12 Minute Mile..... - Page 3 - Beginners

Strawberry JAM

03/07/2008 at 08:11

yep nice post Dave, but I still find it intimidating, I've been a member of a club for a couple of years but have only ever been once!

OK the main reason is hubby is a keen runner and someone has to look after the four year old on club nights, but whenever there's an opportunity I avoid it - it usually clashes with one of those lack of confidence days.

SazzaG

03/07/2008 at 08:52

Nice one Dave!

I've been plucking up the courage to join my local club for ages. It's stupid really, 'cos I know they'll be really welcoming. They're quite small, but very active - their website shows all the routes that they use, with pictures as well! Each weekend they do a long run, with 3 different lengths on a similar route, so you can choose how far to go.

They're only in the next village, and I've seen them run past my house a few times.

OK, that's it - I'm going to join after my 10k on Sunday! It will be invaluable in the winter months, as I don't have any street lights around here, and they organise routes in the larger villages around here where there is lighting.

Mynx

03/07/2008 at 09:11

I'd love to join a club but i can't seem to find one in my area...

I'm North Wales Chester border and I've had a look and the nearest one I can find is Ellesmere Port, which isn't too bad but was hoping to find something closer to home really.

The way i see it, a couple of months ago I was nervous about stepping out the front door to run, now i do that nearly every day. You have to feel the fear and do it regardless, otherwise you'd never do anything with your life. I think it's the same about joining a club...yes, it's intimidating, but just remember, all the members were in the same position as you once. I think the majority or members will remember this and welcome new people (at least that's what i'm hoping!!)

So, if there are any nice running club members out there who are in a club in my area... let me know and be nice to the new girl when I come (i'm slow, a beginer, in need to guidance!!)

Daniel Goodenough

03/07/2008 at 10:03

It's not where you ARE that is important; it is where you are GOING that matters. If you are proud of yourself then that is great. Keep it up. You are not going to be proud doing the same thing every week so you will look to progress. Don't compare yourself with others. Just aim for that feeling of pride in knowing you are getting better each week or each month. Keep setting yourself small improvement goals to attain, when you get there set new ones. Good Luck !

PrincessJelly

03/07/2008 at 10:07

BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU!

What a response. I posted because I felt a bit down and you lot have really cheered me up.

I went to my club's track night last night and pootled around with my usual companions and I found that their pace was a little slow (they were just back from hols so were taking it easy!), but even so, I was expecting to struggle a bit!

Thanks again!

Strawberry JAM

03/07/2008 at 10:30

Baby Camel, have you looked to see if there's a Women's Running Network Club in your area, I'm sure when I looked the other week,there were a couple around Chester.

Kate Speed

03/07/2008 at 10:46

I emailed someone from WRN in Swansea this week. Had a reply saying that she couldn't help as I wouldn't be good enough until I had done a beginners course and she wasn't going to be running one for a while. She then went on to totally contradict herself by saying that WRN is for runners of every ability - pah! It's put me off trying anywhere else now in case they all tell me I'm too crap......

Never mind, I shall carry on plodding away by myself.

PrincessJelly

03/07/2008 at 11:15

Kate - poor you. Next time I am in Swansea I will post on here so we can go for a plod together. We have family in Llansamlet and in Skewen where are you based?

Mynx

03/07/2008 at 11:24

Hi SJ, Just rushed off to look on the WRN website but, unfortunately there are no clubs around the Chester area! At this rate I may even think about starting my own!

I shall keep looking, I know that when the nights start drawing in I'm going to feel a little vunerable going out on my own... If anyone fancies plodding with me just give me a shout!

Hey Kate... don't let that WRN lady put you off (i'm begining to think all running clubs are full of the devils children)

Are there any NICE running clubs out there that would take on a couple of beginers like me and Kate??

Farnie

pirate

03/07/2008 at 11:28

Kate Speed wrote (see)

I emailed someone from WRN in Swansea this week. Had a reply saying that she couldn't help as I wouldn't be good enough until I had done a beginners course and she wasn't going to be running one for a while. She then went on to totally contradict herself by saying that WRN is for runners of every ability - pah! It's put me off trying anywhere else now in case they all tell me I'm too crap...... Never mind, I shall carry on plodding away by myself.

Kate, I am really concerned someone from the WRN said this to you. I run the beginers group for South Manchester and I would be furious if people we're going away from contacting the WRN feeling like they weren't good enough.

