It's a natural progression I would say for
most people after a while you start out on your own or running in a small group
and eventually a running club draws your attention
For me it was no different I've spent 3
years running mostly on my own joined a few Facebook groups regarding running
but kept seeing my local group out and about on my routes.
So in August 2014 I enquired about joining
(you get 3 trial sessions and after your 3 sessions you either join or don't
your choice) if you join you pay a yearly fee and this means you become
affiliated to that club so you're allowed to wear their vests at races and
receive the discounts (£2 sometimes more of race price that UK Athletics offer
affiliated runners
So I went to session in August (hill
intervals = ouch) they were very friendly and supportive but it wasn't the
right time for me.
So what changed? Well my training
for one I'd spent the months from October to February focusing on my aerobic
base (this only needs so long) before anaerobic work needs introducing which is
where club running comes in (for me a least)
Another reason was a Facebook post
regarding an Ultra I am wanting to do, it got 140 comments (I found out this is
normal questions re a GPS watch got near the same and tagging some can reach
127 notifications) but the thing seeping through is the overwhelming
friendliness of the people in the group for someone they had never met at that
time.
So I went along again with my cousin (also
a runner and quite fast to boot) to check the club out again to be fair I'd
already made my mind up I knew I wanted to be a member but my cousin wasn't
sure (he has now joined and took 10 mins of his Half Marathon PB from 1.40 to
1.30) I have since attended parkrun and got a PB of 26.40
My club has a good mix of runners of
different abilities and the much faster runners (sub 18 and 19 5K) are just as
supportive if not more so sometimes than the slower runners
That's the main theme running through the
club the committee and founder members and run leaders and even our qualified
Coach (oh yes) as well as all the current members and new members joining every
week are all passionate about running and we show it by the time and effort we
put in for only the gain of improving ourselves but also to support our team
members
Is my running club unique I certainly
think so, although there are probably 100s around the UK very similar in support
to their runners BUT I can same I'm proud to wear the Primrose and Blue of
Warrington Running Club and to be part of a fab group of people
For all those unsure I recommend the
benefits of joining a running club do you research ask questions test it out it’s
not for everyone but until you try you never know
Links
http://www.parkrun.org.uk/ - explain what parkrun is
http://www.englandathletics.org/england-athletics/more-information-for-athletes - benefits to being affliated
http://warringtonrunningclub.co.uk/ - my running club
