WHAT TO EXPECT
Everything you need to know before your first session
CLUB VALUES
We’re a club built on community, inclusivity, and quality in everything we do!
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COMMUNITY
Building connections and friendships through running
INCLUSIVITY
Welcoming runners of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds
QUALITY
Delivering well-structured, safe, and effective sessions
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Learn more about our club’s values and the story behind them:
YOUR FIRST SESSION
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BEFORE YOU ARRIVE
Wear comfortable running clothes and suitable running shoes
Bring a water bottle and weather-appropriate gear
Arrive 10-15 minutes early to meet the
group leaders
Let us know about any injuries
SESSION STRUCTURE
Welcome and introductions (5 mins)
Group warm-up exercises (10 mins)
Main session (30-45 mins)
Cool down and stretching (10 mins)
Social time and questions
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ARRIVAL
Your first step is heading to the Winter Gardens Car Park at Saughton Park for 6:30pm on Thursday. Maybe you arrive a little early but that’s no problem, the coaches are usually there ahead of time too. You say hi, check you’re in the right place, and start to feel at ease.
As more runners gather, you notice the mix of ages and abilities. Some look fast, but it’s clear there’s a wide range, so you won’t be left behind. There’s no pressure about money, though you spot people throwing in coins to a money box and people taking card payments. You hear from others that these are optional £2 donations to club funds. Before long, the coaches bring everyone together.
THE GROUP CHAT
One of the coaches kicks things off with a quick update on the week, before giving you a warm shout-out as a first-timer. Then comes tonight’s plan: a mixed interval session in the park. It sounds tough. The club mantra is “runs you wouldn’t do on your own”, and you can see why. The coaches remind everyone that if the session sounds impossible, just let them know so they can adapt it for you. To you, it doesn’t seem impossible, just challenging. You tell one of the coaches this, they smile and say “Great!”
THE SESSION
You set off with a warm-up jog around the park and quickly fall into conversation. Everyone’s friendly, and you start to feel at ease. One of the coaches leads some warm-up drills that make you feel a bit daft, but they swear they work. Then the session begins: bursts of hard running mixed with recovery. It’s bloody tough, but the encouragement keeps you going. The fast runners fly past (you think you may have been lapped), but that’s fine; everyone is cheering everyone. There’s a moment you think about stopping, but you push through, and when it’s over, you feel amazing…if slightly nauseous.
STRETCHING
After a wee cool-down jog the group comes back together, there are lots of red faces! Another coach leads some group stretching. Some people don't stay, saying they have to get home for dinner, but you always forget to stretch so you decide it's better to stay.
NEXT WEEK
After the stretches, the coaches ask you to hang back for a quick chat about your first night. Breath finally recovered, you tell them you had a great time, and that you’re proud you pushed through the self-doubt. They say they’d love to see you again next week. And honestly? You think you just might.
IT’S TIME TO GET TO WERC
What are you waiting for? Join West Edinburgh Running Club today!