Boards running club & club secretary

Woddle

I think we all know that Peckham knows his stuff and is the man to start us of in this new venture. He is a regular contributor in the marathon/triathlon forums and he talks alot of sense, so he gets my vote and this should see are team positions filled.

Peckham

Bit of background to me: I am 31 years old, living in the metropolis of Lusk in north Dublin, and often found pounding the country lanes and back roads around that area. Single, although will be getting married next May. My running preference is the longer distance races - love half-marathons and marathons. The extent to which I enjoy the races decreases with shorter distances (have only ever raced one 5k race and my lung were on fire for about an hour afterwards!). Improving at shorter distances is my goal for next year (do not plan on running a marathon in 2009). PBs for those interested are: 3:06 marathon; 1:24 half marathon; 96min 10 mile; 29:55 5 mile; 18:15 5k. (Have never raced a 10k).

I work in a project management role in a marketing company, and am a pretty organised individual when it comes to effective use of resources and ensuring that things get done!

Was a member of a well known club for about a year after completing my first marathon (I have snce left that club), and that has guided my involvement in this set-up. I believe being a member of a club is the best way to ensure training motivation, however there were a number of issues that I identified with a traditional club set-up that I think a boards-type club can overcome. No matter what people say, I think the club set up is quite intimidating for slower runners (except maybe older runners who have been with the club for donkeys years). It can be scary enough to join up at a track session with people who may be a lot faster than you - there is room for a club where there is specific focus on the different levels of speed/ability, and training groups (virtual or real) set-up to specifically cater for these needs. Furthermore, I believe it can be quite difficult for newbies to settle into clubs (unless joining as a kid), and that strong cliques exist as a result - club structures should facilitate the involvement of newbies in some way.

The initial challenges I would propose addressing as club secretary are:
1) The establishment of a club that is not guided by tradition or "the way things are done" and instead is organised in a way suitable to the requirements of the people who join a club of this nature
2) Organisation of training programmes/sessions that cater for the specific needs of different levels of runners (ideally with different coaches or mentors working with each level)
3) Encouraging the involvement of new runners who may be starting running for the first time in their 20s/30s/older
4) Ensuring that all who wish to compete as part of a club are provided with the opportunity to do so

--amadeus--

Peckham wrote: »

2) Organisation of training programmes/sessions that cater for the specific needs of different levels of runners (ideally with different coaches or mentors working with each level)
3) Encouraging the involvement of new runners who may be starting running for the first time in their 20s/30s/older

I strongly agree with everything that you've said, paricularly the idea of avoiding cliques and encouraging teh "slower" or more inexperienced runner.

I think I mentioned this in one of the other threads but I think that having "senior" club members (coaches or mentors or whatever) is a greta idea. I would be happy to cover the mid pack (say from 3:30 to 4:30) and HM has the credentials to cover the faster side of things, in both Tri and Marathons. I think there is an opening for someone to look after the slower folks though; people looking to just get round or doing thier first distance event. I am happy to cover it but a specialist may be better - any ideas or volunteers?

On that note HM & I know someone (UK based) who is an experienced IronMan and who is (as far as I know) working through Tri coaching courses. Whats the thoughts around inviting outsiders in to take on roles? Any thoughts from yourself or the other board members would be appreciated!

Woddle

I wouldn't see a problem in this personally, as the more we can learn, from whatever the source is, the better the club will be. So I'd be for it.
I'm looking into the AAI coaching myself at the moment and it's a reason I would love to see the club go down the AAI route, as they have courses all over Ireland and pretty much anyone can start with the athletics leader and athletics assistant coach before moving on to level 1(1 year duration) so our club could be one of the most knowledgable down the road whichI would imagine quite a few of our running club members being interested in this

ManFromAtlantis

sounds interesting.
peckam for sec. as he seems to put a bit of effort into his posts.
good luck.