Stride Magazine - Spring 2024

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the jogscotland magazine | Spring 2024

Inside Welcome to all our new members The wonders of walking Bring on the over-60 age group!

Meet our new columnist… 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

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

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

membership @scottishathletics.org.uk 07391 845 783

Stride – the jogscotland members’ magazine Editor: Sue Gyford

Designer: Adrian Hallam, 3fiftysixmedia Ltd

Cover photo: Bobby Gavin Published by scottishathletics. Copyright©2024 Scottish Athletics Ltd. www.jogscotland.org.uk

www.twitter.com/jogscotland

www.facebook.com/jogscotty

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Welcome!

by Sue Gyford

Stride magazine | Spring 2024 Welcome to the Spring edition of Stride magazine! It’s such a wonderful season, with the year stretching ahead of us and plans to be made – whether those are jogging for the first time, running further or faster than before, or continuing to enjoy being active with our pals.

It’s always exciting to see so many new members flood into our groups at New Year – we’re celebrating them with our photo spread (pp8-9)! If you started in January but are finding it hard to stick with, hang in there. Winter will soon be truly in the rear view mirror and it’ll just keep getting easier – you can do it!

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New Year joggers

We’ve a big focus on walking in this issue (pp10-13) – many of our groups have walking sections, and it’s a great way to keep yourself active, healthy, and connected, if you don’t fancy jogging, or if it’s just not possible for you. A big shout-out to all the walkers in our community!

It’s also great to hear about Steve Adam’s experience of going from jogging a few hundred metres to running some incredible race times (p18). It just goes to show the real variety of pathways available to anyone who starts with jogscotland.

On a personal note, this edition also marks the opening of a new chapter, while another closes - as I’ll be leaving jogscotland and scottishathletics in March after almost 12 years in post.

It’s been an honour to be a part of our community, seeing thousands of lives improved through jogscotland, with the help of our wonderful jog leaders. I’ll be moving on to pastures new at Edinburgh College of Art, but I’ll still be out and about on the running scene, so please do come and say hello if you see me!

A huge thank you to every jogscotland member who I’ve had the pleasure to meet, jog with, blether with, or write about over the years – you’re all amazing!

Sue Gyford, Editor

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jogscotland magazine | Spring 2024

p10 Walking groups

p18 Steve Adam

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Contents News and events

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New Year, new joggers!

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The wonders of walking

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Stepping out

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Want to walk?

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Couch to OK

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Monkton Milers congratulated in Parliament

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Bring on the 60+ age group!

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Happy 20th anniversary to jogscotland Bridge of Don!

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Book corner

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Photoshoot – On The Run Cumbernauld

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Craig Wilson – 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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News and events Welcome to our new members!

It’s been a bumper start to 2024 for jogscotland, with an incredible 553 new members joining in January! A big welcome to each and every one of you – we hope you love being part of jogscotland and have many years ahead of improving your mental and physical wellbeing by getting Rogue Runners Knightswood active with our groups.

Thanks especially to our jog leaders, who do a great job of welcoming new members at this time of year, hosting Couch to 5K and Learn to Run courses, and making sure everybody feels included as their groups grow.

Turn the page for photos of lots of our new joggers!

North East jogscotland Quiz Night We’re delighted to see the return of this quiz night for jogscotland groups in the North East, which was always a great success in previous years. The 2024 edition of the quiz, organised by Alan Millar of Dyce jogscotland, will be held on 15 March at Riverside Café Bar in Aberdeen.

Any jogscotland groups in the area (or beyond!) are welcome to submit a team, with funds raised going towards charities of the winners’ choice. Tickets are £10 per person, with teams of up to six people, and stovies will be served (with vegetarian option available).

The last in-person winners were Westhill jogscotland, who won in 2020, shortly before the world went into lockdown. Bridge of Don won the online edition of the quiz in 2021.

Thanks to Alan for organising, and good luck to all the participants!

For more information contact Alan on addmillar@yahoo.co.uk or check out the facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/ events/1053733662532780

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Running and menopause – a free webinar for all our members We’re delighted that running and menopause expert Dr Juliet McGrattan will be holding a free webinar on this important topic, open to all our members. Juliet has hosted webinars previously for our Jog Leaders, who will vouch for what a fantastic, informative and useful session it is – whether you’re experiencing menopause yourself or just want to be more informed. We’d positively encourage men to join the call – it’s a chance for everyone to understand this stage of life better.

