Stride Magazine 2021 - Issue Two

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the jogscotland magazine | Issue two 2021

Inside Meet our Annual Awards nominees!

Jog Scotland Dunfermline’s 18th birthday 365 days of Courage for Kathy Fundraise for Athletics Trust Scotland jogscotland.org.uk

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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 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 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

Angie Sutherland

Carol Robison

Coaching administrator (Jog Leader course bookings)

Membership administrator

coaching @scottishathletics.org.uk 07393 674 262

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

Published by scottishathletics. Copyright©2021 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 | Issue two 2021 Welcome to the second edition of Stride magazine for 2021! What a great feeling to be bringing you an issue full of ‘normal’ jogscotland activity – people enjoying the company and camaraderie of running in groups. It’s been heart-warming to see everyone come back together, and the strength of our groups now is a testimony to just how much hard work our jog leaders have put in over the periods of Covid restriction to keep us all active and connected – thank you all.

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Annual Awards

It’s one of our favourite times of year – our Annual Awards! We love reading the inspiring stories that come in from all over the country. From new joggers who have taken to it with ease, to seasoned hands who have long been members of the jogscotland community, we love the chance to celebrate them all. Turn to p8 to read all about them.

Speaking of seasoned hands – we’re so pleased to see Christine Garvie presented with a special plaque by her joggers to mark 18 years of Jog Scotland Dunfermline (p12). Christine was one of jogscotland’s first-ever jog leaders, and is still leading. Our thanks go out to her for her years of kind and generous leadership.

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Christine Garvie

Jogscotland Westhill is another veteran group, still going strong after nearly two decades. Last month the group held a fundraising fun run to support member Matt Huntington on his year-long challenge to remember his late sister Kathy (Front cover and p18). It’s a great example of what our groups do best – supporting their members through thick and thin, getting active together, and even working to benefit the wider community. Congratulations to everyone involved, and particularly to Matt on paying such a fitting tribute to Kathy, who was herself a runner. p18 Matt with Erica and Sarah

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Sue Gyford, Editor |

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Contents News and events

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4J Studios jogscotland Annual Awards 8 Coming of Age - Jog Scotland Dunfermline turns 18 12 Making friends with Jog Scotland Dunfermline 14 Welcome to David Fallon 15 It’s jogspain! 16 365 Days of Courage for Kathy 18 Anster Allsorts Bertie Bassett Challenge

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David Syme - Jogging along

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Try Something New

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Fundraise for Athletics Trust Scotland

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

sponsor and funder jogscotland magazine

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News and events Annual Awards Dinner is back!

We’re delighted to announce that the 4J Studios scottishathletics and jogscotland Annual Awards dinner will take place at the Glasgow Hilton on 9 October, following last year’s online ceremony.

Our events team are working closely with staff at the Hilton and will ensure plenty of space for guests, with overall numbers capped, to ensure we remain in line with Covid measures.

Thanks to everyone who made nominations for this year’s jogscotland awards – turn the page to read all about our shortlisted nominees!

David Fallon is our new Head of Development David joined us in May as the new scottishathletics Head of Development – a role which includes overseeing the jogscotland network. David was previously Head of Development at Scottish Squash and comes to us with a wealth of experience in participation initiatives like jogscotland. We’re delighted to welcome him to the team – turn to p13 to read his letter to members.

parkrun joy for jogscotland members jogscotland members all over the country were thrilled to return to their local parkruns in August, as they restarted back for the first time since the start of the pandemic. We know many of our members are also active parkrun volunteers, so a special shout-out to them for resuming their roles, which make so much difference to so many people! We shared a facebook album of some of the jogscotland members back at their local parkrun – and what a lot of smiling faces there were.

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Save the date Jog Leader conference The jogscotland Jog Leaders Conference will go ahead as a virtual event this year.

We have a series of webinars taking place across the week beginning 4 October.

