Would you like to start running, but are not sure where to start?  Need some motivation and support?

Our latest 'pop up' running group is due to start next week, on Monday 30th June at 6:30pm, meeting on Cottenham Village Green for **eight weeks only** (don't miss it!)

This group is for complete beginners with no prior running experience.  We meet three times per week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday at 6:30pm) and take you through a graduated programme to ensure you can run 5k in just eight weeks (you can do some of these as 'homework' in your own time if you prefer).  The programme is delivered by qualified run leaders, who are all trained, CRB checked and insured by UK Athletics.  You'll also receive weekly emails and online support from our experienced running coach and personal trainer, Clare, who can answer any questions about kit, injury, stretching, fitness and so on too.

This programme has a great track record, with over 200 people now successfully completing the course and achieving that 5k.  We also won the Pride of Cambridge awards last year for the Community Group of the Year, which is a great reward for all the hard work put in by our volunteer leaders.

The programme is completely 100% FREE, inclusive and great fun - so what are you waiting for?

As part of the programme you also get temporary membership to the Fen Edge Runners club, so you can see what they get up to and meet some of the members (some of whom started with our last beginners group!).  You can also mix and match with the beginners sessions at Wimpole on Mondays and Thursdays at 10am if that's more convenient?

Come out and make the most of the summer evenings and explore the village!   Get fitter, make new friends and find a great new sport.  

Kids, buggies and dogs very welcome (although please let us know they're coming so we can adapt the route if need be!).

Any questions, please email or ask on Facebook?  Please tell friends - let's get Cottenham running!

Back in 2008 I set up a RunEngland group.  Mainly because I kept thinking of excuses not to go running, and thought this would give me some accountability!  But I also wanted to create something that didn't exist yet, a special sort of a something.

And so Over Run4Fun (named by South Cambs council, not me <grin>) was born.  We started off as a beginners group with ten people each Sunday.  A mix of all ages, kids aplenty.

It went well.  Numbers went up.  Soon the beginners were no longer beginners.

I was already a qualified personal trainer and run leader, so decided now was the time to bite the bullet and take my coaching qualifications.  A hard six months later and I was a fully fledged running coach, and had also persuaded seven members of the group to train as run leaders too.  I knew this thing had 'legs' but I was also really wary of it turning into something too big.  I liked that we had a real community feel.  I liked that we were so inclusive, and so friendly.

I started up groups in other areas.  I started training people for half marathons, marathons, obstacle races and so on.  With my lovely run leaders, we started our beginners programmes in local villages and got a whole new crowd of people running.  We won awards for this (I'm still in shock about that....).  I had a strong idea about pricing (never charging for 'just' running, keeping very competitive on coached sessions too), and a stronger idea about a sense of community.  

And then I had the brainwave that we should attempt to affiliate with UK Athletics.  To get 'official'.  I'd been told by someone at Run England that there was 'no chance' that UKA would affiliate another club locally. Fortunately, I like a challenge.  After six months of form filling, committee meetings and significant chasing of the UKA staff, we affiliated in October 2013. 

Which makes us a 'proper' affiliated club. With 'proper' coaches, 'proper' welfare policies.  But still with our old ethos intact of inclusion, encouragement and affordable community activity.  And so Fen Edge Runners was "born" - a tricky "delivery" that was not without complication (and I'd have appreciated some gas and air at times....)

My little group has grown into something quite impressive.  I'm very proud to be a part of it.  And very proud of my amazing leaders and my amazing runners that make the club what it is.   We have something unique, because you guys have made it into what it is.

We're not a scary, results-driven club.  I like that.  Some people chase PBs, some people are happy just to be out trotting along in the sunshine (and rain, and snow) with like-minded people.  When new people come along it is not what they've been expecting.  It's so much more.  

I am so happy with what's been created.  It's so much more than I ever thought it could be.  I now have to trust the committee to make the right decisions, to keep the things that make us unique, to keep coming up with new ideas and ways in which we can develop the club and how we can offer something just that little bit different.  


My baby is all grown up now.  And I have to let her go and make her own way in the world.