The hour-long webinar will be held at 7.30pm on 25 March, covering menopause symptoms, how they can impact on running, and useful tips to keep active Click here to sign up.

Allsorts ceilidh The Anster Allsorts enjoyed the social benefits of being a jogscotland group at their Burns Night ceilidh. Running shoes were swapped for dancing shoes and great fun was had jiggin’ and socialising with Allsorts friends. The event was held in Cellardyke Town Hall, and money raised will go to the Anster Allsorts Guide Dog team, who are fundraising for the London Landmarks Half Marathon in April. Twenty members of the Allsorts will run for the charity, including one wearing a guide dog costume!

Sports bras and breast health – free online course One of the most important pieces of kit in any female runner’s collection is their sports bra. Whatever shape or size you are, it’s important to wear a well-fitting, supportive bra – and studies show most women are wearing the wrong size.

A well-fitting bra can improve comfort, confidence, and even performance – some studies show women run up to 12 minutes faster over the course of a marathon in a properlyfitting bra, due to improved posture and stride.

This new online module from sportscotland is designed for runners, and also for leaders/ coaches who want to know how to advise their group members.

It features experts from the sportscotland Institute of Sport, along with athletes talking about their own experiences.

Find out more at https://learning.sportscotland.org.uk/product?catalog=Bras-andbreast-health

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New Year, new joggers!

New Year is perhaps the busiest time of year for jogscotland groups.

Never mind the chilly weather and long nights – as we all decide to blow away the cobwebs after the festive season, our groups fill up with new members looking to make this year count. If you’re one of them – welcome! We’re delighted to have you on board, and wish you the best of luck in reaching your goals, whatever they may be. You couldn’t have chosen a better way to get active, than in the company of your local jogscotland group.

These are just a few of the jogscotland groups starting up again in the New Year, with new and experienced joggers amongst them!

jogscotland Hatton C25K

Jog Cowdenbeith

Dunfermline Academy of Superheroes

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jogscotland magazine | Spring 2024

Maryhill Harriers C25K

Prestonpans jogscotland @meadowmill

Ellon Sole Mates

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The Galavanters C25K

Jog Forfar at Scone 5K

Banchory Running Club C25K

Anster Allsorts

Rhins Runners C25K

Gala Harriers Joggers C25K

KH Jog Squad

Prestonpans jogscotland @meadowmill

Milestones jogscotland

Glasgow Southside Slowies C25K

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The wonders of walking

By Debbie Stewart, Fiona Duncan & Laura Reid, leaders at Ellon Sole Mates

Did you know that many jogscotland groups offer walking sessions as well as jogging? They’re ideal for people who want to walk for fitness and sociability, whether as a stepping stone to jogging, or as an end in itself.

Below, walk leaders from Ellon Sole Mates tell us about their group, and on the facing page we hear from one of their walkers, Julie Collins. Over the page, you can find out from many more groups how they integrate walkers into their sessions.

With increasing awareness of the benefits of exercise on not only physical health, but also mental health, more people are looking for ways they could meet and interact with new people while at the same time getting active. There are many options out there for people of all fitness abilities, but sometimes people may feel like there are no beginner level activities that suit them.

Ellon Sole Mates features four running groups from beginners level progressing through to 10K level, and we also offer a walking group. This has attracted increasing numbers of people over the last year, ranging in age from 28 to our oldest member who is in their 70’s, but is probably the fittest of us all. The added benefit to this walking group is that it can give members a chance to use it as a stepping stone into our beginners running group or just come along and have a walk every week.

During our weekly sessions we usually cover an average of 5K, sometimes more in the summer weather, walking various routes around our lovely little town.

The popularity of the walking group has far outstripped expectation and has had a positive impact on people of all ages in the community, thanks to the vision and commitment of the leaders who took the bold first step to rebrand Ellon Sole Mates with less emphasis on jogging, for greater inclusivity.

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Stepping out

By Julie Collins, walking member of Ellon Sole Mates

Like most of the nation I felt very isolated after lockdown and I was looking for ways in which I could feel fitter both physically and mentally and Ellon Sole Mates provided me with the perfect answer.

I cannot participate in exercise that involves high level impact due to a historical back injury from a car accident. I love to walk and wanted to meet new friends and have some ‘me time’ at the end of a busy day.

Ellon Sole Mates was the perfect fit for me – I have met people of all ages and walks of life. I can genuinely say that I have met friends for life. My ‘Sole Mates’ have often lifted my spirits when times have been difficult, they have made me laugh until I cried, they have remembered things that are important to me and made me feel special. They have trusted me and shared their special and difficult moments in their life with me and that is a privilege.