Having a virtual conference means that more jog leaders from across the country can be involved and learn through the workshops and networking opportunities. Sessions include:Stephanie Davis – Olympic marathon runner Dr Daryl Cowan – Lecturer & PGR Coordinator, Division of Sport and Exercise, University of the West of Scotland on his research with jogscotland around creating the optimal motivational climate within a jogscotland environment Elspeth Alexandra of Elspeth Alexandra’s Women’s Fitness & Health Coaching Pelvic Floor, Core and Restore jogscotland & SAMH updates and breakout room discussions.

Tickets will go on sale soon through the scottishathletics website and will be priced at £10. All jog leaders who sign up to the conference will also receive a gift pack.

jogscotland is for everyone We launched a new social media campaign through the summer months to encourage potential members to join their local jogscotland group, and to tempt lapsed members back to join their jogging pals! The campaign, titled jogscotland is for everyone, encouraged people to overcome some of the most common fears we hear from people who are contemplating joining a jogscotland group (and even those who are convinced it’s not for them!).

Our jog leaders and members really got on board with the campaign, sharing our posts and reaching thousands of people – and we heard from jog leaders that the posts were successful at bringing new members to their sessions, which is what it’s all about.

Having fun at the Active Girls Day session held by Pitreavie AAC

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4J Studios jogscotland Annual Awards We are delighted to announce that this year’s 4J Studios scottishathletics and jogscotland Annual Awards Dinner will take place at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow on 9 October.

As we move back to an in-person awards ceremony following last year’s online event, our team will work closely with staff at the Hilton to ensure plenty of room for moving around, and numbers will be capped, as we remain mindful of the need to take precautions against the spread of Covid.

Many thanks to all who submitted nominations this year – we are delighted to announce the shortlists below, and we can’t wait to celebrate everyone who has made the jogscotland community so vibrant, despite the challenges of the past year.

You can read longer versions of these nominations at https://jogscotland.org. uk/jogscotland-awards-2021-the-shortlists

Achiever of the Year Glynis Buchan – Ellon Jog Scotland

Glynis will step down as chairperson this year after seven years. In that time, she has done so much for the club, is well-known in the community and always has time for everyone. In 2018 she signed up for Red January, a challenge that seeks to boost mental health by encouraging daily exercise. She has run every day since then, clocking up over 11,000K. She is praised as “an awesome human being who deserves to be recognised for her dedication.”

Fiona Findlay – Anster Allsorts

Fiona qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2019 and decided to specialise in Adult Mental Health. After only three months she was redeployed to prepare wards for Covid patients, help addiction services, and work on dementia wards - not knowing on weekly basis where she would be working. Eventually she started her own job and decided to take up jogging with Anster Allsorts. Between November 2020 and April 2021, Fiona reduced her 10K time by almost 12 minutes. She has now signed up to train as a jog leader.

Alison Miller Duff – Ready, Steady, Go Pitreavie

Alison has a genetic condition, Alport Syndrome, which in 2018 caused her kidneys to begin to fail and deafness in both ears. She joined the group to stay as healthy as possible, and found she thoroughly enjoyed it. She began dialysis, but kept coming back to the jogging group whenever she was able. She underwent a kidney transplant in September, but started walking for exercise within weeks and ran again in early 2021. She completed a half marathon in May 2021.

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4J Studios jogscotland Annual Awards Leader of the Year Irene Leask – Jog Cowdenbeath

Since the start of the pandemic Irene has taken on the role of keeping the group going, come what may. During lockdown she set weekly scavenger hunts, then became Covid coordinator. She kept in touch with everyone, motivating them and taking time to encourage people who were not sure about returning after a long absence.

As a result, the group has been able to bounce back incredibly well. She also gives a huge amount to the wider running community.

Jane Malcolm – jogscotland Penicuik

Jane is described as a super-supportive jog leader, who nurtures joggers and keeps them motivated when things get tough. She has taken members from walking, through Couch to 5K, to half marathon training.

