Stride Magazine - Winter 2017

stride

the jogscotland magazine | Winter 2017

Remembering Mark with a parkrun Meet our Annual Award winners New partnership with DW Fitness First The “pop-up” jogscotland group Plus… the best winter running events for your diary jogscotland.org.uk

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2Our 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 Junior jogscotland resource pack is full of games to help you show primary school age children that stride physical activity is fun! jogscotland magazine | Winter Winter 2016 jogscotland magazine 2016 www.jogscotland.org.uk/ |

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

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Contents Warm-up: Route 10 Rollers 5 News and events 7 New partnership with DW Fitness First 9 jogscotland Awards 2017 10 Remembering Mark 14 SAMH update 16 jogscotland Cupar 18 Meet new members of the jogscotland team 20 David Syme - Jogging along 24 Great Scottish and Winter Run Start Waves 25 Race directory 27 Cool down 29 Just click on a title to go straight to the page!

Design: 3fiftysixmedia.com

sponsor and funder jogscotland magazine

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Meet the Jog Crew

Jo Stevens

Sue Gyford

Colin Hutchison

Angie Sutherland

Membership development officer

Digital communications and press officer

Head of Development

jo.stevens@ scottishathletics.org.uk 0131 539 7341

sue.gyford@ scottishathletics.org.uk 0131 539 7350

Coaching administrator (Jog Leader course bookings)

Carol Robison

Andrea Gavin

Laura Kirkland

Membership administrator

Communities project coordinator

Participation project coordinator

membership@ scottishathletics.org.uk 0131 476 7321

andrea.gavin@ scottishathletics.org.uk 07801 634 198

laura.kirkland@ scottishathletics.org.uk 07960 582 838

colin.hutchison@ scottishathletics.org.uk 07983 080 925

coaching@ scottishathletics.org.uk 0131 476 7328

Jog Scotty The Jog Dog! Mascot of jogscotland

Stride – the jogscotland members’ magazine Editor: Sue Gyford

Designer: Adrian Hallam, 3-56 Media Ltd

Photographs: Front page: Charne Hawkes Photography Awards p10: Bobby Gavin, www.thatonemoment.co.uk Published four times a year by scottishathletics. Copyright©2017 Scottish Athletics Ltd. www.jogscotland.org.uk

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Winter 2017

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Elspeth Alexandra, Warm-up byRoute 10 Rollers In each edition of Stride, a guest contributor shares their love of running…

I stormed down the street, angrily kicking recycling boxes out of my way, stopping regularly to shove wheelie bins on to the road in order to manouvre my 15kg loaded buggy along the pavement without scratching parked cars.

As a new mum I was permanently tired, every bit of my body ached, and shoving a grumpy baby around the streets of north Edinburgh on bin day so that he would have a nap was not helping my mental health one bit.

I fondly remembered running on these streets, but now that was a fantasy - I lacked the energy and I doubted if there were enough sports bras in Edinburgh to support my aching boobs. I felt like nobody understood.

Fast forward 13 years and I’m honouring that frustrated, fed up mum that I used to be by helping new mums get moving in our jogscotland group, the Route 10 Rollers - for all mums pushing buggies or prams.

Created in 2015 when jogscotland won funding from the City of Edinburgh Council to lead buggy walks on the quiet paths of Edinburgh, the Route 10 Rollers has gone from strength to strength, with over 120 mums attending and over 200 keeping in touch through our facebook group.

I’m a qualified pregnancy & postnatal fitness coach. When I’m not leading the Route 10 Rollers I teach pregnancy and postnatal fitness sessions, and help women regain their core and pelvic floor strength in specialist classes. I’m a pregnancy & postnatal massage therapist too so I know well the aches and pains that go with being a new mum.

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Warm-Up continued

The Route 10 Rollers meet twice a week at two locations in Leith, each with facilities for a last minute nappy change or feed. We always include mobility releases (because postnatal bodies are different to other bodies), walking intervals and overtaking drills, and often body weight exercises (allowing unhappy passengers to be attended to) or pelvic floor training, and usually cover 5K in 75 minutes.

We never, ever run. Every woman recovers from pregnancy and delivery at a different pace, and while some mums return to running with no perceived ill effects, it can take up to two years for a woman’s body to fully restore after giving birth. Everything we do is pelvic floor safe, and suitable for a weakened core or diastasis recti (separated tummy muscles, a common complaint after pregnancy which can lead to backache and incontinence).

There’s no doubt that some days, I’ll blow my whistle and shout “pick up the pace! 30 seconds brisk!” And absolutely nothing happens - the chat is just too absorbing. But postnatal fitness is as much about mental health as it is about physical health. Sometimes, it’s being away from the house, being outdoors with other people going through exactly the same stuff as you, that make you fit for life.