They have walked by my side in every sense of the word.

We have shared hilarious stories, celebrated achievements and some of our members have inspired us because they have overcome adversity. continues over

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Stepping out continued We have shared happy moments - engagements, new puppies, new grandchildren welcomed into the world, discussed new jobs, worries about our families etc.

We have talked about our fears, loss, bereavement, illnesses, the menopause - the list is endless.

One Sole Mate even let me use their washing machine when mine broke! One Sole Mate knew that I had lost a pair of plastic ice cream earrings that I loved and she presented me with replacement pair at the end of a 10K walk! The kindness and thoughtfulness of the Sole Mates knows no bounds.

We share cleaning hacks, recipes, best walking routes, remedies for colds, comfiest leggings to buy, best hotels for weekend breaks – our chats are varied and never boring. We chat about anything and everything.

I have met people who have truly enriched my life. I feel that when I go walking on a Wednesday evening there’s no judgement – it provides a space to allow you to chat as you walk and it clears my mind and I always feel better for having gone. I look forward to seeing my Sole Mates on a Wednesday.

I also love the fact that each week you could be chatting to new people. It has increased my confidence and I feel that we bring out the best in each other. We are a support network for each other and have each other’s backs. We have eaten ice cream together, danced together, sang together, searched for scarecrows in our town together, worn Santa outfits together, crazy Christmas lights on our walks.

Sole Mates has brought us all together, and for this we are all truly thankful. We now wave and shout hi to each other in the supermarkets and stop for chats, when previously we would’ve been strangers!

The leaders are funny, kind and are ‘guid fowk’. They are dedicated and work tirelessly to ensure that we have opportunities to come together and bring out the best in each other. They willingly give up their own time to do this and have no idea the impact they have had on others and that makes them even more special.

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Want to walk?

We asked our groups how they integrate walkers into their jogging sessions - here are a few of their answers…

• Jiggly Joggers in Glasgow (right) have a walking group that follows the route of the 5K group, in the opposite direction. They pass en route so the groups can high five, encourage each other, and feel connected.

• Klub Wanderers, Invergowrie, have a Walk and Talk group where members often set their own targets, and get super-focused in the run up to the KiltWalk!

• F.E.A.T Womens Fitness - Women’s Running Group in Falkirk have three groups Including walkers. They all meet at the same place and time so everyone can get to know each other, and you can move between groups, depending how you feel.

• Jed Joggers walkers take part alongside the group’s joggers. Variations to running routes are supplied as an option, but all tend to do the same thing at different paces • KICK START @ CALAIS MUIR have joggers and walkers with variations to the running routes as an option. They all tend to do the same route, with runners doing out-and-back routes to get the extra miles.

Want to go it alone?

Check out our free 10 week Walk for Fitness programme. It alternates brisk and gentle walking, and after 10 weeks you’ll be able to walk briskly for 30 minutes - the perfect stepping-off point to start a Learn to Run/Couch to 5K programme, or continue walking for fitness - https://jogscotland.org.uk/ wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Walk-for-FitnessFull-Programme.pdf

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Couch to OK

By Anne Frances, jog leader, Isle of Bute

I moved to the lovely Isle of Bute in April last year and was surprised to discover that there wasn’t a jogscotland group on the island. I’m a great believer in the social aspect of group activities and have often found that running with others provides extra motivation as well as some much-needed distraction when faced with days when going for a jog can feel like a slog.

I got into running relatively late in life and instantly appreciated the benefits to my overall health by becoming part of a supportive and active community. Whether through volunteering at parkrun or club events to progressing my run goals from a 5K to completing my first marathon in Athens, I have always tried to encourage people to give running a go. A few years ago I completed my Coach in Running Fitness (CiRF) qualification while co-leading the jogscotland FIT Group in Glasgow so finding myself new to the island and mesmerised by the stunning landscape of Bute I was keen to set up a jogging group.

I soon crossed paths with Martin and Angie Sleep, another jogscotland leader and active ‘Jeffer’ respectively, both keen to help. Together with my husband, Patrick, (also a jog leader), we launched Couch to OK in August. My husband and I have both worked extensively in mental health and felt it was important to promote the mental wellbeing associated with physical exercise and to encourage connection with others and the outdoors. We are also pleased to promote our group as menopause friendly.

