Stride magazine - Autumn Winter 2023

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the jogscotland magazine | Autumn Winter 2023

Inside Meet our fantastic Annual Award winners!

I survived breast cancer in lockdown – now I’m jog leading again The Big 100 Virtual Challenge – your highlights We took up running in retirement jogscotland.org.uk

2 Our fun, friendly jogging groups are perfect for people who want to get active for the first time, or more experienced runners.

Nobody is “too slow” to join jogscotland – total beginners welcome!

Mums on the Run helps mums enjoy the physical, social & psychological benefits of being active outdoors. You can take your wee one to class with you in the buggy too!

Running has never been so easy!

Whatever your age, whatever your ability Morning, noon and night • Towns, cities, villages Parks, pavements, trails, woodlands, beaches, schools and workplaces For more information visit www.jogscotland.org.uk or call 0131 539 7341 www.facebook.com/JogScotty • www.twitter.com/jogscotland

jogworks

Our welcoming Menopause Friendly groups are committed to flexible sessions and open conversations to help youstride stay active through this stage of life. jogscotland magazine | Autumn Winter 2016

Encouraging employees to be more active makes good business sense. Jogworks can help avoid some of the physical and mental health issues affecting the workplace.

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Meet the Jog Crew

Jo Stevens

Sue Gyford

David Fallon

Development officer

Digital communications and press officer

Head of Development

jo.stevens @scottishathletics.org.uk 07903 180 453

Laura Kirkland

Carol Robison

Coaching administrator (Jog Leader course bookings)

Membership administrator

coaching @scottishathletics.org.uk 07568 226 992

david.fallon @scottishathletics.org.uk 07960 582 838

sue.gyford@ scottishathletics.org.uk 07880 037 574

membership @scottishathletics.org.uk 07391 845 783

Stride – the jogscotland members’ magazine Editor: Sue Gyford

Designer: Adrian Hallam, 3fiftysixmedia Ltd

Cover photo: Loch Ness Marathon Published by scottishathletics. Copyright©2023 Scottish Athletics Ltd. www.jogscotland.org.uk

www.twitter.com/jogscotland

www.facebook.com/jogscotty

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jogscotland magazine | Autumn Winter 2023

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Welcome!

by Sue Gyford

Stride magazine | Autumn Winter 2023 Welcome to the latest edition of Stride magazine!

We’re fresh from one of our favourite events of the year, the 4J Studios scottishathletics and jogscotland Awards – so this edition brings you all the news of our winners and shortlisted nominees. It’s such a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the people who really make jogscotland the sociable, supportive, community that it is. Congratulations to everyone who was recognised on the night, and thanks to all those who took time to make nominations. Read more on p8!

One of the other highlights of recent months has been the roll-out of the Menopause Friendly campaign to athletics clubs across Scotland. This has only been possible because of the hard work and enthusiasm that jogscotland groups have already put into the campaign over the two years it has been running. We’re delighted that more people will soon see the benefit of a more open, informed approach to staying active through menopause – thanks to everyone who has backed it so far.

p8

Annual Awards

We’ve also got some inspiring stories from our members in this edition. I was particularly moved to read Diana Thomson’s story.

Diana survived breast cancer during lockdown, and the support of her jogscotland pals really helped her through it. Now she’s back running marathons and ultras – and has helped revive her jogscotland group too.

So we find ourselves heading towards winter – but as the nights get steadily darker and colder, don’t let it keep you indoors – wrap up warm, pop on the high-vis, and let your jogscotland group inspire you to stay active right through the colder months. It’s a great way to beat the winter blues, stay connected with the outdoors, and enjoy some good company.

p12 Diana Thomson

Happy jogging!

Sue Gyford, Editor

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Contents News and events

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4J Studios Awards 2023

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I survived breast cancer in lockdown

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The Big 100 – SAMH Centenary

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Menopause Friendly

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Talking more about menopause

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Jog leaders must agree new T&Cs

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We took up running in retirement

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Book corner

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Autumn achievements

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Off road course

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David Syme – Jogging along

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Just click on a title to go straight to the page!

Design: 3fiftysixmedia.com

sponsor and funder

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jogscotland magazine | Autumn Winter 2023

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News and events One thousand not out!

