First time out with a running group!

[Crawlhome]

Lers get one thing clear, I'm not a natural joiner of activity groups. I lack confidence and feel socially awkward in large groups which is why it's taken me weeks to.pluck up courage to go along to a running group.

However, I knew there were multiple reasons to force myself out of my comfort zone so on a bitterly cold November night I met up with a bunch of like minded (?!) women to try it out.

I'd found out in advance that there were three runs planned and I had thought of running the 4.5, however due to a leader being unavailable, they were doing a 4 and 5 mile that night so I had to make a quick decision to do a 5 mile, secretly praying I had the legs for it!

It was definitely exhilarating running in the dark, my first night run and I warmed up quickly except for a frozen bum!

It was my first test of running and talking and I was so suprised to manage it as we were running at a comfortable pace.

There were all ages and all the group were welcoming and friendly and an hour's run passed much more easily than a solo outing. I also ended on a massive high, which lasted well into the evening.

So it was a bit scary but I'm so pleased I took the plunge and I'll be going back soon.

Amazingly I wasn't even planning that as my long run this week. doing another 10k tomorrow!

Happy running to all 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Wow, well done CH - for braving a running group, for running 5 miles in the dark and, most of all, for talking whilst doing so! 👏👏👏

Sounds like you had a fabulous time! 👍🏃‍♀️😀

[Crawlhome Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks cheeky, it was an amazing experience!

[Walshy3 Graduate10]

I rejoined my running club about a month ago, I have most of the club kit now so it feels good to be part of something, the only drawback, it starts at 6.30, it’s bone chilling cold out and it wouldn’t take too much to sway me to stay home!! I like yourself, don’t do big groups too well and I’ve joined quite late in the game, however it’s my best move yet, everyone has been so welcoming and supportive to the extent I’ve signed up for 3 more runs with the club..... I bet it’s your best move yet!!!

[Crawlhome Graduate10 in reply to Walshy3]

Thanks Walshy3, I suspect most people feel similar.

This group is at 6.30 too and wow it was cold and dark, I've been very much a daytime runner up till now.

Best of luck with your next group runs 😀🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Walshy3 Graduate10 in reply to Crawlhome]

Thanks crawl home! It’s actually in T minus 15 mins!! I’m starting to shiver at the thought

[Walshy3 Graduate10 in reply to Walshy3]

Just back, 5 miles in the bag !!!

[Crawlhome Graduate10 in reply to Walshy3]

Hey that's fantastic 😁 Well done for getting out in the cold, hopefully it feels worth it now!

[Walshy3 Graduate10 in reply to Crawlhome]

Sure does!!

[Agelesslass Graduate10]

I know your feeling, I joined a running group in September with much trepidation, I’ve made lots of new friends who encourage me every step of the way, well worth the effort. My club night doesn’t start until 7pm, a bit late really but hey ho. Well done to you.

[Crawlhome Graduate10 in reply to Agelesslass]

That's great to hear Agelesslass, I'll stick with it.😁

[homlyme]

well done crawlhome I too have been thinking about joining a group but have to pluck up courage your post is very encouraging 🏃‍♀️

[Crawlhome Graduate10 in reply to homlyme]

Do it homlyme, they're very encouraging and I found it quite empowering being part of a group run rather than solo.

Let us know if you join one and how you get on 😀

[homlyme in reply to Crawlhome]

will do got 10k race on sunday so hoping that maybe some local running clubs will be there

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done Crawlhome, they say sound a great group. I've decided to delay joining my local one until spring as I'm doing all my running during the day in winter. They have great kit though and look really good fun too

[Crawlhome Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

I don't blame you dexy5, I'm not planning to run on my own at that time. Yeah, new kit it quite exciting, I remember seeing the t shirts for my group at parkrun a few months ago!

