Women Run Arkansas’ free 10-week walking and running clinics begin across the state this week, but some of this year’s 60 training-fora-5K groups have already gathered participants for pep talks.

And meanwhile (after ActiveStyle published clinic coordinator Linda Starr’s master list of the training locations Feb. 24), volunteer leaders stepped forward with new clinics in Quitman and Perryville. And Bella Vista now has 20 separate groups.

The clinics are a grassroots effort by women who walk or run for fitness to help other women (and in a few places, men as well) get into the habit. The program begins with short-distance group workouts in city parks and at school tracks but builds up progressively so that, by May, participants can cover 3.1 miles - a 5K - without undue discomfort.

Participants are expected to train a third day on their own. They are encouraged (but not required) to register for the Women Can Run/ Walk 5K on May 10 in Conway, which costs $25.

In many clinics, walkers outnumber runners; and not every clinic has leaders for all the skill levels that Starr provides training schedules for: beginning, intermediate and advanced walkers and runners. Locations and directors’ contacts are online at womenrunarkansas.net, and participants are urged to register there if they can.

But it is possible to sign up in person.

MEET THE LEADERS

Leaders of Little Rock’s two training groups invited their participants to a public meeting Feb. 24 at St. Luke United Methodist Church.

It was standing room only in the fellowship hall as Katie McManners, in a colorful tutu, joined Tori Green and Jeanne Puelma in handing out door prizes, introducing some of their volunteer coaches and soliciting stories from past participants.

The flock of coaches includes Lisa Kirk and Lisa Perk, Jennifer Owens,Christy Garrett, Tammy Medlock, Barbara Sugg, Coreen Frasier, Sharon Holman and Sharon Morgan, Susan Miller Jones, Jennifer Lee, Meshunda Myles, Stephanie Richardson, Jen Shuler, Angela Ellis, Nancy Gambill, Debra Michelle Jones, Marliese Kerr, Sandra Mims, Deborah Poirot, Deanna Ray, Georgia Abner, Sheri Dunn, Lisa Luyet, Mindy Simonson, Laura Brown, Kay Clark, Lorraine Maxwell and Yana Scott.

The information provided was not restricted to clinic logistics. As Perk later noted on the group’s Facebook page, they also learned that vinegar reduces static cling in technical-fabric workout clothes, so wearers are less likely to show up for training with socks hitching rides on their fannies.

Past participants spoke about difficulties they overcame to attend sessions. Several admitted to struggles with weight. Puelma and McManners urged the crowd to be realistic about the challenges of committing to a three-month program.

Then they led a call-and-response recitation of unfavorable weather conditions that would not prevent them from walking or running. Rain? No. Snow? No. Cold? No. Ice? Yes.

McManners and Green’s clinic will exercise (outdoors) at 6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays - beginning today - at J.A. Fair High School, and Puelma’s group will meet at the same times at War Memorial Stadium.

More information is at facebook.com/Women-RunArkansasLittleRockClinic and facebook.com/Woman-RunArkansasHillcrest.

PERRYVILLE

Elizabeth McGrew will lead a clinic at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at Perryville High School. The first session will begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, so women without computers can register in person.

“Hopefully a lot of them will register online and then we’ll try to get registration done and be walking by 6,” McGrew says.

She has not led a clinic before.

“No. Never have even been to a clinic,” she says, “but my aunt is involved with the one in Russellville.”

Her aunt, Ocie Dorris, was so excited about walking and running in a big group of women that “I just got to thinking,” McGrew says. “And then I saw last week there was one in Morrilton, and I was like ‘Man, I wish we had one in Perryville.’”

On impulse, she called Starr, and now “I’m just trying to get it all together.”

Potential helpers and participants can call her at (501) 215-6350 or email elizabeth. [email protected].

QUITMAN

Sandi Hawkins will lead Quitman’s group on the walking track near the Renegar Apartments at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

“I have participated in two clinics, but I have never been a part of helping direct it,” she says, explaining thatshe had signed up for the clinic in Greenbrier but “got to talking” with some friends who had signed up for the one in Heber Springs. “We got our heads together and decided to do one for Quitman.”

Potential participants can contact her at (479) 462-8275 or by email at [email protected].

BELLA VISTA

Bella Vista’s co-leaders Dani Maloy and Carol Johnson say that thanks to volunteers who have agreed to meet at various times in eight places, the Northwest Arkansas city will have 20 Women Can Run/Walk clinics. Two are for runners, but all the rest are for beginning, advanced or health-challenged walkers.

By Thursday, Bella Vista’s list of helpers included Donna Hilton, Carol Johnson. Kristen Foshee, Sennet Oliver, Cele Heinen, Clem Morgan, Elaine Crain, Jean Olson, Donna Williams, Peggie Taylor, Doreen Williams, Tracey Lynn Cox, Jackie Charles, Marion Caho, Hollie Barnes, Debbie Lam, Carol Bobek, Pat Golden and Tony LiCausi.

Maloy can be reached at [email protected] or (479) 876-1824.

ActiveStyle, Pages 29 on 03/03/2014