She always makes sure nobody is left behind.

During lockdown she ran a half marathon in her garden to motivate herself and others, and raise money for SAMH. She is also open about the experience of running through menopause, encouraging others to talk about the challenges it brings.

Neil Nairn – Fenwick Striders

Neil founded Fenwick Striders after a number of villagers asked if he would help them start running. He also leads groups at Glasgow Dental Hospital & School Runners and Parklands Country Club.

He also provides training and pastoral support for mental health issues and suicide prevention. He is a patron of the charity Touched by Suicide.

Neil organised a half marathon which got the whole village involved. He is an inspiration to members and encouraging to all.

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4J Studios jogscotland Annual Awards Group of the Year Isle Jog

Isle Jog is based in Stornoway, and started two years ago with seven hardy members on a cold, dark February day with horizontal rain.

The group quickly grew to 30 joggers and several members trained as jog leaders to support its growth.

Isle Jog is free to attend, but members group together to make donations to local charities. The joggers are a happy, positive group of all abilities, who have helped each other to progress.

Let’s Go Linthligow

Let’s Go Linlithgow celebrated its third anniversary this year. In that time it has grown from a single jog leader running one session a week, to having 15 jog leaders leading five sessions.

The group has always had strong links with Linlithgow AC and is now formally adopted by the club, offering new opportunities for joggers and club alike.

At the start of 2021, the group offered its first ever virtual groups, which were very successful, most participants now attending in person.

Milestones Jog Scotland

Milestones is praised as a supportive, inclusive and warm group, with runners from all walks of life, ages and abilities. It is a small group with only one jog leader, but mixed abilities run together, faster runners regularly doubling back to encourage others.

Leader Catriona Whitelaw makes running fun - one nominee said they were convinced they couldn’t run at all until they met Cat. Others have found the group tremendously supportive through their own mental health difficulties, through bereavement and illness.

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4J Studios jogscotland Annual Awards SAMH Mental Wellbeing Award Laura Heeps – jogscotland Hazlehead

Laura has been running with jogscotland Hazlehead since 2018, but she lives 27 miles outwith Aberdeen, so when lockdown hit she was isolated without her running buddies.

She set herself challenges such as 100 days of logging an activity – this was such as success that she continued, and by the end of June 2021, had recorded 465 days of exercise.

She documents both her highs and her lows, encouraging others and keeping them going when they need a boost.

Joanne Tominey - Jiggly Joggers

Joanne juggles a full-time job with a family including two young children who have learning difficulties and a chest condition requiring daily physio.

She turned to Jiggly Joggers to help her deal with stress and anxiety and has never looked back. She has now completed two half marathons, given up her anxiety medication, and says that despite the pandemic, this has been the first year she has ever felt truly mentally strong.

She has now trained as a jog leader, often providing a listening ear to others who may be struggling.

Laura Wall - Ready Steady Go Pitreavie

Laura has successfully used running to help manage a long-term health condition called Psoriatic Arthritis, which causes debilitating joint pain.

Despite the challenges of past year, she has several times turned things around by getting back outside to exercise, bringing her pain to manageable levels.

This year she is aiming to exercise for 39 mins, 3.9k or 3.9 miles every day in the lead up to her 40th birthday, to raise money for SAMH. Her proactive approach to managing her physical health has paid untold dividends for her mental health.

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Coming of Age

By Christine Garvie, Jog Scotland Dunfermline Jog Scotland Dunfermline celebrated our 18th Anniversary in May, by holding a special celebratory training session in the Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline.

My recollection of our first group welcome session back in May 2003 is clear. The photograph below right was taken in the foyer of the Carnegie Leisure Centre and was the very first meeting held to recruit people responding to adverts in the Dunfermline Press and in the meeting venues of the local running clubs.

