We asked the “Stragglers” from West London to give us an insight into their running club’s week.
Monday evening
The week starts with a beginners club known as “little feet” and an alternative group run for other members, round the local park. Little feet is a friendly jogging group with an “emphasis on gentle and shorter runs for the novice (also for the injured/tired and emotional/hung-over...)”
Tuesday evening session
Tuesday evening is traditionally a road training session. This is nothing technical or for elites. The coach has created a session that will focus on the runners’ speed endurance. Tonight’s session was three minute efforts with one min recovery x 6.
“Hit the road, Jack!”
The session was on a very safe well lit road. The session is structured so that everyone starts and finishes together despite them being a group with varied abilities.
“One for the road (runner)?”
Despite being tired from a hard session, these stragglers still found time for one more session in the pub before going home!
Thursday evening
Despite the wind being at hurricane levels and the temperature being icy cold, more than 50 people turned up. The club meet to talk about club news and future runs/races, before the run. This is also an opportunity to talk about your training with others.
“Smiles better!”
For a warm up everyone goes for a social mile where everyone jogs at the same pace. This is where the gossip and jokes are told! Runners are then split up into various paced groups running from 3-4 miles upwards.
Club sandwich
Many runners meet up after the run and moan about niggling injuries or the cold weather, over some hot food. This is a great place to meet new training partners and plan other runs for the rest of the week.
Saturday morning
Many club runners participate in a Saturday morning time trial run. This is free and allows runners to monitor their progress in a friendly competitive setting.
Everyone’s welcome
The runner on the right was later disqualified for using four legs!
Sunday morning
Many club members arrange to meet up and go for a long run on Sunday. Sunday runs are not just about running…. they are also about Saturday night stories and arguments about sport!
