Highs and Lows of Marathon Training!! Hopefully more Highs!! by Ali_Dewy

• So not all runners are as friendly as us Realbuzzers!!!

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  May24201311:15 a.m.

  Last night I turned up for my first night with the running club with a good feeling. I wanted it to become a new positive in my life and help me improve amongst other runners. This good feeling was quickly dented! I introduced myself to the lady who looked to be in charge and she seemed lovely. She asked what level I was at and what running I had previously done. I told her I had just run The London Marathon and she looked impressed. She then asked what time I got and with a bashful smile i told her 3 hrs 34 mins, she looked even more impressed. She was just saying that she needed to pair me up with someon who would push me as a tall girl, similar age to me walked in. I was introduced to Becky, who had also run the London Marathon in a time of 3 hrs 40. Great i thought that is a good pairing. Becky obviously wasn't as excited by this prospect and point blank refused to run with me and turned her back to talk to some others!! Fair enough I thought a little stunned at how rude someone could be. The poor lady trying to make me feel welcome walked me through the group and introduced me to Ruth.... "Ruth this is Ali, it is her first time down here tonight, she has just run london in 3 hrs 34 mins and I thought she would be a good pairing for you this evening?" I can't remember Ruths exact response but it was somewhere on the lines of "Well i am out with these guys tonight but yes whatever!" She then just turned back to the conversation she was already having and left me stood like a lemon. Ok i thought that is the best i am going to get so i kept smiling and said hello to a couple of people, asked a couple of questions to a couple of guys stood waiting to set off and then just tagged along with Ruth. There were 5 other guys running with myself and Ruth and a couple of them did make conversation a long the way but it did feel very awkward. I asked them a few questions and tried not to feel too disheartened. The run was ok, it didn't push me as such but the route was all off road and up through the woods so quite nice and something different for me. It took an hour but not sure how far it was as i forgot my Garmin. The jury is still out on Ruth, she was very vocal during the run but she obviously likes her clique. However about 5 minutes from the end she did acknowledge me and i had quite a good conversation with her finding out she has run 7 marathons and also does fell running. It seemed that the club was possibly more for fell runners as they talked about different fell runs a lot. Maybe us road runners are frowned up on?? Maybe it just isn't the right club for me? Or maybe it was just an unfortunate night to start as they did say there were a lot of people not there last night. So I will go back maybe a couple more times to see if it gets any more enjoyable. Tuesday is track night so maybe this will be a different set of people. So i aren't put off completely, however a little disheartened. If it doesn't work out i might try a different club. However, I did ok on my own before so it might just be me, myself and I again. Oh and of course my real Buzz family!! I did think at one time last night during the run that these people were obviously not real buzzers..... unfriendly lot that they were!

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  Comments (22)

  • TaniaT 'Oh No Ali I am so sorry to hear this! What a miserable bunch :(' added 24th May 2013

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  • hollywooddave 'Don't get disheartened Ali:) they are just jealous, they jealous of ya Jessica ennis abs and ya pippa myddleton bum! Maybe the better you are at running the more bitchy some people can get! Stick in there, don't let them bully you and keep fighting. Onwards and upwards!' added 24th May 2013

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  • esp4 'I would say Dave has probably hit the nail on the head. Although maybe the others are just as shy as you and find it difficult talking to new people, it takes a certain sort of person to strike up conversation with the newbie, especially when there are lots of other people you already know. Keep going Ali ' added 24th May 2013

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  • DavidHaworth1965 'If only us reelbuzzers had our own club, think what a hoot that would be! So sorry you had a difficult time. I had a similar experience with my local club. I guess I am quite shy in that sort of situation. I went along and the bloke running the group was really positive and introduced me to everyone. They all said 'Hi' but then went back to their conversations. I ended up running with the nice man in charge, I think he felt he ought to. He was running faster than comfortable for me but I stuck with him (well about 50 yards behind him most of the way as he was chatting away with another runner and I was struggling to keep up). The same thing happened the next time I went. I then was not quite so enthusiastic and have not gone back since. BUT I WANT TO KEEP POSITIVE ABOUT IT. I think, from their point of view, if they are regulars, they probably see a lot of new people coming along, a lot of these newbies probably don't become regulars (perhaps because of how they are 'welcomed' but the regulars perhaps don't realise this) so they maybe don't invest in them, thinking they won't be back next week. I'm not excusing them, but I think it might just be a case of once you show you are sticking with it, they'll let you in. I still intend to give my one another go... at some point! They are runners after all, they can't be that snooty, can they? ' added 24th May 2013

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  • hfry 'Sorry to hear about your experience, I have only just joined a running club and my experience has been almost the opposite from yours , everyone is very friendly. However I would say, I run with the beginners which means everyone is pretty new to the club which maybe makes difference.' added 24th May 2013

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  • gaellebryant 'Ali, I'm so sorry to hear about your not so good experience in joining the club...Hopefully it will change once they realise you stick to it...Maybe they feel jealous or even worried you might run better than them...Try different nights and hopefully it will get much better. Good luck!' added 24th May 2013

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  • Simonetta26_2 'I hope Becky and Ruth are not RealBuzzers, otherwise they've just read what you thought of them!! I agree with the other posts here: i'd try again - you have nothing to lose. If it's a club local to where you live, you might even find out (if they strike up a conversation!) that you have mutual friends or other interests, outside of running? Give it another go, maybe the track session? Keep us all posted to let us know how you get on. ' added 24th May 2013

