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Sports Backers Blog

Q&A with Kim Atkinson, 8k Training Team Coach at Cool Springs Baptist Church

 

Kim Atkinson begins her second year as an 8k Training Team coach at Cool Springs Baptist Church in the Atlee area. The 8k Training Team is an eight-week program preparing walkers and runners alike for the HCA Virginia 8k on November 10. Group training sessions kick off on September 15 at six locations around Richmond. More information about the program can be found at www.richmondmarathon.org.

By: Nan Turner


Q: How many years have you coached?

A: Last year was my first year and this will be my second.

Q: How did that first year go?

A: It was a really good time. I didn’t think I’d get as much out of it as I did, but seeing people who came out and couldn’t run a mile discover they could run five miles after eight weeks was really incredible. So, when the Sports Backers asked me to come back, I had no hesitation.

Q: What’s your favorite part of coaching?

A: Being able to meet all of the new people and have them come to us and say, “You changed my whole life and my whole way of living.” They didn’t just keep it up for the HCA Virginia 8k, they changed their lifestyle. I’ve seen people afterwards and they tell me how they kept running and they lost weight, they feel better, and their kids admire them.

Q: Why do you think the 8k Training Team is important?

A: The 8k is not like the half marathon where you have to go in as a runner. It’s doable for people who have never run or never worked out. For them to be able to do five miles in eight weeks is a big accomplishment.

Q: What’s the best thing about running in Cool Springs?

A: We don’t have a whole lot of areas to run in Mechanicsville; it’s not very runner friendly. Mainly we’re running through neighborhoods, which is nice because some of the people on the training team live there and then know routes to run. They are able to say, “I did this on Saturday, and I can do it again this week.”

Q: What advice would you give to first-time runners and those that might be considering signing up for the 8k Training Team?

A: Stick with it. It can feel like you’re very defeated if you’ve never done two miles and you feel like you’re going to die. It’s very easy to say, “I can’t do this.” People that go halfway and say, “Well I ran Saturday, but I’m not going to train throughout the week,” don’t see as much from it or get as much out of it. If you don’t join a group you don’t meet that support group.

Q: Where are some good areas for people to run around Mechanicsville?

A: The Lee Davis area has some newer neighborhoods that connect to the older ones that are good to run in. Around the Atlee area; there’s a big loop around Atlee, Chickahominy and Cool Springs. The new Rutland area is a good place too.

Q: What’s the most inspiring thing you’ve seen as a coach?

A: I ran with a woman during a race. She had a certain time in mind and I ran with her to help her keep pace and keep time without having to use a watch herself. She finished a full minute under her goal time and she was ecstatic. She was almost in tears at the end. The 8k is so different. People go to training that are new to running and walking. To see them going from point A to point B is an accomplishment for me as well.

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