Running Clubs

[Gravityguy]

Anyone that is serious about joining the paras and improving their running ability i would suggest joining your local running club.

As running plays quite a large part in para training I decided that this was the way forward about 4 months ago and i really haven't looked back since. I was a fairly good runner before i joined and was doing 5k in 19:30 minutes. Since joining however i have knocked this down to 17:30 minutes. I have also got my 1.5m run down from 9:03 to 7:57 (and that was first thing in the morning with a bleep test late the night before). As part of a running club you get to meet a lot of very good runners who can offer some very good advice (all for free ). Most clubs generally do 2 sessions per week, 1 being a speed session and one a distance session. most of these runs will generally have a coach or two to really push you.

This time of year is also a great time to join as it now cross country season with most XC races being for club runners only. XC races are a great way to really test yourself on some pretty demanding courses.

you don't even have to be a great runner to join as there are generally various ability groups, ranging from the super fast to the slow paced runners. Joining a club is also great for motivation as you can pit yourself against people of the same ability.

I'm pretty sure most towns will have a club so there really is no excuse!! I'll even provide a clicky below listing almost all (if not all) clubs in the UK.

http://www.runtrackdir.com/ukclubs/

Hopefully this might persuade a few of you to give it a try. Theres nothing to lose really, most clubs will give you a couple of weeks free anyway

I just wanted to inform people of the benefits of club running as it really does wonders for general cardio fitness and for overall running ability.

Hope i haven't bored everyone too much!

[mfat_man]

GG

Running/triathlon clubs are the way to go.

Loads of support, expertise and the chance to push yourself, get stuck in

[Gravityguy]

I also forgot to mention about running shoes. I mentioned it in one of the army threads but finding a good running shoe is so important. A lot people either under estimate or over estimate the shoes that they buy. In the first instance, people will go out and buy a pair of trainers that only cost a few pounds to save money but when running long distances this is generally a BIG mistake. Feet are a runners (or in our case, a wannabe para's) biggest asset, they need looking after. Your feet will cover many miles when you are training so it's only right that you wear the correct shoes that will look after your feet. Asics are one of the most popular running shoes for runners but each person is different.

On the other side of the coin, many people go out and buy the most expensive trainers that money will buy in the hope that they will work miracles. Unfortunatley this doesn't work and can actually be counter productive as the trainers you buy might not actually be designed for running.

Always buy a shoe that is specifically made for running. A good guide is to check magazines like runners world for reviews or even their website. Obviously you dont have to buy the ones in the reviews but it will give you a good idea what to look for. If you can, try and find a specialist running shop where they can offer you good advice. If you aren't able to locate a specialist then use this method for choosing the shoe that suits your foot shape (pronation):

http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=481

As i have mentioned before, your feet cover a lot of distance when you run so it's only logical that you look after them accordingly. The best way to do this is to simply get a pair of good running shoes, which you can generally pick up for around £35-£65. Always try them on first though and try to avoid ordering them over the internet (unless you have tried a pair on previously and know they fit well). It's better to spend a few extra quid on a decent pair and have your feet and legs stay nice and healthy than to buy cheap crap and then end up having to fork out hundreds of pounds on specialist treatment when you get injured

Also, always avoid flat footed trainers as these WILL cause shin splints after a very short time running. This is because they don't give the support in the right areas when you run and causes a lot of energy to transfer between foot and lower leg (and eventually upper legs and hips) causing severe pain.

Another long one i know but something that i feel people dont take seriously when starting out running. Hope it helps guys

[Rompton]

do you go running without the running club aswell? or do you just run 2 times per week? Those times you got are bloody excellent, well done

[Gravityguy]

do you go running without the running club aswell? or do you just run 2 times per week? Those times you got are bloody excellent, well done

No, i generally run 3/4 times a week. I do another long run (1 hour medium/fast pace) and i'll try and get a hill run in at the weekend if i'm not skydiving.

The times are good though because of the advice and support i have had from the running club. I've found that one of the biggest helps has been the speed session with the club on a tuesday. Bloody hard work but because you hit 'the wall' so many times, you know that when it comes down to it in a race or whatever you can just push on through it like you've done so many times before.

I think anyone within the right age range for the paras could get sub 8 minute 1.5 milers if they join a running club and show a little dedication.

[Alfa]

Good posts Gravityguy.

By the way how's the application going?

[MattP]

Cheers gravityguy, after reading your post i phoned up my local club and am going for a training session with them tommorrow evening. Don't know why i didn't think about doing it sooner.

Matt

[mfat_man]

Cheers gravityguy, after reading your post i phoned up my local club and am going for a training session with them tommorrow evening. Don't know why i didn't think about doing it sooner.

Matt

Matt

I joined the Perivale club when I was living in West London. Really I wish I had known about this when I joined up before. My friend also joined at the same time and has really made use of it to train for long distance races, marathons, triathlons and the like.

[Gravityguy]

Good posts Gravityguy.

By the way how's the application going?

I got a phone call yesterday from the AFCO saying that they have just realised that my med records aren't actually held in Glasgow but Cardiff Where i had my TA medical). So now they have to send for them from there. 8 weeks waiting for nothing!!

Nevermind though, it'll all come good in the end im sure. i did the insight course at the weekend and absolutley loved it. I just want to get to depot now

I was thinking it might be worth making the thread a sticky so everyone in the future realises how worth while running clubs are and how much they can benefit? Just a thought though

Cheers gravityguy, after reading your post i phoned up my local club and am going for a training session with them tommorrow evening. Don't know why i didn't think about doing it sooner.

Fair play to you mate, i guarantee you won't regret it. Let me know how it goes

[Paraintraining]

you commented that anyone in the right age range could get a sub-8minute 1.5mile. I'm currently running around there (last two have been 7:50 & 8:06) and am not really training for it.

[Paraintraining]

oop, meant to add- you think i could aim near 7 minutes?

[lodgi]

I'm quite a slow runner. I've been working away at my running for about 6 months now and my pb for 3 miles is still 21:23. I'm quite broad and heavy, 6ft2 and about 13 stone 10lb, and I think this has some bearing. But im putting the effort in and I know i'll improve. I'm hoping that I'll be a good load carrier to compensate.

[EXREG]

I agree. running clubs and running sports are good. I've been Fell Running for about 6 years now,and its a great way to keep fit, practice navigation and get out in the hills.

http://forum.fellrunner.org.uk/

But I would'nt worry too much about getting a sub 8 minute BFT, you only do them about twice a year in Battalion. My personal bests where 8:02 for a BFT and 17:48 for 3 mile, but I could tab well. I would concentrate more on covering ground with kit on your back. Like Sandy said, you always get the 'racing snakes' in Battalion who bang out sub 8 min BFT's, but crumble on tough tabs and heavy load carries. Best to concentrate on conditioning for tabs, as you'll get respect in Battalion for being a good tabber, plus, when you start doing cardes like guns, anti tanks and patrols; sub 8 min BFT's wont help you carry 80-120lb for long distances. Most Battalions do a 10 miler on Friday morning, and the bench mark to aim for is around 1hr 40mins - 1hr 55mins with about 40 or 50lb on. In my platoon, all the blokes who dropped back never got the weekend off, and this was only 2 years ago!!

[got1]

[quote="Sandy The Guvnor"][quote="Gravityguy"]I think anyone within the right age range for the paras could get sub 8 minute 1.5 milers if they join a running club and show a little dedication.[/quote]

Theres a lot more to it than just being a good runner, i have seen a lot of joes here who are very good runners but once you put boots on there feet and a bergen on there back they crumble.[/quote]

I have seen a lot of "good runners" fall by the wayside.