Stride magazine - Autumn 2022

The Menopause Friendly campaign kept me running

By Jean McInnes

When we launched our Menopause Friendly campaign a year ago, we really hoped it would help joggers with menopausal symptoms stay active with jogscotland, rather than dropping out. We were delighted to hear that it did exactly that for jog leader Jean McInnes, of Jog Scotland Arran. She tells us her story…

My menopause journey started a number of years ago with symptoms gradually worsening over a period of time. One of my main symptoms is extreme fatigue. I found running was becoming more challenging as each week passed. Although exercise is said to help ease menopause symptoms, I found just getting through the day could be challenging and exercise was becoming out of reach. It’s mentally tough being the jog leader who is struggling to run, and I had pretty much decided to hang up my running shoes.

Around about the same time, jogscotland launched its Menopause Friendly campaign and that sparked something in me to keep going. I started thinking about other people who may be feeling that same way. So I decided that rather than giving up, I would step up. The jogscotland Meno-pause Friendly campaign gave me motivation and a reason to keep going.

So what’s changed? Well, nothing dramatic, just some subtle adaptations to demonstrate that we are a Menopause Friendly group, like using the Menopause Friendly logo, being open about my personal journey and respecting that everyone’s menopause journey is unique. I place an emphasis on being a social running group and try to make our sessions suitable to as wide a range of abilities as possible; I’ve found “out and back” sessions particularly good as it pretty much means we all start together and finish together.

I’ve posted a few messages on our facebook page about being a Menopause Friendly group and some conversations take place during our runs if people want to chat about how they are feeling but of course it’s completely optional.

I’m exceptionally lucky to be part of a diverse supportive running group where the camaraderie is second to none, and this made my decision to keep going and open up about my experience much easier.

I would say to any groups out there who are wondering whether to sign up to the Menopause Friendly campaign, that they will be delighted by how warmly this act of kindness will be received. With 51% of the population going through the menopause at some stage in their lives and with many of the remaining 49% knowing someone who will, it is a conversation worth having.

Are you, or members of your jogscotland group, running through menopause? For some, the transition is trouble-free, but for others it can involve symptoms that interfere with the ability to enjoy running.

Fortunately, we’ve lots of information on our website to help. Visit https:// jogscotland.org.uk/active-living/menopause-and-running/ and you’ll find advice and resources for both joggers and jog leaders.

Groups where the jog leaders read all the information provided and pledge to make some simple changes so their sessions are welcoming to those going through menopause, can use our badge to brand themselves a Menopause Friendly jogging group.

** World Menopause Day falls on 18 October this year, and we’re encouraging our groups to hold a special session during that week. We’ll provide resources – you just make the time and space to chat. For more details and to sign up, see https:// jogscotland.org.uk/sign-up-for-world-menopause-day-activities/