opinions on club runners

Pethead wrote (see)

Clubs are also good if you do "speed" sessions rather than just steady running, as lone speedwork is either torture or useless!

I agree.  I've stopped even attempting to do speed work on my own.  It's just so much harder and you are so much more likely to give up...

I used to often quote the "speedwork is easier in a group" line.

Now I think that's bullspit.

Chances are that in your average club you're doing it with a bunch of completely different abilities, and have no idea of the correct rep pace, length or recovery, meaning that you don't get a quality work out, and instead are trying to compete with people in training...never a good idea.

I much prefer doing a speed session on my own, knowing I'm doing it to my own designated pace, know the amount of reps...know the recoveries etc.

Before I used to fool myself that a miscellaneous club session of "run fast to that lampost, jog back, then run fast to the next lampost" was a good workout!

Stevie, I guess it is a good workout to those who are would otherwise do nothing.  It would help me for example, as I have no idea about how to train other than knocking out the miles and doing a few as recovery runs.

But I appreciate that if you are looking to up your game then you might need training that is more specific to you.