Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Do running clubs accept / support slow (crap) runners?

45 replies

Pipsquiggle · 27/03/2023 15:01

Hi just wondering whether I should join a beginners running course at a local running club - it's just that I know I will be really slow. I want to go for fun, do a bit of exercise, have a chat, that sort of thing.

I am peri-menopausal, overweight, slow and just don't want to be made fun of / be a burden - I think that is my main fear.

Has anyone done this kind of thing? How did it turn out?

OP posts:
Squirrelonwheels · 27/03/2023 15:04

Yes, decent running clubs will offer sessions for all abilities. Have a look at local clubs’ Facebook pages/websites and see if they post what groups they have. My local club offers a beginners group and a specific women’s group for example. There will be some clubs that are only focused on high end performance, but you should be able to tell the type you want from the language they use - look out for “all abilities welcome, no-one left behind, beginners welcome” type phrases. Good luck!

Libre2 · 27/03/2023 15:07

Definitely! Ours often has a walking/running group with one of the more experienced runners with them. Joining a running club was by the far the best move I have ever made for my running.

SouthCountryGirl · 27/03/2023 15:09

Yes they do. Used to belong to a running club that had walkers.

I'm now at a triathlon club. They do track instead of road. Never had any issues with being slow

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Exercise & fitness Fitness Menopause Women's health
Moveforward · 27/03/2023 15:10

Yes, they do. Yes, I've done it.

Whether it works out long term really depends in you and the club dynamic. I stayed for about 15 years as the runners "at my level" were fun and engaging. The faster runners were very encouraging but once you'd spoken to them at a run night, they were gone very quickly! Having said that when they did speed work it was always organised so we got back together for each rep, so that was more.social.

The club I was in was also quite competitive. Not something I particularly enjoyed and was the reason I moved, but it was as much about me as them.

There is now a club more local.to me that set up in recent years and they accept walkers as well. Genuinely accept them not just say they do. As a result.they are a very popular club indeed.

So my advice is go for it. Get moving and see how it works out. Just don't be like me and give up for a silly reason .... back then I could run a long way and now I'm a couch potato again.

skgnome · 27/03/2023 15:12

They do
but do check first - a beginners, all welcome session will have people walking and honestly no one will judge, there will be someone there to chat to you
some sessions expect a fitness level, they will tell you, and will tell you the distance, wait a bit before joining those

Glittertwins · 27/03/2023 15:13

Yes, they'll have different groups for all abilities. Good luck and enjoy it

VeggieSausage · 27/03/2023 15:15

Yes, definitely! I used to coach for a running club and I am definitely not your typical runner (average size and slow!). We always welcomed new people even if they had never run before. If it's a specific beginners course you will probably find lots of others in the same boat!

ParkrunPlodder · 27/03/2023 15:25

Definitely! In my experience, they love to welcome a new running convert. Different clubs have different vibes so check out a few if you’ve got a few close to you.
Parkrun/parkwalk also love a newbie. If you can get yourself up on a Saturday morning you can walk or jog/walk yourself round a parkrun. Again different ones vary depending on the volunteer team but all the ones I visited have been very friendly. Go on their website and sign up and take along your barcode (can print off or save to your phone).

Good luck - hope you had fun!

LittleLegsKeepGoing · 27/03/2023 15:27

I'm a member of an all female running social club that hosts everything from couch to 5k to ultra marathon running training sessions.

No one is left at the back by themselves and it's a great inclusive environment for woman of all ages and abilities to participate in running.

Some clubs are competitive but they do tend to make that clear from the outset. Check out their online presence, they'll almost definitely have an instagram or facebook page.

Rollercoaster1920 · 27/03/2023 15:31

Ours has a 'slow' group that does 10 minute mile pace for 4 miles. So slowish, but not total beginner.

Parkrun is a good place to start as it is all about participation, you might meet people there who can recommend a local club with a group at your level,

Paperexcelandpens · 27/03/2023 15:35

Mine doesn't. To join , you have to prove a 5k race or parkrun result under a certain time.

Bumply · 27/03/2023 15:40

I'm very overweight but a member of a lovely social running club.

We welcome anyone who can run for 30 minutes at paces down to 12-13min/miles

At the moment I'm even slower than that, but still part of the club - on the committee, attend social events and go to park run where I meet other club runners

Im in Scotland where we recommend finding local jogScotland group to do coach to 5k for the total beginners.