Congratulations to Irene Miller Leask of JogCowdenbeath, who completed her 1000th session as a jog leader on 1 November! We know Irene has been hugely popular with her joggers and has inspired so many people to enjoy getting active over the years. A wee shout-out too, to the record-keepers at the group, who kept track for all those years. We understand Irene wasn’t aware of the anniversary but fellow jog leaders noticed it approaching and went to her 1000th session prepared with celebratory cake!

Athletics Trust Scotland has announced its first round of Transforming Lives Grants recipients. They will provide support to organisations dedicated to transforming lives through athletics and running, particularly those underrepresented in the sport. Congratulations to the two jogscotland-related projects to receive grants! Runforever provides running sessions for prisoners at HMP Grampian, and featured in the summer edition of Stride. It aims to provide a bridge between the worlds inside and outside the prison. Glendale Primary school is in Pollokshields, Glasgow, regarded as one of the most deprived areas and ethnically and culturally diverse communities in Scotland. The school is to set up a jogscotland group for mothers, as well as an after school running club for pupils.

The next round of funding will open in Spring 2024 – visit www.athleticstrustscotland.org.uk for more information.

Our partner, SAMH, has marked the end of its centenary year by unveiling a new name and logo. Formerly the Scottish Association for Mental Health, it now becomes Scottish Action for Mental Health. The update better reflects its work, which includes delivering services directly in the heart of Scotland’s communities and campaigning for policy change at a national level. The change follows a review that spoke to staff, supporters, and people who use SAMH services. We were proud to play our own part in the centenary year with our virtual event, The Big 100 – see p14.

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Menopause webinar We’re delighted to be hosting a free webinar on Menopause, running and athletics, with Dr Juliet McGrattan, on 22 November. The session is aimed at jog leaders, athletics coaches, and club leaders, and will give an introduction to the topic from former GP, and menopause expert, Juliet. It’s part of our Menopause Friendly campaign, which has been running within jogscotland for two years, and was launched to athletics clubs earlier this year (turn to p16 to read more on that). Find out more about the webinar at http://www.jogscotland. org.uk/webinar-dr-juliet-mcgrattan-onmenopause-running-and-athletics.

Natasha visits JogForfar GB athlete Natasha Phillips was the guest of honour at Jogforfar in October, presenting medals to the group’s newly-graduated Couch to 5K joggers. Natasha, who took up running in lockdown, has had a stellar rise in the running world. She earned her first GB&NI vest at the European Junior Champs this summer, and has won a string of U20 and senior golds at 10K, 10 mile and half marathon distances. She was also named Scottish U20 Athlete of the Year.

We love to see our sport coming together to celebrate one another’s achievements, from total beginners to international competitors!

Natasha is pictured 2nd from the right in the 2nd row from the front – photo by Eddie Phillips.

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4J Studios Awards 2023 We celebrated the very best of jogscotland on 29 November, at the 4J Studios scottishathletics and jogscotland Annual Awards!

The Glasgow Hilton was the venue, Bryan Burnett was our host, and Scotland’s most decorated track and field medallist, Eilidh Doyle, was Guest of Honour. The sparkling event saw 24 awards presented, from the grassroots to the elite level of the athletics and running community in Scotland.

We were delighted to celebrate our jogscotland Award winners, who had all demonstrated the wonderful things that can be achieved from getting active with jogscotland – not only improved fitness, but a real sense of wellbeing and community.

Huge congratulations to all our winners, who were:

Group of the Year – Carluke jogscotland

Carluke jogscotland have been running since 2011, but in the last year have made a real effort to get more involved in the local community. The group have completed two parkrun takeovers, have collected donations for their local foodbank, and took part in the town’s Gala Day in fancy dress. They took part in the first National Running Week arranged by Athletics Trust Scotland, with a special run along the Clyde Valley, and continue to reach out to the community, having recently made connections with their local Men’s Shed. This is in addition to running sessions for all abilities, supporting the health and wellbeing of the town.

