Joining an Athletics Club

chinguetti

Hello Boardies, i seek some advice. To make a long story short, i'm back running after been out for 6 weeks with injury i got in the Cork Marathon. Trained for it on my own but found it really tough going and my only real back-up was the internet and on here.

Promised myself i would join a club if i kept up the running which i fully intend to. So i have two questions really:

1. If i join a club, is it expected that i have to run all events and turn up for everything and be involved in everything? I would get involved in the club but not be around for everything because of work, life etc. I also don't want to join a club that has no interest in me after a couple of weeks when they realise that i'm not the fastest white man on the planet. (I'm living near the Phoenix Park by the way so i know that Raheny Shamrocks and Donore Harriers are nearby)

2. At some stage in the future when i get a good bit better at swimming (say late 2010/early 2011 if i'm honest), i'ld like to do a triathlon. Do triathlon clubs accept people of varying degrees and people who are a bit away from taking part in a tri or do they frown on that kind of thing?

Thanks in advance, C

umpire bat

If you live near the Phoenix Park you are right in saying Donore Harriers are nearby. But on the geographical side of things Metro St Brigid, Lucan Harriers and Dunboyne AC (in county Meath) are all nearer and more convenient to you than Raheny Sahmrocks.

DJS

Well from my own club experience my club welcomes all runners of abilitys regarless of age.
The more in the club the better. Our club in tallaght has fit for life group, good juvenile athletes, top senior and junior lads, a very accomlished masters team. And also there is a tri athalon club that meets in the gym right beside our club house. Our club doesnt expect you to be invloved and Id say most clubs would expect you to be involved if your busy. But its always appricated

thirtyfoot

umpire bat wrote: »

If you live near the Phoenix Park you are right in saying Donore Harriers are nearby. But on the geographical side of things Metro St Brigid, Lucan Harriers and Dunboyne AC (in county Meath) are all nearer and more convenient to you than Raheny Sahmrocks.

Liffey Valley AC are also a great option.

http://www.liffeyvalleyac.com/home.html

I think Stupid Private maybe a Liffey Valley man, so he may be able to help.

Stupid_Private

Tingle wrote: »

Liffey Valley AC are also a great option.

http://www.liffeyvalleyac.com/home.html

I think Stupid Private maybe a Liffey Valley man, so he may be able to help.

I am indeed and fully recommend them. I tried out a few different clubs before joining at the start of the year and went with Liffey Valley because of a good training structure and because there were a few lads at my level and above me. It's also 100m from my apartment but I'd never have joined them if I wasn't happy with the setup.

If i join a club, is it expected that i have to run all events and turn up for everything and be involved in everything?

I've backed out of many events this year and they still talk to me! Likewise training - I generally can only make one of the sessions a week because of other things going on.

I also don't want to join a club that has no interest in me after a couple of weeks when they realise that i'm not the fastest white man on the planet.

There's enough different groups that you'll be in with people your own level - no one gets ignored.

I'm sure the answer to them questions goes for most clubs. If you need more details just drop me a PM.

CCR

I have been running for the last two years and have often considered joining an Athletics Club. I was wondering what clubs attitude is in general to new members who are quite slow, unfit by their standards and probably never really going to be competitive.
I think joining a club would help my training as I tend to make excuses to myself when I don't really feel like training and can easily convince myself not to bother.
What would club training generally consist of if I was to join?