Stepping it up a notch

In addition to my new training plan (which I love!), I've been looking around for a local running club. Superman and I have talked in the past about joining a running club, but finding one has been difficult. There is one on the west side that has a website and sponsors 2 races a year, but they are too far away for this East Sider. If you are at all familiar with Cleveland you know that no one ever, EVAR crosses the bridge. The West Side is a completely different country than the East Side.

All kidding aside, 45 minutes is too far to drive for a regular weekly run or two. I'll only drive to races if they are less than an hour travel time. I understand running stores might sponsor running clubs, but the stores I've been to in my area are also a ways away.

I did finally find the Northeast Running Club, which meets about a half hour away. They have group runs early Saturday mornings and early Tuesday evenings. They also do trail runs Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday mornings, at the crack of dawn. Superman and I have talked about trail running, but we have yet to try any. This club has a $20/year membership fee, which is certainly doable.

I keep seeing information about a running store closer to me than the ones I've been to, but I haven't been able to find it. I finally found the website, and with a little more digging found they actually have a running club. The Second Sole Striders may be exactly what I'm looking for. I've sent them a Facebook message and will stop by the store tomorrow when I'm in the area.

What am I looking for in a running club? I don't really know. People who may be able to help me improve. Workouts that may be able to help me improve. I don't have access to a track (the local school locks theirs). I done some research, but have mainly been winging this running thing for the past year and a half. Maybe running with other people will challenge me to run farther and/or faster.

Don't we all want to run farther and/or faster?

I'll let you know what I find.

My most recent race photo.
Obviously, still heel striking.
Obviously need some help with my form.