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Since August the group has grown and we have tried to be as inclusive as possible by including walkers who are considering progressing their fitness slowly and sensibly. Group composition is extremely varied and the social aspect appeals to older runners returning from injury, seasoned runners keen to enjoy a scenic recovery run and of course energetic young ones.

On Hogmanay we decided to host a litter pick in Rothesay to replace our Sunday morning jog. This event helped raise our profile and featured in the Isle of Bute News. It reinforced a sense of community pride and wellbeing by encouraging people to give back in a small but meaningful way to their island environment. We were so impressed by the turnout and positive feedback on the day that plans are currently underway for our next litter pick in Port Bannatyne on Sunday 24 March.

As Couch to OK grows we want the membership to remain free so to this end we’re hoping to obtain some funding to train some local jog leaders. This would help us to provide a more structured programme and cater for the mixed abilities of participants.

Every August Bute hosts its annual Highland Games, including a popular 10K event that attracts many overseas visitors from the mainland. The Couch to OK crew intends to run this socially (or competitively - there’s nothing like a pipe band and a starter’s gun to increase the heart rate and pace).

There is also a Bute Triathlon in May that includes a novice entry. Initially terrified, some of us are now tempted to embrace the spirit of adventure and smash the myth that you have to be an elite athlete to participate in sporting challenges. We’re signing up, so watch this space.

Most days our motto is ‘smile for a mile’ and we guarantee a warm welcome to visitors. In summary you are all invited to get off the couch and come to Bute to see for yourselves. (Sundays 10-11am)

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Monkton Milers congratulated in Parliament

Ayrshire jogscotland group Monkton Milers were the subject of an early day motion in the House of Commons in December, acknowledging all the hard work that they – and other jogscotland groups – do to keep Scotland active.

The motion was lodged by Dr Philippa Whitford, MP for Central Ayrshire, and supported by 15 other MPs, including all those from Ayrshire. It paid particular tribute to Rachel Cox, who is chairperson of the Milers, and was our Jog Leader of the Year in 2022 (left).

Read more about the Early Day motion.

It came on the back of the group raising more than £1,100 for the Ayrshire group of Parkinson’s UK, at their Santa Dash in Troon on 3 December (pictured right).

The event attracted more than 150 runners and walkers from across Ayrshire and beyond. It was held on Troon prom during bitterly cold, icy conditions, making the turnout and fundraising effort even more impressive!

The Monkton Milers, or SMilers, organise the Santa Dash to raise funds for a different charity every year. The Ayrshire Parkinson’s Support Group have helped several members of the club whose lives have been affected by the condition.

Rachel said: “On a personal note, it is important to me that the group gives back to community, so each year we choose a local charity that has impacted the sMilers.

Parkinson’s UK Ayrshire supports members in a variety of ways so was very pleased when they were nominated. The charity run is getting bigger every year, and I am so proud of the team that makes this come together.”

Craig Walker, spokesperson for the Ayrshire Parkinson’s Group, said: “We’d like to

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continues opposite

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29 SEPT 24 www.lochnessmarathon.com

thank the fantastic team that organised this event and everyone who donated or took part.

“Our group meets once a month in Irvine and is open to everyone affected by Parkinson’s Disease. It’s lovely to know we have so much support in the local area. the funds raised will help us support people to cope when they or a loved one need us.”

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“Bring on the 60+ age group!”

By Steve Adam

About eight years ago I was a 49-year-old sitting in the stand watching my son James run and train with Pitreavie AAC. I knew I was putting on weight just sitting around watching him, so one night I started doing some running up and down a back path behind the Pitreavie Stand when James was doing his session.

I was probably two stones heavier than I am now, and it was pretty bad at first. After about 200/300 metres I’d be out for the count!

I started the Couch to 5K and after three attempts at it, I managed to complete it and entered my first race, the Great Scottish Run 10K, soon after, where I just managed to get under the hour mark.

I felt I needed something to help keep the momentum going and found out there was a jogscotland Dunfermline. That felt a bit daunting because I thought everyone was going to be at a better level than me, but I was welcomed in and grouped with people who were about the same level as me, which was a relief. It was my first time running as part of a group, and that brings its own set of issues. Do I talk whilst running? Will I be able to talk whilst running?! What if no one talks to me?!! What do we do when crossing roads? What if I get left behind? Will my running style look weird? Needless to say, all my fears were unfounded, things were explained, no one

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19 gets left behind and the whole talking/not talking thing was never an issue!

