Beginners urged to have a go at running as jogscotland sessions start in Wick and Thurso
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Anybody who fancies getting fit is being urged to join new jogging sessions which start up in Wick and Thurso later this month.
The jogscotland sessions are suitable for complete beginners and organisers say that no one is too slow to join in. The programme starts with a 30-second jog followed by 30 seconds of walking and builds from there.
Vicki Teven, a Thurso jog leader, said: “Our jogscotland groups are a fun, free and completely inclusive way to gradually build your running fitness while meeting new people.”
Jogscotland, which was established in 2002, now comprises a network of thousands of runners across the country. Members take part in friendly jog groups based in the community, sports centres and workplaces, doing everything from a short, gentle jog/walk to marathon training.
Trained jog leaders help members gradually build both fitness and confidence to make sure members stay active for the long term.
Groups are available for joggers of all levels, from complete beginners to long-distance runners. Beginner sessions start with just 30 seconds of jogging at a time, with walk breaks in between to catch your breath. The programmes gradually increase the amount of jogging in each session at a level that is achievable.
Within 20 weeks of starting as a complete beginner, jogscotland says most people will be able to run five kilometres (three miles). The emphasis at every jogscotland group is on enjoying exercise and supporting one another in a friendly atmosphere.
Simon Harrison, one of the Wick jog leaders, said: “The sessions are suitable for runners with all sorts of different objectives; a little running to get fitter, or targeting a 5k parkrun, or building to running a 10k which we hope will be held in Wick gala week.”
The weekly sessions in Wick and Thurso begin on Monday, January 31. Joggers in Thurso should meet outside the squash courts in Millbank Road at 5.30pm, while those in Wick will meet outside the youth club in Lower Dunbar Street at 6pm.
