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Why not join a club?
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12-11-2009 11:44PM#1
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A few months ago I went out for a training session with DSD (the only club that is convenient for me based on location, training times etc). They were going on an "easy" run. Well I never felt like such a tortoise in my life. No way was I paying 80 euro a year to run on my own. I can do that for free
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I did my first marathon last year and trained on my own and i found the thoughts of joining a club very odd has didnt think i would be good enough or fit in etc.
Anyhow last year i made the plunged and on the first night i was brought out with the clubs top guys for a run, now i knew i wasnt good enough for these guys but they were at easy pace and everyone made me feel welcome. Then the following week i went down i went into a group at my level and as they say the rest is hisory. PB's all year and alot of great people there.
People say they like their freedom on their own, so do i, so used the club night for the speed sessions and on the other days you can train on your own. I did all my long runs for the marathon on my own as i like the freedom.
But there is things the club will offer you that you never learn, ie people's stories from previous years, better way to train etc and the social side is brillant. There is every level at our club and to be honest its all great fun there.
Feel guilty now when i miss a session with them
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average_runner wrote: »I did my first marathon last year and trained on my own and i found the thoughts of joining a club very odd has didnt think i would be good enough or fit in etc.
Anyhow last year i made the plunged and on the first night i was brought out with the clubs top guys for a run, now i knew i wasnt good enough for these guys but they were at easy pace and everyone made me feel welcome. Then the following week i went down i went into a group at my level and as they say the rest is hisory. PB's all year and alot of great people there.
People say they like their freedom on their own, so do i, so used the club night for the speed sessions and on the other days you can train on your own. I did all my long runs for the marathon on my own as i like the freedom.
But there is things the club will offer you that you never learn, ie people's stories from previous years, better way to train etc and the social side is brillant. There is every level at our club and to be honest its all great fun there.
Feel guilty now when i miss a session with them
I have/had the very same experience as yourself. I think you get a lot from speed sessions and running in a group for tempo runs brings you on a serious amount. I think people are very intimidated by clubs. I put it off joining myself as I didn't want to be at the back and dropped all the time. I plucked up the courage......and it was a case of being brave, and went down to a club. I was the slowest there but not for long. I toughed it out, got dropped, worked hard and I'm up there running comfortably with most. Best thing I've done (running wise) was to join a club. Like average runner, I love running on my own too so I do both. I suit myself.
Go to a club. Get some information about when particular runs happen. Go out for a run and see what its like. If you get dropped, remember where it was and the next week plan to run further than that. You will get there and you will be surprised how fast.
Stupid_private, you raise a very good point about clubs not out trying to get people to join. I don't know why that is myself but I would have thought its a great idea
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--amadeus-- wrote: »This is actually something I feel quite strongly about...
Turn it around and ask why people do join clubs:
Coaching: (All credit to false modesty but) in my case I have been running for 4 years. I've done 11 marathons, racing 10. I've read the books and talked to a lot of coaches and runners. With the greatest respect I am not going to advance from where I am currently with some generic, off the shelf, one size fits all basic coaching. Now if a qualified coach put the time and effort into one to one coaching with tailored and personalized plans that would be different. But in a club I'll just be there making up the numbers, my results aren't enough to justify the investment; coaches rightly will be concentrating personal coaching on the top guys. So I don't see how or where I would gain from club coaching.
Races: You hear this a lot - races are more fun when you are part of a team or that you get more racing opportunities in a club.
Well since Oct 2005 I have raced 16 times, 10 of those marathons. I will only race if I am sure I will run well (as in I am confident of a PB) and if it falls at the right time in my overall training cycle. I'll sacrifice warm up races in a marathon training cycle rather than race poorly or at the wrong time. 5ks have limited appeal to me. Races shorter than that have zero appeal. I *hate* cross country and will never do it. While I appreciate that no-one in a club will put a gun to your head to make you attend a given event there will be peer pressure and I'm just not interested.
Group Training Sessions: As said above the appeal of running is that you can lace up your trainers and go whenever, for whatever distance and whatever speed. I'm self employed with 2 young kids and juggle my running to fit. Weekly track sessions will usually be inappropriate for my training (600m reps during base building for example) and typically fall on teh same day as my mid week mid length run. And I know you can plan runs with other club members but the assumption i that you'll find someone doing the same program as you for teh same race as you to the same target as you. Because if not then you are compromising.
Social: There is a great appeal in meeting other runners, talking about training and swapping ideas as well as just talking crap. But isn't that what this place is for?
Giving back to the sport: This is actually the strongest pro argument. People in clubs are teh ones who maintain the sport at grass roots level, coach the kids, organise and manage / marshal the races and through club subs they support teh county boards and ultimately the elite runners.
But my local club organise one race per year and as a 7km women only "mini-marathon" it is a race I can't enter over a non-standard distance I have no interest in. And you don't have to be in a club to support grassroots running - I've been involved in a couple of projects through here that I feel made a big difference to "ordinary" runners and I'm really proud of them; I do contribute to the sport. And having run 6 non-marathon Irish races in 4 years I'm not exactly abusing the system.
