New Runner Orientation

Elaborate course marking at the Seneca-Greenway Marathon

Joining a running club and meeting new people for the first time can sometimes be uncomfortable. This even keeps some of us procrastinating about coming out to one of the runs. We don't have an official orientation program, but you can get a few introductory questions answered here, which should make coming out to run with us easier. If you have other questions or concerns, join our e-mail list. You will be able to send messages to the whole club as well as read messages of interest to the club. The list is just active enough to keep you informed without filling your mailbox, too!

Do you have a program for beginning runners?

Yes. Our JumpStart program provides guidance and coaching to help you begin your fitness regime and train for a 5K (~3 mi.) race. You do not need any special experience or preparation to join—just a desire to have fun and feel good. We are a community of runners and walkers of all levels and ability. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate regardless of age, gender, athletic inclination, and goals.

When can I come out to run?

You can run with us any time you like. The first informational stop is the Group Fun Runs page, where general information about the schedule is posted. After that, the Run Schedule, which includes run sponsors, provides more information about what we have planned for the quarter. Knowing the sponsor's name can make asking questions easier for a given run. Note, however, that the web site is never as current as the latest e-mail exchange, especially when it comes to coordinating field trips or races.

I can't run very far without stopping. When will I be ready to run with the club?

You are ready now. We are a community of runners of all ages and abilities, so the sooner you come out, the sooner you can have fun being a member of the club. If you're a beginner, be encouraged. We run as a club so that we can help one another reach our goals!

I don't live in South Riding. Can I still join and run with the club?

Of course! You don't have to live in South Riding or even in Loudoun Co. to be a part of the club. We named the club according to the community where we organized, but runners from anywhere are welcome to join us.

I'm not familiar with South Riding. How do I get to Starbucks or Panera?

Remember to always check the run schedule to find the right starting location. If you are coming from outside South Riding and need directions, click here for a map to Starbucks, or click here for a map to Panera. The maps include the address in case you want to use an on-line mapper. You can also find links to other starting locations on the Run Schedule page.

Do I have to pay and become a member to run with the club?

No. Membership has some benefits, mainly discounts on running gear and invitations to social occasions. For more information about joining, check the membership page.

Do I need special equipment to run?

Yes and no. Good shoes are important, and you shouldn't skimp on them. They are ". . . highly technical footwear that provide stability and cushioning while heroically bearing up to three times the wearer's body weight." So yes, get yourself some good shoes.

Magazines and catalogs promote all kinds of products in their "shoe roundups", but how do you go about selecting the pair that's right for you? A good place to start would be with this recent Washington Post article. Then come out to a weekend run and ask around. You''ll get plenty of road-tested guidance!

Running clothes are made of special synthetic fabrics that help wick moisture away from your body. This is important to keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter by letting your perspiration evaporate rather than soak your clothing. If you have questions about any of this, just ask anyone at the run, then relax and enjoy a long description of all the benefits of various brands and styles.

I want to run for the first time this weekend—what do I do?

While suggesting that you not be shy isn't too helpful, please don't be shy. Anyone who shows up is assumed to be a member of the group. Do introduce yourself as a new runner and ask whatever questions you have. It may take a few visits to learn the various names and figure out some of our customs. Remember, if you don't ask, no one can answer. If you have a concern and don't communicate it, we'll assume you don't have a concern. Check the run calendar for details about weekend runs.

How early should I get to the run?

Try to arrive five or ten minutes before the scheduled start time for the run. That provides some time for greetings or introductions, any directions and instructions, and maybe a little stretch. If you arrive right at the scheduled start time, you may see everyone running away. (This might also happen if you go back to your car to get something or go to the bathroom or dawdle for a few extra seconds.) Don't worry—it's not you. It is the clock! We do usually linger to socialize over coffee after a run. The on-time start is just one of the things that we do to help fit everything into our busy lives!

I saw message on the e-mail list about a "non-run". What's that?

For those unfamiliar with some of our antics, a club non-run consists of coffee drinking and socializing at Starbucks or Panera. Pretty much the same thing we do after a run, but without the run part.

Do I have to be fast?

Absolutely not. The South Riding Running Club is a community of runners and walkers of all levels and ability. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate regardless of age, gender, athletic inclination, and goals.

Doesn't running take a lot of time?

No. Most people spend a lot more time watching TV than we do running. That said, committing enough time to reap the benefits is important. Our morning runs usually take around an hour. If you have ambitions for longer distances, you may need to spend a little more time on one weekend day. Even if you're training for a marathon, you'll probably get home while your kids are still in their pajamas.

Isn't running bad for my joints?

No. Anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something. That being said, good form is important, and one of the benefits of being a member of a running club is advice, guidance, and example from experienced runners. Everyone experiences aches and pains, and many of us get hurt every now and then—it's the price of an active life. Never give up. A benefit of membership is the occasional opportunity for authoritative advice. Read Coach Al's advice for running injury free.

What if nature calls?

You thought we wouldn't talk about this. Sorry. Not much is off limits with runners. (Yeah, we're different.) It's a good practice to put a couple of Wet Ones Singles and some tissue in a ZipLoc bag and carry them on your person during a run. If an urgent moment strikes—express or full service—you'll be prepared. Where should you address this challenge? There are Porta-Johns around the neighborhood.. Note their location. After that, keep an eye out for locations where you can deal with such matters in a reasonably private and environmentally friendly way.

I want to run a marathon. Can you help me?

The SRRC does not have a formal or organized marathon training program. We do have several members who participate in long distance races, so you have plenty of people with whom to coordinate your training. We also have resources posted on this web site to help get you started. Check the Race Reports link for first-hand accounts of race experiences. Follow the Training link for articles, links, calendars, and other tools.

I want to improve my time. Do you have track workouts?

Yes, we currently have an arrangement with Freedom High School that allows us respectful use of their track. The athletic department has been very accommodating to let us hold our workouts there, and we do our best to follow their rules to the letter. This includes no children and no pets (all species), not running in certain lanes, and leaving the area pristine with no evidence of the visit. Note, too, that these rules are related to county policy and liability and not subject to interpretaton or debate—breaking them could lock the whole club out of the track.

Why can't I run in any lane I want at the track? Why would anyone care about that?

Actually, there is a very good reason for our Freedom High School hosts to want us to stay out of the inside lanes on the track. On a basic asphalt track, wear and tear on lane markings is an issue, but not a major one. On a modern cushioned track like the one here, however, the surface is flexible, which feels really nice to run on, but causes lane markings to flake off much more easily and quickly. Runners always favor the inside lanes, so you know what that can mean for the track—wear and tear shows very quickly and will require extra maintenance. As good neighbors (and taxpayers!), we try to help the athletic department keep the facilities nice.

What does it mean to "host" a run, and where do I sign up?

We try to make sure that all weekend runs have a "host", someone who has committed to being at the meeting point, has picked a route, and has put water out along that route. Weekday runs don't have hosts, but someone is usually there. Near the end of each quarter a sign-up list circulates via e-mail to the whole club. I you want to host a run, pick a date and respond to the e-mail. It's first come, first served. Read more . . .

When will I be a runner?

Now. It is said that the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. The first morning that you responded to the alarm clock and got out to run has changed your life. There's no turning back now. Stick with it, and nurture your inner athlete.

I have other questions not listed here or that I would like to see answered here.

Join our e-mail list and ask anything you want. You can also contact us with suggestions for expanding or clarifying this page.