Getting in shape or staying physically fit can be an unwelcome grind when you go it alone. A core group of individuals, including André Stevens, decided to run together, to make it supportive and fun. That is how We Run the Lou began in 2016.
Stevens said each person had their own reason for choosing this path for health and wellness. Some are survivors of serious illness, some are running to increase their cardiac health and avoid risk of illness, while others are distance runners. For Stevens, he was a sprinter in high school and running naturally carried through to his adult years. More importantly, he simply wants to maintain his personal fitness.
“In that work-life balance, I am working a lot and I needed to make sure I didn’t neglect my physical body and neglect myself,” Stevens said, “so I started to get out and start running.”
We Run the Lou members meet most Saturday mornings and run together at their own pace and ability, either in Forest Park or downtown on the Gateway Arch grounds or at Kiener Plaza. “We also run the Lou in neighborhoods,” Stevens said, “from North City to South City, just to show a presence of our organization. We run as a group, but everyone’s level is different, so some people can run 20 miles, other people may run two miles, but the point is to encourage one another.”
Although he was a runner, being part of the group has brought him new experiences.
“Before the running group, I had never ran a half-marathon – never had a desire,” Stevens said. “Since then, I’ve ran three half-marathons, a ton of 5Ks, several 10Ks. It has helped me just to run longer and to do things that I’ve never done before.”
Running is good for the heart, joints, legs, core and muscles. It burns calories, increases energy and relieves stress. Plus, it is inexpensive and quite effective for overall conditioning. A study reported in 2014 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology concluded there were consistent longevity benefits by running for leisure, and even running five to 10 minutes a day lengthened one’s life.
“We kind of bring that run-cardio to the table to say, ‘you can do this, and it can be fun and you can be with people and possibly socialize after,’” Steven said. “We make it an event.” He said connecting with people from different walks of life through the running group builds camaraderie and helps people become engaged and motivated.
Before beginning a new fitness program, however, you should always check with your doctor. When starting a running or jogging program, experts advise investing in a good pair of supportive running shoes; a high-impact sports bra for women; dressing weather-appropriate; be well-hydrated with non-alcohol fluid intake (six to eight glasses of water daily); and to eat a snack 30 minutes before you run. Just as you would if you were using a treadmill after a major hiatus, start off by taking it slow – walking, then running a few seconds of each minute in intervals, gradually increasing your total running time. Wearing yourself out by trying to make up for lost time of inactivity only increases the risk of injury.
“So if you’re just out for your first run and you just want to run two miles, that’s fine,” Steven said. “We will have somebody that will probably run that two miles with you, whereas other people who have been running for years, they may run five or six miles. We just encourage people to get out and run and just kind of have that unity. I don’t have to do this alone – it’s with a team of people.”
Stevens said you too can “run the Lou,” as the group is accepting additional members. It does not cost anything to join, although you do have to sign a waiver, which is posted on the group’s website, https://www.werunthelou.com. On June 9, the group will run in the 2018 annual Komen Greater St. Louis Race for the Cure (https://bit.ly/2KPcaYi).
