Five things to remember when joining a run club

Joining a local run club is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in a new environment and to meet like-minded individuals. It can also be a very intimidating experience if you don’t know what you are in for. If you can remember these five tips, we promise that everything will go a-OK when joining a new run club.

1) Be honest about your ability

If you are unsure of your current level of fitness, head out for 5K run a few days before you plan on attending the run club. This will give you an idea of your pace and fitness level, therefore, the run club leader can put you with the right people for your first run with the new club.

2) Do your research and find the right club

You want to make sure that the run club that you’re joining has runners of similar ability and age. If you’re a recreational jogger looking for 5K social runs, joining an intense run club that does a ton of mileage might not be the right fit. You can always reach out to the run club leader on social media to get an idea of what the distances and paces are like before showing up. The internet is also a great source for finding the best options for a run club near you.

3) Don’t be nervous

Putting yourself out there can have added stress and anxiety, especially if you think you’re uncertain of your ability. Most run clubs are open to all levels of fitness from beginner to advanced, it helps to have a bit of running experience. If you can get through a 5K test run, you’ll likely survive the introductory distances the run club offers.

4) Have fun and be social

Don’t be shy to message the run club leader before to let them know that you’re attending and introduce yourself immediately upon arrival. The job of the run club leader is to make sure everyone feels welcome and introduce you to people around the same age or pace to help you settle in.

First impressions are everything; try to introduce yourself to as many people as possible on your first few runs with the new group. Be open to meeting new people and immersing in conversations with others while running.

5) Be open to learning and new experiences

Not all run clubs are the same, and some offer a hybrid of running and strength training sessions. Run club leaders are there to help you settle in and will offer tips to improve your run club experience.