I took over the marathon coaching position at Worldgate Sport and Health in the summer of 2000, and held it until I left the corporate gym world to start my own personal training business in the fall of 2006.
When I left, Worldgate had no coach to replace my position, so I offered to allow any of the runners that were interested to continue to run with me – for free. I promised an organized Saturday morning group run, and the occasional social activity, and nothing else. No training schedules. No Tuesday evening track workouts. No race related seminars. Just organized group runs, and a lot of fun. Basically, I volunteered to be the team mom.
About half of my Worldgate runners decided to join me and be part of that low keyed running group. After a month or so, Jerome, one of our runners, decided we needed a name, and fondly named us the Casola Cruisers.
Over the years we have shortened our name to The Cruisers, and as they say, “The rest is history.” We train together, run races together, and meet for the occasional post-run breakfast. We celebrate “big” birthdays, marriages, births of babies, and sending children off to collee. We are there for each other for job layoffs, deaths of parents, and whatever obstacles life might throw our way. We join forces with Miles’ Run each June for a pancake run and we have an annual Christmas party. The Cruisers are truly some of my very best friends!
September 2009 – W&OD Trail Training Run
October 2009 – Marine Corps Marathon
September 2010 – W&OD Trial Training Run
Octboer 30, 2011 – 5th Anniversary Running Party
October 2011 – Celebrating Five Years
June 2013 – National Running Day
January 2013 – W&OD Trail Training Run
June 2014 – National Running Day
September 2014 – “Cruisers Rockin’ The Relay” Ragnar Team
While most of us have been together for 15 years, we have recruited other runners along the running trail. Cruisers invite their friends to join us, some of those friends stay and others move on. It’s not an exclusive group, and we welcome new runners with open arms. We only ask that you love running, love to talk while running, and don’t mind stopping for the occasional photo!
- Questions:
- Are you part of a running group?
- Do you belong to a gym?
- Did you race this weekend?
I love this post. 🙂
Thanks, Kim! I love having you as part of the Cruisers team!
I would love to run with your Cruisers one day! What a great group of friends 🙂
Courtney @ Eat Pray Run DC recently posted…Weirdest Winter Ever
Courtney, you are welcome to join us any time you want. Better yet, I’ll let you know when the Cruisers are heading to Bethesda to meet the Miles Run group for a run down Rock Creek Park into DC!
i always love hearing about peoples’ local running communities. they never cease to be incredible groups of people that run together through the highs and lows of life. love it.
kristin | W [H] A T C H recently posted…TRAVEL TIP: SIP SELECTIVELY
I’m very lucky to be a part of two amazing running groups. On Wednesday, I’ll talk about my MRTT friends.
I’m so glad I’m a Cruiser! 🙂
Becky recently posted…Howdy!
We love having you on our team, Becky!
I am part of a very loose group — they usually run on Saturdays a little bit west of my house, but I’m always glad to catch up with them when it’s not too geographically challenging. We’ll all be in DC for the St. Pat’s run on Saturday. It’s wonderful to have a group to hang out with.
Anne recently posted…It’s About the Running, People.
And don’t forget that you’re an honorary member of the Cruisers, and welcome to join us anytime you want!
I am a member of a running club that does absolutely nothing. They are good at timing races, however. I have friends that I run the local races with, and that is always the best part! But sadly, no group runs. Your group looks like awesome fun.
HoHo Runs recently posted…Mercedes Half Marathon Recap (Weekend Update)
Running friends are great – stay tuned on Wednesday when I talk about my MRTT friends. You’ve got to get those friends organized for a group run. Running with friends makes the miles fly by!
I am not part of a running group, but I love seeing your photos from your Cruisers group runs (and now reading about how it all started). I used to run regularly with a friend but then she deserted me and moved cross country!! 😉
Carly @ Fine Fit Day recently posted…5 Reasons to do Prenatal Yoga
The nerve of your friend! 😉
Your Cruiser group sounds awesome every time you talk about them. Fun to learn how y’all came about and how long you have been running together!!
Kim recently posted…There’s a National Day for That
They are the best! Tomorrow I’m talking about my MRTT group.
I have often wondered how the cruisers came to be – thanks for sharing the story! They are lucky to have you as “team mom” (and so much more!)
Kim Westrich recently posted…Fitbit vs. Vivofit – Tracking the Trackers
Tomorrow, I’m talking about our MRTT chapter, and I know you’ll be able to relate to my feelings toward those ladies!
What an awesome group. I think the only way I would ever stick with running would be to be a part of a group like this – accountability and fun!
Dana recently posted…What grown-ups do
Exactly – accountability and fun!
Such an awesome group! My favorite thing about the group would be how easy it would be to find one or two people who probably wanted to/were able to meet up at a certain time and/or run the distance you were wanting to run. It’s also so much fun to have friends at races, whether or not you’re running the actual race together. Thanks for welcoming Barry and me as honorary Cruisers on your Ragnar team. It was a blast!
Meagan recently posted…Kinesiology Tape
You and Barry are welcome to run with us anytime you’re in the area! And actually, anytime Bill and I run with you down your way, it’s a Cruisers destination run!
I’m so glad you have your cruisers! I wonder if they’ll make their way into one of my exams this semester like they did in the Fall. 🙂
[email protected] recently posted…Goodbye Miss. Phoebe (“Phoeeebs”, “Girlfriend”, “Sweet Girl”)
I hope so! The Cruisers were so happy when I told them that you’d used us as the running group in one of your math final exam questions last fall! 🙂