Starting on 24th April, the usual Cottenham group is being replaced by a 'Faster 5k' 5 week masterclass.  You'll learn simple but super-effective methods to increase your race pace with small tweaks to your running routine.  

If you've been repeatedly running 5k and hoping to get faster, not really seeing results and not sure why, then this course is for you! Learn the secrets of upping that pace and snagging your next PB. Come prepared to work hard and shake-up your training.

This course is available at the bargain basement price of £15 for the whole 5 week term.  Do not miss this!  Our team of UK Athletics running coaches and leaders will put you through your paces and teach you the secrets of running faster and more efficiently.  Come and find your speedy inner cheetah!  

Beginners welcome (but it would help to know your current, or predicted, 5k pace).  Meet on Cottenham Village Green at 6:30pm, starting 24th April.

People that attended the whole term of our last masterclass typically sliced 10% off their 5k time as well as learning new, efficient methods of training.  You'll do a different session each week to learn about training methods, technique and efficiency, and will have homework to complete too!

What are you waiting for?  Sign up on Facebook here or email to reserve a place on this course, or for details of future courses.

Runners:
Do you suffer from repeated injury?  
Would you like to improve your posture and running technique?  Would you like to improve your PB?
Do you need help to create and maintain a strong core?  
Do you have a "bad back", tight hip-flexors or hamstrings?
Would you like to improve your breathing, flexibility and alignment to make you faster, fitter and more efficient?

This 4-week course is specific to runners looking to improve their form and technique by strengthening their core, improving their alignment and increasing awareness and focus.  No previous experience of Pilates needed.

The sessions are taught by a UK Athletics running coach and Pilates teacher.  This is not a generic 'one size fits all' Pilates class, every part of each session is specific to improving your running, making you faster, more efficient and less prone to injury.   
All equipment provided.  
Places are strictly limited to ensure that each participant receives individual correction and coaching.  

Free, no obligation, 'taster' session on 31st March with priority sign-up to the full course.  

Mondays, 7:15pm, Cottenham Sports Centre, starting 28th April - only £30 (includes free Pilates ball or band), £25 for current members of Fen Edge Runners.

To reserve your place either for the taster or full course then please email me.
Don't delay, places are likely to go fast!
"Drop ins" may be available due to holidays/sickness so let me know if you'd like to be added to the mailing list for one-off places? 

I have a few new running things starting in Sept, plus all my old running things still going.  So in the interests of making sure everyone knows about everything (and so I don't forget too), here's the full list of 'running stuff you need to know about'.

Warning: It's exhausting just reading about it....

Fancy joining us?  Have a look at What we don't do at running club and Why don't you advertise more? for some ideas of our ethos and approach.  Free trials available :)

Running groups:
Mondays, 7pm, Chesterton Sports Centre.
Tuesdays, 6:30pm, The Exhibition, Over.
Wednesdays, 6:30pm, Swavesey Village College Sports Centre.
Thursdays, 6:30pm, Cottenham Village Green
Sundays, 10am, The Exhibition, Over.
All sessions are £3 (except Chesterton, which is £20 per term).
More sessions planned to start in January.

Juniors:
Thursdays 3:30pm, Swavesey Village College.

Beginners 0-5k programmes:
Mon/Weds/Fri 6:30pm, Waterbeach Primary School
Mon/Weds/Fri 6:30pm, Willingham Doctors Surgery
£10 for the whole 8 week programme - all donated to the village primary school.

'Fast first Friday':
A beep test on the first Friday of each month, meets 6:30pm, Over Village Green.
FREE, all welcome.

'Saturday social':
An endurance run of various lengths, meets in a different village each week (check Facebook on Fridays for meeting points or email to ask to be added to the email list).  Routes are generally dog friendly, and can be buggy friendly on request.
FREE, all welcome.  

5 - 10k programme: 
Starts Sept, full training programme, coach support, organised training runs, speed sessions.  FREE for current club members, £30 for non-members - email for details?

New things all start w/c 9th Sept - hope to see you at one/many of our meet-ups!

