CBR Valkyrie Run Club is helping women feel safer while running
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It was around this time last year when my fears around my personal safety reached fever pitch.
You may recall (how could any of us forget) the reports of women being assaulted on running tracks. I was outraged and furious and devastated for the women who were assaulted.
And it hit especially close to home because they were tracks in my community that I use, at a time of day when I would go for a run.
And then, one Friday while out with my three-year-old son, we were violated by a man. I won’t go into details, but it was the kind of incident that had me picking up my son, bolting to the car and calling the police.
I was rattled. So imagine my fear when later that very afternoon, a different man would barrel through our colourbond fence into our yard, naked from the waist down, threatening to kill us.
I was shocked and scared, but above all, I was angry.
Angry that I felt unsafe in my community.
Angry that even when I found the time and energy to go out for a run (no easy feat these days), I was distracted and afraid. How can you focus on your pace or breathing when you’re quite literally fearing for your life?
It was that feeling that sparked an idea for a women’s run club. And while I wasn’t quite ready to launch it then, I am now.
CBR Valkyrie Run Club is a group for Canberra women of all running abilities. It’s a group where you can feel safe and supported in the company of other women.
As a nutritionist who works with women, I know how big the barrier to running can feel. There’s the feeling of self-consciousness, unease, and concern for safety. Then there’s the logistics: scheduling, organising care for kids, deciding what to eat and wear and where to run… it’s a lot on top of an already big mental load.
So my hope is that this will take some of the pressure off. It’ll be a social run at a comfortable pace on a set route.
We’re starting off with a run at 6.30 pm on Thursday nights, meeting at the flags at Lake Burley Griffin. We’ll run the 5km Bridge to Bridge route before meeting back at the flags.
Why the name CBR Valkyrie Run Club? I’m a huge fan of fantasy fiction. Yes I love the magic, romance and smut; but it’s the strong female lead that I find the most appealing. So often these stories begin with a woman feeling powerless and reclaiming that power through strength, bravery and the support of other women.
And what’s more powerful than a group of Valkyries running together?
It’s my first run club, so I’d love for you to help me shape it into something amazing. Advice is welcome and feedback is encouraged.
Let’s create something safe, fun and a little bit badass.
To find out more about it, join the Instagram group chat here: ig.me/j/AbaVn3NX9haERNxw
