If you have joined FLOCK but have not yet come along to a hike or run, we want you to know one very important thing: you are not alone. 💚
So many people join with the best intentions, then quietly sit on the sidelines for a while. They watch the posts, follow the photos, and tell themselves they will come along when they feel a bit fitter, a bit faster, or a bit more confident.
But the truth is, the biggest step is usually not the run itself. It is simply showing up for the first time.
With a choice of guided hikes and runs each week, FLOCK is your perfect partner to explore the South Downs National Park.
FEELING ANXIOUS OR NERVOUS IS COMPLETELY NORMAL
We hear the same worries all the time:
- What if I am too slow?
- What if I am not fit enough?
- What if I hold everyone back?
- What if everyone else already knows each other?
- What if I cannot manage the hills?
If any of that sounds familiar, please know this: those thoughts are incredibly common. In fact, many of the people now happily running with us felt exactly the same before their first FLOCK run.
WE REALLY DO HAVE OPTIONS FOR ALL ABILITIES
One thing we really want new members to know is that our guided trail runs are designed to suit different abilities and confidence levels.
Our runs start from Level 1, which is ideal for those who are new to trail running, returning after time away, or simply feeling a little unsure. Level 1 is not about racing or pushing hard. It is mostly hiking, hiking the hills and running the flatter sections, with plenty of time to settle in, chat, enjoy the scenery, and build confidence.
We also offer hikes and runs to suit a range of abilities, so you do not need to worry that every session will feel too intense or too advanced. There is space here for beginners, for nervous first timers, and for those easing themselves back in.
YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE “READY ENOUGH”
One of the biggest barriers to joining a club run is the feeling that you need to improve first. But FLOCK is not a place where you need to prove yourself.
We are here for people building confidence, people returning after a break, people moving from road to trail, and people who simply want to enjoy being outdoors without pressure.
You do not need to arrive as the fastest, fittest, or most experienced person in the group. You just need to take that first step.
WHAT NEW MEMBERS OFTEN DISCOVER
Time and time again, members tell us that the reality is far kinder, more supportive, and much more enjoyable than they imagined.
One new member joined a Level 1 guided 5K feeling anxious about pace and unsure what to expect. After the run, they shared that it was “exactly how it should be” — enjoying the scenery, taking photos, meeting like-minded people, chatting comfortably, and feeling “no pressure at all about keeping up.” They described it as “the perfect run.”
Another member told us they were “really anxious to join” because they did not feel fit enough and were worried about holding the group back. But after coming along, they said the group was so encouraging and welcoming that they “absolutely loved every minute, even the hills.”
And after returning to trail running following an eight-month gap, one runner admitted they felt “really anxious” before joining. Afterwards, they said the encouragement before and during the run made the whole experience feel easy and relaxing, and that they would “definitely be joining in with lots of future runs.”
THIS IS WHAT FLOCK IS ALL ABOUT
At FLOCK, we are not about pressure, comparison, or chasing perfection.
We are about:
- support
- encouragement
- adventure
- discovering beautiful trails
- helping people feel comfortable and confident
That means your first run does not need to look perfect. You do not need to know the route. You do not need to worry if you hike the hills. You do not need to stress about pace.
You are allowed to come as you are.
YOUR FIRST RUN CAN CHANGE EVERYTHING
Often, the hardest part is the build-up beforehand. The overthinking. The nerves. The “maybe next week” feeling.
But once you have done that first run, something shifts. The unknown becomes familiar. The nerves settle. Faces become friendly. Confidence starts to grow.
And instead of watching from the sidelines, you become part of the adventure.
A LITTLE NIDGE FROM US
If you have been following along but have not yet booked onto a run, let this be your sign.
You do not need to wait until you feel braver. You do not need to wait until you feel fitter. You do not need to wait until the timing feels perfect.
Come and try one run.
That is all.
One run, one step, one chance to see that you are far more capable than you think.
We would love to welcome you.
Because at FLOCK, nobody expects you to be anything other than yourself — and you never have to take that first step alone. Visit our Guided Trail Runs page to view upcoming runs.