Smokers looking to kick the habit can trade in their cigarettes for running shoes with the help of a ten-week program returning to downtown London next week.
The Walk or Run to Quit program kicks off for a third year at the Running Room on Richmond St. on Tuesday at 6:30pm. Through the program, participants learn to replace smoking with a healthier activity like walking or running a 5K. The idea for the program, which is run in partnership with the Canadian Cancer Society, came from research that points to physical activity curbing nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Program instructor Kathryn Vandecamp knows firsthand how exercise can be the catalyst needed to butt out for good. The 47-year-old was a smoker for over 30 years, who had tried to quit multiple times before finding the Walk or Run to Quit program.
"As a smoker, you are surrounded by people who are telling you 'you shouldn't do that', 'why don't you just quit' but those people don't really understand," said Vandecamp. "It is great to have support from people who have been in your shoes or are going through the exact same thing. It gives you a certain comfort level to know that you are not alone."
Vandercamp was one of 17 people who participated during the first year of the program. As of May, she will have been smoke-free for two years, has run two half-marathons, and leads the 5km training clinics at the Running Room.
"I have a daughter who has never liked that I smoked, so she was always on my mind to try to quit," said Vandecamp.
The program offers participants a step-by-step approach to running.
“Every week we take the distance a little further and folks are amazed at how little by little they smoke less and become more and more active,” said Vandecamp "Around the five-week mark we ask that you pick a quit date for smoking and then moving forward with that to successfully complete the ten-week program."
The coach-led program has expanded to 100 Running Rooms across the country this year. A virtual training option has also been added online to allow participants to easily fit the program into their schedule, no matter where they live. Virtual training begins on April 16.
Over half of those who participated in the program last year said they were still smoke-free six months later and continued to run an average of three times a week.
For more information about the program or to register visit www.runtoquit.com.