I want to raise women’s expectations of their bodies after having a baby. Often, backache, joint pains and leaky pelvic floors seen as “just how things are when you’ve had a baby”, but it’s just not true. The right movement and exercise can help to improve women’s wellbeing at this amazing life stage.

In 2018 we’ll keep on Rolling. I hope to team up with a local perinatal mental health charity to provide more for mums with postnatal depression, and raise more money for good causes. The mums seem to like it – here are some of their comments: “It’s exactly what I needed: to be able to work out without having to find someone to take care of my baby while I’m doing it. And the cherry on top of the cake - it is free.”

“Buggy walks were so important to me after I had my baby. They were a place where once a week I was able to take time to concentrate on my own wellbeing, something I struggled to find time for anywhere else.”

“I suffer from mild postnatal depression so I really treasure this time to get myself out of the house and get some needed exercise and good chat.”

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News and events

DW Fitness First partnership

We were delighted in November to announced a new partnership between jogscotland and DW Fitness First, the UK’s leading gym and retail company. DW Fitness First group has 122 gyms and 89 retail stores across the UK, following the purchase of Fitness First in 2016.

DW Fitness First group shares jogscotland’s commitment to providing access and opportunities for people to improve their physical activity, regardless of whether they are looking to run their first ever kilometre, take on the challenge of a half marathon or simply working towards their own goals.

We have already partnered with DW Fitness First to host a number of free 5K events from some of their venues (pictured above) - turn to p9 for more details!

Quiz time!

We’re delighted to hear that, following the success of this year’s inaugural Northeast jogscotland Quiz Night, the event is back for 2018! Organiser Alan Miller of Queen’s Cross jogscotland is looking forward to welcoming jogscotland members to Mannofield Cricket Club on Friday 16 February, from 7:30pm.

Last year’s quiz was a huge sell-out success with over 110 Jog Scotties from 10 different groups taking part, raising over £800, which was split between four different charities chosen by the winning team from the Rosemount Aberdeen group.

Every group within 50 miles of Aberdeen has been invited, though if anyone wants to travel from further afield, they’re also welcome – contact Alan on addmillar@yahoo.co.uk.

Tickets are £10 including stovies and macaroni cheese.

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News and events continued

Challenge Series

The jogscotland Challenge Series continued through the autumn, with the River Ness 5K and 10K as part of the Loch Ness Marathon Festival. It’s a brilliant day for everyone taking part, and Janice Webster of jogscotland Kinross sent us this photo of her daughters, who were delighted to spot the jogscotland banner on show! Among many jogscotland groups taking part were Tain Joggers, pictured on the front cover, who have since been named jogscotland Group of the Year!

The final Challenge Series event of the year will be the annual Christmas Cracker 5K, held at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld, and organised by North Lanarkshire Leisure.

Check out www.jogscotland.org.uk/christmas-cracker/ for details!

Aberdeenshire Awards Congratulations to Lynne Erskine and Helen Sleeth, who presented with an Aberdeenshire Council volunteer award in recognition of their work to set up the Run Porty Run jogscotland group in Portlethen in February of this year.

The group now meets twice a week, with three groups, from couch to 5K and beyond, and also has a junior group, a walking group, and is hoping to start a teen girls jogging group soon. Through their involvement with the group, Lynne and Helen also became involved with the Portlethen sports hub, which Lynne now chairs, with Helen as vice chair.

Great work – a well-deserved award!

Anster Allsorts Jog Scotty was delighted to head to Anstruther in October for Anster Allsorts Awards night.

Organiser Gary Scott said everyone enjoyed “getting a hug from the dug” on the night, which also featured medals, cake and photographs all round – congratulations to everyone who won an award!

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New partnership with DW Fitness First We are delighted to announce a new partnership between jogscotland and DW Fitness First, the UK’s leading gym and retail company. DW Fitness First group has 122 gyms and 89 retail stores across the UK, following the purchase of Fitness First in 2016.

The first offers for both gym and sportswear will be landing in your inboxes shortly – keep your eyes peeled for some great deals!

DW Fitness First group shares jogscotland’s commitment to providing access and opportunities for people to improve their physical activity, regardless of whether they are looking to run their first ever kilometre, take on the challenge of a half marathon or simply working towards their own goals.

We have already partnered with DW Fitness First to host a number of free 5K events. From their sites at Glasgow Fort, Dundee, and Kirkcaldy, volunteer jogscotland Jog Leaders were welcomed by our mascot Jog Scotty, before heading out on a guided run. In Dundee, they were joined by World Championships 4x400m relay medalist Zoey Clark (above left) for an exclusive Q&A session. With goody bags for all the joggers at every event, it was a great way to get the ball rolling on our collaboration!

