Running club stuff

I wrote recently about how I’ve joined a running club, after a lifetime of running on my own.

I was quite nervous about joining for many reasons. One of them is that I’ve never run in the evening! I’ve always run in the morning. I like running in the morning because it sets me up for the day and I feel good all day. But when I don’t run, I walk Hetty instead. Walking has its advantages, because it means I can get up slightly later and I’m still ready for work earlier. I don’t have to get changed before starting work, so it is less hassle in that sense.

I suffer from IBS, which has affected my running in the past. On the whole it’s better these days, but I had to miss a long Sunday run recently because it was so painful. I always eat my breakfast before a run (at least two hours before!), but never run after any other food. I was worried that I wouldn’t manage it.

The sessions are normally at 7pm. I’m not a person who can function without fuelling. I have a big appetite and eat a lot. I get hangry if I don’t eat when I need to. A few years ago, my son was advised to eat half a meal before a training session and half a meal afterwards – so he has enough to fuel him, but without overloading himself. I followed that advice myself and it works for me.

I eat half a meal at 5pm, then leave the rest for later. I actually don’t feel that hungry when I get in from running – which is usually after 8:30pm. But I make myself eat and as soon as I eat I realise just how hungry I am! The food tastes amazing, even though it’s just my usual food, which isn’t very exciting at all.

Since joining a running club, I’ve realised just how competitive it is. Even though it’s inclusive and supportive (there is a really active Facebook group, which is friendly, supportive and informative), everyone is always competing.

I love running and I enjoy races, but the running club is next level. It feels like everyone in my interval training group is doing Manchester marathon (I’m not!). They also do lots of local races, as well as marathons all over the world. One of the advantages of being in a running club and signing up for lots of races is that I am now a UK Athletics affiliated athlete, which means all races are £2 cheaper.

There is an annual race series, which includes local races of varying distances. Club members take part in these races, as do the members of the other local clubs. They are racing for themselves and the club. A couple of the races I usually do are on next year’s series and we’ve already signed up for one we’ve never done before. I suspect I will end up doing quite a few of them. I enjoy the buzz of a race and it will be great to have club members and supporters cheering me on and to feel part of a team.

For me, the dream is an age category win in one of these races – or even age category top three. I came sixth in my age category at Stroud half marathon, so with the extra training it might just be possible…

Watch this space.