Avid runner and fundraiser Jon Schwind has transformed his fitness and weight since taking part in Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Try Club men’s health management programme in 2017 and now a year on continues to take part in distance running events to raise money for the charity including taking part in the Asda Foundation Leeds 10k July 8th
The Leeds 10k will be the seventh major distance the south stander has taken on since completing Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Try Club in 2017, which he credits as giving him the tools to get his weight loss and journey to better health started.
“Try club really helped me to get my weight loss going and understand some of the causes for putting on weight in the first place and how to avoid those traps,” he said.
“The advice on nutrition has also helped me to understand what I need to do to aid my performance better, but it’s not advice such as never have a drink or a takeaway, it’s much more balanced about how to do it. It also aided my fitness a lot with some of the fitness sessions we had, although they felt hard at times, they were always kept enjoyable and I think both of these elements have really helped me not just in my running but also generally just feeling much healthier.”
Having realised some of his distance running goals last year, Jon wasted no time in signing up for more challenges in 2018 beginning the year on a high with a new personal best time at the Manchester Marathon.
Jon then followed up his may race with a half marathon in Leeds, knocking 14 minutes off his time of last year which was in part due to the impact of attending Try Club in between.
Jon said:
“In some ways this was harder as you know what to expect and how hard it will get in the last few miles. But it was another great experience and I felt much better prepared for it.
“This is the second year I have done the Leeds half and I was able to knock over 14 minutes off my time. It was a pretty warm day, so it was tough going. But this year was so much better, a big part in this was having completed the Try Club in between, that helped both on my fitness but my weight and nutrition as well.”
“Try Club really helped me to get my weight loss going and understand some of the causes for putting on weight in the first place and how to avoid those traps, the advice on nutrition has also helped me to understand what I need to do to aid my performance better — but it’s not advice such as never have a drink or a takeaway, it’s much more balanced about how to do it. It also aided my fitness a lot with some of the fitness sessions we had, although they felt hard at times, they were always kept enjoyable – both of these elements have really helped me not just in my running but also generally just feeling much healthier.”
With his two longer distance races complete John will now join over 70 other runners and walkers from Leeds Rhinos Foundation’s Run with the Rhinos team for the Asda Foundation Leeds 10k on 8th July.
“It’s a great event to enter and I did do the Leeds 10k a few years ago as well, it has great support. Whilst a lot of my training is over 10k, I do find it harder than some of the longer distances as you tend to push yourself that bit faster as you think you should be able to do it quicker.”
Jon sees his distance running and fundraising as a way to give back to the charity for the role Leeds Rhinos Foundation played in his journey to better fitness and will be combining all his race fundraising this year to donate to the charity including the Bupa Great North Run in September for the first time.
He added:
“It’s a way for me to say thanks to the Foundation for the support it gave me with the Try Club, just because my course is over we still keep in touch and ongoing support is there. Also, the foundation does so much great and varied work in the community, it’s really worthy cause to support again.
“The Great North Run is one of the iconic races in the UK, with thousands of participants it is huge – although I know I can do the distance I am still nervous about it. But I know as soon as I start running I will start to enjoy it.
"Once you get to the start line, I am finding at all the events I do that the support from the other participants is great and everyone just has a chat regardless of ability so it has a great feel about it, then the support you get from those watching and cheering on really gives you a boost."
If you're interested in taking part in a Leeds Rhinos Foundation course, we now have a new programme starting at Emerald Headingley in July click here or contact Laura.Buckle@leedsrhinosfoundation.org
To book your place for the Asda Foundation Leeds 10k visit tickets.therhinos.co.uk or call 0371 423 1315
If you would like to support Jon's fundraising efforts please make a donation on his JustGiving account here https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/schwind