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Achiever of the Year – Emma Louise Chegwyn (Ellon Sole Mates)

Emma Louise Chegwyn

After suffering hearing loss, balance issues, sickness, and numbness, Emma underwent a seven hour brain surgery in October 2022 to remove a very large benign tumour wrapped around her brain and nerves. She has permanently lost hearing in one ear, and her balance was compromised after surgery, but having learned to walk again, she joined Ellon Soul Mates walkers. She quickly progressed to Learn to Run, and is now an intermediate runner. She inspires the rest of the group with her bravery and her lust for life.

Jog Leader of the Year – Michael Gowans (Migo Run Club)

Michael Gowans

Michael creates sessions that are fun and engaging, taking time to explain the purpose of each session and making sure they can be tailored to different ability levels. He listens to, and acts on feedback, and makes adaptations accordingly. He has hosted collections for local foodbanks and the charity Refuweegee. His sessions are described as ‘the perfect tonic’, and he is praised as a jog leader with selfless dedication, and a fantastic motivator.

SAMH Mental Wellbeing Award – Newton Road Runners

In August 2021, a member of Newton Road Runners, Cat Gaskell, sadly lost her life as a result of mental health difficulties. In the aftermath, the club decided to take steps to help members in future. All their coaches and leaders attended a First Aid Mental Health Awareness course. The club have an organised 3K/10K annual event to celebrate Cat’s life and raise awareness and funds for mental health charities. In 2022 they raised money for the charity Penumbra Mental Health. This year it will raise money for SAMH, as the club has now become a signatory to SAMH’s Mental Health Charter for Physical Activity and Sport. Newton Road Runners want to promote awareness of mental health and hopefully support their members where possible.

continues over Newton Road Runners

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4J Studios Awards 2023 continued

4J Studios Awards 2023 – a wonderful night We’re always delighted to celebrate all those who are shortlisted for our Annual Awards – a great achievement in itself – and to meet them in person on the night.

ACHIEVER OF THE YEAR Ruairidh Currie (Carluke jogscotland)

Ruairidh first met members of Carluke jogscotland during a parkrun takeover by the group, when he was at the back of the field and got chatting to the tailrunner, who invited him along. He progressed so quickly that in no time he was keeping up with the advanced runners. He is described as “a great demonstration of what jogscotland can help runners achieve.”

Louise Wilson (Killie Striders) This year, Louise has gone from being completely inactive to completing 10K runs, raising hundreds of pounds for the nursery where she works in the process.

She has grown in confidence and is an inspiration to her jogscotland friends.

Carluke jogscotland

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jogscotland magazine | Autumn Winter 2023

JOG LEADER OF THE YEAR Craig Wilson (jogscotland Bridge of Don) Craig’s unwavering dedication and passion for running have inspired numerous others. He sacrifices his own runs to support fellow runners, and reaches beyond his immediate community by writing a blog about his running experiences, fostering a sense of connection and camaraderie.

Paolo Maccagno (Runforever, HMP Grampian)

Paolo leads a running group at HMP Grampian, to act as a bridge between life inside and outside the prison, in hope of reducing reoffending rates among those who leave. Sessions included watching inspiring videos, opening up conversations about issues such as mental health and addiction.

Migo Run Club

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GROUP OF THE YEAR Fenwick Striders

Fenwick Striders

Fenwick Striders cater to runners of all abilities, and the group’s activities have brought a real buzz to their village. The group has helped many members who have battled sickness, mental health issues and bereavements. Members volunteer at their local parkrun and are part of the town’s Gala Day.

Glasgow FrontRunners

Glasgow FrontRunners are an inclusive group for LGBTQ+ runners. Nominations praised the group as “a place of total belonging,” a real community which is supportive of members’ wellbeing. Free runs are offered for refugees, and there is a programme for offering pre-loved running kit to those who need it.

Glasgow Front Runners

Craig Wilson, Emma Louise Chegwyn, Anster Allsorts

SAMH MENTAL WELLBEING AWARD Anster Allsorts

The Allsorts know the positive impact that their group can have: One of their joggers described to leaders how they had made plans to die by suicide – but coming to the Allsorts had been the turning point for them. The group has signed up to the SAMH Mental Health Charter for Physical Activity and Sport, and actively encourages the five ways to better wellbeing.

