I expected to be instantly out of my depth, miles behind everyone, dying alone somewhere on a trail 20 miles from civilisation (slight exaggeration). As a result, I trotted round aimlessly solo, or more often than not stuck to the treadmills of a gym near my (at the time) workplace.
From speaking to people, both who have joined and who never have, this is not an uncommon expectation to have. However, is it an accurate one?
Of course it's not (well in my experience anyway).
It was a Wednesday night just over 200 years ago and I first showed up in Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Center, and the people I found there were pretty instantly friendly and welcoming. It's then it dawns on you, why would these people be elitist, stuck up, hard to approach...
Was I among the slower? Yes! I was out of shape, but I got there. Am I still one of the slowest? Yes! Have you not read the header of the blog :) It doesn't matter I'm not logging 6 minute miles, the drive to get better is helped by the group and the training and support is abundant.
Couple of years later and I'm now one of those people. I help out occasionally on the coaching side of things, I run in the kit, many of the members I now consider friends. The technical sessions help out so much.
It's quite a nice kit (the red shirt is all me)...
If you are thinking of joining a club, but lack the confidence or just don't know if it's for you, I urge you to go give it a try. Many areas have a selection of running groups, clubs, go, try and find out if they're for you.
The support you can receive will become a vital part of your training, I'm confident of it! Plus discounts into races... lovely lovely discounts. Most charge an annual fee, but working it out per session, it'll be the best investment you'll make in a year.
What's the worst that can happen (forget the previous dying on a trail somewhere image)
You can find club listings on your appropriate national athletics organisation site. Or Facebook, everything is always on Facebook.
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