So turn it around - why on earth would I want to join a club. It offers minimal rewards and restricts and ties me down. And frankly there is an occasional (not from aburke I'll add!) attitude that if you aren't in a club that you are somehow gaming the system, or are a lesser runner or are missing out or whatever. And I think thats b*llocks.
For someone who just concentrates on marathons, a running club may not suit as I know my club does not encourage them (marathons), in fact the coaches discourage them. The reasons are many but one I heard was that some decent people join with good potential with just a marathon goal objective, train for a while, run a marathon, job done and then leave "running"(with an injury from the high mileage) and would not be seen again.
The reason I joined a club was to keep consistency in my training and to improve my overall running ability. In a relative short period of time, my times at various distances have improved greatly and I enjoy the various distances I compete in from track to XC. I would not have got this new experience if I had not joined a club and continued on my own to train and race marathons.
There are various levels/abilities in my club and I have always been pushed and challenged to improve to the next level. This would not have been possible, and I know myself I would never push myself solo training like I have been in a group training session. The competitve element is essential for me
My honest opinion is that, my club is invaluable and I would encourage anyone who wants to be a runner or improve, to give it a go.
If like above and you are happy to just run marathons and socialise in the virtual "runner" world that is A/R/T, so be it, whatever floats your boat so to speak, no offence intended 0 -
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Its something I feel quite strongly about too. I think Joining a Club is a healthy thing, especially the way society is currently developing. If you don't mind, I'll use your well constructed email to state my opinion--amadeus-- wrote: »This is actually something I feel quite strongly about...
Turn it around and ask why people do join clubs:
Coaching: (All credit to false modesty but) in my case I have been running for 4 years. I've done 11 marathons, racing 10. I've read the books and talked to a lot of coaches and runners. With the greatest respect I am not going to advance from where I am currently with some generic, off the shelf, one size fits all basic coaching. Now if a qualified coach put the time and effort into one to one coaching with tailored and personalized plans that would be different. But in a club I'll just be there making up the numbers, my results aren't enough to justify the investment; coaches rightly will be concentrating personal coaching on the top guys. So I don't see how or where I would gain from club coaching..
Often in Clubs, coaches are doing it off their own back. I agree there may be a keen interest in the talent of a group however a proper Coach is one who is motivated by seeing people develop from A to B. Club Coaches are extraordinary selfless and giving individuals if you ask me. I'm not a member of a running club, but I've been around Coaches for years and this is just my view. The one organised Running Club session I do attend, there are normally 2 Coaches there. One at the line yelling splits and general motivation and the other runs in the session. If you can keep with him he chats with anyone by his side. However he takes the whole group (up to 50) through a proper dynamic warm up and stretch and explains simple things. Also reminds poeple who have raced the previous weekend to do less reps etc.. After the session I find him to be very approachable.
Thats one aspect of Coaching, but why center the attention on the Club Coach? Some of the Best Coaches are the runners within the club who have a season or 2 behind them. I joined a Tri club this year and on one of my first session I was warming up with guy who had just finished his first season of Tri and was buzzing about it. His energy was infectious and he was ver helpful getting me started off. I had made the brave move to break the ice but still to this day he is a fountain of knowledge. He has a Coach and its almost free one to one coaching listening to him. Of course you take things with a pinch of Salt as you do with a Qualified Coach but there is more than 1 way to skin a cat.
This is true. Clubs may have a Bias towards xc or track or shorter road races as thats where the youth are nurtured. However there are plenty of Marthon runners in every club. You would be hard pressed not to find at least another person with a similar objective to you.--amadeus-- wrote: »Races: You hear this a lot - races are more fun when you are part of a team or that you get more racing opportunities in a club.
Well since Oct 2005 I have raced 16 times, 10 of those marathons. I will only race if I am sure I will run well (as in I am confident of a PB) and if it falls at the right time in my overall training cycle. I'll sacrifice warm up races in a marathon training cycle rather than race poorly or at the wrong time. 5ks have limited appeal to me. Races shorter than that have zero appeal. I *hate* cross country and will never do it. While I appreciate that no-one in a club will put a gun to your head to make you attend a given event there will be peer pressure and I'm just not interested. .