We’ll be working closely over the coming months to offer the jogscotland community discounts on gym and sportswear, establish jogscotland groups from DW Fitness First locations, host closed store evenings and much more! jogscotland magazine

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Awards 2017 The winners of this year’s jogscotland Awards were announced at a glittering ceremony in Glasgow on 4 November, as part of the scottishathletics and jogscotland FPSG Awards. The night saw more than 500 guests, from beginner joggers to World Championship medalists, celebrate the very best of the sport in Scotland.

Special guests were Jenny Meadows and Kelly Sotherton, and there were also plenty of chances for jogscotland members to meet and take photos with some of the cream of Scottish talent, including Para Athlete of the Year Sammi Kinghorn, and Athlete of the Year Callum Hawkins.

Above all, we were delighted to have the chance to celebrate the achievements of a wonderful selection of joggers, leaders and groups, who all exemplify the very best of the jogscotland community.

A particular highlight was the inclusion of the first ever SAMH Mental Wellbeing Award, to mark our partnership with Scotland’s mental health charity.

Achiever of the Year Yvonne Douglas, Alness jogscotland Yvonne began Couch to 5K with Alness jogscotland in August last year. Since then she has lost six stone, and knocked an incredible 16 minutes off her 5K time, despite battling injury. Before taking up jogging, Yvonne suffered a badly broken ankle and spent nine days in hospital after having pins inserted. With an original 5K time of around 50 minutes, she has improved steadily and surely. She suffered a further injury at the beginning of this year, but took time to recuperate and went straight back to working towards her running goals. Her nomination described her as “a total inspiration”.

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11 Leader of the Year - Arlene Botha, Galavanters Arlene leads five sessions a week for her group members, and is described as “A Mrs Motivator, a very good friend as well as a leader”. This year she has achieved all this while training for an ultramarathon herself. Her sunny personality, both highly organised and caring, is an inspiration to all her members, who range in age from 16 to 72. She puts huge amounts of energy into every session, and makes people of all ages feel good about themselves, helping them set and achieve their own running goals.

jogscotland Group of the Year - Tain Joggers Also known as Team Purple, the group is relatively new, having formed in April 2016. Founder and leader Cynthia Duncan is the driving force behind the group, pre-running session routes to check their suitability, keeping in touch with members who have taken time out, and leading two sessions a week. Having started with Couch to 5K, 22 members of the group are now preparing to travel together from the Highlands to London to take part in the Landmarks Half Marathon, all supporting different charities. One nomination said: “We are like a big family and support each other so much. Everyone has been on such a journey since we started in 2016.”

SAMH Mental Wellbeing Award - Jenni Rees-Jenkins, jogscotland Kintore Jenni started running again in 2011 when she was mum to a sick baby and toddler and was battling chronic tiredness and on-going depression. Her friends persuaded her to join a jogscotland group and within eight months she had lost five stone and completed her Jog Leader qualification. Jenni is very open about what running has done for her mental health and explained in a recent article that “some days I don’t cope with planet Earth very well but a run in the woods or up a hill gets it all sorted and I give myself a good talking too”. She ran London Marathon to raise funds for the mental health charity Heads Together and met Princes William and Harry afterwards to discuss how running has helped her mental health. jogscotland magazine

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Awards 2017 The other shortlisted nominees this year were… jogscotland Group of the Year jogscotland Meldrum – With around 100 members, tackling everything up to marathon distances, joggers range from age nine to 60+, and travel from a wide area to take part in sessions. The group even helps with childcare to enable participation. Members are always visible – and audible – at races as they cheer their friends on, support local charitable causes, and marshal at fundraising events.

The Runbetweeners – A group with great camaraderie, with many members giving back to the running community by volunteering at parkrun and other events.

Leaders Jack Arnold and Kenny Taylor are praised as encouraging and inspiring - one nominator said: “Thank you… for turning me into a 63-year-old crazy running lady whose calendar is full of training sessions and race dates!”

Galavanters

The Runbetweeners

Achiever of the Year Keith Cowe – jogscotland Kintore - While recovering from chemotherapy Keith took part in the Garioch 5K and since then has gone from strength to strength, taking part in a number of 10K runs, and the Bennachie Hill Race. He has also taken the opportunity to raise money for local cancer charity, Anchor.

Ray Cunningham – Galavanters - Ray completed his first marathon at the age of 70. He makes it his duty to ensure new members feel welcome and give them heaps of encouragement, making sure they come back for week two. He always makes sure to look out for others as well as pursuing his own goals.