Janet Farren (Killie Striders)

Killie Striders

Since Janet’s husband Brian was diagnosed with cancer, they have been through a long and difficult fight. However, Janet continues to attend Killie Striders every week. Fellow joggers allowed her to have space if she needed it, but offered an ear to listen. Janet is described as “a total inspiration” by other members.

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I survived breast cancer in lockdown – now I’m jog leading again

By Diana Thomson, jogscotland Insch

In 2017 I decided that it was time to join a running club, although I felt really nervous - the words ‘running club’ conjured up a scary place full of ‘real’ runners - but I needn’t have worried.

I went to jogscotland Insch (JSI) in Aberdeenshire and was greeted by a lovely bunch of people who were friendly and encouraging.

I made friends quickly and I adored our Monday night sessions. It wasn’t just about getting physically fit as it helped us all mentally too. In early 2018 I became a jog leader - I loved being able to encourage others to achieve their running goals.

Unfortunately in September of 2019 I found lump in my right breast which turned out to be an aggressive form of breast cancer which as you can imagine, turned my world upside down. My JSI friends supported me amazingly and whilst I awaited my treatment plan I carried on running - I even managed a couple of half marathons!

Running at this time helped me so much to come to terms with what was ahead.

My chemotherapy started a few weeks later and I continued to run with my JSI friends but noticed I was slowing down. I also got a few funny looks running around the village with my bald head, but I didn’t care, I was still running.

Chemo was not kind to me. I managed to run until just after my third chemo session when things got too tough for me to continue. Yet again my JSI friends rallied around me, offering support and bringing gifts. One friend would send me pictures of where she was running, telling me that soon enough I would be out there, running around once again.

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jogscotland magazine | Autumn Winter 2023

At the end of March 2020, on my birthday, I had my operation to remove what was left of my tumour in my breast. It was the last breast op in the hospital until further notice as Covid had hit and we had gone into our first lockdown just the day before.

I had to go in for the op totally alone but I didn’t care. I just wanted rid of the cancer.

When I came out, I then had to shield, as due to the chemo I had little immunity. But every day I could feel myself getting stronger and I just couldn’t wait to get out and get running again.

I started my radiotherapy in June and in July JSI put out their lockdown challenge.

Run 50, 100 or 150K during July. This was all that I needed! I started to run around my garden but was distraught when I couldn’t run 2K. But the challenge was on, and typically for me I went for it!

I decided to run 5Ks with a different friend from JSI and in the end I managed the 150K. I did have to stop sometimes to get my breath but I ran it all. I was so happy.

In the October I ran the virtual London Marathon and since then I’ve ran it virtually once more and in London twice. I’ve also managed two ultras too.

Cancer has changed my life and has made me even more determined to achieve my goals.

Unfortunately JSI stopped for a while and I missed it so much, but I carried on running with all of those friends I’d made. Then in August this year a group of some of the original jog leaders got together to start JSI up once more and I’m absolutely delighted to be involved. We hope that everyone who comes along will enjoy the benefits of being a member of our lovely friendly jog group, jogscotland Insch.

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The Big 100 – SAMH Centenary Hundreds of you got active together this summer with our virtual challenge, The Big 100! In celebration of the centenary of our partners, SAMH, we invited you to earn your fabulous medal by setting yourself a running goal involving the number 100 – and what imagination you showed! Thanks to everyone who took part – here are some highlights…

Joanne Dryburgh RunSum Running Group

• Anne Wood and Liz Pirie of jogscotland Rosemount – who also feature on pages 20 & 21 of the magazine – were the very first people to complete the challenge – they set out to run down 100 streets in Aberdeen - and did 105, over four runs!

• Jools Lawson of Muir of Ord jogscotland ran 100 miles in a month, completing her challenge at Auchterarder Half Marathon – with a great photo taken as supporters by the side of the road were turning a cooling hose on the warm runners!

Anne Wood and Liz Pirie

• Yvonne O’Malley of Penicuik jogscotland and Jane Malcolm of Stirling Striders ran 100 miles together over one month, and took 100 photographs along the way, accompanied by Isa the sheep and Ron the bear.

