Or as some people like to call them, "running clubs."
But I like gang better. Makes us sound tough.
Plus, aren't running clubs LIKE gangs?
We meet in groups regularly. We represent by wearing our colors and our logos on everything. We compete against rival gangs. What gang your in is often dependent on what neighborhood you live in. You're wideley recognized in your neighborhood and people move out of your way when they see you coming.
SEE! Running Club = Gang.
Ok, maybe my knowledge on actual gangs is a little slim... And sure, running clubs don't perpetuate violence on anyone except themselves. (Be honest, running is a little masochistic.) But what I lack in knowledge about gangs, I more than make up for in knowledge about running clubs!
But I like gang better. Makes us sound tough.
Plus, aren't running clubs LIKE gangs?
We meet in groups regularly. We represent by wearing our colors and our logos on everything. We compete against rival gangs. What gang your in is often dependent on what neighborhood you live in. You're wideley recognized in your neighborhood and people move out of your way when they see you coming.
SEE! Running Club = Gang.
Ok, maybe my knowledge on actual gangs is a little slim... And sure, running clubs don't perpetuate violence on anyone except themselves. (Be honest, running is a little masochistic.) But what I lack in knowledge about gangs, I more than make up for in knowledge about running clubs!
I recently found myself in a bit of a running slump. I felt unmotivated. I didn't enjoy running and was finding reasons to avoid doing it. Too hot. Too tired. Don't have time. Just don't wanna.
But I knew I needed to get back at it. And so I started trying to make it out to one running club near my apartment regularly.
Which lead to me trying to make a second running club regularly...
And now a third.
So yes, I belong to three gangs. And if I had time, I would join more.
But I knew I needed to get back at it. And so I started trying to make it out to one running club near my apartment regularly.
Which lead to me trying to make a second running club regularly...
And now a third.
So yes, I belong to three gangs. And if I had time, I would join more.
MONDAY | WEDNESDAY | THURSDAY |
On Monday nights, I run with the Tin Roof 2 Running Club in Cool Springs.
On Wednesdays nights, I run with East Nasty, Nashville's most famous and largest running club.
And on Thursdays, I meet with the one clostest to my apartment, South Side.
And I'm so happy to be back running and to have found a reason to run again. Because running clubs are great for a variety of reasons.
On Wednesdays nights, I run with East Nasty, Nashville's most famous and largest running club.
And on Thursdays, I meet with the one clostest to my apartment, South Side.
And I'm so happy to be back running and to have found a reason to run again. Because running clubs are great for a variety of reasons.
Make New Friends
When I first moved to Nashville, one of the very first things I did was scour facebook looking for running clubs. What better way when moving to a new city is there to get hooked up with like-minded people who know where all the best places and races to run are? A chance to get out and meet new people and make new friends and partner up for some great (and also some bad) runs!
I look forward to my running clubs not just for the running, but for the social aspect of getting out and interacting with some amazing groups of people.
I look forward to my running clubs not just for the running, but for the social aspect of getting out and interacting with some amazing groups of people.
Accountability
"Hey, Jessica! Where were you? We didn't see you at last night's run?!?"
"Sorry, y'all. I got busy eating crap that's not good for me and watching reruns of Law and Order that I'd actually already seen before..."
This is what happens when you skip out on running club. Ok, maybe not exactly. (Although I can't say that particular scenario hasn't occurred... But there is that sense that if you have a set time, location, and people who expect you to show up, it's much easier to make that committment to running. Especially lately in the heat. There are so many evenings where I've thought "UGH. This heat is gonna kill me... Maybe I shouldn't run." But in my mind, I know that there's a group of people who are also dealing with those same thoughts and still showing up and putting on their A-Game and expect me to do the same.
"Sorry, y'all. I got busy eating crap that's not good for me and watching reruns of Law and Order that I'd actually already seen before..."
This is what happens when you skip out on running club. Ok, maybe not exactly. (Although I can't say that particular scenario hasn't occurred... But there is that sense that if you have a set time, location, and people who expect you to show up, it's much easier to make that committment to running. Especially lately in the heat. There are so many evenings where I've thought "UGH. This heat is gonna kill me... Maybe I shouldn't run." But in my mind, I know that there's a group of people who are also dealing with those same thoughts and still showing up and putting on their A-Game and expect me to do the same.
VARIETY - The Spice of Life
Yes, most running clubs have a fixed set of "routes" based on their location and their surrounding neighborhoods. But the great thing is that they usually rotate through them. So every week is slightly different than the week before.
East Nasty in particular is great about this and has FOURTEEN different routes! (You can check them out HERE, in the list on the right hand side.) My lovely South Side Runners don't have nearly the same ability to add variety due to their location, but we still mix it up, adding in a hilly route every few weeks and recently adding in some extra mileage options with the opening of a new greenway.
And beyond routes, running with a group of people is dynamic. The runs themselves take on a new life. One week, one of the girls I normally run with wanted to mix in speed work and intervals. Same route as normal, but this time we played with speed, sprinting it out and then taking short walking breaks. Same, but different.
East Nasty in particular is great about this and has FOURTEEN different routes! (You can check them out HERE, in the list on the right hand side.) My lovely South Side Runners don't have nearly the same ability to add variety due to their location, but we still mix it up, adding in a hilly route every few weeks and recently adding in some extra mileage options with the opening of a new greenway.
And beyond routes, running with a group of people is dynamic. The runs themselves take on a new life. One week, one of the girls I normally run with wanted to mix in speed work and intervals. Same route as normal, but this time we played with speed, sprinting it out and then taking short walking breaks. Same, but different.
BEER
Do I need to explain?
Ok, so beer drinking isn't a requirement of running clubs. But all of the ones I'm run with meet afterwards for drinks. Which is a great time to get to know people, to unwind after a run, and replenish those lost electorlytes and carbs and rehydrate. They celebrate the great runs and offer concillation on the bad ones. And everyone knows that drinks with friends after a run are the best kind of drinks you can have.
And there you have it. I mean, I'm not sure what better reasons you would need to join a running club. I know some people enjoy their solitary time when running, or that running with a group doesn't fit with their training plans... But we have runners in our club who run solo. And runners who modify their training schedules to make it work. They come early to run extra miles to each goals. They start with us, go off and do their own thing, and then meet back up with us at the end for a drink. I'm obviously a huge supporter and without my running clubs, I'm not sure I'd be the runner I am right now without them. They are my motivation, my support, and me raison d'etre when it comes to running lately and I owe them a great deal. I certainly got my start running on my own, but running clubs are what have kept me going.
So Tell Me...
Why do you love your running club? Which gang are you representing?
You don't have a running club? Why not? Inquiring minds (aka, my mind) want to know!
#runlove, y'all!
You don't have a running club? Why not? Inquiring minds (aka, my mind) want to know!
#runlove, y'all!