Riverside Road Runners
You are never too old or out of shape to realize your dream of a healthier lifestyle!
The Riverside Road Runners is a running, walking and fitness club. We are a yearlong club that meets on Sunday mornings at 6:30 am at Arlington Heights Sports Park in Riverside for informative talks, announcements and warm-ups, and then off to run or walk. The Riverside Road Runners are a 501(3)(C) nonprofit organized under Road Runners Club of America (RRCA). We are here to support you in accomplishing your dreams.
The primary purpose of this club is to take people from the community of all levels of experience and together train to complete a marathon. If a marathon or half marathon, 10K or 5K is not on “your bucket list” we still encourage you to come out and enjoy the camaraderie, healthy lifestyle, fun and support of the Riverside Road Runners Club.
Our Annual Training Calendar starts first Sunday of August. The Training Calendar is designed to be ready for a Half Marathon at Citrus Heritage Run (every January) and Full Marathon at OC Marathon in May. We also have our runners come together, to train for various other races.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Pace Groups
The Riverside Road Runners Pace Groups promises to provide fun and excitement for walkers/runners, first time, and experienced marathoners looking to reach their goals – whether that’s maintaining fitness, a personal best, or just getting across the finish line. Below are the answers to a few common questions about the pace groups.
The pace groups are designed for an athlete just like you. Whether it is for fitness, your first marathon or you’ve done several marathons, the benefits of running with a pace group will help you have a more successful experience. Right from training through the race and up to the finish you’ll have someone who’s focus is on you, making sure that you’re not going out too fast or walking/running sporadically. If the pace feels too slow in the beginning it is normal. Just stay with the group and ask the pace leader about an appropriate strategy. If the pace is too fast, slow down. If you become ill or injured stop off at the water station. The fitness and marathon training is a challenge. If you manage your training smartly then you’ll survive to walk/run another day and even a marathon.
While the pace leaders strive to maintain an exact per-mile average pace, the first 1 or 2 miles may be a bit slower. Don’t worry – these experienced pace leaders many of them marathoners will do their job to keep you on pace!
Successful group leaders focus on the group’s work out, not their own. They circulate like den mothers, talking to everyone in the group and finding out how people are doing, if they have soreness, if the pace is too fast, etc. The Pace leaders responsibility is to stay in touch with group members. Ask each person to say a few words about why they are interested in the group. This will help people to recognized shared interests and connections.
- Talk with each person each week.
- Take attendance at each training session.
- Emphasize the importance of “homework” during the week.
- Follow up by calling or email group members who don’t show up.
- Make sure that the slowest member is comfortable.
- If someone needs to move to another group, (faster or slower), encourage them to do so.
Successful leaders dictate the attitude of the group. The primary focus of the group work out should be to have fun. They keep the attitude positive. They are flexible. They are playful and make the group’s time together fun.
Successful leaders make their knowledge available to the people in their group. They start slow, take walk or shuffle breaks and come back to the end member without projecting an attitude that will make the front or back person feel bad. They explain the elements of the program and why they are important. Training groups want to know about things that leaders take for granted about form, going up hills, race strategy, clothing, etc.
Pace leaders set the stage for you to reach goals, address any problems that may arise, and have fun. You are encouraged to share success stories and focus on positive changes. We want to recognize members who have improved their health by walking/running or reached their personal goals.
All of our pacers have many years of running experience competing in several marathons throughout the country. They were chosen for their skills which include actual marathon experience, great leadership, ability to motivate, encourage, and MOST IMPORTANTLY are committed to being there for you every step of the way.
Pace Groups range from 8 -15 minute per mile pace. The Fitness Group is dedicated to inspire people all over the county to begin walking regularly to improve their health. Our goal is to walk from 1 to 5 miles each week we walk a short distance stretch and wait for the group to gather again and off for more walking fun.
No you don’t. However, if you feel great at the start of training during the shorter distances that’s normal and you should stay with the group maybe run ahead and walk back to meet the group or stretch at the end of the street until the rest of the group catches up. Once we start training at the longer miles see how you feel. If you’re not having a great day then slow down, take some walking breaks. Then you can consult with the pace leader on an appropriate strategy.
- Eat and drink to replenish your exhausted body.
- It’s important to stretch it will help to reduce injury, increase blood circulation and flexibility. Stretching will take very little time from your day and in return will keep your muscles healthy!
- Pamper yourself with a pedicure or massage.
- Taking a nap can always be refreshing considering how early we train.