Running Clubs

gorham04

What do you know about Running Clubs?

I recently found out about my towns Running Club and after looking at their Facebook page and website, I think it looks really fun. I'm a "Newbie" runner, so I may wait until I have some more miles under my belt before I join, even though it says that have "Newbie to Ultra marathon runners".

Does anyone have any experiences with them? Pros? Cons?

lporter229

Joining a running club is a great way to get integrated into the running community and find friends to run with if you prefer not to do it alone. Most clubs meet at least once a week for a long run. The distance you run is entirely up to you. In my group, people routinely run only 3 miles and others run 20+ every weekend. The organizer will generally provide a route and they may even provide water stops in the summer months. People will be running at all different paces. Some clubs provide pace groups ranging from 8-12+ minute miles. Generally, you show up and start running with the group and see who you fall into pace with. Most running clubs are accommodating to people of all levels of ability. they just want to encourage everyone to run. Go check it out!

Philtex

I run with two different running clubs. Clubs can have very different formats, from hosting monthly races to offering training classes. Both of mine conduct monthly prediction runs, which are fun. Since you liked what you saw on their website go ahead and give them a try.

gorham04

Awesome! Thank you for the feedback.

It would be nice to have the comradery that comes with learning and getting into a new sport, increasing my endurance and distance, Plus they get super discounts on all the local races.

I think I will give it a go.

MobyCarp

You'll want to visit the club and see what the people are like and what they are focused on. Clubs can vary widely in social atmosphere and goals. You want a club that you fit into well, which in your case means you're looking for a club that supports new runners well.

I have a club that suits me well, but I'd hesitate to recommend it to a new runner. There is a certain assumption about experience before you get here. The club does very well at making an established runner better, but it's not really geared toward turning a new runner into an established runner.

spiriteagle99

It depends on the club. Our main town running club mostly puts on a couple of annual races, donating most of the proceeds to school athletic programs. They have early morning runs, but at paces that are way beyond mine. We have a Beer Runners group that is very social. It does short evening runs (4 miles) and is beginner friendly but also has more advanced runners. A nearby town has a club that has regular Saturday runs for beginners and early morning long runs for more advanced runners. I would like to run with them, as they are a friendly group, but they are far enough away I'd have to get up before 5 to join them on the long runs. There is another group that does trail runs, but they are way beyond my ability so I haven't joined them either.

dewd2

Check with your local running store as well. Sometimes they have community runs and learn to run programs.

ritzvin

dewd2 wrote: »

Check with your local running store as well. Sometimes they have community runs and learn to run programs.

I was going to suggest this too, especially if you are worried about not having anyone at a slower pace. The running store (at least here) tends to have a higher number of beginner and slower runners than the other clubs. Which makes sense.. this is likely the first access point people have to a running group when they buy their first pair of running shoes and haven't met a lot of other runners yet.

ritzvin

My favorite group run is the one run of the week that I never skip. I definitely recommend trying out 1 or more groups.