Maybe an interesting discussion point arising from the big number of non club members in the race would be the number of regular runners who are not members of clubs, whether clubs make enough effort to entice people to join and the advantages of being a club or non club member. I suppose part of the answer may be the high number of runners who come into the sport via the BHAA and who see no reason to join a club. Any thoughts?
No doubt a lot of people are just happy enough to get around on the day and would have no interest in joining a club. Others however who are looking to improve would obviously benefit from the structured training that a club can provide.
So if you are not a member of an athletic or running club then why not? Do you see it as being too serious? Maybe you're not interested in getting fitter and faster? Click on the comment link below...
12 comments:
I have been running for nearly 10 years and one of the main reasons I took it up was because of the flexibility it allows. I train at 5.45am and enjoy the solitude and peace and quiet. It also means that when I get home from work I can spend time with my family. I probably would be a better runner if I joined a club but it doesn't suit my schedule.I spent 20 years playing field games in a competitive environment but now I am competing against myself. It is just down to me - I don't want to be operating to someone else's schedule. I have great respect for the clubs and in general I prefer races that are organised by clubs. If my kids wanted to get involved I would bring them to a club but I'm happy as I am.
from a recent convert to club membership - I joined a club 2 years ago and best decision I have made in terms of my running. I do dedicate 2 slots during the week to running with club mates. 1 evening doing a track session and an early morning long run on Sunday. Great to meet like minded folk and easier to get through these sessions witha a few bodies for company. My wife is also happy that she no longer has to listen to me rabbiting on about a topic she has no interest in! :)
I am new to running and have been at it only two months. I am now just starting to get ok times with 5k's. I would be inteested in joining a club but I find it hard to find info on such clubs (cork/carrigaline area)
I would be very similar to the first poster. With kids and work commitments I train when I can fit it in and would not be able to make regular group training sessions. I have little doubt I would get quicker training with others and it would be more craic but its not realistic for me today. Naturally if the kids were interested in doing athletics I too would be delighted to bring them along to any one of the many outstanding clubs throughout the county.
Lots of Club members dont train with there clubs only show up for races.
Simply being a member of a club allows you to do Championship races and get team prizes.
For anybody interested in joining an AAI club check up www.Corkathletics.org.
I started running in marathons ten mile races around 4 years ago. Around 2012 after 4 marathons and countless other races I started to plateau and found running on my own to be a bit of a chore. I joined mallow ac and have seen immediate improvements in my running. it's a great way to meet people and while I don't make every training session it definitely improves one's running
just to echo other posters,family commitments restrict the time available in the evenings for joining a club.So its early morning starts that suit my needs for the foreseeable future.But I would agree that there would have to be a lot of advantages to joining a club
I've been running for the past 3 years and like the earlier posts took.it up after years of field/team.sports and I enjoy the flexibility of my own schedule. I try and keep it fresh by changing my distances 5k, 10k, 10mile 1/2 marathon etc. I can see how a club would help improve my times but I would prefer to keep my flexibility over improvements
Running with a club definitely will improve a persons running. As a previous poster says, you don't have to attend training - you have the option of turning up for road races occasionally. At Carraig na bhFear A.C., we have seen a big increase in Adult numbers - due to parents of juveniles joining the club and running as part of a group. This is really beneficial in terms of all the family getting out for a run. The adults and juveniles train at the same time, same evenings (but completely separate from each other!) so everyone's a winner!
Having asked the question, I may as well give my own experience for joining and remaining with my club. I was a late entrant to running via doing marathons on my own. But after joining a club and regularly attending the weekly track sessions,my times improved significantly and it makes it easier to get out and train. I do have regular injury periods out so being part of a club makes it easier to motivate myself to get back. There is also the social aspect of getting to know fellow runners. A big plus is benefiting from the experiences of seasoned runners. And there is the spice of competing against fellow club members but also getting the support of fellow club member during races.
And at the end of the day being in a club allows the individual runner to give a little back by helping in organising/running their own clubs races. Every club race is run by volunteers
i am a member of a triathlon club and all races would ahve a decent percentage of triathletes in the field
I have been running for about three years now. I would love to join a club but between work and not having a car I usually find I can't make the times I find online, if I can find up to date information. What would possibly be handy would be an information board where you could post messages and look for people that might be free at the same time as you and that are a similar pace. I haven't found one yet though.
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