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Any interest in starting a runners group for beginners? — Brooklynian

Any interest in starting a runners group for beginners?

christina
christina
edited November -1 in Park Slope
Is anyone interested in starting a running group for beginners?
I'm thinking 3x a week (incl. weekend?) in Prospect Park, either around 6.30am or after 7pm for work days and slightly more convenient times at weekends.
I'd be happy to set it up somehow if a couple of people join me.

I have no previous running experience whatsoever and I'm not the most motivated gym rat but this spare tire around my waist has got to go and I've always envied the people who run in the park or the city at all hours of the day and at the best and worst weather looking very casual...
The weather doesn't bother me much, nor does the fact that it'll be dark as long as we're in a group.

I checked out slopesports and that other group, Hash something ;-) but knowing me I won't commit to them if I don't have to because it's too general...

Comments

  • veggiequeen
    veggiequeen
    i participated in jack rabbit sports beginning running class this summer and it was wonderful. i couldn't run for very long when i started out. but i was able to run a lap of the park (~3 miles) in after completing their 10 week class (meets 2x/wk plus you do a run on your own). i'm indoors on the treadmill for the winter, but i'll be back in the park in the spring (not a morning person and it gets dark too early for me to run after work).
  • verucasalt
    verucasalt
    I would love to. I don't know if I could run the whole loop in one shot though. I would love to try but when you say beginner I would be a BEGINNER! :)
  • christina
    christina
    Oh I mean total beginner!
    I don't even know the park well, I'm fairly new to the area... how long is the loop?
  • verucasalt
    verucasalt
    The loop is 3 miles. What time is sunrise? I would love to try and work out before work but I do have to be in the city for work at 9AM. I think running would be fun and a good way to meet people as I am relatively new to the area too.
  • erikka
    erikka
    I would be, but I am NOT INTERESTED in running early in the morning. HELL NO. Maybe after work or in the evening.
  • verucasalt
    verucasalt
    I could/would do after work too.
  • quijibo
    quijibo
    i would love to but my work schedule is too erratic {i drive a sukkah mobile} to commit to an early morning jogging group.
  • joncane
    joncane
    VerucaSalt wrote: The loop is 3 miles.
    don't cheat yourself - it's 3.36 miles. pptc.org has a good map or you can use gmap-pedometer.com to map out shorter sections until you're ready to do the whole loop.
  • oneasternparkway
    oneasternparkway
    joncane wrote: [quote=VerucaSalt]The loop is 3 miles.
    don't cheat yourself - it's 3.36 miles. pptc.org has a good map or you can use gmap-pedometer.com to map out shorter sections until you're ready to do the whole loop.

    Correct -- the park is 3.3x miles. If you aren't ready to jump into that distance, I would recommend an out-and-back on the main park road (i.e. run out for a preordained time or distance and then run back on the same loop), especially if you are in the park during dawn or dusk, and especially if you are a woman. That way, you avoid the more remote paths/roads that the smaller loops require.
  • erikka
    erikka
    joncane wrote: [quote=VerucaSalt]The loop is 3 miles.
    don't cheat yourself - it's 3.36 miles. pptc.org has a good map or you can use gmap-pedometer.com to map out shorter sections until you're ready to do the whole loop.

    does it count if you run it backwards so it's mostly downhills :roll:
  • oneasternparkway
    oneasternparkway
    erikka wrote: [quote=joncane][quote=VerucaSalt]The loop is 3 miles.
    don't cheat yourself - it's 3.36 miles. pptc.org has a good map or you can use gmap-pedometer.com to map out shorter sections until you're ready to do the whole loop.

    does it count if you run it backwards so it's mostly downhills :roll:

    ? It's a loop. The net elevation change is zero.
  • rose
    rose
    OnEasternParkway wrote: [
    ? It's a loop. The net elevation change is zero.
    I don't know why, but it seems much easier to run the loop counter-clockwise. :? I hate that hill from the lake to the baseball fields -- feels much steeper than the hill on the other side.
  • quijibo
    quijibo
    Rose wrote: I hate that hill from the lake to the baseball fields -- feels much steeper than the hill on the other side.
    the hill on the vale of cashmere side is a p.i.a. but it's fun

