Who are the Running
Sisters?
The Running Sisters began about 19 years ago and there are now Sisters’ running groups scattered all over the country. The aim is to provide a safe friendly, sociable environment for women to run together to keep fit.
Where and when do you meet?
We meet at the Mill End Community Centre in Rickmansworth on Tuesday evenings at 7.30 p.m.
What if I’ve never run before?
Then join our six week Beginners course which starts on Day and Date(tba). It is designed for women who can’t run for a bus or even 25 yards to the end of their garden at the moment. But at the end of the six week course you should be able to run three miles …. really!
What do I do when the course is over?
If you’ve enjoyed running you can keep running with us on a regular basis on a Tuesday evening throughout the year. Or join another running club, or just run on your own – whatever suits you.
What does the course cost?
The course costs £15 including tuition, a training schedule and a Running Sisters T-shirt when you complete the course.
How do I join?
For information on next Beginners’ Course or if you can run over 3 miles regularly and wish to join as a member, please e-mail beginners@rickyrunningsisters.org.uk for full details.
Disaster! What if I can’t come on the first night?
We’ll accept beginners to start in the second week of a Beginners’ Course but not after that provided you have pre-registered and paid for the Course.
I’m a bit shy. Can I come on my own?
Of course! This is a great group to join since it is so friendly. You will find yourself running alongside a wide variety of women and chatting away as you go. It is very sociable.
Will I be too old?
Absolutely not!!! We accept members from 16 upwards and we have a wide range of ages – perhaps the majority of members are between 30 and 50 but there are many older and younger ones. There are also a few who started running at over 60 and our oldest member is 81.
I am overweight. Can I still run?
Yes, In fact you’ll probably find that you will lost some weight when you start running, or certainly that you will feel and look trimmer. Running combined with dieting is an excellent way to lose weight but, if in doubt, or if you are very overweight, you should check with your doctor first.
I suffer from asthma. Can I still run?
Some of our members have asthma. They simply carry an inhaler to be on the safe side, but it doesn’t stop them running. If in doubt check with your doctor.
What should I wear?
A sweatshirt or T-shirt and leggings, or track suit bottoms, are fine. You'll also find you probably need a sports bra. In the summer many women wear shorts and a cool running vest but it is up to you. You’ll want to buy some good running shoes eventually but just wear trainers or similar suitable shoes until you have decided whether running is for you or not. In winter or at night, also wear reflective clothing for your own safety.
The Running Sisters began about 19 years ago and there are now Sisters’ running groups scattered all over the country. The aim is to provide a safe friendly, sociable environment for women to run together to keep fit.
Where and when do you meet?
We meet at the Mill End Community Centre in Rickmansworth on Tuesday evenings at 7.30 p.m.
What if I’ve never run before?
Then join our six week Beginners course which starts on Day and Date(tba). It is designed for women who can’t run for a bus or even 25 yards to the end of their garden at the moment. But at the end of the six week course you should be able to run three miles …. really!
What do I do when the course is over?
If you’ve enjoyed running you can keep running with us on a regular basis on a Tuesday evening throughout the year. Or join another running club, or just run on your own – whatever suits you.
What does the course cost?
The course costs £15 including tuition, a training schedule and a Running Sisters T-shirt when you complete the course.
How do I join?
For information on next Beginners’ Course or if you can run over 3 miles regularly and wish to join as a member, please e-mail beginners@rickyrunningsisters.org.uk for full details.
Disaster! What if I can’t come on the first night?
We’ll accept beginners to start in the second week of a Beginners’ Course but not after that provided you have pre-registered and paid for the Course.
I’m a bit shy. Can I come on my own?
Of course! This is a great group to join since it is so friendly. You will find yourself running alongside a wide variety of women and chatting away as you go. It is very sociable.
Will I be too old?
Absolutely not!!! We accept members from 16 upwards and we have a wide range of ages – perhaps the majority of members are between 30 and 50 but there are many older and younger ones. There are also a few who started running at over 60 and our oldest member is 81.
I am overweight. Can I still run?
Yes, In fact you’ll probably find that you will lost some weight when you start running, or certainly that you will feel and look trimmer. Running combined with dieting is an excellent way to lose weight but, if in doubt, or if you are very overweight, you should check with your doctor first.
I suffer from asthma. Can I still run?
Some of our members have asthma. They simply carry an inhaler to be on the safe side, but it doesn’t stop them running. If in doubt check with your doctor.
What should I wear?
A sweatshirt or T-shirt and leggings, or track suit bottoms, are fine. You'll also find you probably need a sports bra. In the summer many women wear shorts and a cool running vest but it is up to you. You’ll want to buy some good running shoes eventually but just wear trainers or similar suitable shoes until you have decided whether running is for you or not. In winter or at night, also wear reflective clothing for your own safety.
What if I can’t keep up with the others?
We build up so gradually that you’ll be fine. On the first night we show you the “Sisters Shuffle” in which you jog so slowly that you could walk faster! Then we gradually build up your speed and your stamina to the promised three miles.