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Pauline Irving and friends

Duncan Stark and Cambuslang jogscotland

jogscotland Leader of the Year Pauline Irving – Nuffield, Queen’s Cross and Airyhall - Pauline leads at three different jogscotland groups in Aberdeen – Nuffield, Queen’s Cross and Airyhall.

Having joined Airyhall as a beginner in 2008, she has hardly missed a Tuesday night there in the nine years since. She has never forgotten what it’s like to be a new runner and regularly gives up the chance of her own PB to run alongside group members at events.

Ian Shield – Leven Las Vegas - In the face of funding cuts, Ian mobilised a significant campaign to highlight the benefits the jogging network brings to members, and to Scotland as a whole. He organised a 1000-signature petition, arranged for his group to take part in a Reporting Scotland feature demonstrating the benefits of jogscotland, and mobilised members to write to politicians in support.

Duncan Stark – Cambuslang jogscotland - Duncan is a devoted jog leader who shows compassion and commitment to his members. He even ran on the morning of his daughter’s wedding so as not to let anyone down! He has raised thousands of pounds for charity through the group, leading for free and gathering the £1.50 session donations for good causes.

SAMH Mental Wellbeing Award Emma Bidwell – Inverness Leisure - Emma has Asperger Syndrome along with some other health issues. She joined jogscotland Inverness Leisure in 2015, instantly enjoyed it and progressed quickly into an accomplished runner. She has taken part in the Special Olympics, and makes sure that her health issues don’t stop her from living her life, with exercise being a part of that.

Ted McPake – jogscotland Salsburgh - Ted established and leads jogscotland Salsburgh, and has fully supported the jogscotland and SAMH partnership, completing both in-person and online mental health awareness training. He also volunteers as a runner with JAPES, an inclusive charity that helps people with disabilities to take part in running events, in a specialised wheelchair called a Joelette. jogscotland magazine

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Remembering Mark By Andrew Wilson When devoted Jog Leader and parkrunner Mark Fisher passed away in a motorcycle accident, his running pals came up with the perfect way to celebrate his life.

A curious sight descends on Scottish towns and cities during its evenings – men and women, of all sizes and abilities, can be seen running in a throng of luminous tops of varying colours. These running groups, organised by jogscotland, offer runners a chance to keep fit.

Mark Fisher, a Jog Leader at jogscotland Westhill, was one of the many who took this chance. Introduced to parkrun by his aunt Beverley in 2014, Mark quickly became a familiar face to runners in Westhill and at the weekly Hazlehead parkrun, where he completed 52 runs.

However, in August, Mark tragically died when his motorcycle was in collision with a lorry.

Described as an “intelligent, witty, kind and amazing son and brother” by his mum Carole, 32-year-old Mark, excelled in numerous outlets of his life.

Graduating with a first class honours masters degree in electrical and electronic engineering from the University of Aberdeen, Mark went on to join Zenith Oilfield Technology as a software developer.

Described as a “quiet genius” by his workmates, he was nominated for a “Rising Star” award by the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce for his work with Zenith.

Mark also took a keen interest in motorcycles and classic cars, particularly Morris Minors.

But to those in Aberdeen’s running community, Mark was the smiling face that handed out the sweets at the end of jogscotland runs and the man with the hot chocolate in his hand at the post-parkrun socials.

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15 A committed runner, he worked his way from parkrun 5Ks to half marathons, taking part in the Great Scottish Run and the Illuminator night run on the way to filling up his medal rack.

And so it seemed clear that the best way to celebrate Mark’s memory was to organise a memorial run in his name.

It was on a sunny September morning that Aberdeen’s running community came together to remember Mark and raise money for Mark’s family’s chosen charity, Alfie’s Trust.

Organised by jogscotland Westhill in conjunction with Hazlehead parkrun, the memorial run proved a great success, with 265 people in attendance.

Mark’s mum, Carole, who handed out drinks at the finish line, said: “It was fantastic, Mark would have said it was awesome. We were overwhelmed by the support of his friends, jogscotland and the Hazlehead parkrun runners.

“We would like to thank everyone for their support and their donations. It was very kind.

“It is comforting that he has been getting support from everybody, we did not realise he knew so many people. It’s lovely.”

Over £580 was raised for one of Mark’s favourite charities, additionally Mark’s family donated a further £100 towards head torches and LED reflective armbands to keep his jogscotland Westhill compatriots safe through the dark nights.

For Mark’s dad, Dave, the run felt like a celebration of his son’s life: “The thing that struck me about the whole day was that we use this word memorial. It actually wasn’t really in many senses because the faces were all happy, they were all smiling, because a lot of them knew Mark, they knew how he was an outgoing guy.

