There are probably so many questions swirling around in your head right now. What is Club Running? Are they some kind of cult? What does a typical week look like? And how do I join?
Well, gentle neophyte, press on! I am here to answer these questions and more.
Quick facts
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Club Running is an athletic CIO at the University of Virginia.
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Going by our group chat, we have over 300 active members (but don't fret: practices are usually only ~50 members strong).
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We welcome runners of all skill levels.
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We hold near-daily practices during the semester, and attendance is entirely at your discretion. It is not required.
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The absolute best thing you can do to stay up-to-date with club happenings is to join our mailing list.
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Check out what our members are up to right now on the club Instagram and YouTube!
Practices
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We hold official practice each week during the semester, Monday—Thursday at 5:00pm EST (4:00pm after daylight savings ends). We meet at Nameless Field, near Memorial Gymnasium.
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Each practice, we break into pace groups and set off for a run or workout, depending on the day. (Weekly workout plans are sent out in advance by our workout coordinators.)
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We have team dinner after practice at the Newcomb dining hall.
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We typically hold a workout on Saturday morning. We'll meet at Nameless before warming up on our way to that week's workout location.
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Members typically organize informal long runs on Sundays.
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Once again, practice attendance is not required, nor is it even recorded. Just show up, meet some people, run, and have fun.
Sample training week
Men's team
| Monday | Threshold Workout or Easy Run |
| Tuesday | Easy Run |
| Wednesday | Easy Run + Strides |
| Thursday | Threshold Workout |
| Friday | Easy Run + Strides |
| Saturday | Long Run |
| Sunday | Rest Day or Easy Run |
Women's team
| Monday | Tempo/Hill Workout or Easy Run |
| Tuesday | Easy Run |
| Wednesday | Normal Run |
| Thursday | Track Workout |
| Friday | Easy Run |
| Saturday | Long Run |
| Sunday | Rest Day or Cross Train |
Sprint team
| Monday | Speed Workout + Lifting |
| Tuesday | Rest Day |
| Wednesday | Endurance Workout |
| Thursday | Rest Day |
| Friday | Speed Workout + Lifting |
| Saturday | Pylometrics |
| Sunday | Mechanics + Lifting |
Meets
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We attend meets once every 2-3 weeks.
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They are usually in other college towns, and ideally they are nearby.
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We host our home meet—the Cavalier Invitational—in October during the fall season, and in March during the spring season.
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The National Intercollegiate Running Club Association (NIRCA) also hosts a national race. Nationals is in November for the fall season, and in April for the spring season.
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You can see the current season's meet schedule here.
Social
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We host parties every 2-3 weeks.
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Frolicsome Fridays take the place of regular Friday practice. Come play other sports (soccer, frisbee, spikeball) with fellow Club Runners!
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We also organize events like apple picking, group fitness classes, Sunset Series trips, and intramural teams for sports like soccer and volleyball.
Dues
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Anyone is welcome to come to practice or dinner without paying dues.
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But you'll have to pay $20 in social dues before attending any parties or social events.
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There's an additional $40 charge for racing dues if you want to race meets. (Which you totally should.)
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Dues are paid each semester via Venmo or in cash.
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If dues present a financial hardship, reach out to our treasurer.
Contact us
Still have questions? Reach out to anyone on the executive board.