Running and maybe some other stuff: Run Clubs

I’ve been running with a few run clubs here in the Boston area lately. It’s been fun logging miles and hanging out post-run with so many different people – getting to know folks in the running industry (technical sales reps and retailers), learning about equipment (and getting some free gear!), racing and swapping stories with fellow runners of all sizes, shapes, speeds and ages – veteran runners, folks getting back in shape from previous running experience, newbie runners that are approaching their first races, and runners that are fundraising for charity.

There’s the 55 year old firefighter (didn’t look a day over 42) who has slogged through the Boston Marathon 11 years straight raising thousands of dollars for charities. He’s looking to retire soon, start running ultra marathons and also dedicate his time to addressing child obesity. There’s the early 20’s gal that ran a speedy low 3-hour first-time marathon last fall within just a year of starting to run, and while an official qualifier for Boston, is fundraising for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute where her sister was treated successfully. There’s the guy who only recently took up running when he embarked on an 11-day adventure running across Puerto Rico with only a backpack. So many inspiring stories…

Run club running is great for getting me faster by hanging onto the heels of faster runners as best I can, or for getting in quality base miles while keeping a jovial, conversational pace. Run club is great for motivation to get out and hit the roads/trails every week, when sometimes I might not on my own. And run club is great for sharing good laughs, food and beverages as well.

There are run clubs all over the place, if you’re interested, they’re probably just a google search away. Here are the run clubs in Boston I’ve been joining most weeks (these clubs welcome runners of all abilities and paces to drop in for a run):

Tuesday, 6:00pm – City Sports (Boylston St.)
Run along the Charles River or through the streets of Back Bay. Great core group of folks, largest group since I’ve been going has been about 25 runners. Usually there’s a monthly corporate sponsor with occasional giveaways and raffle prizes. Bottled water is provided at the end of the run (and this past month the rep from Mizuno brought cookies).

City Sports (Boylston St.)

Wednesday, 6:30pm – Niketown (Newbury St.)
Small group that does varying loops around the Charles River or down through the Boston Common. Water and small energy/protein bars provided at the end of the run.

Niketown (Newbury St.)

Thursday, 6:00pm – Crossroads (Beacon St.)
Lots of folks training for the Boston Marathon, some run along the Charles River, but most others (30+ runners) head out on the green line (D line) to Woodland and then run 9 miles along the Boston Marathon course back to the bar – good training run over the tough Newton Hills including the infamous Heartbreak Hill. Pizza and water provided at the end of the run. Sidenote: Just got my copy of the March 2011 Runner’s World, there’s a brief write-up about Crossroads on page 22. Here’s the on-line version.

Crossroads (Beacon St.)

Boston's Train (the T) - Green Line

Boston's Train (the T) - Green Line - D line to Woodland

Saturday, 10:30am – City Sports/TMIRCE (Comm Ave.)
The Most Informal Running Club Ever. “A breakfast club with a running problem.” Fun, social bunch of folks. This run can get well over 50+ runners of various paces. A few loop options around the Charles River, or just stop by for the pot-luck breakfast afterwards.