• Anster AllSorts aimed to run 100 laps of the Waid Academy playing fields, at 1 mile per lap. 41 Allsorts exceeded the target to reach 147 miles, well over the 100!

• Killie Striders, Fenwick Striders and Monkton Milers Jog Scotland, all got together for their challenge. They were aiming for 100 runners, 300 miles and 100 cakes – 137 runners turned up! Jog Leader Rosie McGrane says “This is exactly what jogscotland is all about. Runners getting together and doing what they do best - supporting each other.”

• Carluke jogscotland ran 100K as a group in a day, completing at Lanark Moor parkrun. Jog Leader Julie Laird said: “We absolutely smashed it with 22 CJS members running 5K at parkrun and another few members taking part virtually. Everyone was delighted with their medal which sparkled in the September sunshine.”

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jogscotland magazine | Autumn Winter 2023

Jools Lawson

Yvonne O’Malley and Jane Malcolm

Killie Striders, Fenwick Striders and Monkton Milers Jog Scotland

15 • Run Sum Running Group of Kirkcaldy racked up a total of 115K in one evening session, with another two joggers doing it in their own time, reaching a grand total of 135K! • At Milestones jogscotland, jog leader Cat Whitelaw, told us: “I’ve been suffering from anxiety recently and not been able to participate in long runs, so we had to celebrate 100 years of SAMH with 100 plums gathered from my garden. Runners donated their spare change to add to our fundraising for SAMH.” Cat was happy for us to share her words, because anxiety is so common, and the more we share, the less alone we feel.

• jogscotland Penicuik aimed to complete 100 laps of their local track collectively but they soon passed that and ended up at 180. Then in true runner fashion, they had to keep going so they finished on a nice even 200!

• In a lovely full-circle moment for the challenge, the SAMH Physical Activity and Sport team completed 100 laps of George Square, Glasgow together.

• Mums on the Run Hyndland set the challenge to complete 100K in a week, and smashed it!

• At Cumbernauld 10K, On The Run Cumbernauld organised a shout-out for all the jogscotland members from different groups to gather for a photoshoot to celebrate the SAMH Centenary. They were aiming for 100 people, and got 78 – but we’re counting the legs in which case they got 156! As well as OTR Cumbernauld, there were members of Jiggly Joggers, F.E.A.T Womens Fitness Women’s Running Group, and Jog Lanark.

SAMH

Run Sum Running Group

Mums on the Run Hyndland

Cumbernauld 10K

AnsterAllsorts

jogscotland Penicuik

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jogscotland magazine | Autumn Winter 2023 Carluke jogscotland

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Menopause Friendly – now athletics clubs come on board, with Sally Gunnell’s backing!

Webinar! We’re hosting a Zoom session with menopause and running expert, Dr Juliet McGrattan, at 7pm on 22 November. It’s open to Jog Leaders, check out http://www.jogscotland.org.uk/webinar-dr-julietmcgrattan-on-menopause-running-and-athletics. for more details.

Our Menopause Friendly campaign has now been rolled out to scottishathletics clubs across Scotland!

Already running for two years within jogscotland, the campaign encourages our groups to take simple steps to make their sessions more achievable and accessible for joggers at this time of life.

Our jogscotland groups have made it such a success that on 18 October this year – World Menopause Day – the initiative was also launched to athletics clubs. The move means that thousands more people could have the benefit of more flexible training, and more open conversations, making them feel able to stay in the sport longer, despite the challenges that can sometimes arise at this stage of life.

The Menopause Friendly resources that began life on the jogscotland website have been adapted to have more athletics-relevant content, posted on the scottishathletics website, and shared with around 150 clubs across the country.

The move also won the backing of Olympic and World champion hurdler, Sally Gunnell, who has herself spoken out about the challenges that menopause can bring. She said: “I think it’s a great campaign, it’s a great way to see a governing body thinking. It’s probably only in the last year that we’re starting to talk about menopause in all areas, and why shouldn’t we be talking around it within sport? I think it’s quite groundbreaking and positive to see.

“Menopause can affect people in so many ways, I couldn’t believe all the different feelings – as somebody who is quite a positive person, going through the menopause, how you had some self-doubts and questioned things. Now understanding what was happening, I think it’s clear we need to talk about it, so that we can support people.