    you can often get a little race going with any jogger in proximity as to who's gonna beat who up the hill :D/
  • oneasternparkway
    oneasternparkway
    Rose wrote: I don't know why, but it seems much easier to run the loop counter-clockwise. :? I hate that hill from the lake to the baseball fields -- feels much steeper than the hill on the other side.
    Hmm. Not sure about steeper, but it's definitely at least 300 meters longer. That can't help. From the bottom (by the pump house road) to the horse circle thing is about a half mile, and it doesn't really level out until you're nearly at the bandshell. The hill by the Vale is over within 600m.
  • the_dude
    the_dude
    I've tried running both ways due to those hills. It's a killer either way. I run 1 loop for my (almost) daily run and 2 or 3 laps for my long weekend run. Anyway, running clockwise gets me worse. It's not as steep, but quite a bit longer. I think the long, slow burn of the incline, to me, is worse than the short, quick burn of running it counter-clockwise. Just my opinion after having tried it both ways quite a few times. Either way you go though, it definitely puts a strain on your pace.

    Regardless, I was very happy to find out about that loop when I first moved here. It's a nice run, and not too-too long.
  • erikka
    erikka
    How do you guys deal with the incline? If I run too close to the curb it makes my knees and ankles hurt.
  • rose
    rose
    erikka wrote: How do you guys deal with the incline? If I run too close to the curb it makes my knees and ankles hurt.
    I try to either run on the dirt path next to the road (watching out for roots, rocks, and rats) or in the middle of the road, in that cross-hatched no-mans-land (as I think quijibo called it) (watching out for angry cyclists and cars drifting out of the car lanes).
  • quijibo
    quijibo
    i'm trying to run more in the grass whenever possible.
    but it's an iffy proposition. it's never smooth.
    and with rocks and petrified twigs, you're sure to twist an ankle.
    but it's good on the joints so i risk it... when possible :wink:
  • the_dude
    the_dude
    and with rocks and petrified twigs, you're sure to twist an ankle.
    Yeah, that incline near the curb is a killer for sure. I also try to stay near the center where it's more level. I avoid the grass due to personal experience...I'm afraid of stepping on something I can't see. My wife and I were running last year (not here mind you) and she stepped on a discarded steak bone, perhaps a dogs chew toy and rolled her ankle. Snap! Broken ankle, in a cast and on crutches for 6 weeks, then 6 more weeks of physical therapy. Ever since then, I stick to the road.
  • quijibo
    quijibo
    the_dude wrote: Yeah, that incline near the curb is a killer for sure. I also try to stay near the center where it's more level. I avoid the grass due to personal experience...I'm afraid of stepping on something I can't see. My wife and I were running last year (not here mind you) and she stepped on a discarded steak bone, perhaps a dogs chew toy and rolled her ankle. Snap! Broken ankle, in a cast and on crutches for 6 weeks, then 6 more weeks of physical therapy. Ever since then, I stick to the road.
    ah. shit. fuck. that's exactly! what i'm afraid is gonna happen to my ankles
  • christina
    christina
    Ok to get back to the original question - there is some interest I guess, why don't you pm or email me if you're up for it and we'll take it from there?
    Thanks!
  • anonymous
    anonymous

    Subject: Totally up for the running group

    I used to run regularly but need the motivation of a partner / group -- and can't seem to find one!

    Morning would work (though I can't say it sounds like a lot of fun), or nights at about 8pm. 2x during the week, once or twice on weekends sounds ideal to me.

    I'm on 6th Street between 5th and 6th Ave. Email me at [email protected]!!!
  • christina
    christina
    Ok I pmed and emailed a few suggestions out, if you didn't receive anything from me but you want to be included please let me know :D
  • christina
    christina
    Another quick update, we'll meet on Saturday at 10 am at the 3rd Street entrance of Prospect Park. I will email out further details, send me a private message or email if you want to be included.

    Come along!
  • christina
    christina
    Just to let you know that we did indeed meet today and had a really successfull start which was fun (and that's coming from someone who doesn't really like excercising).

    We'll meet again TOMORROW, 10 am, 3rd street entrance of the Park,


    and then hopefully every weekend as long as the weather isn't too bad/cold. Maybe once or twice a week in the evening as well if people are up for it.

    Hope to see you there.
  • steve
    steve
    Congrats, What kind of turnout did you actually get? 5? 10?
  • christina
    christina
    We're 5 at the moment. More people are interested but can't make the times.

    Our next run will be on Tuesday at 8pm.
  • steve
    steve
    Excellent, well done!
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