fort william marathon

https://www.facebook.com/fortwilliammarathon



so- i felt that this was a sign- as i have said this in the past... i'm in. anyone joining me & the midgies? guess who?? [fi]

sightsavers bacon run 2014

Thanks again to Lorna & David for hosting,cooking & taking pictures.

Unfortunately we don't have pictures of Santa & his helper at Newhaven with hot chocolate but thanks to them too,

 Westwoods jogscotland donated £152.00 today to Sightsavers.

 This could pay for 3 children to have a cataract operation that will restore their sight or for 19 people to have a sight saving trachoma operation.  Fantastic! 

the bacon run

so- this is what happens when you have about 20 runners around for brunch- thanks for the venue & chef, lorna- & a wee donation to charity coming too.

more pictures later, 

seasons greetings- keep running.

see you in 2015 or at parkrun

petzl head torch tryout.

The lovely folk at Petzl are letting the run4it runclub run around and trial some of their head-torches this week.
It means we can have a good go running to places we normally can't go when it is dark at this time of year.

So the route will be heading off to Holyrood Park and we can have a choice of route either through the path at Hunter's Bog or along the road round Arthur's Seat.

A great opportunity to put the torches through their paces in the dark! just like Lucjas Run in the Dark.

Start at the store as usual 6pm on monday, anyone interested,let fiona know.

Festive Running

The Christmas lights are out around Edinburgh so as part of our steady run last night, we took in a few of the sights on the first really chilly night we have had this winter. 

Our 6pm group did a slightly shorter loop to make sure we were back in time to meet the 7pm group and took a tour up over Dean Bridge and headed back down through Stockbridge where we took a brief moment to capture the Stockbridge Christmas tree before heading back to base.

The 7pm group were treated with the steep ascent up the steps to Edinburgh Castle and back through the city past the Xmas markets, with a true treat awaiting us back at Westwood's with the infamous Hamish waiting for his weekly petting from the crew.

If you are after some stocking fillers, Run4it have got some great deals going at the moment, and you can also get 10% off any purchases (excluding those on sale and offer of course) by using the code JOG2014.
‘’Our friends at Run4It have some great offers for you runners this Christmas! With £30 off Garmin 220 and 620 models, savings on clothing, great ideas for under £20 and more, there’s something for everyone.’’  http://www.run4it.com/shop/gifts/

 

 

Speaking of festive, Lorna Dunbar has very kindly offered to host the last run before Christmas from her house for all Saturday runners plus her fellow Tuesday evening partners in crime.Not only that, husband David has also offered to make bacon rolls for afters!

Doug & Lorna have devised a 10k route between them taking in Victoria Park, 5 ways, Newhaven, Western Harbour, Ocean Terminal, Tower Place and the Water of Leith. There are various points at which runners who don't want to do the full amount can come off as the run is circular route. Start and finish at Lorna’s house at 12 Craighall Terrace, EH6 4RF which is just off Ferry Road, near Victoria Park, and on street car parking is available on Craighall Road.

The start time 9:30 a.m. however there will be a photocall beforehand so please don't be late and wear your Westwoods jogScotland tee shirt or vest if you have one. Just to get into the forthcoming holiday spirit, there is a Christmas headgear theme, thanks to Lorna and Hilary who hatched up the idea! This can be anything from antlers, elf hats etc. to normal running hats decorated with tinsel so be creative.WARNING – no headgear, no bacon roll!!!!!!!

This will be our charity run this year and instead of the usual £3 subs for the normal Saturday run we are looking for a donation of £5 with all proceeds going to Lorna’s nominated charity, Sightsavers, whose aim is to eliminate avoidable blindness and support people who are irreversibly blind or disabled to live independently. Please click on this link to see an example of the good work they carry out.

If you intend to come to the Christmas Run I’d be grateful if you could reply to this e-mail ASAP and by no later than Tuesday 9^thDecember to give Lorna and David time to organize everything at their end. Could you also advise if you have any dietary requirements, e.g. vegetarian, gluten free etc.

Please note that there will be no official run from Westwoods on Saturday 20th December.



jogscotland awards 2014

Good Luck Lucja- have a great night.