Knowledge is everything, as we know in sport, and it’s the same when we’re talking about our hormones and menopause.

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17 “I think signing up to the campaign is something that every club should do. It’s about spreading that word from within and sharing that information – that has to come from within the clubs, and we have to do it in a friendly, approachable and understandable way. So this is very good to see – I totally support the whole campaign.”

We’d like to thank the 30 jogscotland groups that have already become Menopause Friendly and pioneered this work, leading the way for others to follow. We hope that it can become a model for more sports and physical activity providers in future.

Not yet on board? If you’d like your group to become Menopause Friendly, join the campaign now! It doesn’t have to be onerous. We ask that jog leaders: •E ducate themselves by reading the resources on Menopause and Running on our website, at https://www.jogscotland.org.uk/active-living/menopauseand-running/.

•T hink about what simple changes they can make to their group to make participation easier for joggers going through menopause – for example, starting and ending your sessions near toilets, or offering flexible sessions for those with fluctuating symptoms.

•T alk about menopause and running at sessions and online, to normalise it as a topic of conversation.

If you agree to do those things and sign up using the link on the web pages, you can then use our Menopause Friendly branding to promote your group.

We hope that it will also help keep joggers with your group who might otherwise drift away without you ever knowing why. Even if some of your members can’t run at the level they once did, they could reap great benefits for their physical and mental wellbeing by staying active through menopause and beyond, so let’s support them!

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jogscotland magazine | Autumn Winter 2023

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jogscotland magazine | Autumn Winter 2023

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Talking more about menopause – by Fiona Munro, The Galavanters

I was involved in some Edinburgh University research workshops on physical activity and menopause earlier this year, and the subsequent launch of the SAMH report, Moving through Menopause.

It inspired me to ask our group leader, Arlene Anderson, about having a regular menopause Walk and Talk as part of our Galavanters group. I was struck in the report about the benefits and importance of mutual peer support and raising awareness.

We started the group in late spring, and while it has not been large in terms of numbers, we now have a cohort of people who attend when able and a little messenger group so we can stay in touch.

During the walks, symptoms are regularly discussed and HRT was a frequent discussion topic.

I am lucky to have as a friend Dr Faye Rodger, Consultant Obstetrics and Gynaecology from NHS Borders. I reached out to her, and asked if she would be prepared to come and meet us at one of the sessions.

Fifteen lovely ladies came to meet with Faye who offered to do a Q&A session.

Everything was discussed from managing symptoms, benefits and risks around HRT to diet and how to keep patches from falling off! I think the other useful area of conversation was around what support should be available locally through GPs and if necessary escalated to consultant level at specialist clinic.

I am grateful to Faye for supporting us – and she commented what a good thing jogscotland are doing by encouraging Menopause Friendly Groups. I am also grateful to the individuals with Galavanters who have continued to join the walks and chats with an openness and willingness to share stories and mutually support each other.

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Jog leaders must agree new T&Cs As many of you will know, responsibility for the licensing of jog leaders and coaches in Scotland moved from UK Athletics to scottishathletics on 1 November.

As a result, all jog leaders are required to accept a new set of Terms & Conditions.

This is mandatory, for all jog leaders. If you do not do this, your licence and insurance will not remain in place.

We’ve had a great response to our initial communications on this, but there are still jog leaders who have not yet completed it. Please take a moment to visit https:// www.scottishathletics.org.uk/coaches/scottishathletics-leader-andcoach-terms-conditions/ and follow the steps laid out there to read and accept the new T&Cs. If you have any queries, please contact coaching@scottishathletics.org.uk.

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We took up running in retirement

by Anne Wood, jogscotland Rosemount

Anne (left) and Liz (right)

My friend Liz Pirie and I joined jogscotland Rosemount in summer 2008. Liz had been involved in the Hairy Haggis race at Edinburgh that year and I went along to support the team. I met jog leader Sarah Gove there and she invited us to join the club. The rest is history!

