I Thought I Was Building a Running Group. I Was Wrong.

When I launched Wild Kindness Legends, I thought I was creating a trail running group for people aged 50 and over.

A place where people could improve their running, discover new trails and enjoy being outdoors.

What I didn't realise was that it would become something much bigger.

Over the last few months, we've explored forests, climbed hills, balanced on fallen logs, learnt to move more confidently over roots and uneven ground, and recently introduced agility ladders and hurdle drills to improve mobility and coordination.

On paper, it looks like a running group.

In reality, it isn't.

It's become a place where people encourage one another, laugh together and discover they are capable of far more than they ever believed.

One of the biggest lessons I've learnt as a coach is that very few people come because they want to become the fastest runner.

Most people simply want to feel comfortable.

Comfortable trying something new.

Comfortable making mistakes.

Comfortable asking questions.

Comfortable being themselves.

When people feel that, confidence grows naturally.

I've seen ladies who once doubted whether they could even run a trail now confidently tackling woodland paths, balancing across logs and looking forward to every Wednesday morning.

The feedback I've received recently has genuinely stopped me in my tracks.

"It's becoming the highlight of my week."

"You genuinely believe in us and that makes all the difference."

"Best group ever."

As a coach, those comments mean far more than hearing someone has run a faster 5K.

Because they're not really talking about running.

They're talking about how the group makes them feel.

That's reminded me of something I never want Wild Kindness to lose.

The trails matter.

Learning new skills matters.

Becoming stronger matters.

But people will always come first.

Whether we're practising balance on a fallen tree, improving foot placement with agility ladders or simply walking the steeper climbs while chatting, every session has the same aim:

To help people move with more confidence outdoors.

Running has become the vehicle.

Confidence is the destination.

Looking ahead, I have lots of ideas for Wild Kindness.

More trail skills.

More workshops.

Strength and movement sessions.

Night adventures.

New woodland routes.

But whatever Wild Kindness grows into over the coming years, I hope one thing never changes.

I want it to remain a place where people feel welcome from the moment they arrive.

Where nobody worries about being too slow.

Where laughter is just as important as the miles covered.

Where every person leaves feeling just a little stronger, a little more confident and already looking forward to next week.

Because I've realised something.

I wasn't building a running group.

I was building a community.

And I couldn't be prouder of where that journey is taking us.

 

Carl
Founder, Wild Kindness