Grace writes

I joined Tattenhall running club a year ago, having previously run regularly with a friend, but only over short distances. Feeling a bit nervous at the prospect I e-mailed the club and received a reply within a few days. Firstly, there was a phone call from the Secretary explaining the set up of the club, and this was then followed by an e-mail from one of the coaches.  

So I set out on the following Thursday evening still a little nervous but encouraged by the fact that I had already had contact with two of the club members. I need not have worried as the welcome I received from all members was great, everyone was really friendly and the atmosphere was brilliant. The scenery around Tattenhall is fantastic, there are plenty of races to participate in if you choose, and everyone is very encouraging.

The social scene is great too, drinks after training on Thursdays, a quiz night, awards evening, a treasure hunt, to name only a few. I can honestly say that I have really enjoyed my first year at the Club and I am a looking forward to many more.

Now here's Nicks story.

"I joined TR about two years ago, but had been consideri ng joining a running club for a number of years before that. My indecision was based on the fact that I’ve never enjoyed the cliques and politics of large sports clubs (running or otherwise). However, just as the boredom of solo running began to increase, I happened to drive past a road race and asked a marshal about the local club and details. He encouraged me to try TR, giving details of training, when/where to meet etc, and so, I went along one evening. The friendly way in which this encouragement was given was continued on my first club night, I was made to feel very welcome with the friendly atmosphere extending into the bar afterwards. It soon became clear that this club was very different to others in my experience. The club goes to great lengths to be inclusive for all runners (no cliques) regardless of ability or preferred type of running. I have seen this open and friendly manner extended to all new runners since, making this club ideal for those looking to combine great running along country lanes or wooded hills with an open and social running club."

Nick

Now we let Clare tell her story.

"It took me about a year to finally make the decision to swallow my pride and inhibitions to put my running prowess (or rather lack of it) out into the public arena and join a running club. I was the classic lone runner - fairly fit, enjoyed sport, done a few races, ran on my own a few times a week, same route, same speed.

Someone at the gym recommended Tattenhall Running Club. So with the words 'it's really friendly, honestly' ringing in my ears I checked out the website. Encouraged by what I saw I went for it and turned up one Thursday. It was indeed really friendly. Not quite as fast as I thought I was, no one said anything about me bringing up the extreme rear and breathing very heavily for the first few weeks, in fact the coaches were brilliant, full of good (hard?!) exercises to improve stamina and technique and always encouraging. Suffice it to say, 4 months after joining, I did the Chester Half Marathon and knocked 26 minutes off my previous time. What's more I actually enjoyed it!   "

Next comes the tale of our talented Aussie couple Greg And Caroline.      

"After a great sell job from Mark and Alison it was with much trepidation that Caroline and I made our first appearance at the running club.   We were both nervous about being able to keep up and anxious not to embarrass ourselves.   We were not sure of the type of people and whether we would fit in. Mark told us about the varied range of ages and the food that people ate after the runs. So it was a bit difficult to understand how it all worked. It took a while to pluck up the courage to turn up, but knowing someone made it that much easier. Once we started running it all felt normal and people seamed keen to get to know you, so pretty soon it felt normal.

So for the first time I was able to mix with people whose thoughts about running extended beyond the leisurely trot around the park, or “setting 12” on the treadmill at the gym where the continual stomping causes weights to rattle off racks. I also felt exhilaration as we disappeared into the night and the crisp October air and also the shame as everybody swooped past me up the hills. This made me more determined and so I pushed much harder than ever. The constant advice from the coach giving you added confidence made such a difference. The realisation that I had just run 16 km with hills and I was still standing struck me as amazing.

The drink afterwards was also nerve-racking, but as we walked in, there wasn’t the usual swinging of heads that often greets a stranger, instead someone makes a gap at the table and gently invites you into the conversation. As I was totally knackered after the run, I declined the offer of a beer. But in reality I could not believe that anybody could drink alcohol when we had done such a healthy act, but I realised that this is as much a social club as it is a running club and that this was the most enjoyable part of the night and the reward for the hard work.

So my first impressions of Tattenhall running club were a group of extremely friendly people who want more out of their running and are extremely proud of the club. I can honestly say that Thursday is the highlight of my week."

Greg

Justin who joined us last year needed to find a club that suited his own philosophy of our sport.

The club is keen that you enjoy your running, which is what I realised quickly and whichever level you are at you are accommodated and encouraged. Expert training advice is available if you need it, and if you are keen to try racing there are plenty of races in the calendar where you can wear the Tattenhall vest with pride.

We are lucky in that we have a great clubhouse, which gives us the opportunity to relax in the bar after a run and catch up on the week’s happenings, and it is a great venue to party hard at the social bashes.

If you are thinking of coming down and joining us, great, just don’t think any more and just do it. Oh, and you most definitely won’t be left behind."

Justin

And finally Marjolein our first Dutch member who joined us last summer.

In the end of August I joined the training for the first time. It was the Australian couple who told me about the Tattenhall runners, my partner used to be a colleague of Greg’s (and Andrew). We moved from the Netherlands to the UK the end of June this year, so everything here is still very new to me.In The Netherlands I wasn’t a member of any official running club, I used to train with a group of colleagues every week. So joining an English running club was double new for me! I started running in 2004 and I don’t mind running on my own, but I do enjoy some company while running every now and then.When I arrived at the club my first time I was quite nervous. It was the last Thursday evening training of Greg and Caroline, so I knew there would be some familiair faces... Before I came I sent Dave an email, which he replied very soon. I felt very welcome when I was there at my first training. I still have to learn a lot of names, but I will learn them in some time I hope.We ran through the woods and in the hills, which was very new to me; in The Netherlands I used to run on the street and hills....., well, we hardly have any hills there... So in 1,5 hour I ran more hills than in 1,5 years training in The Netherlands! I really like running with these great views and I’m really looking forward to running in the light again!

Marjolein