Run in the Dark Edinburgh

As darkness swept across the globe on Wednesday 12th November at 8pm local time thousands pulled on their running shoes, flashing armbands and various guises of lights and neon colours and headed for the door. Joining over 30 cities worldwide Edinburgh was lit up with 149 runners joining a living light show flowing through the streets and Holyrood Park like lava.

Lit up like lava

The Lifestyle Sports Run in The Dark plays a vital role in funding the Mark Pollock Trusts’s mission to find and connect people around the world to fast track a cure for paralysis. Runners paid an entry fee of £15 which goes directly to the trust with the event being supported by volunteers. The super trio of Lucja Leonard (www.edinburghruntours.com), Iona MacArthur and Sue Finn put their hearts, minds and time together to organise the pop up event for Edinburgh utilising the Crowne Plaza Edinburgh – Royal Terrace as the race headquarters on the night. A special thanks goes out to the volunteers that assisted on the night with registrations and marshalling duties as well as local sponsors of the goody bags including Crowne Plaza Edinburgh -Royal Terrace, Nira Caledonia, Matthew Clark, Vivimoss sportswear and Lululemon.

Holyrood park looking back to the city

The night wouldn’t have been complete without the support from C. Pendleton/W.Robb from Iconic Photo Tours Edinburgh (http://www.willrobbphotography.com/2012/09/iconic-edinburgh-photo-tours/) who sat in Holyrood Park to capture some stunning photos of the light streams created by the runners with the dramatic Edinburgh city line in the background.
Edinburgh weather played ball ensuring a fun, dry and safe night was had by all. With the event being such a great success along with the high level of interest from the Edinburgh running community all keen to support such a worthy cause, Run In The Dark is sure to become a fixture in the yearly running calendar. For more details visit www.runinthedark.org and sign up to the newsletter so you don’t miss out on next years event.

The amazing trio and a handful of the super marshals.

this wednesday is run in the dark day

Lucja is organising this year & this citys runinthedark. check out the website for full details,

http://www.runinthedark.org/edinburgh/

jogscotland awards 2014

Lucja has been shortlisted for the jogleader of the year award- well done- have a great night at the awards Lucja. 
 [see http://www.jogscotland.org.uk/news/7305-jogscotland-awards-shortlist-announced ]

Lucja & her husband Dion were both 2nd overall in the  Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon with Lucja coming 1st on day 3 & 4. Exceptional work. looks like the hot climate training was worthwhile. well done.

want to let the world of jogscotland know how your training is going?

Jog Scotty

IT'S STRIDE TIME! We're starting the next edition of our fab members' magazine, and we'd love to include YOU! Have you started jogging recently and been amazed by your progress? Reached a long-held goal? Perhaps there's someone in your jog group you think is an unsung hero, or the group itself is worth shouting about?

Just let us know - drop a line to sue.gyford@scottishathletics.org.uk if you think you have a story to tell - we'd love to hear from you.

Steady - I don't think so!

It was a cool night, but the two groups warmed up quickly and they were all gunning for PB's last night I think!  You couldn't hold them back as we did a nice steady route heading up Craigleith Road, before looping back onto Queensferry road, running past the stunning Stewarts Melville College.

Heading back over Dean Bridge and back through the stomping ground of Stockbridge and Inverleith Park to get us home.

I'm on 'holiday' now for the next 2 weeks, so the 6pm group will be looked after by Andy and the 7pm group by Ali, so definitely no rest for the wicked.
Most of you know I am off to run the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon in South Africa, a 250km race through high desert temperatures of anywhere from 30-45 degrees, carrying all my own food and kit for the week over a 6 stage race.  We kick off the race on the 1st November and if you are interested in keeping up to date with my progress, follow me on twitter @runningdutchie or find me on Facebook as Lucja Leonard (my PR agent ;-0 my friend, Nina, will be updating my pages with details as we are able to send out one email a day from camp).  Daily updates will be posted on their website as well as photos and video http://www.kaem.co.za/ and if you fancy sending me any messages you can email runners@kaem.co.za .  I will post a full blog on the event afterwards, but in the meantime if you enjoy reading my blog www.runningdutchie.wordpress.com please vote for me at http://therunningawards.com/ I am under Publications & online/Blog/Running Dutchie .

See you when I get back!

Run in the dark

Tuesday night groups were treated to hill reps last night, and boy did they give it some.  The darker nights haven't put these guys off that's for sure! 