Would you be kind enough to PM me and tell me what happened?

I also know Rio! from the forum is a WRN laydee from S.Wales and she is one of the nicest people on here, maybe she can help.

nutty1976

03/07/2008 at 12:27

Kate I'm also a little surprised that was said to you. I joined the Wigan Group of the WRN and haven't experienced this. The only comment I got was "we'd have done something a little different if you had told me you could only run 2.5km" I went out with them again last night just four of us and I quite happily did 7km plodding along at the back.

Strawberry JAM

03/07/2008 at 12:40

I'm surprised about the WRN comments, all the blurb infers it's all about being all inclusive and not scaring people off.

I was thinking about starting one in Rochdale, but the organisers course didn't fit in with my holidays, maybe I'll look at it again later.

Any lonely Rochdale runners out there interested in coming along to our current informal club! (ie me and a few pals tootling around for about 3 miles on a Tues and Thurs evening and once or twice on a weekend) We're looking to up our distance and speed a bit - we might have no choice as 2 of us are in the ballot for the London Marathon!

Kate Speed

03/07/2008 at 13:02

I have messaged you Farnie - hope it gets to you OK. The e-mail she sent me wasn't nasty or anything like that - she sounded very nice, it was just a bit "sorry I can't help you, contact someone else" kind of thing. I have contacted someone else - I'm not put off that easily , but I was left feeling as if I'm not good enough and that WRN aren't particularly helpful if you're a beginner.

Helen, I'm in Killay although I often go down and run along the sea front - there's too many steep hills in Killay!

Edited: 03/07/2008 at 13:07

Farnie

pirate

03/07/2008 at 13:25

Kate Speed wrote (see)

but I was left feeling as if I'm not good enough and that WRN aren't particularly helpful if you're a beginner.

What a shame, because, everyone is good enough, everyone, even if you are still a walker, you should still be accomodated. And the WRN should be the perfect place for a beginner.

Also, Joanne, it is the responsibility of the group organiser to find out what standard people are and work out a route/training session that fits. It is not your job to tell them what you can and can't do, its for them to find out and act accordingly.

Right - thats it, everyone pack your stuff, you're all coming over to Manchester!

Strawberry JAM

03/07/2008 at 13:39

Just had a look on the WRN website -South Manchester, which one's you Farnie?

Mynx

03/07/2008 at 14:00

That's it...I'm moving... save me a place Farnie!!

Seriously though, I don't suppose you know if there are any 'friendly' running clubs in my area (Chester/North Wales)?

Kate Speed

03/07/2008 at 14:27

If I lived in Manchester, I'd be round to you like a shot!

I'm really quite cross now that she was so unaccommodating! I hope I get more joy from the other person I have contacted.

Kate Speed

04/07/2008 at 10:44

Well, the other person has got back to me saying she has a beginners course starting in September. Trouble is, I'm not sure I'll need to do a beginners course by September, in fact I'm already doing more than the R1 W1 they start off with so I don't know what to do now! I do want to join a club/group because I'm sure I could do better than I'm doing at the moment with a little encouragement, but the only other groups in the area are Swansea Harriers (which is far too scary for me - they expect you to compete for them - as if!) or the University club, which is no good my having left my student days far behind.
I think I will e-mail both these people back saying what i've just said here and see what they say, but otherwise I think I'm a bit stuck. Any other beginners in Swansea?

Strawberry JAM

04/07/2008 at 11:44

It's the same for any club - when you're in an event you're supposed to wear the club vest of your first claim club - hey being a member gets you £2 off entry at most events. Mind you I'm usually running for charity so think it's fair enough I wear the charity t-shirt - hubby is insistant I should wear the harriers vest, but I find it a bit embarressing when I'm so slow! and don't exactly have much of a look of a runner.

BUT saying that the one time I did wear it (husband's all pinned up at the back - not a good look) I did get lots of shouts of "come on Rochdale" which did spurr me on a bit - maybe that's why that's the only time I've done under an hour for 10K, hmmmmmmm I'm off to buy my very own club vest.

PrincessJelly

04/07/2008 at 12:39

Hi Kate,

The sea front sounds like a great place to train, especially as that is where the 10k is!! I will def post when I am next in Swansea, should be in about 4 weeks or so.