Members Handbook
Club Rules
Welcome to Sneyd Striders Running Club
We extend a warm welcome to all new members and hope that their life
and life style will be enhanced by their decision to join us.
Running is a vigorous exercise that improves your cardiovascular system
(heart and lungs) in particular. It can also help you reach your optimum
weight and tone up your muscles. There is no doubt that running, provided
that you apply yourself diligently, will improve your all-round general
health, fitness and well-being, and make the rigours of everyday life less
stressful and easier to deal with. We realise that you may be stepping into
the unknown, and understand your apprehensions. We are here to help you. But
at the end of the day remember, it's up to you to 'do the business'; no one
can run for you and you will only get out of it what you put in. So good
luck with your new adventure.
History of the club
Sneyd Striders Running Club was founded in 1984 by John
and Rita Pedley, from New Invention. John became the main organiser and
chairman, whilst Rita took on the duties of secretary. The headquarters have
always been at the Sneyd Community School in Vernon Way, Bloxwich. The club
expanded quickly and at its peak had over 100 members. This was at a time
when road running had achieved a high profile and was a very popular keep
fit activity. almost every city had its own marathon and they attracted
runners from all over the country. The London Marathon was, and still is one
of the highlights of the runners calendar, together with the recently
resurrected Wolverhampton Marathon and the Stoke (Potteries) Marathon, where
we organise a free barbecue and fun day out
The original ethos, which remains today, was to offer something to all standards of runner and
to promote togetherness by offering a number of social events and organised
trips to races.
About the Club
Meeting Times
We meet on Tuesday and Thursday nights at Sneyd Community
School at 7.00 - 7.15 p.m. We aim to start our runs at 7.30 p.m.
The school is closed on Sundays. However Sunday morning runs are sometimes
organised by small groups of runners who may be training for a specific
event; Cannock Chase is a popular venue as are Brewood/Coven and Wheaton
Aston.
A club meeting is held prior to the run every Tuesday at 7.15 p.m. (usually
in the Music Room) To exchange views and to discuss any new business and to
welcome and introduce new members to the fold. In addition, a Newsletter is produced periodically,
to impart important information and to keep members informed about club events, race results and
newsworthy items.
The school has both male and female changing rooms and showers which are
available for use by runners free of charge.
There is also a Community Association lounge-bar where club members
socialise and enjoy a drink after their run. The lounge bar is also the site
of our notice board and trophy case, and where we keep a book containing
race entry forms and club information.
Membership
We have 40 members at present, male and female and cater for all adult
age ranges. The club has always enjoyed the backing of the Sneyd Community Association and gratefully acknowledges
the support given by the Association in allowing the club to use changing, shower and other facilities.
The club is affiliated to the Midland Counties Athletic Association and the
Staffordshire County Athletic Association for road and cross country running. The club colours are blue, yellow and white.
Club membership runs from February to January. The current club
membership fee (for year 2003) is £15 inclusive of CA , MCAA and SCAA
membership. A membership card is issued annually. Members are enrolled in
the MCAA membership scheme at an annual cost of £3 to the club. Each
member is then allocated a membership number by the MCAA. It is necessary to
be enrolled in the MCAA membership scheme in order to take part in
championship events.
Anyone joining part way through the year will be required to pay a pro-rata
membership fee to cover the remainder of the current year. New runners are
generally allowed 4 to 6 weeks grace before they are expected to become
members.
Social Events
It's not all about running. There
is a healthy social side to the club and we organise such events as skittles
evenings, quiz nights and nights out greyhound racing, etc. as well as coach
trips to organised road races, where a meal may form part of the trip.
Our Annual Presentation Evening, which takes place in January has for the
last few years took the form of a sit down dinner. This and many other
events organised by the club is subsidised from club funds.
There is an adventure weekend in the Lake District in the summer for our
more adventurous members.
The Community Association also organises various events throughout the
year, to which members of SSRC are invited.
Your friends and family are encouraged to join us on many of these
occasions, if they wish.
Club Organisation
The club is administered by an elected committee of nine
members.
The positions are as follows:
Chairman |
Secretary |
Treasurer |
Club Captain |
Vice Captain |
Ladies Captain |
Communications and PR Officer |
Cross Country Captain |
Club Kit Officer |
The Annual General Meeting is held in February. An
Extraordinary General Meeting can be called at any time, if requested.
The committee is elected by the members attending the AGM.
Committee meetings take place on the last Tuesday of the month, and at
other times as necessary.
The club has a written constitution which
details the club rules. The constitution can only be changed at the AGM or by an Extraordinary General Meeting.
Equipment Required
Running Shoes
Running shoes are without doubt the most important piece of equipment you
will need. Buy them from a specialist runners' shop. They will give you
advice and may even let you jog around the shop (some have a carpeted area
out back especially for this ).
There is a multitude of shoes on the market nowadays. There are different
designs for different types of terrain. Remember, you are going to be
running on roads most of the time. Choose a size about 1 more than your
normal shoe size. This allows for the foot to expand when it gets hot and
also the wearing of thicker sports socks. There is no need to buy expensive
shoes but don't skimp on getting a pair of decent shoes in which you feel
comfortable; an expensive top of the range shoe isn't necessarily going to
suit you best nor will it make you run faster than a cheaper shoe better
suited to your needs. Wear a pair of running socks when you try on new
shoes, this will give you a better idea how they fit. Try on both left and
right shoes.
Socks
Socks are the second most important piece of kit you
require since they will be in direct contact with your skin , protecting you
against blisters etc. Choose good quality sports socks with a cushioned sole
made of cotton (or mainly cotton) since this absorbs the sweat , keeping
your feet dry and comfortable. Make sure that any seams do not cause rubbing
to occur. Some people like to run without socks but one has to be aware that
this can cause severe blistering. Also, sweat is absorbed into the shoe and
may cause them to smell badly and eventually rot the stitching.
T-shirts and Vests
When choosing a T-shirt or vest once again what you feel
comfortable in is best for you. Special materials are now available which
help to evaporate any wetness and keep you more comfortable (e.g. 'Helly
Hansen' tops). Cotton is the next best because it will absorb sweat
efficiently but can become very heavy when wet. Be careful with nylon this
can cause chaffing especially around the nipples-be sure to protect them
with Vaseline or plasters if embarking on a long run in very hot or wet
conditions. Whatever you wear make sure it is not too tight especially
around the neck and under the arms. Long sleeve tee shirts are useful for
the winter months.
Shorts
Buy proper running shorts. These are designed especially
for running and give more freedom of movement than other types of shorts.
Make sure they are not too tight in the crotch and always rub Vaseline at
the point of contact with the inner thigh especially in hot or wet
conditions.