Im aiming to lose some weight and get back to the club sessions that cater for my pace, but if I was to ask there would be someone up for chumming me at my Uber slow 14-15 min pace

Original poster
Pipsquiggle · 27/03/2023 16:02

I am around 8 mins 30s for 1 km - sometimes faster, sometimes slower. So I am very slow😞

OP posts:
Currentlyonabike · 27/03/2023 16:20

Have a look at the running (and cycling, swimming all sorts really) site Fetcheveryone as there are loads of friendly runners of all places on the forum.
Users are based all over the UK so likely to be able to suggest a club. There's also a clubs section so you can look for one locally 🙂
There's a welcome thread here

Welcome new fetchies! Come and say Hullo :) - Page 44

Fetcheveryone Forum Thread: Welcome new fetchies! Come and say Hullo :) - Page 44

https://www.fetcheveryone.com/forum/welcome-new-fetchies-come-and-say-hullo-61430/

piedbeauty · 27/03/2023 16:27

Some do, some don't. Some are geared towards fun runners while others are geared towards more serious runners. Have a look at the club vests you see out and about, check out the social media of local clubs, and contact a few and ask about their ethos. Good luck!

Passmeaplacard · 27/03/2023 17:04

As others have said just try and pick the right club, some are amazing and have groups for all levels
you could always go to a local parkrun and try and suss out which clubs seem friendly. A lot of club runners wear their club vests etc

ParkrunPlodder · 27/03/2023 19:12

Pipsquiggle · 27/03/2023 16:02

I am around 8 mins 30s for 1 km - sometimes faster, sometimes slower. So I am very slow😞

That a similar pace to me. We take 35-45 mins to do parkrun 5km - you’ll be very welcome. A running club will happily accommodate you and help you enjoy the activity as part of a running group. Sounds like some clubs are more competitive but loads welcome beginners, they’ll let you know that I’m sure on their website.

sandycloud · 27/03/2023 19:13

Yes!!! I've just graduated from a local beginners course. Started after Christmas. They suggested you should be able to walk briskly for an hour. Everyone is so supportive and I didn't feel pushed at all. Just to go at your own pace. I have now done 2 park runs and even a 10k. Go for it. You will be fine. If you don't enjoy it you could give up.

Iwanttoquitthegym · 27/03/2023 19:17

Definitely! You need to find the right club though. My running club is women only and known in the city for being slow, I don’t care! There are other clubs nearby that have a minimum speed to join and are more competitive.
park run is also a great idea, I regularly volunteer at my local and we have runners/walkers finishing in just over an hour. If you’re not sure volunteering first might be good way to see if it’s for you.

Iwanttoquitthegym · 27/03/2023 19:18

Although my club is thought to be slow, there are runners of all speeds and runners who do ultra marathons so all are welcome!

Tickledtrout · 27/03/2023 19:20

Wildlynx · 27/03/2023 16:10

https://runtogether.co.uk/

Very inclusive IMO

Our run club advertises an annual couch 25k (usually parkrun) on this site.
It's the very best time of year to start that- lots of similar events.
Hope you find something local to you

Trekkingaway · 27/03/2023 19:27

It will depend on the club, some are more serious than others but absolutely yes in a club that more social running club than athletics club.

Our club also has a walking and a run walk group, then five other groups in increments of pace, to support people who are really starting their fitness goals from scratch.

Original poster
Pipsquiggle · 28/03/2023 11:03

I have written to a club who are starting a beginners course in a few weeks. On their website they state 'all abilities welcome' and state 'no man left behind!'
They even talk about faster runners 'peeling back'

I am quite nervous but will let you know how I get on

OP posts:
Dacadactyl · 29/03/2023 10:37

@Pipsquiggle well done for getting in touch with them. Don't be nervous, you'll be fine!!

I joined a running club on the beginners course years ago, to get up to being able to do a 5k. They don't leave anyone behind and build you up gradually. So you'll run for 30 seconds, walk for 30 and just build up from there in increments over the week.

It turned out that I was one of the faster ones, so they'd tell us to run to the red car/big tree/lamppost and then run back towards the others and tack on the back of the group.

There was a massive range of fitness abilities in the group...some could run at 8 to 9 min miles in the end and some were at 13 min miles. The slower runners were very much in the majority.

It's a nice social event and you'll get chatting to people. Don't be nervous.