Am i good enough to join a club

[Deleted User]

Hi, i currently train 6 days a week covering about 40 - 50 miles every week. I entered my first 10k cross country last week and even though the ground was boggy finished in 41 minutes. I now want to start racing on roads and maybe join a club, but want to be competitive before i start. what time would i have to achieve over 10k to achieve this?

Dragon Breath

It all depends what you mean by competitive. If you want to win a car by shattering a course record you need to be able to do 27 mins. If you want to finish about half way down the field you are too good already.

[Deleted User]

Thanks going on a training run tonight. going to see what my time over 10k is like on the road.

[Deleted User]

Looking at results on club websites is usually a pretty good guide as to what sort of times you may wish to aim for. E.g., many local 10k road races can be won in around 30-31mins, but it depends on the course. Cross countries will always be a little slower. Sounds like you'd be somewhere towards the front in most races, so don't worry, clubs will be thrilled to have you.

[Deleted User]

Hey Stevie,
Many of us do not run half your mileage and would need to be given a sedative for over excitement if we posted that sort of time. I recently joined a local club and had a warm welcome and I am a damn site slower than that. Thanks for making me feel even slower!!!!! Go join!
Steve

[Deleted User]

41 over grass - you'd be in the top third for the races that I run in and there are a lot of clubs around my way. Clubs need runners like you for their local league results. Go for it!

[Deleted User]

Hi, Stephen, ive just joined a club and have been welcomed even though i can only manage 10k in 65 mins, so im sure any club would be thrilled to see you walk through their door.

go for it..

popsider

Depends on the club. If you join a "proper" major athletics club you will be pretty slow - but if you join a running club you will be sort of half way up or faster depending on the club. Cross country leagues vary but in general I would say that the standard is going to be as good or better than the average road race - because cross country is generally all club runners.

If you like being competitive choose your club carefully - if you are wanting to push yourself and improve you'll want a club with plenty of runners better than you who can push you and act as targets. Try all the clubs in your area - go out and run with them - ask what activities they offer - for example do they do cross country, fell racing, enter road racing leagues etc. Also some offer track sessions and stuff like that - that is something you can't really do on your own so its worth asking whether they do that.

[Deleted User]

Thanks for your replies. Ran last night in 39 mins. Going to look for a club next week.

Colchester Coyote

Well done on your times, as you have decided you are already plenty fast enough to join a club and will achieve the interclub competitiveness that will progress you even faster.

All, no-one has to be a certain speed usually to join a club, the club I am in caters for people running between 10min and 5min miles so if you have any doubts about your speed then just contact your local club.

Best wishes, NN