[MutleyShuffle Graduate10]

Well done for taking the plunge, Crawlhome! Like you I feel quite shy and nervous in a big group so it was a big deal for me to join my running group too, but I'm so glad I did. It makes a nice change to run with other people (I did Park Run already and loved that), I find it challenges me more too - we do lots of hills and I tend to go faster with them than I do on my own. Also good to have company in the dark! 😊

[Crawlhome Graduate10 in reply to MutleyShuffle]

Thanks MutleyShuffle. It's good to mix things up isn't it? I just did a long run on my own and I enjoyed both runs in very different ways. I love parkrun too 😁

[Equi-geek Graduate10]

Really glad you have that commitment to help with motivation and 5miles is brilliant at conversational pace! I’m enjoying the local ‘Good Gym’. It is less formal than a club and my short run of the week, split into two because we do 45mins volunteer work as well. We do exercises on the way back if it is less than 5k in total. I would never bother with sprints on my own 🤣

[Crawlhome Graduate10 in reply to Equi-geek]

Thanks Equi-geek, there was a long till where no conversation was happening but I was very suprised to manage to chat the rest of the time!

That's awesome that you participate in Good Gym, it's a wonderful initiative. Is running changing the world!? 😁😁

[Crawlhome Graduate10 in reply to Crawlhome]

Hill not till!

[Hidden]

Great post Crawlhome, good on you for taking the plunge. That first paragraph is quite a good description of me too 😄 Sounds like you had a fantastic time! I’ve passed through our local running group a number of times (they are usually running directly at me!) and it does look like a lot of fun. First run in the dark too what a fab evening ⭐️ ⚡️⚡️

[Crawlhome Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Thundersloth, I'd definitely recommend it if you were considering it. I liked the primal feeling of taking over the dark streets, like a pack of foxes! 😁🏃‍♀️🦊

[Hidden in reply to Crawlhome]

Ooh... the pack of foxes / primal feeling reminded me of a youTube video I watched recently, give it a go if you find 15 minutes ...at some point!

youtu.be/b-iGZPtWXzE(Not working as expected?)

[Crawlhome Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

That was really interesting thanks, gives me more incentive to think of that half marathon distance! Don't think I'll be going barefoot anytime soon though...

[Hidden in reply to Crawlhome]

I thought it was really interesting. Quite exciting the thought of humans hunting in packs like that and running down their prey. Ha! Yes, I’ll certainly be be sticking with my trainers... but maybe those longer distances might come a bit more naturally than first thought 🤷🏻‍♂️ 🏃‍♂️ 🏃‍♀️

[Deals1 Graduate10]

Well done u for stepping out of your comfort zone. Sounds like u had great fun... And have more good runs to come. ,😁😁 I'm thinking of joining one too, but not got as far as u yet!! Think I'll wait till ive a bit more experience under my belt. Happy running

[Crawlhome Graduate10 in reply to Deals1]

Thanks Deals1. You are definitely ready for a group if it's something you're thinking of, plus you've been running longer than me! 😁

[Deals1 Graduate10 in reply to Crawlhome]

Thanks. Yeah I might check it. Theres a local one near my parkrun and often seen folk with their t-shirts on, will say hello sometime a soon. Happy running

[Hidden]

Hi Deals1. Have been running 8 months and do so with 3 different groups depends on my work rota. All groups have been great. Have learnt loads from Co runners. In one group faster guys loop back to the back markers and help us all keep together. It's very supportive. Also brave enough to go out on my own which was my inital barrier. Made some good like minded friends. Go to a group

[Deals1 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. Wow 3 groups,that's great sounds really good support. Will definitely check it out. Happy running.

[Hidden in reply to Deals1]

With The Sunday group we went a bit off piste today. We were offered a challenge to the Usual 5k! 10k on a hilly local run. It was great. Feeling very tired but we all did it together. Couldn't have done it without them. Fantasting group. Groups are good.

[Deals1 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Well done!!

[Beccym Graduate10]

Well done, it is daunting joining a new group those pesky gremlins whisper in all our ears.

Joining a running club is a great motivation to keep you running I love mine they are a fab group of people. We support each other in running and other areas I hope we are friends.

There are people in my club who have had to deal with critical illness, homelessness and mental health issues but in the club we are runners first for an hour or more.

On my first 10k run with the club someone came back to encourage me to run up the final hill carrying my water. I have not carried water with me sInce and usually someone will organise a waterstop on Marathon training runs over 10k

Enjoy the club