The leaders came from two of the local running clubs, Pitreavie AAC Road Runners and the Carnegie Harriers. They are from left to right: Pauline Walker, Irene Leask, Val Macaulay, Allan Brown, myself and Christina Boxer, founder staff member of jogscotland.

How it started...

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13 We also have photos taken at a come and try session held in the pavilion of the Pittencreiff Park a few weeks later. Little did we know that we’d still be going strong 18 years later and celebrating our anniversary in the same park!

For our celebration session, we had three groups - beginner/walker, intermediate and advanced, each doing 18 minutes of each of three routes, laid out a figure of 18. We thoroughly enjoyed the celebration (in a covid safe way!) with cake and refreshments after the training.

Being the only still-attending founder Leader of the group, I was presented with a lovely shield to commemorate the occasion and I wish to thank all our members for attending and the gifts that I will always treasure.

It has been a great pleasure serving as a jog leader at Dunfermline over the years and even at the ripe young age of 72, I am hoping that I can continue for a good few years to come. Turn the page to find out how Jog Scotland Dunfermline is still helping people make new friends.

Christine Garvie

How it’s going...

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Making friends with Jog Scotland Dunfermline – even in lockdown!

By Varrie Wardrope

You might think that the challenges of lockdown would make it almost impossible to make new friends, but in fact – thanks to Jog Scotland Dunfermline – that’s exactly what happened to me.

I’d only met Rosie Norton briefly on a Summer Solstice Charity run in 2019, organised by Jog Scotland Dunfermline, but we discovered we lived close to each other, and started to meet for a weekly run during the pandemic.

Rosie and Varrie with Harry the pony from Shiresmill Therapy Riding Centre

There was so much uncertainty, it was great to meet up and chat while we explored different areas to run around West Fife. We encouraged each other to keep fit and that weekly run gave us stability through a difficult and worrying time.

We discovered some great trail routes on our doorstep and noticed that more and more people were out running and walking. Lots of the routes are maintained by volunteers, so it only seemed fair that that work was supported.

We decided to organise a 5K running event, to raise funds to help towards the upkeep of these pathways and special woodlands - which will be full of glorious snowdrops for the run on 6 March 2022. Proceeds from our event - The Valleyfield Snowdrop 5k Trail Run - will be divided between Fife Woodlands Charity and Shiresmill Therapy Riding Centre in Fife.

We’re delighted that jogscotland groups are now back to some sort of normality, and particularly that we’ve come out of it all with a new friendship and a new running event! We continue to meet weekly to run together and plan the charity event over coffee and cake, and it all started with meeting up on The Forth Road Bridge with Jog Scotland Dunfermline.

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Welcome to David Fallon – our new Head of Development We are delighted that David Fallon joined the jogscotland team in May this year. David is the new Head of Development for scottishathletics and joins us from a seven-year career with Scottish Squash, where he created development programmes that led to a 60 per cent growth in squash members across Scotland. We asked him to introduce himself…

I am delighted to have been appointed as the Head of Development for scottishathletics and to be leading the jogscotland team. My work will include overseeing both jogscotland, and the modernisation programme for scottishathletics clubs, and we hope this will enable our jogging groups to benefit from some of the great work going on within the athletics club network. This could include improved CPD opportunities for leaders, closer links between jogscotland groups and scottishathletics clubs, and stronger data collection, to help us attract future funding. We look to continue to develop our strong partnership with SAMH to enhance the jogging provision and experience for both our jog leaders and our members.

The first few months in post have been challenging as we try to navigate our way out of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, we have been delighted to see such a strong return to activity in our jogging groups. This is testament to the passion and resilience in our volunteers, coaches, and jog leaders, and is evidence of the wider impact that jogscotland has on our members.

I am excited to get out and meet our fantastic leaders and groups, and look forward to working together with you all to continue to growing the jogscotland network, and to show the wider impact of jogging and recreational running on people’s lives.

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It’s jogspain!