“A lot of people were there because they felt lucky to have met and known Mark.”

Leslie Murison, from jogscotland Westhill, who helped organise the event, said: “It went really well. It was excellent, a gorgeous day with the sun shining. There were a few people there for the first time in honour of Mark. It is a lovely blessing out of a horrible tragedy.”

Mark Fisher was a man well loved by his friends and family and he will be missed by many, but perhaps we should remember, as Mark’s dad told me, “It’s not how long you live, it’s how well you live.”

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update

Our partnership with SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) continues, with both organisations working together to promote the benefits physical activity can bring to mental wellbeing.

Since July, our Jog Leaders have been given access to free online mental health awareness training provided by SAMH. The uptake on this has been phenomenal, with 210 jog leaders registering. All newly-trained Jog Leaders are also being offered the course, which covers common mental health conditions, their symptoms and how to support someone in a physical activity setting.

As well as the online module, we have also hosted several mental health workshops. In total, 60 Jog Leaders have attended the workshops which were held in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Perth. The workshops contained updates from jogscotland staff, SAMH updates and a mental health workshop. Feedback suggests leaders have enjoyed the chance to get together, share experiences, ask questions and understand more about mental health.

World Mental Health Day took place on 10 October with positive messages promoted across the jogscotland facebook and Twitter pages. Thanks to the help of our leaders and followers who shared the posts, we managed to reach 26,000 people with our messages on how running can improve your mood and wellbeing.

National Stress Awareness Day was on 1 November, so Jo Stevens, our membership development officer paid a visit to the staff at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with an information stand to promote the physical and mental health benefits that running can give.

Our Annual Awards took place on the 4 November with the first ever SAMH award for Mental Health and Wellbeing being given to Jenni Rees-Jenkins from jogscotland Kintore (see p11-12). Billy Watson, Chief Executive for SAMH, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have presented Jenni with her award – what an inspiring story – many congratulations.”

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17 Scotland’s first-ever stadium stair climbing challenge took place on 7 October, raising money for SAMH. The 67,000-capacity Murrayfield Stadium was the venue for the SAMH Stomp, with participants challenged to complete either 4,200 or 7,400 steps up and down the stands.

The challenge will take place again next year – email stomp@samh.org.uk to register your interest for 2018!

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JogScotlandCupar

Liz Killean

- A jogscotland “Pop-up group”!

By Liz Killean Why did I start a jogscotland group? – Well, for me, it was, primarily, to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support: My Dad had recently died from bowel cancer.

I considered raising sponsorship by running a marathon but had done that before (several times for different charities) and thought that often I was the one asking for sponsorship without giving anything back to my sponsors.

So, the idea was to start a jogscotland group, ask for a £1 donation per session and give the group members some training in return. This worked well.

The £1 donation was always optional but no-one missed a ‘payment’ (Thank you!). And, it seemed fitting to not only raise money but also help people lessen the likelihood of such an illness by increasing their fitness levels. A win-win!

My aim was to provide an entry point for those who doubted their ability to begin, or return to, their running story: An entry point that didn’t just get them started but acted as a springboard to greater things. The group, like many, was as much about encouraging belief in their abilities as developing the ability itself.

I wanted to keep the group small (and had always thought that even if this only got one person into running regularly then it was worth it). To this end, I did limited advertising and ended up with one stalwart of the group (take a bow, Sharon) and then a handful of runners.

The group ran for a year or so and raised £314 for Macmillan Cancer Support. As a group we progressed through a mix of jogscotland and C25K training plans to a point where parkrun was done.

We also ventured onto off-road routes which everyone enjoyed much more than the town-running.

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I smile when I think of what some group members have gone on to do - getting them to believe they could join a bigger and better group that offered further progression and development was worth it as they are now seasoned runners doing 10K’s and half-marathons.

Then there’s the ‘Fast-Track Graduate’ who soon graduated to a bigger jogscotland group, STAART, in St Andrews.

I am delighted to get updates from the ‘Antipodean’ who started her running story during her gap year and returned to Oz armed with the C25K app. Yep, still running - though in the early morning and the late evening because it’s so damn hot where she lives.

And proud of the ‘Returner’ who joined the group to return to running after a bad knee injury (skiing not running) who now regularly runs with her dogs and recently did a tough 10K (race number 44 in photo). Her husband now runs too, and hadn’t previously - it’s infectious. And fun. And fundraising, at times.

Why did I stop a jogscotland group?! - Initially, time was an issue then having the energy as there was a lot going on, so I stopped the group. It was a small group and everyone was at a point where they could continue running in other groups or by themselves; whatever they preferred.

