| CLUB RUNNER
TIME TO THINK ABOUT JOINING A CLUB
So you ’ re running more regularly , upping your mileage , and your times have improved , giving you immense satisfaction from your running , but now you want to take it a step further and join a running club . What now ? – BY MANFRED SEIDLER
Many runners who have just started to run and who are seeing the benefits of running are often overawed when they see runners flying past in a race , all kitted out in their club colours and talking about their runs and races on social media . And admittedly , it can be quite daunting . Too often , one hears that “ Running clubs are only for top runners ,” but nothing could be further from the truth .
The bulk of runners who are part of a club do not feature in the front 100 runners in races . In fact , if you look at the number of finishers in most races , more than half the field finishes in the last hour before the final cut-off . In other words , being part of a running club does not mean you need to be the best , nor super-fast , and running clubs welcome the more social runners with open arms . In fact , running clubs live off the social runners . you feel more ‘ accountable ’ to your training . Invariably , you will find that a club that has a coach will also have runners of a similar ability , who have similar goals , and you then start to train with them , all of which helps in improving your running . You will also find that these clubs with a coach present regular time trials , in which you can monitor your improvement , and these clubs often reward those runners who show improvement .
ACCESSIBILITY IS KEY …
There are literally hundreds of running clubs spread around the South Africa , so it shouldn ’ t be too difficult to find one close to you . A simple Google search will tell you very quickly which is the closest running club to you , and if you want to know more about them , most running clubs have Facebook pages , which will give you a good idea as to what their ethos is . Then it is all down to you deciding which running club is the best fit for you as a runner .
Finally , it is advisable to go join a club ’ s training runs , time trials and social activities , plus check out their race-day social vibe , in order to see if it is the right fit for you . Invariably it will be , since most clubs cater to every type of runner , from fastest to slowest , and from most experienced to complete beginners .
So , now that you have taken the decision to join a running club , it is important to ask yourself what it is you are looking for in a running club . Are you looking to run ‘ competitively ’ to the best of your ability , and do you need coaching , or training facilities , or regular training groups ? Are you looking for camaraderie , or do you want to get involved in organising races or being a support at races ? Does the running club need to be near to your home or work , as you have little time at your disposal ? Let ’ s unpack these a bit more .
WANTING TO IMPROVE YOUR RUNNING …
If you really want to improve your running , then it is advisable to find a club with a coach who can help you with your training and formulate a structured training programme . It is also easier to improve if you have someone who will also make
LOOKING FOR A MORE SOCIAL VIBE …
Many clubs joke that they are a “ drinking club with a running problem .” That is because most clubs , no matter what level their runners , are big on the social aspects of running . They will therefore organise monthly ( or more ) social evenings , invite guest speakers and generally make sure that their members find a home away from home . It is also these clubs that will have their club tents at races , complete with refreshments for members , and quite often will also arrange that club members run in a big group at races , as for these members it is all about the enjoyment of running .
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