By Melissa Wall When former jogscotland jog leaders Melissa and Steve Wall moved from the Highlands to Spain, it meant leaving many things behind – but the jogscotland spirit wasn’t one of them!

Following our permanent relocation from Spain from the Highlands we started a beginners’ jogging group in May 2021 near our new home in the Orba Valley. This was in response to a request from local resident Yvonne Sutherland, who wanted to start jogging. With no similar clubs operating in the area, she posted a request for help on a local Facebook page.

Despite hanging up my running shoes quite a few years ago to pursue powerlifting competitively, it seemed such a shame not to offer our skills to set up a beginners’ group and so Orba Valley Joggers was born.

Having previously been very involved with running in the Scottish Highlands, we knew that we could get them started. We had assisted hundreds of other joggers through the jogscotland programmes so we knew it was the perfect structure to follow here in Spain.

The group meets every Monday evening, and just like in Scotland the weather still poses challenges, just in a different way.

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17 On our very first club night, we had torrential rain and we literally had deja vu remembering the amount of warm-ups we performed in similar conditions in Scotland!

The weather of course is usually beautiful but with temperatures in the high 20s/low 30s and high humidity levels in the evening, it does add an extra layer of difficulty.

We ensure we take plenty of drinks with us and we make the most of the dappled shade through the beautiful orange and olive groves that we use for our sessions.

Our most recent session saw temperatures reach 34 degrees in the evening and we were amazed that everyone turned out. We do, of course, complete risk assessments for these conditions. However most of our joggers are very used to working, walking and doing other activities in extreme heat.

The group has around 15 members and around eight regular joggers, most of whom are ex-pats. We would love to attract Spanish members, however jogging doesn’t appear to be a popular past time here....yet!

The group has formed a close-knit bond, our group motto is ‘no one gets left behind’. Members are meeting up outwith our sessions to practice their new jogging skills. One of our members Joy Williams has been integral in encouraging other members to meet up and unofficially lead the group and act as time keeper.

With an eclectic mix of backgrounds as well as work and health challenges, I am amazed at how well everyone is doing. Their enthusiasm and motivation is infectious and it’s motivated us both to get running again.

Jogger Joy Williams: “Joining the jogging club has really motivated me to push myself. I’ve never enjoyed running as it’s always been something I had to do for a fitness test but this time I’m doing it for me. It gives me time away from thinking about my problems while I concentrate on breathing, running with others keeps me going back session after session.”

Jogger Dawne Richardson: “Each week I’ve looked at next week’s programme and thought ‘There’s no way I can ramp up an extra minute’ and yet so far I’ve managed it, and here’s why: A group of non-judgemental, encouraging and like-minded running friends who are down-to-earth and want the best for each other. We have the best luck to be led, coached and motivated by two great trainers in Mel and Steve, so positive and genuinely thrilled by our small weekly achievements.”

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365 Days of Courage for Kathy

By Matt Huntington

While many people were increasing their daily steps during lockdown, JogScotland Westhill Jog Leader Matt Huntington set himself the challenge to run every day in 2021, in memory of his sister Kathy. He tells us his story...

I’ve been a leisure runner for several years, and about two and a half years ago joined JogScotland Westhill to help get myself motivated to run regularly, and to get back in shape after a lazy few years. A year later I became a jog leader, and it’s become a big part of my life - my wife Emma and I run with the group twice a week and we’ve made a lot of new friends there. I also run and lead with Aberdeen Endurance Joggers at the weekends.

But this year, I decided to turn up the heat in an effort to raise money for Northeast cancer charity Friends of ANCHOR, having seen first-hand how the charity supported my sister during her treatment for breast cancer. Kathy passed away in April 2018, just weeks before she was due to take part in the charity’s Courage on the Catwalk event.

She’d been a runner herself – she ran 45 parkruns before she passed away.

