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All you need to know about Track & Field disciplines
All you need to know about endurance running with Pitreavie AAC
Despite the challenges of COVID this year, Pitreavie AAC’s Jog Scotland Group – Ready Steady Go Pitreavie (RSGP) – have taken two groups of runners through their Couch to 5K Programme (C25k) since March. The programme is aimed at both non-runners and those who haven’t run for a while, and gets people running a full 5 k (3.1m) at the end of 10 weeks.
Although first group had to contend with full lockdown, the programme gave individuals a flexible option to follow at home, as well as providing some much needed positive motivation at a very difficult time. The second group were luckily able to take advantage of new Jog Scotland group bubble training rules, allowing small groups lead by Jog Leaders. Both groups successfully ‘graduated’ by running 5k at local beauty spot, Lochore Meadows, with experienced runners in support.
With even more runners coming forward from Pitreavie’s main Endurance section to become Jog Leaders, RSGP now has 12 active Jog Leaders, plus 2 more to be trained in 2021. Because of the strength and depth of the Jog Leaders, the group have expanded their offering, holding multiple Sunday morning small group sessions across Dunfermline. The popular sessions recently saw 55 runners attend a variety of runs, including a new C25K block, steady runs, hill sessions, mystery tours, and beginners trail runs, with the focus firmly on inclusion and fun.
In addition to the Sunday Jog Leader lead sessions, several RSG members have progressed to self-lead midweek training bubbles. These are modelled on the Endurance section’s mid-week sessions and are a great transition between RSGP and the Endurance section. The integrated and inclusive approach between RSGP and the Endurance section is working very well, with membership growing to over 200 this year. So much so, that Nicola Moriarty and Campbell Blair were asked to present their approach and experiences to Scottish Athletics, as a model of what can be achieved.
Pitreavie AAC has responded to the easing of lockdown measures by restarting club training, using the concept of ‘training bubbles’ borrowed from neighbouring club Kirkcaldy Wizards, with whom the club has good links. The bubble concept was initially trialled in Pitreavie’s Endurance Section, who now have over 14 separate training bubbles, each consisting of 5 households meeting bi-weekly and following the same training plan. The bubbles have proven a huge hit, with new bubbles being set up each week as demand increases. With Endurance section members always keen to bring an element of fun to their training the bubbles have also been given unique names including Hubble Bubble, Bubblicious, Double Bubble Biscuit and Bubble Gump.
With the support from Fife Sports and Leisure Trust (FSLT) and recent publicity from Dunfermline Press, Track and Field training has also recommenced at the Pitreavie track on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Pitreavie and FSLT have agreed exclusive use of the outdoor Athletics Centre for 2 hours on each night, with athletes training within designated age-group based bubbles in line with Scottish Athletics Guidance.
Athletes are asked to take the necessary hygiene precautions before attending training and meet their coach outside the Centre in pre-designated meeting areas, before being escorted to their training muster area. Once training sessions start the athletes can mix within their own bubble, but not with other bubbles. While U12s form bubbles of 8, and don’t have to socially distance, the rules change for older athletes. 12 – 17 year olds in their training bubble of 10 distance before and after, but not during training, whilst 18s and over must follow the maximum 5 household rule for their bubble and have to distance at all times.
Training now on offer includes Sprints, Foundation, Middle Distance, Field Multi Events, and Long Jump, with extra equipment and facility cleaning precautions being taken before, during, and after sessions. The precautions also include additional first aid kits, a one way system, and an attendance register to support the Scottish Government’s Test and Trace system.
Though complex to set up, its been a great opportunity for Pitreavie members, coaches and staff from the FSLT to work together, with Mike Bower from FSLT giving great on-site support at the Athletics Centre. As a result, the club now has over 100 athletes training each week, and has also been able to accommodate two non-club athletes, Grant Plenderleith and Jack Lawrie, as they gear up for the British Championships.
Pitreavie AAC- Lockdown Actvities
In common with other sporting clubs, Pitreavie AAC stopped participating in events and formal training just before the COVID-19 lockdown started. But undeterred by the inability to physically be together, the club’s community spirit has risen to the occasion, with members of all ages putting their best foot forward through virtual competitions and training. This has been a great boost to members, allowing them to draw on each other’s positive energy and mindset, and helping them deal with the motivational challenges of lockdown.
Paul Allan, club’s president and an athletics coach, his wife Nicola, and daughter Faye, came up with the idea of delivering an online follow-along home exercise routine to help athletes, runners and their families maintain and develop fitness during lockdown. To make it accessible and fun, the routine uses props found in most homes, including DVD cases to make mini hurdles and cuddly toys instead of balls. The workouts have become so popular they have been promoted by Scottish Athletics and British Athletics across their social media pages, leading to viewing figures of 3000, with the furthest viewer being Scott Ryan in the USA. Meanwhile, athletics coach Francis Smith has also been busy finding creative ways to keep athletes engaged through the Pitreavie Weekly Activity challenge. From the Easter egg and spoon squat, to Speed bounce over a towel, with the latest being the toilet roll plank challenge.
The Pitreavie AAC Endurance section have also been busy bringing to life their lockdown motto ‘training together while being apart’. Their leader, Campbell Blair, encourages members to use the new Positivity Page to share their efforts in maintaining fitness. This includes following the group’s bi-weekly training programme or simply going for a walk while following government distancing guidelines. Posts and pictures of members exercising solo or with families have flooded in and the page has become a roaring success. Members have also had fun with the daily musical pick from their running playlist in the ‘roulette wheel of fortune’, with club members displaying wide musical taste from rock, pop, and dance anthems.
Although all formal races and ParkRuns have temporarily been halted, David Henderson, a core Endurance section member, has organised a virtual 5k time trial race, again following social distance guidelines. Participating members either run 10 times to receive a medal, or 6 times to receive a much anticipated chocolate bar, and are scored on both personal improvement in times and wearing Pitreavie AAC training colours, the top 3 getting extra prizes. There’s also a 3k version aimed at those preferring a shorter distance and group’s youngsters. With over 77 adults and 15 kids logging over 187 performances, and over 50% already improving their times, this has proven incredibly popular. As well as the successful Time Trial, the Endurance section continue to organise their monthly 5 mile handicap race, again as a virtual event, where runners choose a route close to home. With placings depending on individual improvements, the fastest don’t always win!