It was far nicer running in a group than on your own. Running on my own was a means to an end, whether that was losing weight, getting fitter or preparing for my first race. But running in a group was a pleasure in itself. It felt easier, it was sociable, what’s not to like!

Looking back I’m not sure whether my running journey would have carried on if jogscotland hadn’t been there to introduce me to the joys of running as part of a group. My running confidence increased immeasurably and I decided to join a local club, so started walking the dog where I knew Carnegie Harriers trained – so I could spy on them from behind a tree to see whether I could cope with it!

The social side was great and it almost became addictive going to training twice a week.

In time, my speed increased and for my age, I became quite a good runner. [Editor’s note – there’s no “quite” about it. Steve went from couch potato to a 3h45m marathon man in Amsterdam last year. He also won one of the races at the 2021 Monument Mile Classic with 5:47 as a V55 athlete!]

It’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Running has changed my life and I’ll be doing it until my body doesn’t let me any more. I’m actually about to take the Leadership in Running Fitness qualification, so I can inspire others to follow in my footsteps.

I’m 58 in June and I’ve got this thing in my head that I’m going to build up to being a really good V60 runner. There’s a window there when I’ll be one of the young guys in the category, so I want to make the most of it!

With thanks to David McCarthy

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Happy 20th anniversary to jogscotland Bridge of Don!

jogscotland Bridge of Don has brought together members new and old to mark its twentieth anniversary, swapping their jogging gear for suits and party outfits for the celebration.

The group first started in January 2004, when a few runners got together to share their love of running and encourage others to begin their running journey and join them pounding the pavements of the Aberdeen suburb.

Run by volunteers, the group started with only a few members but numbers have swelled and it now has more than 100, meeting four times a week and supporting runners of all abilities.

Club chairman, Callum Smith, said: “Whether you are a complete beginner who has never run before, or an experienced runner who wants to target a race, everyone is welcome at the club. We foster a supportive atmosphere with our jog leaders there to coach and encourage everyone to achieve their goals, whatever they may be.”

To celebrate the anniversary, the group arranged a dinner dance event at a city centre hotel which brought together members new and old to enjoy each other’s company and relive many running memories. Some of the original founders of the group are still very much involved and were there to enjoy the party atmosphere of the occasion. Three of the originals were gifted lifetime membership of the club.

Callum added: “It was great to see so many members at the event. It shows how much everyone values the friendship and supportive nature of the group. jogscotland Bridge of Don is about much more than running, it really is such a social group where everyone is very supportive and encouraging.”

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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.

80/20 Running by Matt Fitzgerald The 80/20 approach of low intensity/high volume training advocates that 80% of training should be done as ‘slow running’, slow enough to carry on a conversation, and 20% at high intensity.

Generally recreational runners push themselves too hard with a 50/50 ratio or less at low intensity. Running expert and fitness coach, Matt Fitzgerald encourages runners to break this bad habit and “embrace slow running”.

Running too hard, too often in training would appear to affect performance in races and world class athletes such as Paula Radcliffe and Mo Farah are cited as illustrations of the benefits of the 80/20 approach.

Matt explains that lower intensity training is better in larger amounts. This increases aerobic capacity and fatigue resistance enabling faster running over longer distances and running further at race pace. Matt suggests three ways for runners to monitor and control running intensity – perceived effort, heart rate and pace. He gives scales of effort and a heart rate training zone system, with useful summary tables and guidelines to help apply the 80/20 rule.

Advice is given on specific 80/20 training schedules for 5K up to marathon distance, with three levels, beginners, improvers and experienced competitors. Matt also gives tables for different types of sessions such as recovery, tempo, fartlek, interval and hill sessions and how these can be integrated into 80/20 schedules. These are comprehensive and should prove very useful in adapting this method.

Matt’s book is very thought provoking about how we run and train. The 80/20 method is well worth a try to see if it gives you long term benefits to your performance.

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Scottish Trail Running by Susie Allison The benefits of trail running in woods, coastal paths, parks and wild places are many and varied. It is ideal to connect with nature, reduce tension and stress, to revitalise and engage in mindfulness. The physical benefits include improving concentration in watching and adapting to trail surfaces, exercising more muscles in adjustments to different terrains and improving balance to maintain stability on uneven surfaces.

Susie Allison’s book is for all trail runners from beginners to experienced runners.

