outside when you are having a hard time. That’s why we try to make it as inclusive as possible and for women in all fitness levels,” Hunt said.
“We want to help, to be that first step to bringing outdoor exercise into your life.”