So I’ve pledged to run a minimum of 10K every calendar day this year, in her memory. I’ve also committed to run a half marathon at least once a month, and will run the Loch Ness Marathon with my daughter Amy on 3 October – before lacing up my running shoes again for my usual 10K the following day. So far

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Kathy loved running

I’m averaging 12.5km per day and am on track to run 4,500km by the end of the year - the equivalent of walking from Land’s End to John O’ Groats, three times.

I’ve encountered snow, hail and icy conditions – and all the challenges of Covid restrictions.

Earlier in the year, I made a trip to London to work as a technical official for the Olympic swimming selection trials. Covid restrictions meant I wasn’t able to get out and about in my free time, so I completed the daily distance by running loops of my 8-metre-long hotel room! I use Strava to monitor my runs so all those loops were tracked on the app, just the same as a ‘normal’ outdoor run. There’s an old joke in the running community that says if a run’s not on Strava, it didn’t happen, so I can definitely prove that I didn’t let lockdown get in the way of achieving my goal!

Many of my runs have been close to home, but the challenge has also taken me to scenic spots including the Lake District and Cairngorm National Park. I also had the opportunity to run with the legendary ultrarunner Nick Butter as he was passing through Aberdeen in June on his epic 5,240 mile long #RunBritain challenge to raise awareness for the 196 Foundation, which was great.

I was really delighted that, as well as my own running, JogScotland Westhill organised a 5K Fun Run in August to boost the fundraising. It was a great opportunity to invite 200 runners from other local jogscotland groups in the area to enjoy a scenic route through the beautiful Dunecht Estate. The Fun Run (pictured on the front cover) was a huge success and raised over £3,600. continues over jogscotland magazine

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20 Running for Kathy continued Erica Banks, Communications Lead for Friends of ANCHOR, says Matt’s challenge had inspired everyone at the charity: “Matt’s dedication to date has been nothing short of amazing, and we’re very grateful for the heartfelt commitment he has made to keep going right through to December 31.

“Day in, day out, he gets the miles in, wearing his red T-shirt every step of the way. His efforts have paid off with an incredible number of generous donations, and every penny of every pound he raises will be directly invested to support patients.”

I originally aimed to raise £3,650 but with several months to go, I’ve already raised over £11,500 thanks to generous supporters on my fundraising page.

All of Kathy’s family and friends miss her dearly and we remember our times together with fondness. I decided to raise money for Friends of ANCHOR to say thank you for the support they provided to Kathy and her family. She would be so proud, grateful and have a huge smile on her face for everyone’s incredible generosity in her memory. I am particularly grateful for all the support from my friends at JogScotland Westhill who have run with me throughout the year and helped me to organise the 5K Fun Run. Because I’m running in Kathy’s honour, some days have been quite emotional, especially on memorable days of the year. I know that running in the days after the marathon later this year will be tough, but every day means every day, no excuses, and no days off. Some days have been hard going, whether that’s due to fatigue, muscle niggles or bad weather, but a little bit of pain on a run pales into insignificance by comparison with the battle Kathy fought. My memories of her spur me on each and every time I go out for a run.

Click to keep up to date with Matt’s progress on Instagram

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Anster Allsorts Bertie Bassett Challenge By George Findlay The Anster Allsorts Bertie Bassett Challenge (commonly known as simply Bertie in the group) is a monthly run/ Jeff/walk around a set 2.5mile course in Anstruther and Cellardyke, in the East Neuk of Fife. It takes place in the months between October and March, when the longer hours of darkness confine the Allsorts training to roads with streetlights. The 2.5mile distance was chosen to be less than 5K to gauge runners’ progress during the winter.

Bertie Bassett was first introduced in October 2013 and the Allsorts have now completed eight seasons of Berties.

Aim The overall aim of Bertie is to encourage group members, whether beginners, C25K graduates or long established Allsorts, to improve their personal times in their running progression. It is a race against themselves and not others, with everyone celebrating each other’s improvements and achievements. Everyone takes part - runners, Jeffers and walkers. Runners and Jeffers record their own times. Jeffers alternate one minute running and 30 seconds walking throughout the route. Walkers cover the same course but their times are not recorded officially, although they can chose to do so.