Running is one of those things that has a deep intrinsic satisfaction associated with it. I find peace a lot when running and can safely say that it balances me in many ways. I run mostly alone and perhaps once a week with a small training group or large club group. I like the mix. This is where I strongly feel that Society is becoming a collection of lonely souls. We spend all day at work, perhaps in front of a screen,Responsibilies, Internet is now a daily thing etc.... Running is getting out and about, however is it not exciting to do something that you love with like minded souls? I have a 4 year old son and of course he is priority and I'll happily ditch a 10miler for a run around the park with a ball, a perfect way to unwind. However he is not really tuned into the language of splits, HRMs and periodised training yet! The point I'm getting at is Support. Group sessions are support. Its comforting to know that there are others going through the same pain or enjoyment. Often they are just fun, chat to pass the time. E.G I don't know if I would have enjoyed pacing the DCM as much if I hadn't done it as a pair with --amadeus-- (Fun Guy--amadeus-- wrote: »Group Training Sessions: As said above the appeal of running is that you can lace up your trainers and go whenever, for whatever distance and whatever speed. I'm self employed with 2 young kids and juggle my running to fit. Weekly track sessions will usually be inappropriate for my training (600m reps during base building for example) and typically fall on teh same day as my mid week mid length run. And I know you can plan runs with other club members but the assumption i that you'll find someone doing the same program as you for teh same race as you to the same target as you. Because if not then you are compromising. .) Of course we all have our own support in the form of the OH and the kids and possible friends who understand (if you have any of those!). I agree if you have everything you want in terms of support, why would you need a group. Maybe just for a bit of fun...
Yes but its not as enriching. A place for the mind but not the body. Horses for courses but as much as I like everyone here I prefer to spend time with people in person. The SUNGOD Sosa banter is great but I'd imagine a 5mile run with them would be greater LOL.--amadeus-- wrote: »Social: There is a great appeal in meeting other runners, talking about training and swapping ideas as well as just talking crap. But isn't that what this place is for? .--amadeus-- wrote: »Giving back to the sport: This is actually the strongest pro argument. People in clubs are teh ones who maintain the sport at grass roots level, coach the kids, organise and manage / marshal the races and through club subs they support teh county boards and ultimately the elite runners.
But my local club organise one race per year and as a 7km women only "mini-marathon" it is a race I can't enter over a non-standard distance I have no interest in. And you don't have to be in a club to support grassroots running - I've been involved in a couple of projects through here that I feel made a big difference to "ordinary" runners and I'm really proud of them; I do contribute to the sport. And having run 6 non-marathon Irish races in 4 years I'm not exactly abusing the system.
So turn it around - why on earth would I want to join a club. It offers minimal rewards and restricts and ties me down. And frankly there is an occasional (not from aburke I'll add!) attitude that if you aren't in a club that you are somehow gaming the system, or are a lesser runner or are missing out or whatever. And I think thats b*llocks.
I don't like that association of being a lesser runner or missing out and I think its b*llocks too. I used to be part of a Rowing club that didn't really bother with Novices. They were merely interested in Junior and Senior oarsmen. I remember how utter b*llocks that was one day as I sat in a boat with 7 senior oarsmen, and my 2 Novice Champs (from College the previous year) the only pots in the boat! Being with a club is like any other social group. Its like school. The best way to give back to a sport is to participate in it.
Although I train alone a lot as my schedule doesn't fit with a lot of club stuff, I value the club sessions. I love the banter, the group stuff accelerates my progress and I always have someone to talk to or hang out with at races, I wear the club colurs with pride and most of all coupled with checking in on Boards too, I'm learning lots Membership is €30 for the year too, bargain. 0 -
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I can understand why clubs don't like marathons, their goal is to get people running in the club competitions. I regularly have to fend off invitations to compete with various marathon related excuses.
I joined a club because if i look at the runners i aspire to be, the vast majority of them are in clubs. If I want to become as good as them, i need to do the things they do. 0 -
I almost 100% agree with Amadeus, the only thing I would say different is that the racing as a team has proved great both in the Dublin novice and in the Bhaa and also the group training runs, I know Shels has a Saturday session going at the mo and I had a Sunday long one going were we had 7 on one occasion.
What I like about our club Boards AC is that it is aimed at those who want to join a club for the social side of things and to have a banner to run under but don't want the pressure of having to make set sessions (must be here at 7:15pm and your only in from work at 6, doesn't make sense to me) and it seems to be working and I feel we're catering for that market but even so I would have hoped more people would have joined up and I did go actively seeking members so maybe it's more than just the freedom of running when you like that is the problem of joining clubs and Amadeus has already mentioned a few possibles.
In line with SP's post above we need to make it easier for people to join. For example I wanted to send someone a link to the BAC blog the other day and I couldn't find it. A newbie on here wouldn't necessarily know who to approach. You know you have an open invite to put an "All you wanted to know about BAC" stickie up
I always intended to join BAC but I've been homeless for so long now it would feel wierd.
And good post MCOS0 -
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--amadeus-- wrote: »In line with SP's post above we need to make it easier for people to join. For example I wanted to send someone a link to the BAC blog the other day and I couldn't find it. A newbie on here wouldn't necessarily know who to approach. You know you have an open invite to put an "All you wanted to know about BAC" stickie up
I always intended to join BAC but I've been homeless for so long now it would feel wierd.
And good post MCOS
Woodle can you put the details are on Wiki
mercy buckets0 -
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