How to keep run clubbers run clubbing
What's your favorite thing about run club?
What do you like about run clubs?
It’s coming up to the one year anniversary of my run club, the Glendale Runners. It’s a Tuesday morning run club, which isn’t the most traditionally sociable moment in the week, but we’ve built a core group of regulars since Thanksgiving 2023.
Glendale Runners was over five years in the making, but I only started the weekly runs when I found an equally capable coach to share the responsibility with, and it was the right move. When the thing I’m most passionate about is giving new runners a comfortable place to begin their practice, being able to tell them that we have two certified running coaches is great.
But what do YOU like most about run clubs?
Maybe run club is that third space in your life — a place to socialize, away from home or work. As someone who’s worked from home for the majority of my adult life, it’s certainly that for me.
Maybe run club is a place for performance, where you can measure your progress against a set route that you run once a week.
Maybe run club is a safe place for a you to begin your running journey.
Maybe it’s the opposite, and you find run club an overwhelming situation. What are the solutions to that?
Whether you’re a seasoned run club participant, a run club newbie, or a run club leader, I’d love to hear your input.
Last week on Running Sucks
If you’re interested in reading about the next indie running brand, you’ll love this one about Beyond Running from Indonesia. I think they’re doing some very cool, unique work, and it was a pleasure to speak with one of the four founders. He’s 21-year-old.
What was I doing when I was 21? Nothing remotely productive, I promise you that!
Running Sucks when…
… your foot hurts a little bit.
Is it plantar fasciitis?? I’ve heard people complaining about that before. I’ve heard people saying that they don’t know how to get rid of it. Why don’t I just search on the internet for a solution? That’s definitely the smartest thing to do. Physiotherapists cost money and would diagnose and provide solutions for the problem quickly and correctly, after all.
My kneejerk reaction to Google AI explaining that I’m old was that it’s an abysmal product fueled by pure hate, but I have run on pavement a lot this week, my running shoes are in their death throes, and my calves/hamstrings/back are all a little tight. Hmmm.
Maybe I’ll just take it a little easier next week, and do some extra stretching.
Last year on Running Sucks
One of my favorite things to do when I’m traveling is run with a local crew, and when there’s a run club with 200 chapters around the world, all centered around one of your interests, that network makes it really easy.
I like a nice beer, and I like to run, so I’ve long been enamored by Mikkeller Run Club. Talking to brewery founder, Mikkel Borg Bjergsø about how he melded his D1 career with his ABV career was very, very cool.
Getting a quote from the head of the Kazakhstani chapter was arguably even cooler. A fun one.
Yes, that headline was a riff on the Carlsberg advertising slogans, and then Carlsberg bought a majority stake in Mikkeller soon after I published. Ah well.
Elsewhere on Substack
This is one of the coolest articles I’ve ever read.
is always so meticulously researched, but this one is next level.If you’re interested in finding out the different ways autism can manifest itself in our sport, some things you might expect from a neurodivergent runner, why there’s such widespread lack of diagnosis among women, and the race modifications that might help an autistic athlete, this one is for you.
Time to book flights to Australia
As soon as the New York Marathon was finished, Abbott Marathon Majors finally announced that Sydney will be the seventh World Marathon Major.
Were too many people completing all six marathons in one calendar year?
With Cape Town and Shanghai slated to be the eighth and ninth World Marathon Majors, one has to wonder where you draw the line. All nine in one year? Who’s up for that challenge? Start saving up, I guess.
And will Paris ever join the clan? It’s the second-largest marathon in the world, after all.
Move over run clubs. Are marathons the new dating app??
Both sides of the fence, as well! Whether you’re running with a sign taped to your back saying:
“I’m only here for a boyfriend”
Or if your marathon sign is advertising your availability better than a Facebook relationship status ever could, is there something in this? (No, it’s just a bit of fun.)
The Instagram QR code is kinda genius, but the cheer squad sign could lead to a suitor doubling back and missing out on a BQ time. Do you really want a partner who isn’t totally committed to their goals?
Running Sucks Haiku of the Week
Who needs a bus tour?
Just run the city by foot.
Must stop for photos.
If you’re in London and want to go for a run, I’m stretching my hamstrings and refreshing my inbox in anticipation.
Housekeeping
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Thanks for reading
- Raz x
As we approach our 200th run here in Bali I have some insights.
I was not ( and still am not a run coach ) I had run 10km twice before starting the club. It started with 4 people and we stayed true to making sure nobody finished last. That is HUGE.
We were consistent and continued to show up.
We host from our cafe which is a 3x3 meter coffee window. We now average 80-100 runners on a Wednesday morning. I think having a home base is important.
It’s incredible to see people show up, be seen, be encouraged and be able to accomplish things they never thought possible.
Showing up to other run clubs and not making it a competition has been a great way to continue building an amazing community.
It was hard at first to get locals involved and feel welcomed but that has shifted and it’s amazing to see so many people coming together for a common goal.
It’s an incredible way to be welcomed and feel at home wherever you might be.
Come for a run if you find yourself in Bali!
I like running with new friends and chatting through the miles. Coffee hangouts after are fun, too. I love diversity in a run club, too - all ages, all experience levels, different backgrounds, interests, etc. I don’t return to run clubs when they are more about being competitive than enjoying a run together. It’s not my thing. I want to feel relaxed at a run club meetup and compete with myself when it’s a day for speed work.