Myself? I’ve been trundling on. I enjoy and participate in hill races so have been doing some this year to earn my Scottish Hill Runners mug; a memento of doing four of the six races in the SHR Championship Series.

I even ventured to the Lake District for a couple of hill races this year, the Anniversary Waltz and the Kentmere Horseshoe, which were both really enjoyable.

I had another trip over the border in May for the Chester Half-Marathon which I thoroughly recommend – scenic, leafy, green lanes a lot of the way. And, very exciting for a hill-runner - a goodie bag and medal at the finish line! jogscotland magazine

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Meet new members of the jogscotland team - Andrea and Laura

We’re delighted to welcome two new members of staff to the jogscotland team. Andrea Gavin and Laura Kirkland have taken up new part time posts as communities project coordinator and participation project coordinator, respectively. Both roles aim to increase jogscotland’s reach into communities which are currently under-represented in our membership.

Their project will run from November until June 2018 with the aim of creating 13 new jogging groups, reaching out to LGBTI and refugee communities, ethnic minorities, women and young girls, and the inactive. As communities coordinator, Andrea’s task will be to create new jog groups across the west of Scotland in areas which currently lack them. Laura, as participation coordinator, will aim to see new groups forming in some of Scotland’s largest cities such as Edinburgh, Perth, Dundee and Inverness.

Andrea and Laura are both qualified as Jog Leaders, with Laura currently running Kemnay jogscotland. They both join the team with heaps of experience and enthusiasm for the benefits of being active.

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Gevi Margate is a 4th Year student from Broughton High School, who joined us for work experience, so we asked him to find out a bit more about Andrea and Laura.

I’m really grateful that I was given the chance to interview Jog Leaders and to write this article. I am delighted to meet Laura and Andrea and it was great listening and talking to both of them. Getting to know where they come from and understanding what they do and why they do it was really interesting to hear.

Laura started her own running group in Aberdeenshire a few years ago. She noticed that in her area, they were many running groups but not enough groups for beginners so she decided to create one. She said: “I started the group because I wanted people to get out and start running.” She believes that running has helped her not only physically but mentally as well. One of her big achievements was running a half marathon, although she found this really challenging. “I’ve got two little children, so finding the time to train when you have children is hard,” she said.

Despite the struggles, she used this story to encourage people to run more.

She explained that making the beginners feel welcome was the best way to encourage people to join running groups and a great chance to meet new people. As a Jog Leaders, she has met many people and has many encouraging stories up her sleeve. Now, she steps into a bigger challenge. She’ll be working with jogscotland, travelling in specific areas around Scotland to set up running groups. Encouraging, inspiring, helping people to run more.

Andrea started running in 2014, in Glasgow. She described herself as an encouraging person. She started because she knew people were struggling to start running so she decided to become a Jog Leaders. Just like Laura, Andrea has two children and had the same problems Laura had to face. She said that she struggled to find time for her children and time for running. This didn’t stop her. Andrea finished a half marathon and she’ll be running another one in Paris. Being a Jog Leaders has changed her life and now working with jogscotland, she will be traveling around Scotland to create running groups and hopefully encourage others to run more.

The fact that I had the chance to speak to some people involved with running and hearing their stories was just amazing. Such a great opportunity that was given to me. Hearing their experiences was so inspirational and encourages me to be more like them. Again, such a great experience.

By Gevi Margate jogscotland magazine

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mags.imbmsubscriptions.com/JOGSCOT18 stride

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YOUR 2018 STARTS HERE! 5K

HOLYROOD PARK, EDINBURGH SATURDAY 13 JANUARY 2018

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Jogging along

by David Syme As I lined up at the start of a 10K race in November I searched the field for the runners who might be competing against me: Male, super-vet (or whatever title the race organiser gave to the old and bold). There were several likely opponents, and they all looked mean, fit and seriously fast.

Is this fair? I asked myself, as I prepared to line up my 14 stone (and a bit) alongside these sleek athletes. Come on, I thought, boxers don’t fight against people half their weight, do they? Why do race organisers simply lump runners together in age brackets? Put me in a category of runners 14-16 stone and I might be on the podium. Against these racing snakes, what chance do I have? By the end of the race I had the answer… none. It meant that I was only racing against myself and I could have done that on my own without paying the entrance fee.

At the finish I turned to the runner behind me as we queued for our goody bags.

“I see you were listening to music,” I asked innocently, “Did that help you during the race?” “Oh, yes” she replied, “I always run better listening to music” Red rag to a bull… “So you had an unfair advantage over me who had no music” asked Rumpole of the Bailey, and turned away in mock disgust. It’s just not fair.

