Or phone 0141 779 2835 (Iain Nicolson Recreation Centre).

Our blocks run for 10 weeks starting…

Tues 12th January, 6:30pm & 6:45pm – Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Thur 14th January, 6:30pm – Beginners, Intermediate, Advanced
Sat 16th January, 10am – Advanced 1 / Advanced 2

SHARON MARKLOW receives the JogScotland Chryston Achiever Award for 2008.

You can read about Sharon’s Achievments in our Race Diary section.
Her latest being the AMSTERDAM MARATHON in October 2008.

Arno long sleeved t-shirt white with navy and heather trim
Unisex fit, lightweight technical running fabric designed to
wick away moisture from the skin
Sizes S,M,L,XL,XXL

Arno short sleeved t-shirt navy with white and heather trim
Unisex fit, lightweight technical running fabric designed to wick away moisture from the skin
Sizes S,M,L,XL,XXL

Poppy short sleeved t-shirt grey with red
Unisex fit, lightweight technical running fabric
designed to wick away moisture from the skin
Sizes S,L,XL

Sale Price £6 for members
Hurry only available while stocks last
Contact Bonny on 01236 437756 for further details

Tops available to view see Jogleaders.

The wonderful idea??????? all started at a lovely night out with my fellow JogScotland members and jog leaders, where after one or two glasses of wine, I thought I would announce to everyone that I was considering doing a marathon. I thought since there were others that had also had a small aperitif that evening that no one would remember that I had mentioned doing a marathon and that all would be forgotten. However that was lesson 1, there is always someone who will remember something that you had blurted out in a moment of weakness!!!

So since I am not one to shy away from a new challenge, I decided to put it in my new year’s resolution, along with giving up drink and not saying anything stupid at JogScotland social events.

My marathon preparation started with a trawl through the many websites about training, the location of various marathons and comments from others who have participated in marathons. I also got lots of advice, direction and encouragement from all of the jog leaders. I eventually decided on the Amsterdam Marathon, yes the flattest, flat, oh did I mention no hills or inclines!!!

The Amsterdam Marathon was on the 19th October 2008 and I decided because it was my first marathon to go for a 16 week training plan which started on the 30th June 2008. From the start of the year up until June I was running on average 4 or 5 times a week, so therefore around 28 – 30 miles. The Saturday run with JogScotland was really good for keeping my mileage up at 8 – 10 miles. My main aim was to try and maintain good fitness.

Week 1 of my training regime was 29 – 33 miles, which meant 6.0 miles with JogScotland Cumbernauld Group on the Monday, 6.5 miles with JogScotland Chryston Group on the Tuesday, 5.0 miles on my own in sunny Kilsyth on Wednesday, 5.0 miles with Jogscotland Chryston on Thursday, a rest on Friday, 8.0 miles with Chryston JogScotland on Saturday morning and a rest on Sunday. This routine went on for 16 weeks increasing the mileage slightly every week until week 12 where this was my biggest week in which I ran 50 miles in one week. By week 12 you are used to the routine, you have bought yet another pair of trainers, put your toes through so many pairs of socks, that incredibly you manage to complete 50 miles by just taking your time and having some patience.

I can’t say that week 8 through to week 13 of the training plan was easy, but it was my first attempt at a marathon. During the toughest period, I do have to thank all of the JogScotland members and jog leaders for getting me through the routine. It wasn’t that I was suffering any pain, I had no injuries throughout my training period, well apart from some bruised toes and feet, but I blame 7 hours shopping on Oxford Street in London for that. The main issue I had when the mileage was high was motivating myself to run 5 days a week. So I looked forward to coming along to JogScotland to run with others who had a story to tell and would get me through another couple of miles.

I really enjoyed training week 14 through to week 16, because I was excited, everyone was asking me about the run and the mileage was back to between 20 and 30 miles per week.

The marathon was on a Sunday and I flew over to Amsterdam with family on the Friday afternoon. On Sunday, I was so keen to get to the start line I turned up at the stadium two hours early and the stadium wasn’t open. So I wondered around and I got a glimpse of the top athletes going out for a quick warm up. Of course I am standing about in my shorts and t-shirt, freezing to death, thinking oh I not going to do a warm up, I am going to be running 26 miles, that’s enough for one day!

Eventually the stadium opened and all the runners walked to the start line and got themselves into the correct grouping. Walking into the stadium and seeing the crowd did make you feel really excited and for a minute I forgot how long I was attempting to run. The start was like any other race, exhilarating and full of emotion.

In the race, my plan was to take my time, try and enjoy the race and have a good look around me, as I was running through areas I had never seen before. As a Town Planner who had studied the Dutch Planning System I was looking at layout, built form, trees etc, I know BORING, hey what else does everyone go to Amsterdam for????

I must be fair, the first 14 miles of the race were good, I followed a group of people who were averaging between 9 and 10 minute miles. 15 to 18 miles were slower, I was getting dehydrated, lacking sugar and yes wondering why I was doing this!!! Then, THE WALL at 19 miles, it is the first time I have ever stopped in a race, I lost all focus, I was tired and emotional. I stopped, gave myself a good talking to, got some jelly babies out of my pocket, walked for around two minutes and then out the corner of my eye I saw the 4.00hr pacemakers go by. I was determined to start again and keep them in my sight. This was quite easy, they are dressed in green and have huge balloons tied to them. So manage to finish 19 miles, then 20 and then half way through 21 miles my knee started to ache, I couldn’t pick my feet up any more and the knees were getting a pounding. But I didn’t stop, I had come this far, I had all of the focus and determination back, so I carried on. Mile 22, 23 and 24 were tough but at the 25 mile marker there was a much needed water stop. The crowds were beginning to grow and the encouragement for the last mile was superb. As soon as I saw the stadium I was ecstatic, no pain, no tired legs, nothing, I pushed everything to get in through the tunnel and out on to the track. The crowd had doubled from four hours earlier.

As usual when I am finishing a race I am that busy looking for my family and practically walking so that I can see someone I know. Close to the finish line, my parents were bawling my name. What a feeling, before I had even got over the finish line, I thought to myself that was amazing, what an achievement, what’s the next marathon.