00:40 Diane
Welcome to Why Run?
Steve used to belong to a running club, but always came last, which left him feeling humiliated and fed up, even though he went on to run a marathon and numerous other races. During lockdown he set up Norwich Social Joggers and it has now grown to over 200 members.
At Norwich Social Joggers, it’s all about meeting new friends and having fun. I’m sure one of the reasons it’s been so successful is because Steve is just one of the loveliest most supportive people I’ve ever met . He started off by telling me how he and his ex-partner got into running.
01:37 Steve
We joined Viking Fitness in 2015, which is a boot camp with activities like keep fit, boxing. We also did a little bit of running which led to me doing my first 10k. This was a big thing for me and I decided to do it because I didn’t want to be left behind.
I thought: “I’ll give it give it a shot”.
That then led to us going to a running club, Norwich Road Runners. We’d go twice a week. Monday was beginners’ night and I preferred Mondays as I had someone to run with. I was left alone on other nights, left behind in the cold and humiliated. Rest of group were way up the road.
There was always a tail runner who stayed with me and with anyone else who joined club.It was more pleasing than trying to keep up with front runners, but I didn’t feel as though I was in the right place. It was too hard, too much.
Eventually I did really getting in to it and in 2018-19, I signed up for more 10ks and then a half marathon. And I ran the Brighton Marathon in 2018. It became a bit addictive, even though I wasn’t a fast runner.
I was enjoying it more at this point as I was getting fit, losing a bit of weight and doing running.
In December 2019, I had personal problems with a separation and then the running club closed during COVID in March 2020.
I did run during COVID, but not so much. I bought bicycle instead. If friends wanted to run, I’d go with them to help them and me as well. Running with people has been key for me. If I run on my own, I just give in.
07:45 Diane
So what happened then?
07:47 Steve
I kept in touch with a few people from the running club through Covid. And when we were allowed to go out, we’d go for run as a group.
08:30 Diane
So how did Norwich Social Joggers come about then?
08:32 Steve
In lockdown, I had lots of spare time and was off work for 7-8 weeks. And while we were out jogging, we joked it would be good to have our own little group.
I asked a few other people if they’d be interested and I had a bit of interest. I designed a running top and started a Facebook Group. I was putting lot of work in to it and was waiting for the moment when we got green light and could go ahead.
10:10 Diane
So what was your vision for the group? What was your plan?
10:11 Steve
The plan was to be a social jogging group – rather than a running club. We’d invite anyone struggling to get out for a run, struggling with their mental health and well-being – for anyone who, like myself, wanted to go for a social jog without worrying about being competitive and how fast they were running.
10:51 Diane
I came along to your group last Monday and I thought it was amazing. So welcoming. People immediately saying hello, And as I was jogging round, I must have spoken to four or five different people and it was lovely. There were two groups – the 5k runners and those training to do the couch to 5k.And you have this thing, that no one gets left behind.
11.32 Steve
We officially started last April 2021, There were 20 when we started in the first week and we’d stick together as one group. If anyone was a bit quicker, we’d get them to come back and follow the tail runner. Everybody understands the meaning of Norwich Social Joggers and when we get to certain point, they either wait for runners or do loop and come back to tail. One lady started off running for 30 seconds and walking for two minutes last year and now runs for 30 minutes. I have to think about everybody.
Plus we also have more advanced runners who do extra loops.
14:19 Diane
What is the secret of Norwich Social Joggers?
14:23 Steve
If runners say I’m not running for that distance, I’ll make sure one of my leaders will stay with them. People like the chit-chat and to make new friends, and the socialising part afterwards. It’s just more relaxed. We don’t have anyone coming back and bragging about their times. No one talks about their times. We’re just there for the running. As long as they start and finish, they’re happy.
I keep it really relaxed. Don’t pressurise anyone into doing anything they don’t want to do. People come and run at their own pace, their own ability and have helpers to help you.
16:08 Diane
Are you aware of any other groups like yours?
16:10 Steve
No, not at all. I’ve come across many running clubs, but not one like ours. I was contacted through a Long Covid company and they said they’d got a young lady, who wanted to get more active but didn’t want to be running on her own. She wanted to buddy up and they asked if she could come along. She is now one of the group’s regulars.
We’ve also got people who come and run just for the social aspect. They’ve never had a social life like this. Lot of people like the social side just as much, if not more than the running.
We ask people to stay behind for drinks and snacks. I have a lady who brings along homemade scones and flapjacks.
The most heart-warming moment for me was when the members took over the route. They took us down to Carrow Rd (Norwich City FC) they’d organised for a picture of myself to be on the screens and for the touchline boards all to say thank you Steve. It was unbelievable.
20:03 Diane
Well it shows what you mean to them.
20:05 Steve
Yes exactly. When you see things like that it really sinks in what you’ve done for people.
I knew there was a gap in the running clubs for something like Norwich Social Joggers. We’ve got really good friends. Joined in charity quiz night two weeks ago, had 24 of us. When came out at 10 o’clock we went down the city. We’ve had an Easter fun run, Christmas fun run and Halloween run – all fancy dress.
Anybody who joins our Facebook group can see all the pictures on there.
24:40 Diane
And what do you get out of it?
24:42 Steve
I just get so much. Just get a buzz and so much excitement . At the moment, I just live for Norwich Social Joggers. Always doing work with my assistant Trudy.
Monday we’re doing our final couch to 5k run with medals and runners will be marshals along the way, so we’re acting like a running club, even though we’re not a club.
25:29 Diane
And your members are very mixed as well…
25:31 Steve
We’ve got all ages. A lady Pat Brightman, organiser of Great Yarmouth running club, and for anybody in running, everyone knows Pat Brightman. She runs with us on a Thursday evening. Serious runners come for a gentle jog and others join us for their mental health.
That’s exactly what it’s done for me. It gave me extended social life. I like to keep busy. I’m not one for sitting in front of the telly. Now it’s a busy weekend every weekend. It’s done everyone a lot of good with their mental health and well-being.
27:15 Diane
It must bring you a lot of pleasure to see how pleasure you’re bringing to other people
27:17 Steve
I enjoy that more than running for myself. Id rather be seeing everyone else enjoying themselves.