Raz: "The Acai Berry experiment is a huge reason why corporate run clubs give me the ick."
And that format will never get over it. The niggle in the back of your mind, that this has an underlying commercial drive.
It reminds me of "work" happy hour, or the attempt of any corporation to provide "fun" to it's workers. It never works. We are all just waiting for this to end.
"Has a corporate run experience previously lured you in? Have you been put off joining a run club? If so, why?"
No to the first question, see my reason above. Even races that have a corp backing put me off. A local grocery store chain sponsoring a 10K at Thanksgiving? No thanks. As to the second question, the only "club" I will join is a grass roots, based on running first club. And even then, if it gets too large, I tend to avoid it. Too many competing philosophies make for emotional, personal, political, and other struggles. Tribe size is a delicate thing.
I get the whole "icks" thing because I certainly have a few but I realize none of them play a direct roll in my life so it's just a silly preference. Kind of hilarious they try and build a community while actively drive away potential members. Kind of the same vibe as "all paces welcome" but run 8 min miles.
I'm part of a run club and the thing I enjoy most is that we have track days and Sunday runs. The Sunday runs are a nice stroll where I can socialize, where as the track days I can challenge myself heavily. I am unashamed to admit I will talk s* to my friends and encourage others to challenge themselves but the encouragement is positive and light in nature.
I'm the host of the Running For Beginners Podcast (found on all platforms) at www.running-for-beginners.com My last episode was all about running clubs and I interviewed a run club leader for the episode. He shows how a club should be and what people can get out of it. Sounds like Acai Berry should take a listen.
Raz: "The Acai Berry experiment is a huge reason why corporate run clubs give me the ick."
And that format will never get over it. The niggle in the back of your mind, that this has an underlying commercial drive.
It reminds me of "work" happy hour, or the attempt of any corporation to provide "fun" to it's workers. It never works. We are all just waiting for this to end.
"Has a corporate run experience previously lured you in? Have you been put off joining a run club? If so, why?"
No to the first question, see my reason above. Even races that have a corp backing put me off. A local grocery store chain sponsoring a 10K at Thanksgiving? No thanks. As to the second question, the only "club" I will join is a grass roots, based on running first club. And even then, if it gets too large, I tend to avoid it. Too many competing philosophies make for emotional, personal, political, and other struggles. Tribe size is a delicate thing.
Great topic Raz.
I get the whole "icks" thing because I certainly have a few but I realize none of them play a direct roll in my life so it's just a silly preference. Kind of hilarious they try and build a community while actively drive away potential members. Kind of the same vibe as "all paces welcome" but run 8 min miles.
I'm part of a run club and the thing I enjoy most is that we have track days and Sunday runs. The Sunday runs are a nice stroll where I can socialize, where as the track days I can challenge myself heavily. I am unashamed to admit I will talk s* to my friends and encourage others to challenge themselves but the encouragement is positive and light in nature.
I'm the host of the Running For Beginners Podcast (found on all platforms) at www.running-for-beginners.com My last episode was all about running clubs and I interviewed a run club leader for the episode. He shows how a club should be and what people can get out of it. Sounds like Acai Berry should take a listen.