How it works Each participant has their own personal target time. Beginners and newcomers to the route are buddied with a jog leader to become familiar with the course and to continues over jogscotland magazine

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22 Bertie Basset continued help with pacing. Their first time recorded becomes their target time to try to better the next month.

Runners and Jeffers who have taken part in Bertie from the previous winter series are given an initial target time to start the new series of six races. This is their best time from the previous series plus 5 per cent, which gives them a more achievable target for encouragement in their first run in October.

Any target times which are bettered become the target for the next month and so on throughout the six challenge races.

The winner of Bertie each month is the person who improves most on their target time from their season’s best. All time personal bests are recorded from previous series, and these may also be bettered.

Prizes and medals Each month the most improved Allsort receives our soft toy Bertie Bassett and a bag of Liquorice Allsorts. Bertie is kept for a month and then passed on to the next month’s winner. Others in the top five places receive bags of Bassett’s sweets such as Jelly Babies, Sports Mixtures or Wine Gums.

To boost participation, medals are earned by runners, Jeffers and walkers over the course of the six races. Those who do five or six races win gold, four for silver and three for bronze. The medals are presented at the Allsorts Annual Award Ceremony, along with special trophies for Best Newcomer, Most Improved Allsort and Most Improved Personal Best over the series. There are special medals for monthly winners also. These encourage everyone to take part and celebrate in all personal achievements in the group.

Inclusion All Allsorts take part, ranging in age up to 72 years old in the last series. Indeed, our April 2021 winner was Tom Hall, our oldest Allsort. Our youngest winner was Lora Shaw, aged 29.

The format is ideal for beginners and newcomers as they are most likely to improve most and more likely to win each month than faster, more experienced Allsorts, who find it more difficult to improve their times by a large margin. Therefore, there is a personal challenge to everyone, whatever their ability. Generally, C25K graduates do best, encouraging them on their running journey.

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Bertie is also ideal for those recovering from injury or who have lapsed from running for a while to gauge how they are progressing in getting back to group training sessions. They also tend to improve most and this offers them encouragement.

On average, between 35 and 40 Allsorts take part each month. If an Allsort is unable to attend on the race night a time can still be recorded on another day that month.

2020 – 2021 Series Under normal circumstances the monthly presentation is done on the night of the race in the Waid Sports Hall café, where we meet after our sessions, with everyone eagerly awaiting the results and celebrating together. Obviously, this was not possible during the pandemic restrictions and the presentation was done outside, with physical distancing.

The series went ahead with small groups setting off in a staggered start, with the faster groups going first to lessen the chance of overtaking. This varied as group number restrictions changed from three to 15 throughout the winter and spring.

Some Allsorts completed Bertie on their own and submitted times to our statistics guru Gary Scott who processes the results each month. Therefore, the Bertie series still was able to be held.

Give it a go with your group!

The Anster Allsorts Bertie Bassett Challenge model can be adapted for any jogscotland group using their local area. The distance can be changed to suit their local streets or routes. The Bertie route has two small hills to add more challenge. To keep the event fresh, our route is reversed on alternate years. Each winter month it gives a mixture of excitement, nervous anticipation and individual challenge to every Allsort but ultimately a feeling of positivity when it is done, and you have tried your best. I would encourage all groups to give it a go in some form if you can.

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Issue two 2021

24

Jogging along

by David Syme

Off games I was shocked when a commentator of a Euro 2020 soccer match described one player’s recovery from a torn Achilles in five months as “remarkable”.

Five months? I tore mine earlier this year, and the thought of five months of a recovery time horrifies me. That footballer, I’m sure, had the best resources money can buy. I have an ice-pack and Dr Google!

