Email to Running Store

I just sent an email to a running store asking about their Sunday morning beginning runners group. I told her my story and asked for more information. I am curious to see what she responds with. Here is the email:

Kim,

I found your name on Berkeley's website and figured I would shoot you an email. I'm not sure if you are still doing the Sunday morning beginners runs. I just wanted to tell you a little about myself.  I am a 29 year old transplant from the Twin Cities. I started running/jogging September 2010. It's been an incredibly slow process and I haven't reached the milestones I thought I would have by this point. I initially started running as part of a group of bloggers, mostly from the Twin Cities area, that were on the road of weight loss. After watching my younger sister compete in a sprint triathlon, I was determined to set my goals high and I signed up for the Iron Girl Duathlon the following year. My blogging group set a goal for themselves to run a 5k distance on Memorial Day weekend 2011. The night before that race, I was amazed to hear numerous worries about the race the following day. Having walk/jogged a few 5k races, I knew what to expect and I couldn't really understand what these friends were really that worried about. I finished that race in just under 40 minutes, about half way back in the pack. It was a small race of only 200 participants.

After completing the duathlon in September, I heard about the Twin Cities Marathon being run a week later.  I was encouraged by a fellow blogging friend to join her the following year for her first marathon. I really thought she was crazy. In January, I gave in and signed up for the marathon. I still wonder how I am going to be able to cross that finish line in October. I spent most of the winter months, what we really had of them, running on the treadmills at Golds Gym in Fitchburg and most of the last couple of weeks out hitting the pavement. I had a big eye opening experience when I ran the Shamrock Shuffle 10k two weeks ago. I ran that a lot slower than planned and finished in 1:20, waaay at the back of the main pack.

After talking to my sister, a twice Iron Man WI finisher, she recommended I find a group of people to run with. She said those long weekend runs get really boring if I have to run them alone. That was weeks ago and I still haven't found a group. My fear of being the slowest runner and holding people back has maybe kept me from doing so. On a whim tonight, I typed in running groups in Madison and the Berkeley page was one of the first pages listed. When it comes down to it, I am really looking for more information about your Sunday morning beginners group. I am currently using Hal Higdon's marathon training plan. I usually run a 12-13 minute pace.  I am hoping to run in a half marathon on May 6th in the Twin Cities and it scares me.

I realize that I've been typing for too long. Thank you for your time and I look forward to hearing more information on the Sunday morning group runs.

Thank you,
Amy


I hope to hear back from her in the next coming days. I think it would be great to have a group of people to do my distance running with.  I'll keep you update.