Taking the First Step: My Journey from Hesitation to Joining a Run Club

Since moving to Australia, and particularly Bondi, it’s impossible not to be taken aback by the countless number of people running up and down the promenade- everyone seems to be lacing up their runners and hitting the pavement. As a physiotherapist, I work with a lot of runners, and quite quickly I started to wonder if maybe it was time for me to give it a go myself. A lot of people mention how great run clubs are, especially when you are new to running. But the idea of starting seemed intimidating, and I didn’t know where to begin. So, I’d always put it off, telling myself, “I’ll start tomorrow,” only for that tomorrow to turn into a week, a month, and before I knew it, running was just this distant idea I was too scared to approach.

The Hesitation

The first obstacle I faced was simply which run club should I join? Having had a not-so-great experience at a run club in the past I was very nervous, especially regarding pace. I didn’t want to embarrass myself by running too slowly, being left ALONE at the back (can you tell I have been traumatised) and struggling to finish the distance. The thought of being out there with others who seemed more experienced just added to the pressure. I wasn’t sure if I was “fit enough,” and honestly, I was afraid of looking out of place. I started going out for runs with my boyfriend which for him were a snail pace and eventually I managed a few solo runs too. Yet I was still nervous, and I was still avoiding the idea of joining a run club.

The Turning Point

One day while chatting with a friend about my ongoing struggle to start, she casually mentioned her own experience with Coastal Run Co. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and suddenly, I found myself intrigued. She told me about how welcoming and supportive the group was, regardless of experience or fitness level. There was no pressure to be fast or to keep up. It was simply about showing up, supporting one another, and gradually improving. Luckily, I had met Dale at the clinic before so I knew how friendly she was and that I’d be in good hands…

Plucking up the courage

I won’t lie: The idea of joining a group of people who were already seasoned runners was still intimidating. What if I couldn’t keep up? What if I felt out of place? But after a lot of internal pep talks, and a gentle nudge from the boss man (thank you Matt) I decided to take the plunge. To calm my nerves, I made sure to message the Coastal Run Co Instagram page the night before, just to let Dale know I was thinking about coming along in the morning but quite frankly I was terrified.

It wasn’t long before 6:30am rolled around and I made my way down to the water fountain where the club meets. I was so nervous I was going to feel like an outsider- sure there were people there stretching, chatting and warming up, but never once did I feel excluded! We soon started making our way along the coastal path towards Bronte. The run was a slow, chatty pace, I wasn’t racing anyone; I was simply moving at my own pace, surrounded by others who were there for the same reason: to get moving and have fun.

Throughout the run, there were plenty of moments when I felt like I was going to stop. But every time I felt a little winded or unsure, a fellow runner would offer a word of encouragement. And in those moments, I realised that the run club wasn’t about performance or comparison—it was about community. Everyone was cheering each other on, no matter how fast or slow.

The reward?

Don’t get me wrong, by the end I was dying (note to self: please eat before you run- energy is needed!) but that was outshone by a sense of pride that I hadn’t experience in a long time. I finally stepped outside of my comfort zone, faced my doubts and made it through my first 5k coastal run! Also, they end each run with a social trip to a coffee shop, what is not to love about that!

Takeaway: Starting is scary, but it’s the key to growth

So, if you’re on the fence about starting something new—whether it’s running, Pilates, or anything else—remember this: It’s okay to feel unsure. It’s okay to be nervous. But take the first step. You’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish when you pluck up the courage to try. Big thank you to the guys at Coastal Run Co for making my Tuesdays mornings more active and fun before heading into the clinic!

Jess Rose