Latest: 26 Mar 2008

Beginners Course

For anyone interested in starting to run, or coming back to running, Dulwich Park Runners organise Beginners Courses in Dulwich Park.

Here are the details of the next course:

Dates:	Spring 2008 This is a 9 week course, meeting in Dulwich Park on consecutive Saturday mornings. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis. THE COURSE IS NOW FULLY SUBSCRIBED. The dates are: For runners already registered for the Spring 2008 course, you should already have been contacted by the organisers. If not, please use the contact details on this website, "Contact Us" page.
	If you would like to attend the Beginners course, please use the registration link here: DPR Registration (Deactivated - course now fully subscribed) In order to reserve your place, you must pay the course fee before the course starts. You will be contacted separately to arrange payment. If you do not hear from us within 1 week of your registration, please contact us again via the DPR website. The course is over-subscribed every year, places not secured with payment will be offered to other runners.
Fee:	Expected is £30 for the entire course. Payment is by cash or cheque payable prior to the first day of the course. You will be contacted by email or phone to arrange payment. If you do not hear from us, you are advised to contact us again via the DPR "Contact us" webpage.
Meet:	Meet by the entrance to the new car park, inside the College Road gate, see the directions and pictures below.
Time:	9.00 am. Please arrive by 8.50am for a 9.00am start.
Welcome:	Beginners and Returners
Contact:	If you would like more information contact Susan Smith by email, or by telephone at 020-8670 9321. Alternatively, see the Contacts page.

We offer support and friendly encouragement to anyone who has never run, but would like to give it a try, or who used to run and wants to start again. Our Beginners Course offers the opportunity to get into running within the environs of Dulwich Park, with no pressure to achieve a certain standard before you can join in.

Here are some useful notes that we issue to all beginners and returners :

DULWICH PARK RUNNERS - BEGINNERS COURSE

Welcome to the Beginners Course. This is aimed at people who would like to start running, or those who have run before and would like to come back, and who would like someone to help them do it. We’ll try to get you to a stage where you’re confident to continue on you own, or to join a club, but mostly our aim is for you to enjoy running.

Clothes & Footwear

There’s no need to buy anything special until you’re sure you want to run.
Wear trainers if you have them, soft soled shoes if you haven’t, with socks. When you do decide to invest, trainers are the most important part of your kit.
Wear something light and comfortable e.g. T-shirt, loose shorts or trousers.
Ladies please wear a good-fitting bra that doesn’t ride up.

Bring an extra layer of clothing to wear before we start, and to put back on afterwards. We’ll lock it in a car whilst you are running. Please note that there are no changing facilities in the Park, other than the toilets.

Apply vaseline to all moving parts!

Health

If any of the following apply to you, please check with your G.P. before continuing with the course. None will necessarily prevent you from running, and indeed running may help - but it’s best to check first: recent surgery / high blood pressure / diabetes / heart disease / circulatory problems / pregnancy / asthma / back pain / overweight / under weight / any condition required regular checks and or medication/ if you have taken no exercise for 20 years or more.

Please don’t run if you have a cough or a cold.

Food

You should try eat a light breakfast at least an hour before running - a slice of toast with honey works well. Some people find they have an intolerance to dairy produce, and anything too heavy will not be digested in time. Try to avoid tea or coffee, but drink plenty of water. You may need to experiment to see what works for you. Bring water to drink after the session.

Questions

Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any queries or problems, however silly they may seem. We can advise on runner friendly shoes shops, give a wide variety of opinions on eating, drinking, etc., and try to sort you out if you’re struggling or it’s not fun any more. Don’t forget we were all beginners once!

Course organisers:
Susan 020 8670 9321 or see the Contacts page.