Comely Bank Avenue in Stockbridge set the scene for 8x1min ascends as fast as they could go with a 2 minute recovery back down between sets, keeping track of their markers, many of them went on to get stronger and smash their targets.  The 3 lads in our 7pm group were seriously competitive and were nearly up and around the corner!

Speaking of running in the dark.....There is an event you may be interested in.  Check out www.runingthedark.org/edinburgh there is a choice of a 5k/10k run which will be on Wednesday 12th November at 8pm leaving from Crowne Plaza Edinburgh - Royal Terrace, 18 Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, EH75AQ and doing a loop from there through Holyrood Park and Hunters Bog under Arthur's Seat.  It is £15 to enter and all proceeds go to the Mark Pollock Trust raising money for spinal paralysis research, a very worthy cause.  And you get a goody bag with a flashing arm band , perfect for these darker nights! Any questions please email Lucja at runningdutchie@Hotmail.com or on twitter @runningdutchie

edinburgh marathon workshops

Edinburgh Marathon 2015 Workshops

Great News! We have teamed up with Nuffield Health & Wellbeing to provide runners with two opportunities to receive professional advice on every aspect of Edinburgh Marathon Festival preparation (for any event)!

The FREE workshops, held in Edinburgh on 28th October and in Glasgow on 30th October, will focus on training plans, nutrition, injury treatment and prevention and tips on how to stay motivated. As well as great offers from Run and Become and Nuffield Health & Wellbeing!

What's more, the sessions will finish with an optional guided run where you can stretch your legs and chat to other runners - it will be dark so remember to bring along your head torch! 

So if you've entered the Edinburgh Marathon Festival, or are thinking about entering, book your free space at either the Edinburgh or Glasgow workshops today!

                                

The format of the workshops will be as follows:

Time	Edinburgh	Glasgow
6pm	Doors open for a 6:30 start
6:30pm - 6:40pm	Introductions
6:40pm - 7pm	Alex McEwan, Sports Development Officer and Edurance Coach at Edinburgh AC	Colin Thomas, Nuffield Regional Clinical Lead Physiologist & Elite Runner
7pm - 7:10pm	Joel Enoch, Sport Scientist who specialises in deconstructing sports nutrition, goal setting and endurance training.	Nutrionist
7:10pm - 7:20pm	Physiotherapist	Claire Colgan, Physiotherapist at Nuffield Health
7:20pm - 7:30pm	David Hilton, Macmillan Junior Ambassador, will be giving an inspirational talk about his personal experiences in running at the Edinburgh Marathon Festival.
7:30pm - 8:30pm	Guided run along the Canal led by Jonathan Carpenter, Senior Health & Wellbeing Physiologist at Nuffield Health	Guided run along the Clyde led by Colin Thomas, Nuffield Regional Clinical Lead Physiologist & Elite Runner

Speed sessions with a twist

The nights are drawing in, and it's getting colder, but that's not excuse to leave training behind, this is the best season to really make some progress.

Our Tuesday night session for the 7th October was a planned speed session, and speed we did.

Mixing it up a bit, we made good use of a lovely set of steps to focus on some movement and form, our first lap up the steps was one foot on each step and stopping completely before moving to the next, to make sure we weren't using any momentum to move upwards, the second set was about the 'boing' (as the 7pm group nicknamed it the 'Tigger' effect) as we bounced up the steps, not speeding just yet.....Then our 3rd set was as fast as you could go but using one step at a time, so focus on pumping the arms and moving as quickly as you could.

We finished off each of the sessions with an Indian file speed run back through Stockbridge to Westwood's with everyone suitably sweaty and glowing from a good workout.

Edinburgh Ultra Festival

 

Edinburgh Ultra Festival

Event HQ: Crowne Plaza Edinburgh – Royal Terrace

An exciting new event for runners who like their miles long and off-road

Hosted by

AndyMouncey & Lucja Leonard with special guest Dr Andrew Murray

Saturday 11th October – Full Day Agenda

·    Group Coaching on Arthur’s Seat with Andy Mouncey (booking on Eventbrite required* £20)

Meet 6.30-7am Balmoral Suite to try on test kit from Out-Run, prompt depart 7.30am return 9.30am

·    Breakfast available at Event HQ £6.95pp 7am-10.30am payable direct on the day

·    10am onwards – Lauren from Vivimoss available to showcase her range of sportswear

