{"id":4366,"date":"2015-05-05T11:14:38","date_gmt":"2015-05-05T18:14:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=4366"},"modified":"2022-04-06T12:24:56","modified_gmt":"2022-04-06T19:24:56","slug":"challenge-join-an-rei-run-club","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/run\/challenge-join-an-rei-run-club","title":{"rendered":"Challenge: Join an REI Run Club"},"content":{"rendered":"

I joined REI more than three years ago to make a difference in the way people perceive exercise.<\/p>\n

\"REI<\/p>\n

It actually pains me to use the word \u201cexercise\u201d as it has gained a negative connotation over the years.\u00a0Exercise is not a \u201cchore\u201d to me, nor a \u201cworkout;\u201d it\u2019s an activity I do that bonds me closer with friends and Mother Nature, gives me strength emotionally and physically, and gives me peace to handle life\u2019s occasional obstacles.<\/p>\n

My happy place is trail\u00a0running, and I want to challenge you to make it yours as well.<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t know what my future held at REI, but knew I had to follow my heart and explore the possibilities.\u00a0Magical things happen when you take a leap of faith.\u00a0After three years on the retail floor I was asked to come onboard the REI Outdoor School<\/a> program to be one of the Run Club instructors.\u00a0(How did they know?)<\/p>\n

\"REI<\/p>\n

This was my opportunity to bring fun and enjoyment back into running.\u00a0I know the words \u201crunning\u201d and \u201cenjoyment\u201d haven\u2019t always been seen as words that go hand in hand.\u00a0But I was here to create change, and I was up for the challenge.\u00a0After all, taking the easy route is not exactly my style.\u00a0If there is a choice between a steeper trail and an easier route, we are taking the more challenging\u2014and empowering\u2014route.<\/p>\n

I knew exactly how I wanted to implement the Run Club.\u00a0I focused on three things:<\/h4>\n