How can I possibly achieve three miles in just six weeks?
You will – honestly – providing you follow the course, and because we’ll also ask you to do ‘homework’ twice a week to build up your stamina. This will involve repeating more or less what you have done on the Tuesday nights.
What if I don’t like running?
Running isn’t for everyone. We know that. If, after the first week or two of the course, you find you aren’t enjoying it, let us know and we will refund your course fee – no problem and no questions asked.
What happens at the end of the course?
You can enter our 5K Beginners’ Fun Run just to prove to yourself that you really can run that distance! It doesn’t matter when you finish, everyone gets a medal and it’s lots of fun. After that, if you feel you’d like to keep up your new-found fitness and to continue running, you can become a fully fledged member of the Running Sisters.
I already run, do I still have to join a Beginners’ Course?
No. If you can run three miles on your own or, if you are already fit because you participate regularly in some other active sport, then you are welcome to join us at any time. Most people find that they can run much further with a group than they can alone. Just email us for more information.
Where do you run?
That depends on the season. In winter, we stick to well-lit
roads and footpaths within about a three-to five mile radius of Mill End. In summer, we will also venture out onto the footpaths and bridleways.
How far and how fast do you run?
After the Beginners’ Course we’ll usually run for over three miles for those who want to, but gradually we’ll bring in the choice of a three, four, five or even six mile run. These will take between 45 minutes and an hour and a quarter to complete. So we are generally back in the leisure centre between 8.30 and 8.45 p.m. Beginners certainly run very very slowly to start with. More experienced runners usually cover a mile in 10 to 12 minutes which is comfortable for most people.
Do you still run in the rain?
Very definitely, yes. The only weather that stops us is snow and ice.
Is it safe?
Would you attack a bunch of ten or twenty, or even four, women? We think not! More to the point, however, if anyone falls over or twists an ankle, there is always a companion available to call for help. The whole ethos of the Running Sisters is to stick together and look after each other so that no one ever gets left behind. We operate a ‘peeling back’ system, so that if the head of the crocodile gets too far ahead of the tail, the front runners simply peel off and run to the back, and so on, until we are back in a tightish group again.
Will I be expected to come every week?
No, not at all. If you want to join the Sisters after the Beginners’ Course, or indeed at any time, then you can run with us three times a week or three times a year. It is entirely up to you.
How much is it to join?
Our annual membership is just £30 per annum.
We build up so gradually that you’ll be fine. On the first night we show you the “Sisters Shuffle” in which you jog so slowly that you could walk faster! Then we gradually build up your speed and your stamina to the promised three miles.
How can I possibly achieve three miles in just six weeks?
You will – honestly – providing you follow the course, and because we’ll also ask you to do ‘homework’ twice a week to build up your stamina. This will involve repeating more or less what you have done on the Tuesday nights.
What if I don’t like running?
Running isn’t for everyone. We know that. If, after the first week or two of the course, you find you aren’t enjoying it, let us know and we will refund your course fee – no problem and no questions asked.
What happens at the end of the course?
You can enter our 5K Beginners’ Fun Run just to prove to yourself that you really can run that distance! It doesn’t matter when you finish, everyone gets a medal and it’s lots of fun. After that, if you feel you’d like to keep up your new-found fitness and to continue running, you can become a fully fledged member of the Running Sisters.
I already run, do I still have to join a Beginners’ Course?
No. If you can run three miles on your own or, if you are already fit because you participate regularly in some other active sport, then you are welcome to join us at any time. Most people find that they can run much further with a group than they can alone. Just email us for more information.
Where do you run?
That depends on the season. In winter, we stick to well-lit
roads and footpaths within about a three-to five mile radius of Mill End. In summer, we will also venture out onto the footpaths and bridleways.
How far and how fast do you run?
After the Beginners’ Course we’ll usually run for over three miles for those who want to, but gradually we’ll bring in the choice of a three, four, five or even six mile run. These will take between 45 minutes and an hour and a quarter to complete. So we are generally back in the leisure centre between 8.30 and 8.45 p.m. Beginners certainly run very very slowly to start with. More experienced runners usually cover a mile in 10 to 12 minutes which is comfortable for most people.
Do you still run in the rain?
Very definitely, yes. The only weather that stops us is snow and ice.
Is it safe?
Would you attack a bunch of ten or twenty, or even four, women? We think not! More to the point, however, if anyone falls over or twists an ankle, there is always a companion available to call for help. The whole ethos of the Running Sisters is to stick together and look after each other so that no one ever gets left behind. We operate a ‘peeling back’ system, so that if the head of the crocodile gets too far ahead of the tail, the front runners simply peel off and run to the back, and so on, until we are back in a tightish group again.
Will I be expected to come every week?
No, not at all. If you want to join the Sisters after the Beginners’ Course, or indeed at any time, then you can run with us three times a week or three times a year. It is entirely up to you.
How much is it to join?
Our annual membership is just £30 per annum.