Our main motivation for joining was because early retirement was looming and we were determined to stay fit and healthy and not put on weight. We were both aged 56 at the time, I had never run before and Liz was a novice. It was not easy, but with encouragement from our club we persevered, added in extra practice runs ourselves and eventually managed to progress to the Intermediates. We enjoyed the fun and friendship and attended very regularly twice a week in all weathers. Our running gear wardrobe gradually increased to include waterproof jackets with hoods (I’m still trying to find suitable warm waterproof gloves)! We did at least one 10K race every year, searching for ones which had the fewest hills. We enjoyed the Inverness 10K and Edinburgh 10K several times and to celebrate turning 60, we trained for the Edinburgh half marathon and travelled using our newly acquired bus passes!

There was always a desire to undertake a marathon, but with creaky knees, backs and feet it wasn’t ever going to happen. That is, until lockdown, when we were able to do the Edinburgh Marathon Festival races virtually and in as many runs as we liked. We are both now the proud owners of a medal confirming that we have completed a marathon.

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jogscotland magazine | Autumn Winter 2023

21 Sarah suggested in 2017 that we might like to consider becoming leaders and we qualified later that year. We were both retired teachers and had a lot of experience in teaching, so it seemed a good plan. We gravitated towards the beginners’ group; their pace suited us. Remember, we were aged 66 by then and our energy levels had diminished slightly. It was very rewarding to take small groups out and see them progress to the next level. Liz and I generally shared the group between us, but would sometimes split if there was a wide range of abilities. We were very much in tune with each other and would swap beginners so that we always got a good run ourselves. We took our responsibilities seriously, were committed and turned up twice weekly to work with the beginners in all weathers. If the beginners signed up to run, so did we.

It was not an easy decision to give up being a leader, but our athletics licences were about to expire and after Covid, our beginners were less regular, so we decided it was time. We are still members of our club and will join them for occasional runs and social events. We have made too many friends and enjoyed the companionship of the club too much to not stay involved. We have much to thank jogscotland Rosemount for and I am happy to say that our aims have been met - we are fit, pretty healthy and have kept our weight down! We run three times a week on our own, love to stop at traffic lights and we seem to require frequent nose-blows! However, we are still jogging and plan to do so for as long as our legs will carry us.

• From everyone at jogscotland, and all the many joggers you have led over the years – thank you, Anne and Liz, for your hard work!

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Book corner Jog leader with Anster Allsorts, George Findlay, dips into the ever-growing genre of ‘books about running’ and reviews some of his favourites.

Why We Run by Robin Harvie There are many different reasons why we all choose to run. Challenge, achievement, adventure, contemplation, destressing, time alone, time with others, being out in nature and being inspired by others are just some of the reasons. The physical, mental and social health benefits of running are well documented.

In Robin Harvie’s book running becomes an obsession.

Not content with running marathons, Robin feels an inner need to push himself to the limits of running challenges to find out what he can achieve. To do this he enters one of the world’s toughest ultramarathons, the 246K (153 miles) Spartathon, running between Athens and Sparti, in Greece. The race must be completed in 36 hours, through the heat of the day and the darkness of the night, with 75 checkpoints and strict cut off times, to prevent elimination. Entry criteria are rigid with only the very best male and female ultramarathoners taking part.

Robin’s book is part autobiography, taking the reader through how running helped him deal with life changes, family events and bereavement. His preparations for the Spartathon are described as he builds up his mileage and his contemplations on literature, philosophy and art on these runs are recorded.

At times I found this a bit tedious. However, his appreciation of nature and landscape are evident during his favourite routes along the River Thames.

The quest to overcome the Spartathon distance becomes Robin’s obsession and the book finishes with the run itself. Will Robin’s body stand up to being pushed to its absolute limits and will it lead to personal achievement and fulfilment?

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Your Pace or Mine? by Lisa Jackson With the emphasis increasingly on ‘slow running’ as a means of encouraging more people to run, Lisa’s book is very relevant in today’s running ethos. Lisa describes herself as the ‘World’s Slowest marathon correspondent’. She is not afraid of being last in races and has run all over the world in marathons and ultramarathons, often in fancy dress, bringing up the rear of the field. In these races Lisa meets and encourages many slower runners and there are many testimonies from these runners at the end of each chapter. She is clearly an inspirational person with great charisma.