For the next 5 weeks, the usual Cottenham group is being replaced by a 'Faster 5k' masterclass.  You'll learn simple but super-effective methods to increase your race pace with small tweaks to your running routine.  

If you've been repeatedly running 5k and hoping to get faster, not really seeing results and not sure why, then this course is for you!  Learn the secrets of upping that pace and snagging your next PB.  Come prepared to work hard and shake-up your training.

This course is available at the bargain basement price of £15 for the whole term.  Do not miss this!

Come and find your speedy inner cheetah!  Beginners welcome (but it would help to know your current, or predicted, 5k pace).  Meet on Cottenham Village Green at 6:30pm, starting 27th June.

One of our previous 'graduates' says:

What are you waiting for?  Sign up on Facebook here or email to reserve a place on this course, or for details of future courses.

I've had a lot of queries about running club lately and the favourite question (well, after 'how far do you go?', see here for the answer) seems to be 'what do you do?'.  This is quite hard to explain, as we do different things each week and there's no set agenda each term.  It may be circuits one week (especially if it's hot!) or 400m repeats another, some weeks we'll do our mile time trial, some weeks we'll have a picnic...  

But, here are some things that we definitely DON'T do!  

• Ask you how fast you go. A member recently told me they went to a running club once (advertised as 'beginners welcome') and was asked what their 5k race pace was - they hadn't even run 5k in one go at that point!  We don't care if you do 6 min/mile or 15 min/mile, whether you run marathons or just to the end of the street, you're very welcome to come along.  
• Shout at you.  
• Make you feel that you're the 'slow one'.  The training we do is carefully designed to 'level the playing field' so it's not possible for anyone to get 'left behind'.
• Burpees, press-ups, jumping jacks - if you want a generic 'keep fit' type of thing, then I can tell you where to go.  You come to us for running training....
• We don't take ourselves too seriously.  We're all about creating a fun and supportive environment where you can meet new friends and enjoy the outdoors.
• We don't 'just' run.  A lot of people seem to think that all we do is meet up and go for a run, in which case £3 a session seems a bit steep.  If you want to 'just' run, then do come to our FREE 'Saturday social' sessions (like our page on Facebook for details of meeting points every Friday!).  But we don't charge for 'just' running - you don't need any help to do that - at our club nights we coach you, show you different ways to train, show you how to get faster, stronger or run further.

Sound OK so far?  Why not come and try it out?  You have nothing to lose (trials are FREE) and a whole load of stuff to gain...

Tuesdays 6:30/Sundays 10am The Exhibition, Over
Thursday 6:30 Cottenham Village Green.

We've been overwhelmed with the response to our beginners 0 - 5k programme.  We're just finishing week 5 of the current one and already have bookings for the next ones (even though we don't have a date/location yet!).

Despite most of our beginners trying to convince me that they'll never run a 5k when they arrive for their first session, sticking to the programme has really shown results with over 30 people completing the last programme and successfully running the distance.  Plus, we're a friendly bunch that don't take ourselves too seriously so we have a laugh along the way too!

If you'd like to express an interest in being one of our new beginners then do email or message me on Facebook.  The next set of sessions will be either Cottenham or Willingham (or both if we have enough interest!!) meeting at 6:30pm Mondays with optional Wednesday and Friday meetups too.  The runs are led by enthusiastic run leaders and UK Athletics running coach who will support you all the way.  Dogs and kids very welcome to come too (just let us know what to expect!)

Sound good?  Oh, did I mention that it's COMPLETELY FREE?  Does it sound even better now?!

As a special thankyou to all my runners for your ongoing support of the club, I'm providing the next few weeks of training for FREE.  
If you were thinking of joining us, then this is an ideal time to try it out!  And it's also an early Christmas present for all my regulars.
Tuesday 6:30pm and Sunday 10am: The Exhibition, Over
Thursday 6:30pm Cottenham Village Green.
Thanks for making my job so easy, and so much fun.

We launched our beginners program yesterday and got a HUGE turnout!  Well done to all the keen soon-to-be-runners, keep doing the 'homework' and you'll be running 5k in 8 weeks.  Photos to follow!