·    All day – Mike & team from Out-Run will be available to showcase kit from X-Bionic, Injini, Ultimate Direction & a range of exciting & useful kit

·    11am-1pm FREE  Workshops

11am-Ultra Running Made Ultra Simple with Andy Mouncey

11:30am-Strength Training & Running Economy with James Buchanan from Crossfit

12-Pace it Right with Andy Mouncey

12:30-Footcare, Navigation For Dummies, Troubleshooting with Andy Mouncey

·    1-3pm Lunch buffet available £7.95pp (vegetarian lentil curry, chilli & rice, selection of salads and breads) book in advance by emailing lucja@royalterracehotel.co.uk or choose on the day

Enjoy lunch whilst watching Official Dragons Back Race film

·    1-6pm Massage available £15/15mins email Catherine@energeticsuk.com to book

·    Group Coaching on Arthur’s Seat with Andy Mouncey (booking on Eventbrite required*£20),

Meet 2-2.30pm to try on test kit from Out-Run for prompt depart 3pm return 5pm

·    3-3:45pm or 4-4:45pm Pilates for Runners by Sam from Essential Wellbeing (prebook via https://v1.bookwhen.com/essentialwellbeing or book on the day for only £8

·    Evening dinner buffet available from 5:30-6:45pm £15.99pp for 3 courses book in advance by emailing lucja@royalterracehotel.co.uk or choose on the day

·    6:45-9pm Evening Presentations (booking on Eventbrite required* £15)

6:45pm The Big 10 with Dr Andrew Murray

7:15pm Be There At The Finish: Preventing & treating illness in runners with Dr Andrew Murray          

7:45pm Break

8pm Some Like it Hot: Marathon Des Sables and Multi Day Running with Lucja Leonard

8:30pm The Spine Race: No Margin for Error with Andy Mouncey

·    Accommodation available-£97 bed & breakfast email lucja@royalterracehotel.co.uk to book

·    Day passes available at special rates via the Eventbrite booking link

*Bookings via http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/edinburgh-ultra-festival-crowne-plaza-hotel-royal-terrace-tickets-13088049709?aff=efbevent

Event and booking info on Edinburgh Ultra Festival Facebook Page

Andy Mouncey andy@bigandscaryrunning.com

Lucja Leonard runningdutchie@hotmail.com

Pyramid Hills

Tuesday nights mean business, and we weren't going to let the large cobbled hill of Gloucester Street in Stockbridge slow us down!  The 2 groups did great work running 1 minute up & back, 2 minutes up & back, 3 minutes up & back before a final 2 minutes up & back to really test the legs.  Both groups made it all the way up to Queens Street on the 3 minute leg, with the 7pm group even getting right around the corner, they rose to the challenge to beat the target set by the 6pm group!  Amazing what a bit of competition can do right?!
Come & join us for our steady run next week from http://www.westwoodshealthclub.net/ 6pm or 7pm.

west linton running festival- afternoon racing with cake!!

hi- if anyone is looking for a wee race

 [5k,10k,10miles or a half marathon]

 on saturday afternoon 4th of october,

 i have the local race [with cake] for you!

west linton running festival in aid of

 cystinosis research.

 following on from the great big cycle in may.

Details of the Day

Full details will be sent to participants on registration. This year the run will take place on 4^th October 2014. All routes, except for the 5k, will start and finish at Deanfoot Larches, which is on Deanfoot Road just outside the village. The 5k route will start at Carlops, 200m up the Roman Road, and finish with the others at Deanfoot Larches. Start times will be as follows:

Half Marathon: 1.45 pm

10 mile: 2.15 pm

10 km (6.25 miles): 3.00 pm

5 km (3.125 miles): 3.30 pm - Carlops

There will be a hot drinks and cakes available immediately after the runs, together with some races for the children. There will also be helpers to look after the children during the races. Please therefore indicate below numbers of supporters and if you require childcare during the runs.

please get in touch with me - & i can email you the full joining instructions & entry form

sunday run with a difference?