So why do I turn up at these races? Why do I volunteer to take part in this ritual humiliation? Firstly, because entering a race gives me focus leading up (cont...)

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Winter 2017

25

Join the jogscotland start wave at the Great Winter Run!

At the Great Winter Run in Holyrood Park, Edinburgh, on 13 January, we’ll have a special dedicated start area for jogscotland members. Whatever your bib colour, come and find us in our area, just at the front of the pink wave! It’s a chance to meet other Jog Scotties, take photos, get a shout-out from the announcers, and all set off on our race en masse! It’s a brilliant way to kick off the event. Entries at www.greatrun.org/great-winter-run Our last wave, at the Great Scottish Run on 1 October (pictured), went off with a bang! Jog Scotties from all over the country gathered together for the start of the 10K race in George Square, Glasgow. Given a special welcome by commentator Bryan Burnett, we got to toe the line right at the front of the pink wave, giving us a clear run straight up the challenging hill of St Vincent Street when the start gun went off! to the event. I run a little bit further, a little bit faster because I have a race coming up. Secondly, I like taking part with other runners. Before the advent of music-while-you-run we at the back chatted and enjoyed the social side of the run. Now I only hear the patter of trainers. I still feel good taking part in a competitive event. I am not racing against the others; I have set my own target and have strong motivation to reach it. Afterwards, however hard the race was, I am pleased – no, relieved and delighted to have done it.

Taking part in a race is a metaphor for the race of life, and we know that life is not fair, don’t we? All we can do is plod on and take from it what we can.

Who needs “First in Age Group” anyway?

David has produced two collections of short stories about running world-wide: “Running Away From Home” and “Running Home and Away”. All proceeds from sales go to support Tong-Len UK, a charity for street children in Northern India.

jogscotland magazine

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Winter 2017

11 M A R C H 2 0 1 8 1/2 MARATHON | 5K

1/2 marathon, total achievement www. invernesshalfmarathon.co.uk

If you’re going to put yourself through hell, you might as well do it in heaven.

23.09.18 Marathon | 10K | 5K | Wee Nessie lochnessmarathon.com

GUARANTEED MARATHON ENTRY AVAILABLE NOW The Event Frontrunners

27

Race Directory There’s an event for everyone, go to www.jogscotland.org.uk/news-and-events for full details.

Events in red are part of the jogscotland Challenge Series 2017

3 December

17 December

jogscotland Christmas Cracker 5k - Broadwood Stadium, Cumbernauld

Pitreavie Jingle Bell - Pitreavie Athletics Centre

Christmas Charity Festival 5K & 10K - Inverleith Park, Edinburgh

Cockleroy Chaser Hill Fun Run Beecraigs Country Park

Jed Joggers Charity Christmas 5K - Thistle Pavilion (Glebe), Jedburgh

Ayrodynamic Turkey Trot 10K & Fun Run - Citadel Leisure Centre, S Harbour St., Ayr

26 December

28

Free parkrun events (5K) every Saturday at 9.30am

2 January Lumphanan Detox 10K Lumphanan Hall, Lumphanan, Aberdeenshire 13 January Simplyhealth Great Edinburgh Winter Run 27 January Buchlyvie 10K Kirkintilloch 12.5K 18 February Kinloss to Lossiemouth Half Marathon Carnegie Harriers Devilla Forest 15K and 5K 4 March Nairn 10K & Fun Run jogscotland magazine

Linwood Livingston Montrose Perth Plean Pollok Portobello Ruchill Springburn St Andrews Stonehaven Strathclyde Tollcross Troon Victoria Vogrie

Junior parkrun events (2K)

11 February

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Aberdeen Alness Aviemore Ayr Camperdown Drumchapel Dunfermline Edinburgh Eglinton Elgin Ellon Falkirk Ganavan Sands Greenock Hazlehead Inverness Kirkcaldy

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Winter 2017

for four to 14-year-olds every Sunday at 9.30am

Dumfries Duthie Helix Inverleith Loch Leven Perth

Prestwick Oval Rouken Glen Stirling Strathmartine The Meadows Victoria

Find out more at parkrun.org.uk

29

Cool down

by Sue Gyford I’m standing on top of a small hill, on the Isle of Tiree, the wind blasting me from all directions, rocky coastline behind me, rainclouds and a half rainbow on the horizon. I’m with my three newest running buddies (our friendship all of two hours old), we’ve just run 26 miles – and we’ve another nine to go. We’re shouting “I love hills” while posing for photos, as the wind threatens to blow us off the cairn.

It’s fair to say, there’s a lot going on in this moment.

But then, nobody said running your first ultramarathon would be boring.

