Endurance
Distance Running: Road, Cross-Country, Trail, Track
The club has five main groups for endurance training:
- Middle distance
- Senior middle distance (800m to 3000m)
- Senior long distance - Blackbridge Runners beginners group - beginner / recreational
- Senior long distance - WHITE group - runners aiming at 5K in 18 to 26 min, 10K in 38 min+
- Senior long distance - RED group - all standards (sub 14 up to 29 min 5K; sub 29 up to 60 min 10K; sub 65 min up to 2 hour 15 min half marathon)
If you are unsure which group will suit you best, please speak to a coach who will be happy to point you towards the most suitable training group. The details of each group are outlined below.
Middle distance
| Coached by |
Kerry Newell (Lead coach) and Russell Kirby (Assistant coach) |
| Day |
Tuesday and Thursday |
| Time |
18:00 to 19:15 |
| Meet |
Blackbridge clubhouse |
| Age group |
Ages 11+ (group split according to age and ability) |
| Discipline |
Middle-distance 800 / 1500 / 3000m / steeplechase and cross-country |
| Focus |
Coaching for all aspects of these events from beginner level upwards in a fun, friendly environment
All athletes in the group training sessions are expected to compete for the club when asked |
Middle distance
| Coached by | Paul de-Camps |
| Day & Time |
Tuesday - 18:30 until 20:00 Thursday - 18:00 until 19:30 Sunday - 10:30 until 12:15 |
| Meet | Blackbridge clubhouse |
| Age group |
Ages 18+ |
| Discipline |
A committed group of U20 & Senior middle distance athletes competing in high level track and field races over 800m to 3000m in the summer and cross-country and/or Indoor track in the winter. The group meets 3 to 4 times per week and athletes undertake individual training programmes geared to their abilities and event choices. |
Senior long distance: WHITE group: 5K in 18 to 26mins, 10K in 38+ mins
| Coached by |
Arthur Daley |
| Day & Time |
Tuesday - 18:40 for 18:45 start until 20:00 (This is usually with the Red group on the track; £1.50 track fee payable). Also 14:45 for a slightly shorter lunchtime session. Thursday - 18:40 for 18:45 start until 20:00 (Speedwork on the road with a steady run option). Also 12:45 for a slightly shorter lunchtime session. Saturday - 10:00 (Speedwork) Sunday - 10:00 (long slow run around 11-12 miles with frequently a 6 or 7 mile option) |
| Meet |
Tuesday & Thursday - Blackbridge clubhouse
Saturday & Sunday - from the coach's house in Quedgeley although there can be variation - these sessions are also open to non-club members but may be varied if there is a race or event on that day |
| Age group | Ages 16+ |
| Discipline | Distance running on road and cross country |
| Focus |
For runners aiming at 5k in 18 to 26 mins, and 10k in over 38 min.
Varied speed work – reps (hills and flat), intervals, fartlek and tempo runs.
This group’s work follows a regular pattern enabling runners to develop one aspect of speed over a few weeks and for progress to be measured. The group ethos is based on racing frequently. |
Senior long distance: RED group: all standards
| Coached by |
Ian Summers ('Lofty') Dave Gresswell |
| Day |
Tuesday (Summer): Grass playing field Tuesday (Winter): Track (£1.50 fee) Thursday (Summer): Road, trails Thursday (Winter): Road |
| Time |
18:45 for 19:00 start until 20:00 |
| Meet |
Blackbridge clubhouse |
| Age group |
Ages 11+ (Tuesday) Ages 18+ (Thursday) |
| Discipline |
Distance running on road and cross country and track |
| Focus |
Sessions are designed for all standards so everyone can work towards their own goals - whether it be to break 14 mins or 29 mins for 5K, or 1 hour 05 or 2 hours 15 for half marathon.
Varied speed work – reps (hills and flat), intervals, fartlek and tempo runs
On Tuesdays the coaches aim to create variety in running and no two sessions, which are designed to fit runners of all abilities, are the same
Sessions are designed to prepare runners for the upcoming season's events on road and cross-country |