The chapters of the book are entitled ‘What running taught me about…’

These cover topics such as fear, never giving up, laughing, failure and success and even nudity (she has run in the nude)! Each one recounts an aspect of Lisa’s running journey and the life lessons that she has learned through running. There are many tales of courage, resilience and perseverance from the people Lisa encounters during races.

Much humour permeates throughout the book with many heart-warming stories of overcoming difficulties in life. Near the end there is a very amusing section titled ‘You know you’re a real runner when...’ which most of us will relate to. It is great to read that Lisa’s most scenic marathon was the Loch Ness Marathon in her list of magical marathons. There are also contributions from Olympians and marathon winners emphasising the life-changing aspects of running and the friendships forged.

Participation and personal achievement are the key values in Lisa’s running philosophy, something all slow runners share. The book is truly a joy to read!

• Why We Run by Robin Harvie is published by Hachette UK • Your Pace or Mine? by Lisa Jackson is published by Summersdale

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Autumn achievements So many of you have been out and racing in recent months, at events large and small, in huge posses and as solo heroes – and we love to see it! Here are a selection of your best event photos from this autumn, including the Great Scottish Run, Loch Ness Marathon Festival, and other local events – congratulations to everyone who has achieved a new goal this year – we’re so proud of you!

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Off road course

We’re delighted to now be offering regular opportunities to take a training module for jog leaders who’d like to lead groups safely on more challenging terrains and in more remote areas. The Fell, Hill, Off Road and Trail Leader module is designed for those who have completed the standard Leadership in Running Fitness (LiRF) qualification and would like to increase their skills off road.

Our first course – pictured – took place in Stirling earlier this year, and was a great success, so we’re now making it a regular part of our coach education schedule. There is one course currently available for booking, on 10 December in Kilmarnock. Spring dates will be released soon.

The course is designed to prepare you to provide a safe and enjoyable running experience for adults, of any ability, with a focus on typical fell and hill terrains.

This will include leading on public paths marked on an Ordnance Survey ‘Explorer’ or ‘Landranger’ map (including those shown on open access land), and the published routes of licensed fell/hill races.

The course builds on LiRF, and covers preparing for, and managing, risk on different terrains in varying conditions. As well as keeping a group safe it will also cover the techniques of off-road running, including ascending, descending and coping with different terrains and conditions under foot.

You can find out more about the course content at https://www.scottishathletics. org.uk/coaches/qualifications/fell-hill-off-road-and-trail-leader/, and check out all the available courses, including LiRF, at https://jogscotland.org.uk/jogleaders/jog-leader-courses/

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Jogging along

by David Syme

Running in – please pass Older readers (I mean very old readers) will remember this sign in the back window of shiny new cars. The owner of one of these cars had been told to keep revs and speed low for a certain distance – say 1000 miles – while the engine “runs in” ie learns to do its job. Oh, the quiet pride in driving along a main road at 45 miles per hour, informing other drivers with this sign that this car is brand new! The appraising looks from those drivers as they speed past!

Sadly there is no sign for a runner returning from injury – a runner who might normally bound along but is obeying medical advice and moving slowly. That runner will be going through a mix of emotions; a frown of concentration as he or she keeps a close watch on the injury – am I helping or hindering my recovery?

But possibly a broad smile of elation – I am back out running again! When this runner meets another runner, he or she would like to explain that this laboured pace is not normal. “Oh, no, far from it, but you see, I had this knee problem…“ but of course there is no time to blurt this out as the other runner sweeps past.

If you are out jogging and you come across another runner whose face is either frowning with concentration or beaming with pleasure - that runner may well be on the way back from injury; probing the limits of speed, effort and endurance.

As you pass, the most appropriate greeting is, I think, a respectful nod, which carries the message: “Good luck, mate! We’ve all been there.”

This will be David’s last column for Stride magazine – we’d like to thank him for many great reads. Meet our new columnist in the next edition!

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jogscotland magazine | Autumn Winter 2023

Walk, jog, run with jogscotland Get fit and have fun with our sociable, supportive jogging groups for all levels – beginners welcome!

Affordable, friendly sessions with trained Jog Leaders.

Find your nearest group at www.jogscotland.org.uk/local-groups