Sun 21st September 10:00am

City Centre 'Pavement Palaeontology' Run To complete a weekend of running fun around the Equinox, we have the  Pavement Palaeontology run!  My plan is to start out from the Royal Society of Edinburgh building at 1000.  This one is kids and bikes friendly. We will have a trot over to Market Street  to see the Edinburgh City Council  buildings that are full of fossils, stop further up to tell the tale of Save the Fishes!,  head up the Scotsman Steps and thence to the Commonwealth Pool to meet one of our relatives, a Devonian lungfish.  We will then have an option pop up to Salisbury Crags to see Hutton's Section,  which is a key site in the History of Geology. I suggest the Salisbury Arms for afters, as they seem to tolerate kids  but if anyone has a better idea, let me know. If you plan to come along, the one thing that will improve your enjoyment is a magnifier of some sort. Even a cheap magnifying glass or the magnifier  on your compass will help.  Do let me know if you plan to join us. al mcgowan from carnethy; mailto: alandchristine@googlemail.com

Brendan leaves & Lucja returns

Tuesday the 16th of September  is Lucjas 1st night as your new permanent Jogleader on a Tuesday.
She is taking over seamlessly from Brendan  so we welcome her to the jogscotlandwestwoods family.
expect more from lucja on here or on twitter, or indeed her own blog.
she is also organising an ultra festival- so if you know anyone who might be interested in dipping their toe in the ultra scene, let them know about this- below.

Read about Lucja's blog about her recent leading at Westwood's at her blog here:

http://edinburghruntours.com/2014/09/10/jog-scotland-at-westwoods/

and here:

http://runningdutchie.wordpress.com/2014/09/10/jog-scotland-at-westwoods/

saturday 23rd of august for one week only!

hey-time for a change this Saturday- Ali, Andrew, Brendan & fiona have left Edinburgh- but not together. that is how rumours start!
so- get in touch with a pal & explore somewhere different, or 
try parkrun for a wee bit of fast & furious -ness- 

What is Edinburgh parkrun?

http://www.parkrun.org.uk/edinburgh/

It is a 5km run - it's you against the clock.

When is it?

Every Saturday at 9:30 am.

Where is it?

It's run on Edinburgh promenade. See Course page for more details.

What does it cost to join in?

Nothing - it's free! but please register before your first run. Only ever register with parkrun once. Don't forget to bring a printed copy of your barcode (request a reminder). If you forget it, you won't get a time.

How fast do I have to be?

We all run for our own enjoyment. Please come along and join in whatever your pace!

Edinburgh parkrun needs you!

It is entirely organised by volunteers - emailedinburghhelpers@parkrun.com to help.

We're friendly!

Every week we grab a post parkrun coffee at the cafe - please come and join us

 or have saturday off & run on sunday

Edinburghrunningnetwork

presents the 5th Annual

LP Run

& cake competition

11am start

Sunday 24th August 2014

Meadowbank Stadium

         

A unique running event - we set the time (33 1/3 minutes)

You run the distance…as far as you can

Run to top tunes, as chosen by you

Awards for farthest male and farthest female, and spot prizes

Cake competition  

Bring along your home baking to enter

Prizes for “Tastiest Cake”, “Best Dressed Cake” and “Best Traybake” 

entry on the day may be possible, arrive early  to see the selection of cakes & enjoy the mass warm-up.

EdinburghRunningNetwork
presents the 5th Annual

LP Run

11am start

Sunday 24th August 2014

Meadowbank Stadium

Enter here http://www.entrycentral.com/LPRun
[can't get the picture of an lp & a bit of cake to work- but believe me-  there will be cake!]

        

A unique running event - we set the time (33 1/3 minutes)

You run the distance…as far as you can

Run to top tunes, as chosen by you

Awards for farthest male and farthest female, and spot prizes

Cake competition  

Bring along your home baking to enter

Prizes for “Tastiest Cake”, “Best Dressed Cake” and “Best Traybake”

All in aid of
capabilityscotland

musselburgh 10k fun.

well done all those who travelled to musselburgh on saturday morning for a wee fast & flat 10k.
good to see some watchers too. [Brendan & Colin take a bow!]
although it wasn't baking hot sunshine like last year-it certainly was still hot. so hot in fact my flake almost melted before i got it into my ice cream!
might manage some pictures on this too but the excellent bob marshall was out & about taking excellent photos of everyone [except me it would appear!]

not forgetting Barry the gun who you can see in action at the LP run on Sunday 24th of August.

Sunday 24th August 2014

Meadowbank Stadium

Enter here http://www.entrycentral.com/LPRun


more later!