Saturday Long Run Thoughts: Get Recruited to the WAR Effort

Saturday' blog will not be dedicated to a specific topic but instead be a free for all on topics that cross my mind during my long runs which are usually on Saturdays. Today's topic will be on joining the WAR effort as we have begun to affectionately call it! And no I'm not talking about getting drafted or going to an actual war. I'm talking about the WAR effort regarding building the organization of WAR. This all started with the initial idea of building a youth running team in the Whittier area a few months back to fill a gap in this community for such a team. The response we go was overwhelming to say the least! With very little advertising we had 15 parents sitting at Marie Calendars excited about helping bringing this to reality. From those discussion the name of Whittier Area Running or WAR was born. A few weeks later and thinking during another long run I began to think of other gaps that need to be filled in this are related to running. Quickly almost without blinking it was that many kids run very successfully in this area in high school then go off to college to continued success but when they return there is no support and nothing to help them continue running at a competitive level. Some have potential to make the Olympic trials and beyond but never see it realized due to a lack of resources and opportunities in this area. even if adults aren't looking at running in the Olympics many still want to train at a world class level and see how fast they can go for their own gratification. So from this thought and many discussion the WAR Elite Racing team was born and added as another facet of the WAR organization right next to the Warriors Track Club for the youth. Then just about a week ago as the WAR movement has grow in popularity mostly through this blog and the website we have been getting a ton of request for a running club where all runners of all ages and all abilities can share in the joy and fun of running as a club. Not just to run together but to socialize and make exercise an enjoyable and accessible experience for all! So with more conversations with more area runners we are now launching WAR Running Club (yes I know it has running twice in the name but WAR Club just seemed weird). So now we have this umbrella organization of WAR that contains the following 3 branches:

• Warriors Youth Track Club (9-13 year old XC and Track program to build the skill and joy of young athletes)
• WAR Running Club (Fun social local running club for all runners of any age and ability)
• WAR Elite Racing (post collegiate runners that want personalized training from an elite program)

What we now need is YOU!!! I have this strange image of Uncle SAM wearing a headband and a racing singlet saying this! But the truth is we do need you to make this a success! We are truly looking and calling on all runners from all walks of life to join the WAR effort in any of those 3 areas! You will be supported with expert advise, life long friends, uniforms, sweatshirts, canopies, shoe discounts and a level of organization yet to be seen in the running community! If you are full of energy and want to help lead the growth of WAR then get in on the ground floor and help us organize the runs and be a leader in our WAR efforts. Reach out to be at colombianclimber@gmail.com or fill out of contact us form to reach out! We have even been asked about opening a chapter of WAR outside of the Whittier area. So if you are interested in the same let us know. We will be posting practice days and times very soon for all 3 sections. Check out our links above to get more WAR info and join the WAR movement! I look forward to GOING TO WAR WITH YOU!

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