KADS Jargon Buster
There are a few words and phrases we use in KADS which won’t make much sense to new members. The jargon’s not usually made up by KADS as such, but is used in the local (or even national) running community. Have a read below, and if you come across any new terms you don't know the meaning of, or which could be added to this list, please send 'em to webmanager.kads@gmail.com, thanks!
BDL
Stands for ‘Booths Decorators League’. Although the sponsors for the league are now The Derby Runner specialist running equipment shop near Spondon (https://derbyrunner.co.uk/), the ‘BDL’ term has stuck. The league consists of two sets of races, one across the summer and cross-country during the winter, all of which are free for KADS members. You just need a club vest or T shirt to take part (available from the Kit Manager - https://www.kadsrunning.com/the-committee.html), and then you turn up and run, there is no need to register. Races vary in length but are typically around 5 miles. The dates for the races are on the club calendar, and you can see the fixtures and results for previous races on the league tracker website: http://www.leaguetracker.co.uk/Organiser/Leagues/?O=Booth.
Big Track
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This is a ten-mile route on trails and paths around Nottingham city which some KADS use for long runs on a Sunday. The route is described and mapped out here: https://www.visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk/things-to-do/the-big-track-waterside-cycle-route-p615231. If you want to include this session on your runs, ask your fellow KADS members for access to the WhatsApp group.
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BTC
Stands for ‘British Triathlon Club’. This club isn’t directly associated with KADS but several KADS members make use of it, as well as runners from other clubs in the area. The BTC coach lays on free running sessions on a Monday night, usually in either Eastwood, Brinsley or at the Rutland track (small fee for track sessions). They tend to be focused on ‘improvement’ running with hill repetitions and other intervals and are again open to everyone. This is an informal arrangement so the best way to get involved is probably to just ask around on a Wed night session and someone will help you get involved.
Club Calendar
The Club Calendar records all KADS races, social and other events. It’s a Google Calendar, and if you also use this tool for your personal calendar and want to, you can easily copy entries to your own calendar. The Calendar is always available on the KADS website, here: https://www.kadsrunning.com/club-calendar.html.
CWC
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Stands for ‘Colliers Wood Canter’. This is the club’s established 5Km and 3Km timed runs/walks which take place once a month at Collier’s Wood in Moorgreen near Eastwood (check the club calendar). The runs are set up by volunteers, are free of charge, and are available to everyone, whether a member of KADS or not. There’s no need to register. You just turn up, give the organiser a few details so they can record your results and off you go (results are available here: http://www.collierswoodcanter.co.uk/).
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The site postcode is NG16 3QU, and there is a small car park, or you can park on Engine Lane. The 5Km race consists of three loops of the site on established paths with a short section on grass (which can be a bit muddy in wet weather), one ‘long’ loop, then a short loop and another long loop. The 3Km race consists of one long loop and one short loop.
EA
When you’re a member of KADS you can optionally also register with England Athletics (EA) for an additional yearly fee (https://www.englandathletics.org/). This gives you access to additional sets of races in addition to the free Derby Runner (BDL) league races. Some races require EA membership to qualify for ‘attached runner’ discounts too. EA registration runs from 1 April each year and costs £15 a year.
Equinox 24
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This is an epic 24-hour race which takes part on the summer equinox (late September) at the Belvoir Castle Estate in Leicestershire. The event consists of a 10Km loop in parkland, on grass and paths, and the aim is to complete as many loops as possible in 24 hours. You can opt to do this on your own (for heroic ‘solo’ status), as a pair with a team-mate, or in small or large teams. Only one runner from your team can be on the course at any one time, and you have to complete full laps of the course.
The race continues all the way through the night, so you get to experience night running with a head or chest torch in a safe environment. There are also 10Km daytime and night time races too, of you don’t want to take part in the full 24-hour race, plus a junior race. A large camping area is available, with showers, toilets, a bar based in a bus, food and running shop stalls. For more information see https://www.equinox24.co.uk/, or ask around on Wed night. |
First Claim Club
You can be a member of two EA-affiliated athletics clubs (running clubs in our case) at the same time. One club must be your ‘first claim’ club, and whichever you join first has this status. If you’re only a member of one club, then you don’t need to worry about ‘first claim’ status. However, if you want to race for two clubs, like KADS and Notts AC, then you need to decide which club will be your first claim. If you’re registered with two clubs then you can only race for your second club if the competition doesn’t allow your first claim club to enter.
Handicap Races
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The club runs its own yearly series of ‘handicap’ races around the Kimberley/Nuthall/Moorgreen area, open to all KADS members and free of charge. Everyone taking part is allocated a different start time, depending on how fast they’re expected to run (some black magic is used to work all of this out, causing mini-debates at every race!).
Slower runners go first, and faster runners have later start times. The idea is everyone should be finishing at roughly the same time, so everyone has an equal chance of winning, no matter how quick or slow you are. The overall winner of the series is announced on the annual presentation night. There’s no need to register for these runs. First-time runners aren’t included in the results, so there’s no pressure on you and your start time in later races can be worked out. |
KADS Chit Chat
This is a ‘private’ Facebook group which KADS use to, well, chat. The group is used by the committee to post race reminders and make other announcements, but it’s largely there as an informal way for KADS members to ask each other for advice, call for runners to join Parkrun milestones, post photos of them looking magnificent and the like. Any important info like race reminders are also emailed out, so you don’t have to be a Facebook member if you don’t want to be.
