I mentioned in last week’s column that I had recently decided to join a running club, Wymondham AC. 

It’s not a decision I’ve taken lightly - it’s something I’ve been thinking about doing for a few years now, particularly since my wife, Alison, became a member in 2019. 

I’ve always been quite selfish when it comes to running - it’s one of the few things that I do for myself and I try not to feel guilty about that. When you’re a parent and you feel like you’re being pulled in several different directions as well as having a demanding job, ‘me time’ can be put on the back burner. 

It’s part of the reason I enjoy going running - it’s time I can stick on a podcast, listen to some music or be a little mindful as the miles tick by. 

But there is a balance to be struck, a social one in particular. Since the pandemic I’ve primarily been working from home, which has many advantages, but those daily interactions that make life that little bit brighter have been greatly reduced. 

MORE: Love running? Join the Run Anglia Facebook group here

I’ve done a few sessions at Wymondham and always found it to be a friendly, inclusive environment that’s, frankly, fun to be part of. 

Of course, that’s not exclusive to Wymondham, but the geography of the club and Alison’s involvement, always made it the place I would join. 

But more important than that is that it’s full of nice people. Runners generally are - we all know there are probably easier things to do with our free time but there’s something about putting one foot in front of the other that keeps pulling us back. 

Everyone takes an interest in each other’s running and it’s at events in particular you feel part of a group rather than something of an outlier. 

There were a couple of reservations. I don’t want to get in Alison’s way in terms of being able to attend club nights but there are enough training sessions, official and unofficial, through the week for us to be able to juggle attendance. 

My daughter, Lara, also reminded me that the pink colour of the Wymondham vest isn’t really my colour. Apparently I look better in blues and greys so I hope the Wymondham committee can take note if they’re thinking of a rebrand in the future… 

But the advantages definitely outweigh the disadvantages. I’ve already attended a few ‘cake runs’, which take place on a Friday. This involves running 10 miles with friends and ending up at a cafe for coffee and cake afterwards. If this is club life, then it’s definitely for me. 

Of course, I’m sure the sessions Wymondham put on will be able to continue my development as a runner whilst I am also lucky enough to be able to call on the advice of Neil Featherby when I need it. 

Running with people that are faster than me will hopefully raise my standards as well but it’s the social element of joining a club that makes it so attractive. 

Any doubts that I had after I joined evaporated at Norfolk Gazelles' Big Stampede with the support other members gave - they’re a loud bunch this Wymondham lot and I love that. 

Since coming back from Chicago, I’ve found the adjustment of not having a big goal on the horizon difficult. ‘Sign up for another one’ is the traditional advice but I don’t feel physically or mentally ready to target a spring marathon if I’m honest. 

The thought of clocking up miles and doing sessions in particular alone doesn’t fill me with the enthusiasm it did when I first started out. 

I know that making new friends at the club that I can run with will inevitably help with that. 

Alison is also relieved as I now have another outlet to moan about Liverpool and Norwich City in particular. 

No wonder she was so keen for me to join… 

Sportlink Night of Celebrations

I’m really looking forward to tonight’s Sportlink Night of Celebrations when we get to hand out the awards to winners in the Sportlink Grand Prix.  

It promises to be a fun night although I fear I might not recognise anyone unless they pull their ‘race face’…