It’s a well known fact that teachers have many time consuming responsibilities, such as grading, lesson planning, tutoring and, most importantly teaching students. Despite this, some teachers still find time in their day to maintain both their physical and mental conditions.
At Pleasant Valley High School, there is a teacher running club where teachers meet later after school to run together. This club allows teachers to run together at varying paces in a stress-free environment, ultimately helping teachers maintain their physical condition as well as socialize with one another.
The PV Teacher Running Club started in June of 2024, when teachers who had run in the Belmont mile that year decided to create a running club open to all teachers. Running together allowed teachers to walk or run alongside other teachers. “It’s cool that they’re getting active and socializing while they’re exercising. As a member of the cross country team, running is much easier when you do it with friends,” said senior Cooper Bries.
The club meets every Tuesday, and occasionally on Wednesdays and Thursdays. With all the stresses that go with being a teacher, the running club serves as a stress reliever. It lets teachers connect and become friends with other teachers they normally wouldn’t talk to.
“While we are a running club, there are many benefits to being a member of the group. I have gotten to know other teachers in the building that I may not have gotten to know otherwise. The running club is a very social group and it is fun to chat and catch up while we run,” said Sara Russell.
The PV teacher running club doesn’t run aimlessly, some of the teachers run in preparation for the community races. “Early on last fall we decided that we would train for the QC Running Festival Half Marathon in May as a club. Many of us also signed up for the Belmont Mile this past June too. When one of us signs up for a race, we always invite others to sign up too,” said Russell.
More and more teachers are joining the club as the benefits of physical and social activity become evident. The club has now grown substantially as more and more teachers join. There are now more than 12 teachers at PV who are part of the running club. The club serves as an inspiration to other teachers at PV and at other schools.
Running and exercising do not have to be activities to dread or dismiss; they can be opportunities for personal growth in the community. “This fall we have welcomed a couple new members and many of us run two to three times a week together when we can after school. Everyone is welcome at the running club, even those that are new to running or avid walkers,” said Russell.
