Sedgefield Harriers organises a number of different training sessions each week for seniors and older juniors. These are delivered by experienced qualified coaches and all sessions are open to all abilities. Sessions normally run year round but check with the relevant coach if you’re unsure.
All sessions are free for members. Non-members are welcome to join in for free for four sessions, after which we’ll ask you either to join or pay a small charge per session.
Monday 6pm-7pm Beginners and Improvers Group
Clair Walker – clairwalker1@hotmail.co.uk
This session is designed to encourage new or returning runners, as well as those who are developing that extra confidence. The running is fun, inclusive and typically involves shorter circuit work around a central point. The beginners group meet on a Monday night at 6 at Ceddesfeld Hall. Once the clocks have changed the venue is Hardwick Park – for those not wanting to jog down we pick them up at the underpass at 6:10pm – and in winter the village centre.
The group meets at 6.00pm; Ceddesfeld Hall car park in winter (Rectory Row, Sedgefield, TS21 2AE). In summer, we still meet at Ceddesfeld but jog down to Hardwick Park visitors centre where people are welcome to join us by 6:10pm.
Monday 6pm-7.30pm Strength and Conditioning
The aim of strength and conditioning is to create the robust athlete. Strength and conditioning improves performance, reduces injuries and improves technique.
Session focus;
- Strength training, range of movement, drills and running technique, stretching, plyometrics, speed, balance, correct performance of exercises etc.
- Trunk and core, quads and hamstrings, knees, upper body, foot-fall, lower leg etc.
- Exercises including shuttles, static floor exercises, drills, skipping, med-ball training, band-training etc.
Equipment used (includes);
Med-balls, bands, skipping ropes, kettle bells, free-weights, foam rollers.
Each age-group taking part has specific primary requirements with a need for focus on individual elements for example;
- Older runners – range of movement, anaerobic exercise, muscle retention.
- Adult runners – range of movement, speed, strength.
- Older children – strength development, speed, balance, agility, technique, knowledge acquisition.
- Younger children – technique, knowledge acquisition, inclusion, encouragement, balance, correct performance of exercises.
Strength and conditioning sessions vary weekly according to the make-up of the group participating. Each session is structured to ensure everyone present can perform the exercises and activities and that the session adds value for all participants.
Complimentary activities are used to support the sessions and this often includes basketball which is an excellent complimentary exercise as it involves plyometrics, speed, co-ordination, and team-work- and it is fun. It is an activity that is often mentioned as beneficial to athletes.
Strength and conditioning sessions are inclusive including for all ages and abilities. In truth they are an essential for everyone for keeping fit and active.
Strength and conditioning sessions are coached and led by Ean Parsons who has a background in endurance running and coaching. Ean was mentored and supported by England Athletics to be a club strength and conditioning coach which included workshops and one-to-one mentoring.
The sessions are held in the sports hall at Sedgefield Community College. For further information contact Ean on ean2005@hotmail.co.uk
Monday 7.10pm to 8.00pm Core Stability
Activity studio, Sedgefield Community College Sports Centre.
Please bring an exercise mat.
Led by Harriet Morris: hjaynewill@hotmail.com
These sessions focus on developing core stability through Pilates-based exercises. The aim is to improve core strength to enhance posture, running performance and prevent injuries. We focus on core abdominal muscles, posterior chain (back of the body), glutes, hip stabilisers, calves & ankle stability for a full body workout. In addition to improving core strength, the sessions also include some stretching and breathing work, accompanied by a relaxing soundtrack!
It is a very inclusive session and everyone is most welcome. The sessions are low impact and suitable for all abilities. Everyone can work at their own level by choosing the intensity option which best suits them and taking a break when needed.
Feel free to contact me with any questions or for more info. Look forward to seeing you there 🙂
Tuesday 6pm-7pm Short Reps and Hill Sprints
These are run leader-led sessions and intended to build strength and speed. The session will include warm-ups and cool-down.
No one likes doing speed sessions on their own, but they are the cornerstone of any plan to improve your running. Tuesday night sessions offer a speed/effort session that is open to runners of all abilities to run together and make speed work more enjoyable. Starting from Ceddesfield Hall in the winter and from the Visitor Centre at Hardwick Park in the summer. The session includes a 10-15 min warm up and then 30 min of effort before a 10 min cool down/stretches. There are usually 20-30 runners from the very speedy to beginners, and as every effort tends to start at the same place, you can work at your own pace and no one is every left behind. There is a rotation of different sessions over the months from repeated hill efforts, pyramids of sprints and varied Fartlek. The planned session is posted on the Senior Harriers WhatsApp group and the Sedgefield Harriers Facebook group the day before so at least you know what you are letting yourself in for!
Meet at Ceddesfield Hall car park at 6.00pm – the only exception to this is the first Tuesday of each month where the meeting point is at NETpark.
In the lighter months we meet at 6.00pm at the Hardwick Park visitor centre.
There is also a walking group, usually led by Coaching Assistant Helen Letts, that sets off from the same place.
Meet at Ceddesfield Hall car park at 6.00pm – the only exception to this is the first Tuesday of each month where the meeting point is at NETpark.
In the lighter months we meet at 6.00pm at the Hardwick Park visitor centre.
Wednesday 6:30pm-7:30pm “All-out” Effort Session
Chris Lines leads.
The session is aimed at competitive runners though any runner with experience will be able to take part. The run leader is Chris Lines. In the winter, sessions usually take place in Netpark. In summer the sessions take place in the lovely surroundings of Hardwick Park using routes around the lake and Serpentine.
(ean2005@hotmail.co.uk)
Most runners do most of their running outside of coach or led sessions so it is important that the Thursday session adds value to individual athletes to support their training schedule.
Thursday sessions are structured around interval training which is a specific type of training and the aim is to educate athletes about different features of running training so whilst improving at sessions they can also transfer their learning to racing and training away from sessions.
The sessions include the use of five paces and three energy systems. They always take place at NETPark during the winter and on the grass area between NETPark and Winterton in the summer months. Both have surfaces conducive to good training and on which even paces can be retained.
This also means that all participants remain in a limited area and are never entirely on their own. Specific sessions are over set distances to enable athletes to learn their paces and expected times. There are one mile benchmarking runs at the change of the seasons.
Thursday sessions are aimed at runners of all abilities who would like to have a greater depth of understanding about running and who are interested in improving.
Ean Parsons was an endurance runner for many years and has been a coach since 2006 and during that time many runners of all abilities have attended his sessions. He therefore has a wealth of knowledge and experience to pass on and is pleased to provide advice and support if asked.
Thursday 6pm-7pm Short Reps, Hill Sprints & Endurance
Thursday sessions at Wynyard are aimed at runners of all abilities. They are run leader-led sessions and intended to build strength, speed and endurance. Each week’s session will focus on one these areas. There will also be periodic benchmarking sessions to allow runners to gauge progress.
The session will include warm-ups and cool-down.
The objective of the sessions is to allow runners at Wynyard to join a structured, social running group near to home. The hope is that those who want to take their running further begin to attend other focused club sessions held at Sedgefield.
The Wynyard sessions all start from the Meadows roundabout on Wynyard Park (North side of A689).
The sessions are led by Matt Cooke and Stuart Park.
