Natalie Edwards went from a 3-minute jog to completing the London Marathon 2024 thanks to the support of Coulsdon Runners, a community-led running club. She shares how social running groups, strength and conditioning classes, and a supportive community can help runners of all levels improve, stay motivated, and enjoy every step of their journey.

To find out more about Coulsdon Runners head to their website https://www.coulsdonrunners.co.uk

For more podcasts head to https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com/podcasts. We have 3  channels, one on training and fundraising, another on runner stories, and a third for members only. If you'd to be the focus on one just let us know using the chat function on https://www.sapphirerunningzone.com

PODCAST NOTES

Keywords
 
running clubs, community, mental health, training, support, social running, group dynamics, fitness, motivation, personal growth
 
Summary
 
In this podcast episode, Tim from Sapphire Running Zone interviews Natalie from Coulsdon Runners about the benefits of joining a running club. Natalie shares her personal journey from a beginner to completing a marathon, emphasizing the importance of community, support, and mental health benefits that come from running in a group. The conversation explores various aspects of running clubs, including training dynamics, social interactions, and the motivation that comes from being part of a supportive community.
 
Takeaways

• Running clubs provide a sense of community and support.


• Joining a running club can improve mental health.


• Group training helps with motivation and accountability.


• Strength training is essential for runners.


• Running with others can enhance performance and enjoyment.


• Social interactions in running clubs foster friendships.


• It's important to find a running pace that suits you.


• Running for charity adds motivation and purpose.


• Community events help support fundraising efforts.


• Running can be a transformative journey for individuals.

Titles

• Why You Should Join a Running Club


• The Journey from Beginner to Marathoner

Sound Bites

• "Running clubs provide a sense of community."


• "Strength is a huge part of running."


• "You run how you feel and at your own pace."


• "I want to help people realise they can run."

Chapters
 

00:00 The Importance of Running Clubs
03:08 Natalie's Running Journey
05:57 Training Dynamics in a Group
09:01 Support and Community in Running
11:55 Mental Health Benefits of Group Running
15:06 Finding Your Pace and Comfort Zone
18:04 Social Aspects of Running Clubs
21:00 Goals and Future Aspirations