UQAC Recreation Distance Running Group

To provide a place for runners in and associated with the UQ Community (staff, students and alumni) who are aspiring to improve their fitness via the activity of running through targeted sessions such as repetitions, tempos, hills and track work.
This group will also provide a social experience/participation component where the group meets for drinks/meals after sessions to promote a team environment and opportunity to connect.

To be able to run for 1 hour continuously (speed does not matter).
All runners, regardless of speed/ pace, can improve with sessions such as that proposed below and these can be altered with the coach (Nathan) on the day to suit the runners ability.
The group may naturally split into two ‘slower’, & ‘faster’ groups during the session.
Some participants who are faster runners may also choose to compete for UQAC in QLD Athletics events and will be directed to the appropriate program/coach for their ability if the RRR is too ‘slow’, however, they are more than welcome to participate.

Focused on improving participants’ fitness generally, but also specifically for fun run 5K-42km road events, e.g., Park run improvements, Brisbane Marathon, Gold Coast Half Marathon.
Almost all sessions would NOT be on the 400m track. We would use the riverside gravel path, sometimes grass runs, and other UQ fields. The use of the UQ road/walking paths would also be preferable for hill repeats and longer jogs around the University. Access to the track once or twice a month would also be great for exposing runners to this element and getting them involved in the facilities available at the University.
Nathan will design and manage the sessions.
Sessions will be on rain or shine. Not lightning or storms.

Times – Wednesday evenings 5:00 pm-6:00 pm for the remainder of Semester 2 2024 and the upcoming summer semester.
Meet and greet at the above time.
Warm-up jog – 10 minutes in one group (less experienced), and 15 minutes for the other (more experienced). Nathan would always jog with the lesser experienced group in the warm-up if we are not all together.
Regroup for warm-up drills and run-throughs.
Communicate the session via a whiteboard and marker and verbally describe and direct runners on what to do, where to go, and how fast it should be/feel.
Example sessions may be 8 x 3 minutes with 1 minute standing recovery, or 5 x 4 minutes with 90 seconds standing recovery.
Nathan expects to either stay behind the back group on a bike and or walk/run to call out/blow a whistle for the repetition to stop or stand at a pre-provided turnaround point.
Warm down similar to the warm-up.
Debrief, thank you, and direction for post-run social activity if organised prior.

The first 2 sessions are free to see if this type of group is for you.
Base Membership to UQ Athletics Club is required for insurance purposes (one-off payment per year)—$37 after your first 2 sessions. If you don’t have an active Base membership please press the button below for membership sign-up details.
From there on it is only $5 per session. All proceeds go to the UQ Athletics Club to be spent at the committee’s discretion.
Nathan collects payment online via an Osko payment device or in cash and transfers it to the club.
If participants would like further coaching outside of these parameters, Nathan is happy to provide this for financial reimbursement separate from the RRR.

Please contact n.cook1@uq.edu.au if you have any troubles or questions.

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