Author: pagodapacers

Pathfinders Fall Session: 2025

Provided by the Pagoda Pacers for new and beginning runners

Purpose of the Pathfinders program:

This past June, the Pathfinders program turned one! The program continues to grow and evolve. An essential part of the Pagoda Pacers’ mission is to “promote physical fitness and wellness,” and that is what the Pathfinders program strives to do.

Goals of the Pathfinders program:

This free program provides a community that helps eliminate the economic barrier to improving health and wellness. Participants have the opportunity to learn more about fitness and wellness while engaging with others in an environment that fosters their identity, feelings of capability, and motivation. Benefits of the program include:

·       Weekly group runs.

·       The opportunity to join our private Strava and/or Facebook groups for inspiration, additional information, accountability, additional support, celebrating progress and daily wins, sharing questions, and more.

·       The opportunity/option to join us at the Shiver by the River 5K on December 14. Program participants can pay to participate in the race, or join us and cheer fellow runners on.

·       Fun activities integrated into the eight week session, such as adding an inspirational song to our group’s playlist, bringing a healthy snack to share at a group meetup, and painting a kindness rock to “hide” at a run.

·       Informational emails that will help benefit and foster participants’ fitness and wellness, including topics such as static stretching/dynamic warm-ups, recovery, types of workouts, etc.

·       Meeting our participants’ training needs at their current individual ability level and building on it, working towards the goals they set for themselves.

What some previous participants have to say about their experience in this program:

“Something I loved about the Pathfinders is that the program is meant to meet you where you are. As someone who uses run/walk intervals, I have struggled to join group runs and fun runs because I always feel like I am holding someone back because they choose to detour from their preferred pace to match mine. This is NOT the vibe of the Pathfinders program. If someone is a runner, including someone who is SLOW like myself, but wants to feel welcomed and included, the Pathfinders is a great group to run with.” (Rachel)

“I feel like the program was useful and personalized to each person. It also helped get me outside and running by holding me accountable. Running at my own pace instead of trying to keep up with a big group when just starting out made it less stressful.” (Jaden)

Information on our Fall Season:

When – Sundays, from October 19 – December 7 from 10:00 – 11:00 am, with option to participate at the Shiver by the River race on December 14

Where – Jim Dietrich Park, at 4899 Stoudts Ferry Bridge Rd, Reading, PA 19605.

Cost – free for participants, but there is a registration fee for those who choose to run the race.

What to expect – the first half hour of our sessions will begin with a “walk and talk”, where we will talk about how training is going, goals, etc., and catch up with each other in general (socialize). This is followed by an optional slow jog or run/walk intervals, depending on what the group is up for on that day. I am hoping to have drinks and snacks available afterwards.

*There is a “no drop” policy – no one gets left behind, because we all stick together. If the group is large enough, we may be able to break into two groups for the second half hour.

There is a limit of 15 participants per season. A wait list will be created if needed. Our next season will be in the spring.

Program facilitator and qualifications:

Hi! My name is Andi, and I am a member of the Pagoda Pacers. This October will be my ten year “runnerversary”, and I also start my senior year at the University of Arizona’s global campus. My major is Applied Behavioral Science, with emphases on health & wellness, as well as public health. I have my USATF Level One Coaching certification (earned back in February this year), and am also studying for my Health Coach certification. My son started running for school in junior high, and is now a collegiate runner (cross-country and track). He is also starting his senior year in college this fall.

For more information, questions or concerns:

Please see https://www.pagodapacers.com/Group-Runs/Pagoda-Pathfinders.aspx for more information, or email Andi at pagodapathfinders@gmail.com.