What's the point of joining a running club? Am I missing something?

Run a few hundred miles over the course of a season and suddenly all those strangers making small talk actually become your friends (gasp!).

Now, I see your point, why have friends? You're obligated to talk to them. Occasionally see them at social events. You might even marry one of them one day, which usually ends poorly.

Just like in mathematics and music, it's better to read the books and then try to do it alone. Very few people got smarter or better at things by pursuing them in a group atmosphere.

Seems like you've got it all figured out!

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Runners are fit, so for young singles, clubs pose valuable social opportunities.

And runners tend to be affluent, so for older professionals, clubs pose valuable networking opportunities.

For anyone, clubs pose a cure for the loneliness of a distance runner.

In my late 20s I realized that I still enjoyed running hard, but didn't want anything close to the training commitment of what I did in college. I started showing up for workouts with a local club, and enjoyed the experience on many levels. There were guys to run with every week, a coach who would provide guidance (which I could choose to follow/modify/ignore), and a fun group of people to get to know.

10+ years later I have had years when I am very active, others where I was barely active, but I made a group of close friends I have a mutual interest that has nothing to do with work or family.

Not really for antisocial types. Such as you.

you sound like the life of the party OP

It's fairly obvious why people join:

- To meet new people who share an interest in running (perhaps you are new to the city and/or single)

- To learn how to do track workouts (if you're a new runner or a runner who has never done them)

- For safety (women who do not want to run alone, etc)

- To network

Having said that, I dislike run clubs because they:

- Are frequently too big and give runners a bad name due to their swarming of popular run paths

- Do dorky things like wear headlamps on routes that are well lit

- Pretend they like running when really, they are closet alcoholics or creeps trying to get dates

- Are often made up of new media types (in my area) and MLM

- Are made up of losers who just moved to a new city and are unable to make friends

These are spot on for club running, usually running in England. I love running with Bedford & County AC. The coaches were great, other runners were extremely great to do longs, and being on the club helped get into the London Marathon.

For the sweaty puss.

elviejo wrote:

I was a runner, on my own, for 20+ years with decent results for an afult-onset runner (sub 3 marathon at 38 years old). I joined a running club when was about 45 years old and by the time I was 51 I had set PRs in every single distance I raced. Big PRs. We had no coach but the motivation of training with other serious runners, going to USATF races, team scoring, XC, track meets combined to amp up my whole reason for running. It just completely opened my eyes to real training and racing. My PRs are long behind me but the highlight of my running week remains the Sat club workouts. I only see these people on Saturdays and race days but they are some of the best friends I have.

This is similar to my own story, although I was a few years younger when I first joined a club. Even in my broken-down old-age, I'm still running faster than I did running solo as a 30 year old.

And regarding the social thing, the more people you know, the better life is. Even if you don't care for half the people you know. Knowing a bunch of runners cuts across your normal social, cultural, and economic lines. You will meet people more succesful than you as runners, who will be happy to give you pointers, but you can also get investment advice, relationship advice, career advice, legal counsel, etc.

Plus discounts for race entries.

The real answer is to bang the chicks. There is a lot of pounding to be had.

One other benefit is that it gives you an opportunity to give to the running community -- to help others by your example, by any experience you may bring and share, and by any social benefit you may provide. Also it helps reveal volunteer opportunities to you--opportunities where you can help put on running events, to help welcome beginners (adults and kids) to running, and give them tips to help them avoid getting injured or burnt out early.

Tese opportunities may only seem of interest if you enjoy contributing to the society, but you could always try it a little bit and find out whether it is a good fit for you or not.

You might make new friends. These may become lifelong. If you don't want friends or already have enough then fair enough.

You might get quicker running in a group - doing hard sessions in a motivating group environment is very beneficial in my experience.

You might want to compete in club team races - these can be very positive enjoyable experiences and help you get more from the sport.

Try not to sound like such a weird loner runner in your next thread topic.

I'm in a similar situation, but I ended up joining the local running club. I don't do any of the group runs or social events, but they do put on small, local races throughout the year where club members can run for free. You also get a steep discount for their larger races, including their famous Thanksgiving Day turkey trot (~10,000 participants in the 5 mile race).

So I just did it for the free races and discounts. If they weren't a running club that produced a bunch of events throughout the year then I wouldn't have joined.

You can always join an online running team. Jared Ward has a great team called Team Endure Strong. Check it out at endurestrong.com. The training plans and coaching calls have been fantastic.

No man, or woman, is an island.

We're social animals.

Lot's of info out there suggests that as men in particular age, they die sooner if isolated.

Whereabouts in Surrey you from? I'm in Guildford and been thinking about joining GGAC

I run for Herne Hill Harriers (hence the HHH). Based in Tooting, south London.

Technically we're part of Surrey Athletics as there isn't a Greater London authority so its split between Middlesex, Surrey etc.

Guildford and Godalming have some fantastic athletes. I don't know much about the club except they beat us in the XC league this past winter! I'd go for it if I were you. The downside is non-existent.

Our local Hash House Harriers has as its motto: "We're a drinking club with a running problem"