Question…

Finally, you have some well-earned time on a Sunday to spend exactly as you wish. What would you choose to do? Would you…

a) Call some friends and arrange to meet for lunch with a couple of glasses (or bottles) of wine, or

b) Grab the credit cards and hit the shops for a retail therapy session, or

c) Rush off to the east coast of Scotland in order to run 10 miles up and down hilly country roads with a biting North Sea wind blowing in your face.

Well would you believe that 45 members of Jogscotland North Lanarkshire choose option “C” (Whit are they like?), and on the 4th March headed up to Arbroath to tackle the “Smokies 10″ ladies race organised by Arbroath Footers. This excellent event is now well established on the running calendar and is particularly well known for it’s superb apres-race buffet.

However, this was far from the minds of our intrepid Jogscotland team of cake samplers, (sorry, Athletes) as they arrived in Arbroath in their luxury coach totally focused on the challenge, which lay ahead on the roads around the town.

‘The Smokies’ is run on a challenging 10 mile route to the south west of the town which the host club diplomatically describes as ‘undulating’. (Anyone who has ever done a running event will know exactly what that means!) However, enthusiasm and expectation was much in evidence as the starters pistol released approximately 300 runners on their way. The race to be first back to the buffet had begun for the ladies from North Lanarkshire.

Despite windy and chilly conditions, not to mention those undulations, the race invariably went well for all our Jogscotland team as they reaped the benefit of regular training throughout the preceding months. This had been the 4th time that Jogscotland North Lanarkshire had attended the ‘Smokies’ as a group and many of the ‘veterans’ of the race had improved upon their times of previous years. However a number of the group were tackling 10 miles for the first time and all were successful in completing the run. (Just goes to show that Jogscotland schedules work!)

It was time for a shower, a change into warm clothing, and a discussion of race experiences whilst attacking the now legendary ‘buffet’, both healthy and slightly less healthy options.

The Jogscotland North Lanarkshire group is grateful for the support of North Lanarkshire Council particularly their provision of transport for the group to this event. The success of Jogscotland in North Lanarkshire is reflected by the fact that this has increased from a 12 seater minibus in 2004 to the need for a 50 seater coach for the visit. We also take our hats off to Arbroath Footers for their organisation of this superb event.

Well then just goes to show that using your precious time to run 10 miles up and down hilly country roads with a biting North Sea wind blowing in you face is much more enjoyable than a boozy lunch or retail therapy……………..Well maybe.

Margaret Deas

I did it I did it I did it!!!!!! :D :D
Hee hee - I can hardly believe it. Little me who was never picked for the team in PE at school - I have just run my first Half Marathon in…………

2hrs 25mins!!!!

It was a fantastic day. The usual nerves that I get are due to making sure that I am there on time, and that I can get parked etc. but we had come up to Aviemore for the weekend so I just had to make my way out of the hotel into the car park and the organisers had laid on buses to take us all up to the race start. Got chatting to lovely lady on bus who was in her mid sixties, she had taken up running a couple of years ago cause she wanted to do a marathon before it was too late!! She now runs a Jogscotland group near Inverness.

The sun was shining and the air a bit nippy at first - but we were quite high up - everyone seemed to be quite relaxed. The start was delayed by about 10 mins as we waited on the last bus arriving, but that was fine - a wee bit extra time to sneak another visit to the loo! The first 7ish miles were on forest tracks and there were quite a few up and down hills which were a surprise. but the terrain was perfect - it is quite sandy up in that area. The views over Loch Morlich were stunning and it made me feel calm. The early morning chill had gone - and it was now roasting - for goodness sake - this is the highlands in October - the first snowfall is usually within the next couple of weeks!!