KLC
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Stands for ‘Kimberley Leisure Centre’. The leisure centre is located on Newdigate Street in Kimberley, behind Kimberley School. The club meets at KLC on most Wed evenings at 7pm and run from, and back to the leisure centre in various lengths of social training session (some weeks we’re at the track or elsewhere, so check the calendar first). We meet in the main corridor, and you can’t miss us all milling around. When races are on some of us car share too, and KLC is often a convenient place for us to convene before the run – look out for announcements on KADS Chit Chat or in your inbox. https://www.lleisure.co.uk/sport-and-fitness/kimberley-leisure-centre/
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Map Runs
Wednesday night is club run night, and we usually meet at Kimberley Leisure Centre for ‘map runs’. These are organised by the club’s Route Master and the routes are sent out as links to Strava (you don’t need to have signed-up to Strava to see the routes). They’re also printed and popped on the notice board in the corridor in the Leisure Centre so you can look at them on Wed night before the run. Routes are typically available between 3 and 7 miles or so.
North Mids XC League
This cross-country league has been running since 1946 and KADS members with EA membership are eligible to take part free of charge (http://www.northmidsxcleague.co.uk/). There’s no need to register for these races, pull on your club vest or T-shirt and turn up! The races are open to clubs across the (roughly) Notts/Derby/Leics region, so a good range of athletes are represented.
Parkrun
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Parkrun is an organisation which arranges (volunteer-powered) 5Km timed runs/walks in parks across the UK (and abroad) usually on Saturday morning at 9am. KADS members often run in these events, typically at the local runs (Shipley Park, Brierly Forest, The Forest Rec, Beeston, Long Eaton, Gedling) but also further afield as ‘Parkrun Tourists’. The events are free of charge, but you need to register before you go, and print off a barcode which you then need to take to each run. The events are all managed by volunteers, and it’s very much appreciated if you can offer a helping hand at a local Parkrun when you’ve the time. For more, see https://www.parkrun.org.uk/.
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Run Leader
Several members of KADS are qualified ‘Run Leaders’. The official term for this England Athletics qualification is "Leadership in Running Fitness" (LiRF). Run Leaders are trained how to plan and run a training session, demonstrating example drills and stretches, warming up and cooling down, how to risk assess and so on. Run Leaders aren’t coaches, so can't develop training programs or offer tailored advice "officially" but they can guide on good running form, help spot common injuries and so on (for more information: https://www.englandathletics.org/coaching/qualifications-landing-page/leadership-in-running-fitness/). Ask the Men’s or Lady’s Captains for more information.
Runner's Yoga
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There’s a monthly yoga session held by Jess on Sunday at Zen Fit Health above Mad Hatters on James Street in Kimberley only for KADS members, specifically designed for runners. An email is sent out in advance of the sessions, and a post placed on KADS Chit Chat, so you know how and when to book. You need to pay for each session you attend. The sessions are also placed on the Club Calendar.
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Rutland (Track Sessions)
The club makes use of the running track at Rutland Sports Park in Ilkeston, about a 15-minute drive from Kimberley (postcode: DE7 5GH, just off West End Drive, parking on-site or on the adjacent road). The track has a ‘Tartan’ all-weather synthetic surface which was relaid in 2019 and is 400m around with 6 lanes. The dates and times for track sessions are on the club calendar and there is a small charge (currently £2) payable for each participant at the point of use (take the money and give it to the KADS organiser who’ll be in reception). The track sessions are organised so everyone in KADS can take part and enjoy the sensation of track running.
Spikes
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Spikes are a type of running shoe which have sharp studs (which are also called spikes) screwed into the underside of them for additional grip on tracks and muddy cross-country courses. Spike shoes generally come with track-length spikes fitted, which are usually 4 or 5mm long. For cross-country you’ll also need longer spikes to get grip in deep mud, 12 or 15mm (the studs come with a special tool for changing them). Derby Runner and Up & Running (in Nottingham) both sell spikes (great for asking for advice from experienced runners) and Decathlon in Giltbrook sell relatively cheap spikes to get you started. A tip: make sure your spikes are tight-fitting in the shop: once they’re wet and muddy they’ll stay on your feet without moving around.
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VLM
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VLM stands for Virgin London Marathon. This race over the iconic 26.2-mile distance is hugely popular these days, and places are limited. You have these options to get into the race:
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XC
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XC stands for cross country. KADS members take part in several cross-country leagues and races from regional to national level. You don’t need any experience, to qualify or to buy any special equipment other than your club vest/T Shirt to take part, although most runners use trail shoes or like to use a pair of cross country ‘spikes’ on the muddier courses. You don’t need EA membership for the Derby Runner/BDL series of XC races, buy you do need it for the North Midlands XC League.
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