Clubs? Starting out

[MikeH]

Been running for about a year now, and started to mix in quite alot of trail and fell running and am really enjoying it.

As the nights are drawing in, I'm wanting to keep it going and am thinking about joining a club to keep the motivation up.

I don't know anyone in our local club and am a little nervous about what lays in store.

Looking at my local clubs web site I'm concerned that the training runs could be a bit longer than I could achieve at the moment, and also I could be relatively slow compared to most not really running much quicker than 9 minute miles.

Any advice on how to make a transition to a club relatively easy, and what lays in store?

[IainR]

Most clubs cater for all. I'd just go down and speak with them. They are no where near as elite as you'd think. Running an 8-9 minute mile should be quick enough to go on training runs with most clubs.

I've now ran with about 5 clubs at different times, and each of them have catered for fast and slow runners. Just call up a few of the local clubs and chat to them. Also if you say where you are located, people on here may be able to advise a good local club.

[detritus21]

Where abouts you based it might help in knowing what club you are looking at

[IanDarkpeak]

Don't worry Mike
All clubs will look after you, Fell runners are a very social lot.
You might find that they say they will run 'session' at a certain level but there will be other groups within the club will run shorter/slower sessions.
Best way to find out is to take the plunge...

[detritus21]

What IanDarkPeak says is true at our club we have anything from sub 5 minute milers at the front to 12 minute milers in a session. You'll also find once you start with a group you usually start getting quicker unlike me who appears to be getting slower and slower

[MikeH]

Calder Valley are probably the best for me, being based in Halifax.

[BillJ]

Mike,
We're a very easy-going bunch at Calder Valley FR.

There are almost always at least 2 groups that go out on a Tuesday night: a fast and a slow group, and sometimes an inbetween group, too. The slower group will often do a shorter route than the publicised one on the website, but if you're doing 9 minute miles you'll probably be fine with the fast group - they'll promise not to lose you!

Its a bit more chaotic than normal at the moment with the daylight getting rapidly earlier - some folk come down earlier to get a decent run in before it gets dark, others cut the runs short to get back in the daylight and those who've eaten enough carrots will just accept that they're going to finish in the dark.

But just come on down on a Tuesday evening and have a run with us. You'll be more than welcome!

Cheers, Bill Johnson

[dominion]

Surely the only consideration is which pubs which clubs drink in after the training run??

[Stagger]

Calder Valley are probably the best for me, being based in Halifax.

Hi Mike

Stainland Lions train
Mondays from Brighouse
Tuesdays at Stainland and Sevile Park
Wednesday Track at Spring Hall
Thursday Heath Rugby Club West vale
Saturday and Sunday there are always groups going out.
Have a look at the website Mike
http://www.stainlandlions.com/

Try a couple of sessions and see what you think.

[MikeH]

Hmm I hadn't thought about Stainland.

Do they have quite a few fell runners or is it mainly road orientated?