Once we came out onto the road section there was a well trodden grass track at the side of the road which again provided a bit of relief. It was mainly flat or slightly down hill from this point. I got to the 10 mile point at 1hr 50 which is faster than I have done on my training runs and was feeling confident that I might just surprise myself. But I also reminded that I had never managed to run any further than this distance so didnt know what to expect. I brought my pace up a wee bit - but I couldnt sustain it and started to slow down. After I passed 12 miles I then seriously had doubts that I could make it I was knackered - but there was a wee women sitting out at a pub cheering us on - and she just shouted ‘come on you’re doing great’ as I was going a bit slower at this point I looked right at her and she looked right at me and I really felt her willing me on. As I turned into the last stretch I could hear the music and crowds cheering and I totally relaxed and started laughing. When I ran up to that finish line I had the biggest grin, but was kind of sobbing all in one. This feeling is out of this world.

I will never ever forget this day - I still cant quite believe it.

My muscles are a bit sore today - and I have just come back from a hobble round Tesco’s. The outside of my left foot is a bit sore - other than that I am on top of the world.

When I started with Jogscotland I could barely run for 10 minutes and 16 months later I am able to run for 2hrs 25 mins (had to get the time in again) without stopping and it just shows what a great programme this is. In providing support and encouragement it has enabled me to do something I could never have imagined.

And that is just fan-flipping-tastic!!

Shirley Ann Duncan

Completed my first 10k in 1hr 7mins. I am well chuffed with that little result.

I was a nervous wreck this morning - left the house without my water bottle. Luckily, due to the fact that I left the house so early to make sure I got there on time (I hate being late) I had time to go back and get it.

Still got there in plenty of time - with an hour before the start Found car park easy, and started to walk to the starting area. Then realised I had left my water bottle in my car. Got it then proceeded to walk around and waste time before the start. Mainly visiting the toilet - on one of my earlier visits to the loo - left my water bottle hooked inside the toilet door on the coat hook - thankfully the loos were quiet so no one else had been in. I think I was in that loo about 5 times in that hour - I am a wreck - what the heck am I going to be like on my half mara.
Waiting at the start, biting my nails, nice bloke told me to calm down and smile - my angst must have been etched across my face!!

Anyway headed off, nice and easy. It takes me a couple of miles to settle my breathing down, so didnt mind being passed several times. The sun was scorching - so now regretting wearing base layer t-shirt under my vest - but thankful have sunglasses. after 3k the heavens opened and the wind would have cut you in two - now glad of base layer t-shirt. Rain and wind continued until until 6k - then the sun broke through and was scorching again - talk about all the seasons in one day.

When I got to 7k, I realised I was at quite a comfortable pace - so decided to push it and upped my pace then I starting taking over some of the people who had passed me earlier on - good feeling that one.

Finished with a wee sprint - which I have never managed before - and because it was a smaller field than my previous events - the bloke even read out my number and called out my name - so that was a bit bizarre.

Good day definitely. I did then proceed to get lost trying to get out of Paisley and passed the race start point about 3 times before finally geting on my way.

My next 10k is in a few weeks - so need to put the pressure on to get a real PB on that one now!

Shirley Ann Duncan

The Flora Ladies Mini Marathon, Dublin, Monday 5th June 2006

We travelled to Dublin on the Saturday to prepare and acclimatise for the race. After settling into our hotel rooms and lunch we set off to the RDS to collect our numbers and goodie bags. The RDS is a huge hall filled with stalls offering make overs, wigs, health drinks, handbags, clothes and wine tasting. Having visited every stall we left feeling very relaxed and looking like new women. On Saturday evening we sampled some Irish food and entertainment. Sunday pre race training consisted of some sightseeing, retail therapy, a swim, sauna and jacuzzi, and in the evening an Italian meal for some CARB loading and team bonding.

We have just taken part in one of the best 10K Ladies races.

Monday, race day, after a light breakfast we dawned our matching Jog Scotland vests and headed off to St Stephen’s Green to lie on the grass, sun bathe and think positive thoughts. As we headed to the start line and join around 40,000 other women we noticed some men dressed in female clothing and nuns habits, in Ireland men are allowed to run in the race as long as they look like women.

3pm and we were off, the route was flat, the weather was warm and the crowds cheered us on, the bands played and it was nice to hear the MC shout for Scotland as we all approached the finish line.

Relaxing in Dublin

We had such a great time in Dublin, we are glad to be members of Jogscotland because we are not only joggers and runners, we are very good friends.

Mary Ellen McCloone