A Typical Morning at RunningWorks: What to Expect When You Volunteer
Runner Preparation & Recruitment
9:45-10:10am
We meet in the Depot Building on the right side of the Urban Ministry Center property. You may have to knock on the double blue doors to the old train building because they are always locked; however, someone is most likely in there. Sometimes, we prop the door open with a rock. Come on in! Please do not bring your valuables into the Center, and be certain to keep your phone and keys on your person at all times.
Prior to each RunningWorks session, we walk around the grounds and main waiting room of the UMC and try to recruit new runners from the Neighbors who are hanging around that day. In addition, we make an announcement over the loud speaker from the Front Desk notifying everyone that our program will indeed be taking place as usual that day. We have many regulars, and this is how we found them; so, this is an important part of the process and a great thing for a new volunteer to do.
The “regulars” know where to meet and already have their equipment (shoes, t-shirt, socks and shorts). At this point, they are already sitting there waiting or assisting new people with the equipment. We usually ask the Neighbors to get the bins of shoes (two bins of shoes: one male, one female) and clothes (one large bin of clothes) out of the office to give them a sense of ownership of their program. By being responsible for taking care of the equipment, folding and washing the clothes, putting the bins away and helping with dispersal of shorts, shirts, etc., the Neighbors are more likely to return because it is THEIR program. If you are unsure what to do, ask them. They can help you and will love it!
The “newbies” will come over from the main part of the UMC or from hanging around outside on the benches, and usually need everything we offer: RunningWorks tech t-shirt (they can keep this), shorts, socks, and shoes. If it does not look like we have the proper size shoes for someone, ask one of the program founders. Sometimes, the most in-demand sizes are hidden because they seem to disappear quickly.
Make certain that once you give the clothes and shoes to your Neighbor, he or she changes clothes inside the Depot Building and stays for the run! A Neighbor is not allowed to take the equipment and “go check their laundry” or “be right back” because the stuff will disappear and so will they. In order to receive equipment, he or she MUST run that day. In order to keep equipment, he or she MUST return at least four times. We can hold those specific items aside in a cubbie for the person for the next run—until he earns them. If you have trouble playing “Bad Cop” and need one of us to do it, no problem. Just ask! In the long run, the Neighbors respect you more if you do not let them take advantage of you.
Warm-up & Run/ Walk Route
*Note: Please be careful at traffic lights—especially ones closest to Center
10:15-11:00am
In the parking lot between the two buildings at the UMC, we execute some runner’s stretches and discuss who will be walking versus running for that day, plus determine how many groups we can have based on the number of volunteers. Here is how a typical day might look if we had four volunteers:
Group 1
Tempo Run (all running—quick pace) +/- 5 miles
Run straight down N. College from UMC to Morehead
Left on Morehead
Left on S. McDowell
Left on 3rd Street
Right on N. Caldwell
Left on E. Trade towards Time Warner Arena
Cross E. Trade at bus station and go up “Rocky” steps at Arena
Follow path along tram tracks/ parking garages until E. 5th Street
Left on E. 5th Street
Right on N. College
**Look for RunningWorks teammates to encourage here.
Follow N. College back to the UMC for hero’s welcome!
Group 2
Jog (all running—medium pace) +/- 4 miles
Run straight down N. College from UMC to Stonewall
Left on Stonewall (just past Convention Center)
Pass Nascar building and go one more light to S. Davidson
Left on S. Davidson
Left on E. Trade towards Time Warner Arena
Cross E. Trade at bus station and go up “Rocky” steps at Arena
Follow path along tram tracks/ parking garages until E. 5th Street
Left on E. 5th Street
Right on N. College
**Look for RunningWorks teammates to encourage here.
Follow N. College back to the UMC for hero’s welcome!
Group 3
Walk/ Run (running/ regroup at stoplights/ walk) +/- 3 miles
Run straight down N. College from UMC to Stonewall
Left on Stonewall (just past Convention Center)
Left at Nascar building on S. Caldwell
Left on E. Trade towards Time Warner Arena
Cross E. Trade at bus station and go up “Rocky” steps at Arena
Follow path along tram tracks/ parking garages until E. 5th Street
Left on E. 5th Street
Right on N. College
**Look for RunningWorks teammates to encourage here.
Follow N. College back to the UMC for hero’s welcome!
Group 4
Walking Group (easy walk / stick together) +/- 2 miles
Walk straight down N. College from UMC
Turn around after 25 minutes
Walk back the same direction in order to see teammates returning
OR
Walk straight down N. College from UMC
Left on E. Trade and pass in front of Time Warner Arena
Pass Arena and turn left on N. Caldwell or N. Davidson
Left on E. 5th Street
Right on N. College
**Look for RunningWorks teammates to encourage here.
Follow N. College back to the UMC for hero’s welcome!
On various Fridays, we take the van to Freedom Park or the Greenway and do our split group runs + discussion time in a different environment.
PRINTABLE VOLUNTEER PAGE with map to UMC
Group Discussion + Refreshment
11:00-11:20am
Our round-group discussions focus on themes such as relentless forward progress, the Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, discipline, teamwork, self-respect, respect for others, goal setting, interview skills, showing up, and dealing with setbacks—among others. On Fridays, we go around a circle and voice our biggest challenge of the week, or whether something particularly good has happened. Everyone needs a chance to be heard, and we try very hard not to speak AT our runners. If you volunteer with us, give whomever you are running or walking with a chance to tell their story. It is amazing what the Neighbors have to share, and you will find that we are not so different after all.
RunningWorks © 2012