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  • stephiewent 'Hi Ali, I've enjoyed reading your posts and for me - coming back to running after fours year, you're an inspiration! Fantastic marathon time by the way (wow). As Dave said they're just jealous! You were really brave to go, i be nervous too, but the hardest bit is done - go back and show them what you're made of :)' added 24th May 2013

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  • gloshawk 'Intimidated by your times, as well as the other bits that Hollywood mentioned earlier. That's what they were. Also agree that I guess running clubs see quite a few people who turn up and then drop out - although I'm not surprised with attitudes like that. Give it another couple of goes for sure - if it doesn't work out, their loss, their loss. I really hate cliquey behaviour. Drives me mad, and completely against the whole ethos of sport. ' added 24th May 2013

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  • Ali_Dewy 'Lol if I ever meet any of you lot I hope you aren't too disappointed!! Remember I am striving towrads Jess Ennis abs and Pippa's bum!!! :) I by no way rate myself so highly! I just got dumped remember, what guy in their right mind dumps someone with those quialities? LOL. Yes some good points here thanks guys I will give it another shot on Tuesday. It frustrated me a little as its not as if I went in there boasting of my time. She asked!!! ha. Another of the guys started telling me about his daughter doing amazing in The London marathon and i didn't even feel comfortable by then to mention mine. Yes I did think about naming people in case they are realbuzzers but to be honest I am only speaking the truth and Ruth if you are reading this you did redeem yourself so thanks for making the effort. As for Becky well what can i say... Jog on!!!! I have no time for rudeness. David.. A realbuzz running club would be the best wouldn't it? Jim is good at planning and organising maybe he can sort it! ha' added 24th May 2013

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  • snoflake 'OMG move on to another club......they should be honoured to have your interest in joining!! Good luck :-)' added 24th May 2013

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  • Shing 'Oh no Ali, not what you wanted as a newbie. I think Hollywood is right though, they are obviously jealous of your achievements, & let's face it if you look like Jess Ennis & Pippa I'd definitely make you feel welcome at the running club...lol. Keep at it Ali & if after a month you are still not enjoying it then carry on solo, us realbuzzers will keep you motivated. Running clubs are not for everybody & I definitely prefer running on my own. Well done for making that step though. ' added 24th May 2013

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  • AngusMc 'What a shame, their loss if you decide not to stick with them. I would be up for a Realbuzz running event one day, we could meet up somewhere central, run, eat, drink,chat and have a laugh.No cliquish-ness ( is that a word? ) . Perhaps give bingley harriers a second chance and if some of them are still behaving like dicks then go somewhere else or continue on your own as you're doing pretty well!' added 24th May 2013

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  • denbriggs 'It's the same story when you join any new club or start a new job. There are cliques within any collective. You will have to stick at it. Anyone who can train for a marathon has the determination to plough through with the difficult times when starting a new. I'm sure you will carry on going. It will get easier. I wish you the best of luck. Keep us all informed. ' added 24th May 2013

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  • Runwithroxy 'Hi Ali. Really hope it was just a bad day and there be a lot of more friendly people next time. If not try another club. I think some clubs take themselves more seriously than others. I had the opposite experience, went along to a club and they were all friendly and nice but much much better runners than me and i ended up feeling a failure :-( even though they tried to make me feel welcome.. These guys here are right we need our own virtual club x ' added 24th May 2013

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  • denbriggs 'Yes we should start our own rb runners club anyone up for 5am interval training?' added 24th May 2013

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  • Petecw29 'Ali as a club member for over 30 years I'm appalled at your treatment, clubs are supposed to be inclusive and welcome all levels of ability. I'd have thought that with your marathon time they'd be really pleased to have you as a member. Check out their website and if they do souind more a fell running club and that's not what you want I'd search the area for a more suitable club. You don't have to name the cub but what area was it I might know clubs that would be suitable for you.' added 24th May 2013

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  • Vin 'What a nice idea with the RB running club Ali. Human nature at it's best Ali. I would ignore it as some of the others have said. They'll soon warm to you for sure. Try it a few more times and if what you described continues then as pete29 says, there will be lots who would welcome you to their club. ' added 24th May 2013

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  • LeightonSean 'Sorry to hear about your bad experience with the club Ali . it is the thought of this kind of situation that puts me off joining my local club , and to be honest I enjoy running alone . Like the others have said I would try again next week and if it doesn't work out it is their loss - you are still a great runner : ) Its a such a shame we don't all live in the same town so we could go out running once or twice a week . Take care' added 24th May 2013

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  • marcphillips 'Ali, don't give up on the club just yet, I joined a club about 18 moths ago and yes, there were (and still are) cliques but there were still plenty of friendly people, it took a month or so but I got to know a few people and I haven't looked back since. Hope it works out for you or else Jim/Glos has to start a RB club!' added 25th May 2013

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  • oggie ' i say do not gve up the club yet ali go back , you know what you have achieve i london , now so do they , i think you could become the head of that club if i was there i would put your name forward indeed , you are great , some of them may be j,,,,,,,,,, and that gets people no where , keep your head high and be proud of what you done , amnd the best of luck to you from oggie ' added 25th May 2013

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  • Thebandit 'Sorry to hear it was so cliquey. Give them one more chance, then look elsewhere. I'm looking forward to the RB club now though' added 25th May 2013

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