Roadhoggs Leicester AC
Our main training session is every Wednesday at 6.55pm for a 7.00pm start. From mid-September to the end of March, we meet at Manor Road (on the pavement outside the entrance to the university sports facilities). We have use of the University changing rooms and showers and there are lockers (£1 deposit) if you need them. Some of our winter routes can be seen here.
During the spring and summer (April to early September) we alternate between Manor Road and country locations (usually not too far from a pub) so that we can enjoy running the Leicestershire countryside. Many of our summer runs (including those from Manor Rd) incorporate off-road sections.
New runners are welcome to join us at any of these sessions. We are happy for you to train with us while you make up your mind about joining the club - there's no obligation and no pressure. We have 5 England Athletics qualified leaders (Leader in Running Fitness) to help you get the best out of your running. Our training runs are usually between 6 and 7 miles, but there will be a shorter option (usually 4-4.5 miles) if you are working your way up to that sort of distance. Dave devises the routes and briefs everyone before we begin. For the summer runs, maps and directions are posted on the website in advance. For these runs, we even have laminated map cards for those who like to know exactly where they're going!
Unlike some larger clubs, we don't have strict pace groups. Mark takes charge of the quicker runners (6-6.30-minute miles) and Alison, Steve, Keith or one of the other committee members look after the 10-minute mile group. Everyone else starts together and after a bit of a chat the faster runners up the pace and we settle into smaller groups. Who you run with depends on how much you want to push yourself! Whilst we like to keep things informal, we will always make sure that beginners have someone to run with and assign someone to look after any runners taking the shorter option.
After training, some members like to have a quick drink - in The Cow & Plough (on Gartree Road) when we're at Manor Rd - but this is entirely optional.
Dave Lodwick, LiRF
Mark Chamberlain, LiRF
Alison Lodwick, LiRF Steve Martin