I’d never hankered after running an ultra. As I mentioned in the last edition of Stride, it only happened because of runner’s FOMO (fear of missing out) - I signed up to run the 35 mile Tiree Ultra purely because I saw another friend was going in for it and thought “Well, why not?”

My training was haphazard - a series of long Sunday runs, topping out at 26 miles, but not a great deal in between - and I’d developed a niggle in my hip that the physio warned me could be much more serious than it appeared.

It was probably the first time I’ve ever genuinely stood on a start line with no idea whether I’d make it to the finish.

Race day had dawned grim, 30mph winds and horizontal rain lashing into our faces as we gathered on Sorobaidh Beach to begin. It was not the day I’d dreamed of.

As we headed out into the teeth of the gale, there was some consolation - although it was exceptionally wet and windy, it was pretty warm. And we at least knew we’d get a few miles in the middle where the wind would be behind us. The race is a lap of the island, taking in trails, roads, stunning beaches, and a few uphill scrambles. jogscotland magazine

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Winter 2017

30 Fitness is, of course, part of what gets you around an ultra. But – espeically if you’re a bit less fit than you planned - what really gets you round is your mind. I was about 12 miles in when my Inner Whinger first showed up. She has a whole repertoire of lines to call on. “How much further?” is a favourite, while “Can we stop now?” is probably her favourite. For all the “think positive” school of thought, that you should just decide to enjoy running events, for some of us it’s just not as simple as that.

We can’t always just switch off our Inner Whinger on demand. But we can at least ignore her. As if running 35 miles wasn’t tough enough…

So, after 12 miles of quite enjoying myself, the pain in my hips started. I was pretty sure it was fatigue-related, not an injury, so carried on, but my Inner Whinger swooped. What was I doing? How would I keep going? I didn’t deserve to be here if I was this slow. What if I was doing my hips permanent damage? Would I wake up tomorrow and regret all of this terribly? No matter how much I tried to talk myself out of it, I was in a bad place mentally. But not bad enough to stop. So I kept on going.

Me 1, Inner Whinger 0.

A grim start to the race

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jogscotland magazine

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Winter 2017

The Ringing Stone

Clair, Catherine and Linda

31 I grumbled my way into the halfway checkpoint, and started raking through my bag for dry clothes and fresh snacks.

And then, like the sunshine blasting away clouds on a rainy day, arrived Clair, Catherine and Linda, beaming from ear to ear.

The marshal asked how they were doing, and they breezed “Oh, we’re having SUCH a lovely day. And we’re doing so well! Aren’t we doing brilliantly?!”

And while I’m ashamed to admit to owning a weapons-level Inner Whinger, I will at least give myself credit for recognising in that moment – “Oh my God. I need to be with these ladies.” They were my new running heroes, with their sheer joy and elation at the whole experience.

And so, happily, they took me under their wing. The four of us set off, chatting away, relishing the views, stopping off at top tourist spots straight out of Father Ted. (I wonder how many of the runners chasing times stopped at The Ringing Stone, much less tried to make it ring and posed for photos?). We explored the iron-age broch, spent a complex five minutes working out how to get around a bull and his harem of cows. Spotted seals, photographed rainbows, ran through rain and wind and just about everything else.

My Inner Whinger gave it her best shot. But from that mid-point onwards, it was so much easier to ignore her. The score racked up ever higher in my favour as she continually asked when we could stop and I continually ignored her and pointed out a new view, or cracked a new joke.

I barely checked my watch during the second half, and when Clair laughed: “Only 14 miles left! That’s only a half marathon, wouldn’t even put a sports bra on for a half marathon!” I actually found myself thinking, to my own astonishment “Only 14 miles? I can do that!”

So we slogged through bogs, hoovered up feed stations (suggestion to every race organiser ever: Melon - so good) and, just after hitting the 26 mile checkpoint, pranced up that last hill to carry out race organiser Will’s instructions – “You must touch the cairn and shout ‘I love hills’ while you do it.” Race times bedamned – we shot a video of us doing it.

Without my three buddies, would I have got round? I don’t know. Possibly. But I’m pretty sure that I wouldn’t have enjoyed it. And where’s the point in that?

I’d love to say “I ran an ultra and thwarted my mental demons” but it’s not that simple. My Inner Whinger is very much still there. She was there for 35 miles. But I finished even with her yakking relentlessly in my ear. I’m not proud of her, she’s an intensely annoying companion when you’re out on the trail. But now I know that – especially when I have good company - I can get to the finish line without her scoring a single point.

jogscotland magazine

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stride

Winter 2017

RUN THROUGH THE HEART OF SCOTLAND

26.2 MILES

SUNDAY 29 APRIL 2018 REGISTER NOW AT

GREATRUN.ORG/STIRLING