Portobello Running Club Training
Throughout the year we train from two different locations, In the winter much of our training takes place along the Promenade in Portobello and around in well lit areas. From April to September you can find us enjoying our summer training in and around Holyrood Park, Arthur’s Seat and surrounding areas.
On a typical training night there are three groups on offer from our dedicated coaches so you are free to pick whichever session suits you and our team will make you feel welcome and involved. The session on offer that night would usually revolve around of one of the below session types;
Tempo: A true tempo run – a threshold run – is at a pace that’s about 25-30 seconds per mile slower than your 5K race pace. Threshold pace is the hardest effort at which your body is able to clear as much lactate as it is producing while working comfortably hard.
Intervals: Interval training is really just a form of speedwork. It’s a way of practicing running faster for shorter periods, to improve your speed overall. It can do wonders for your fitness and take you to the next level in your running. Intervals can vary from being timed intervals (e.g. 20 x 1min intervals) or a range of distance based intervals (e.g. 400m, 800m, 1k, 1mi)
Fartlek: Fartlek is playing around with different speeds – essentially, it’s a form of unstructured speedwork. It involves a continuous run in which periods of faster running are mixed with periods of easy or moderate-paced running.
Hill repeats: Hills are simply the best way to build running strength. Running up inclines forces your muscles to work harder. Hill sessions could also incorporate interval and/or fartlek type session on the incline.
Progression Run: A progression run is a run that begins at a runner’s natural/comfortable pace and ends with faster paced running. The runner will progressively increase pace over a set period of either time of distanced metrics.
Track: Once a month the club will hold a track session, track sessions are usually interval based training but will tend to focus are distance based intervals given the controlled environment of a track.
Many of our runners also meet up on a Sunday morning for longer easy paced runs at varying locations across the city, keep an eye on the closed Facebook group (request access) and also check out future sessions via the Calendar.
Summer
Royal Commonwealth Pool – Edinburgh
We meet outside the pool under the canopy for club briefing at 6:30pm. From here we are able to enjoy the grounds around Arthurs Seat and wider for many sessions to suit all.
PARKING
Parking is available at the site but you will have to pay if you want to park at the pool. A plea from the team to either run, walk, cycle or car share where possible please but also do be mindful of where you park if you have to drive.
CHANGING
We will have access to the toilets but again if you require access into the changing facilities at the pool there will be a charge to use the facilities. Try and come ready to run.
Winter
Tribe Porty – 19 Windsor Place
Portobello RC meet at Tribe Porty during the winter with access to toilets/storage. Most sessions are held on the Prom or nearby in well-lit, light-traffic areas however, please try and ensure you wear some hi-viz kit – See and Be Seen!
PARKING
There should be plenty of parking in and around the streets but also the car park at Edinburgh Leisure Tumbles is just a short jog along the prom where there is also sufficient places to padlock bikes.
Track
Dalkeith Campus
Monthly Track Session – The last Wednesday of every month PRC will offer a coached track session at Dalkeith campus track. We are asking PRC members to pay £2 contribution fee to help cover a portion of the track hire cost. The session is very inclusive and we even bring along a speaker to keep you motivated on those interval efforts!
PARKING
There should be plenty of parking within the grounds of the campus, however lots of other sporting club do use the facilities here so please bear that in mind.