It gives detailed route descriptions with maps, gradient profiles and photographs for 70 routes around Scotland. Susie gives advice on where to park, coffee shops, pubs and hotels for pre and post run. Any route with a coffee stop at the finish is a must for me! The routes are arranged in twelve geographical areas with a variety of difficulty in terms of distance, ascent, terrain and navigation. There are runs for everyone on these trails.

Good advice is given for beginners starting their trail adventures. This includes footwear, clothing and suggested kit list for differing lengths of run from short and easy to more challenging for the experienced adventurer. There is a section on skills development in trail running technique, navigation and map reading. All in all, this is a very comprehensive and informative guide which will lead to many trail experiences. It is a handy companion for runs near home or on holiday visits.

I was delighted to see three of my favourite local Fife woodland, coastal path and hill trails included, along with Loch an Eilein, a holiday favourite of mine.

Happy trail running!

• 80/20 Running by Matt Fitzgerald is published by Penguin Books Ltd • Scottish Trail Running by Susie Allison is published by Pesda Press

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Photoshoot – On The Run Cumbernauld We were delighted to visit On The Run Cumbernauld in early February, for a photoshoot at Palacerigg Country Park. We wanted to add to our supply of photographs showing people having fun and getting active with jogscotland, and it was mission accomplished!

We met shortly after end of parkrun, so everyone was well warmed-up, and still managed to find the energy to do some more laps and stretches for our photographer, Bobby Gavin.

Thanks to everyone who took part, and particularly to jog leader Steven Bissett for organising us all!

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Jogging along

By Craig Wilson

Inspiration is everywhere Welcome to our new Jogging along columnist, Craig Wilson – Craig is a jog leader at jogscotland Bridge of Don, was a nominee for the jogscotland Jog Leader of the Year Award in the autumn, and blogs about his running life at https://craigaw1969.wordpress.com 2024 will be a year when new athletic heroes are forged. Whether it is at the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow or at the summer Olympic Games in Paris, this will be a year when a lifetime of ambition will be realised and for some competitors, years of training and dedication will be rewarded with gold, silver or bronze.

Whether it is Laura Muir or Jemma Reekie, Jake Wightman or Josh Kerr, or any of the other incredibly talented athletes and players we are fortunate to have competing for Scotland and Great Britain at the moment, the rest of us mere mortals will have the privilege of watching them in action at their peak, and being inspired by their achievements to reach our own goals.

Inspiration does not just come from watching elite athletes compete of course.

I am frequently inspired by the people I run with at jogscotland Bridge of Don in Aberdeen. This could be a seasoned runner attempting to beat their previous best time for a distance, someone taking on a new challenge like a half marathon, or someone who has never run before. Everyone, regardless of their running journey, can be inspirational and be inspired by those around them.

For jogscotland groups around the country, the start of the year can often be when there is an influx of new runners, keen to get involved for their own reasons.

It can be a nervous time; particularly on that first night when you arrive to a sea of unfamiliar faces and surroundings. But as many runners will tell you, often the hardest steps are the ones out the door, or in the case of jogscotland, the ones into the place where you meet before going out for that debut run.

It can be daunting, and I remember well the first time I went to my jogscotland

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27 group. It is easy to think: “Everyone will be faster/fitter/stronger than me and I will be so out of place,” on that first evening. But the reality is that everyone starts somewhere. Everybody I run with felt the same way on that first night.

Maybe some had run before joining jogscotland. Maybe some had not. What matters is that they made the decision to go along and try it out. As a jog leader, watching people make progress, going from their first run perhaps to parkrun and beyond, is what makes the experience so rewarding. Those achievements are inspirational.

What is also inspiring is the supportive nature of group running, which is such a key part of the jogscotland experience. Certainly when I joined, I never thought of that social aspect. I was just looking for a bit of company to get me out on the cold, dark winter nights rather than running on my own. What has happened is that I have met a whole new circle of friends, and that extends to far more than just an hour on a Tuesday or Thursday night when we have our formal group nights. Many of the people in our group run socially together at weekends, part of our running routine.

Of course, few running journeys will end with a gold medal on the podium in Paris – though I will be roaring on our athletes as they come down that finishing straight in the French capital in the summer in the hope that they do realise their dreams. And I will be motivated by their incredible performances, but also remember that in the pages of every Stride magazine and in every jogscotland group are stories to be celebrated and inspirational people. Seek inspiration wherever you can find it – in the elite and the everyday - you never know what it may help you achieve.

stride

jogscotland magazine | Spring 2024

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