I remember a rugby international when a famous player sat immediately behind me in the stand. He would have been on the pitch, but for a broken leg. He sat there with his crutches, passing and kicking every ball, diving into each maul and scrum. I know this from the yelps, grunts and repeated kicks with his good leg to the back of my seat. Watching others do what you want to be doing is exasperating.

We runners are not happy bunnies when we are “off games.” We see other runners doing their thing, and wistfully imagine ourselves running the same stretch. We think of the targets we will miss, the camaraderie of the jogging group, and the health benefits we will do without, and we wonder if we could just try a wee jog to see how recovery is coming along. Sadly, this often ends in tears. Time, they say, is the great healer and patience is a virtue.

The best plan for someone who is off games is to take the slow road back to recovery and find a replacement challenge for the duration. In my case that challenge should also include weight control. It is too easy to self-indulge with comfort eating, and to overdo the couch time, so a positive action plan is essential.

I need to exercise the upper body and one lower limb. The answer came to me this morning! I must buy an inflatable rowing dinghy with a foot pump.

Wish me luck!

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Issue two 2021

25 As part of the #FeelYourPersonalBest campaign, sportscotland and our partners SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) are encouraging everyone to get active and #TrySomethingNew to support their mental wellbeing.

Why not take to the sea, try a new excercise class, or get on your bike?

As we create new routines after the summer holidays, it’s a good time to think about broadening your horizons – could a new active hobby fit alongside your jogging?

Doing more than one type of activity – or “cross training”, as it’s sometimes known, can really give you a boost, physically and mentally. Cycling could strengthen some of the muscles that don’t get exercised by running; yoga could help you develop more flexibility and keep injuries at bay; maybe some active gardening, in your own space or with a community garden, could lift your spirits? Doing activities with others is even better for your wellbeing – why not look out for a local class or group?

Outdoor or virtual classes are a great way to connect if you’re not yet comfortable with indoor group exercise. sportscotland have some top tips to help you get started – and if you do try something new, why not post on social media with the #TrySomethingNew hashtag – and tag @jogscotland too! We’d love to see what you get up to.

Jog leader? Why not use the campaign to offer come-and-try sessions to new joggers? Let the team at jogscotland head office know you’re doing it and we’ll be happy to share on our social media channels to give you some extra publicity. You can also make use of the #TrySomethingNew resources on the sportscotland website, including ideas, advice, and social media graphics. If you’d like any help or support, get in touch with Jo Stevens on jo.stevens@scottishathletics.org.uk.

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Issue two 2021

26

Fundraise for Athletics Trust Scotland!

As we told you in our last edition, Athletics Trust Scotland is a new charity set up to raise funds to support running and athletics at all levels, from grassroots to elite.

It aims to ensure that as many people as possible have the chance to experience the joy of being active through our sport, well into the future. Could you take on a sponsored challenge for the Trust, and help others follow in your footsteps?

Whether you are running your first 5K or tackling a marathon, your donations can help assure a great future for our sporting community. The Trust may also be able to help you secure places in a variety of races and support you along the journey.

Among the aims of the Trust are: Supporting those in the sport who are in need, for reasons of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage; providing opportunities for more people to participate; supporting the improvement of facilities; advancing learning and development opportunities for leadership; encouraging people to take up coaching, leading and officiating.

Fundraising manager Kyle Greig said: “If you’re thinking of doing a sponsored run, we would love to have your support.

I think everyone who enjoys running loves to see other people discovering what it has to offer, and by fundraising for Athletics Trust Scotland, you’ll help us, to help others experience that, and reach their full potential.”

For further fundraising resources and support, please contact Kyle on 01315 397343 or kyle.greig@athleticstrustscotland.org.uk Alternatively, you can start fundraising for ATS through their JustGiving page below:

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Issue two 2021

Securing the future of athletics and running in Scotland Transforming lives Targeting medals Strengthening communities www.athleticstrustscotland.org.uk

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