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Legacy

Cycling Free Events Running Try-Athlete Yoga

Get Fit For Free in Glasgow (and Balloch).

Get your diaries out and put big circles around Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th September.

For on these days, there is an abundance of FREE activities on for you to try, in and around Glasgow.

Whether you want to go for a walk with the family or a cycle with the family, there is something for you. If you want to hone up on your running skills or even test your fitness, there’s a way to get fit for free, this weekend.

There is an activity for you and activities for all.

Saturday 3rd’s Free Activities

Walk About

From September 3rd -11th, the Ramblers are organising 100’s of free walks across the UK as part of their Walk About festival.

20 of these walks will be in Balloch Park, this Saturday. There will also be games for the young and old and there will be talks from experienced Park Rangers and partners Cotswolds. There’s even free refreshments later in the evening being served to those with tired legs.

Walking was the activity that started my huge weight loss and it is an activity that almost anyone can undertake. With short 15 minute walks to all day hill treks, there is a walk for almost every ability at Walk About at Balloch Park.

British Military Fitness

If your idea of fun is getting down and dirty, then this Saturday, British Military Fitness might be the workout for you. As the UK’s biggest and best loved (their words) provider of outdoor bootcamps, you are rest assured to get no rest.

But fear not, British Millitary Fitness is actually another activity that is suitable for most and with free events on this Saturday at Kelvingrove Park for Westenders and at Rouken Glen Park for Southsiders, you might want to sign up as new recruit and take this opportunity to get fit for free.

Touch Rugby with the Centurions Touch Rugby Club

As a try-athlete, Rugby is one sport that I’ve yet to have a punt at. It’s not that my face is my fortune, but that me knees are already in bits without having some 16 stone bearded bear maul me in a ruck. So, why haven’t I though about getting in touch (that’s enough puns, I think) with the guys and gals at Centurion Touch Rugby Club?

Touch Rugby is an increasingly growing sport that is fun, fast and non-contact. It is a great way to get fit and again, is open to all abilities and all sexes. This and every Saturday, you can head down to Victoria Park for a free introduction and training session.

Sunday 4th’s Free Activities

Tour of Britain and Sky Ride

Th big events, for cyclist at least, this weekend are the Tour of Britain and Sky Ride Glasgow. The Tour of Britain is an opportunity to watch some of the finest riders in the world embark on this iconic race across Britain and it is also an opportunity to travel in their footsteps (or should that be in wheel circumferences?). Once the the elite cyclists have departed, the route is opened up to the general public and everyone has the chance to cycle the traffic free 5KM route around the city centre. It is ideal for families and also novice cyclists.

Go Sky Ride around Glasgow in a traffic free 5K

And fear not if it has been a while since you last peddled and you are worried that your bike is not roadworthy. Every registered participant gets a free bike check from Halfords and a free Sky Ride Bib. A lack a bike shouldn’t be a deterrent either as you can hire, using the code 721972, a free bike from Nextbike (see, everything is free in this blog) for one hour. This should be plenty of time to take part in the fun.

Lululemon Athletica, S D Movement and Barbells, Beards and Barbers

Unfortunately, I will not be running in this year’s Great Scottish Run due to my stubborn pride and my weak hide. My hip and my knee are on the mend, but neither a 10K or half marathon road race will do either of them any good.

However, I can still train and I can look for ways to help me return to running and make me a more efficient runner. If you’ve read my Chi Running blog, you’ll appreciate that I am open to new ideas and that I am a huge fan of Lululemon Athletica. Not only for their uber expensive but oh so wonderful shorts and t-shirts, but for their innovative and community driven approach to helping their customers improve all aspects of their fitness. Every weekend, you can find free yoga and cardio classes and they regularly put on special one off sessions.

This Sunday, they are spoiling you for choice. The splendid Stella Bertram and trainer Paul are delivering a Barbells, Beards and Barbers session at Mohair in the Trongate. Beards are optional but you will learn just how useful and effective a barbell workout can be. Again, all abilities are welcome but spaces are limited. Sign up HERE

I am really interested in this one (especially as I also need a haircut and beard trim) , but unfortunately (or fortunately) I will be participating in Lululemon’s main event (sorry Stella and Paul).

Run Glasgow Run with SD Movement.

This is the first of four weekly pre-Great Scottish Run Events at Lululemon. Each week, one of Glasgow’s premier trainers will take you through a free (there’s that word again) but invaluable training session that will help you run faster, longer and with less injuries.

I hear they have a money back guarantee

Week 1 is with Scott Devenney of SD Movement and even if he wasn’t a personal friend (my disclaimer), I would have no hesitation in recommending this session. Scott’s services are highly sought after and he includes mountain ultra marathon runners and er me as clients. He might not get you up a mountain, but he will get you up and over the Kingston Bridge at around mile 2 of the Great Scottish Run, using an array of tools and techniques that make him one of Glasgow’s best movement coaches. You’ll have fun and get fit for free.

(As an aside, Lululemon are also having a wee party this weekend, where you can see the latest range of clothing. Hopefully this means a sale soon)

So whatever your plans are this weekend, why not spend an hour or two trying out a free activity? It might be the first step to a healthier and happier you.

August 30, 2016 0 comment

Radio Try-Athlete

CamGlen Radio Does Zumba in Glasgow

written by Stephen Morrison

As part of our CamGlen Radio Adventure Show, Paula McGuire and I met with Christine Peek of Zumba With Glasgow Sisters to find out more about Zumba and about where you can try Zumba in Glasgow. Read how I got on last year, when I tried my first Zumba class.

I can only blame myself. Label myself a “Try Athlete” and someone is eventually going to call me out. I didn’t think it would be the woman I loved, but it was!

For months, Teresa has been urging me to come along, to give it a try and to put aside my perceptions and assumptions. For months I have been telling her that I didn’t think it was for girls (I did), that I didn’t think it was a lesser form of exercise (I kinda did) and that I was totally unsuited to it (that one was honest).

But, when Christine Peek adopted my #onepercentmore challenge by offering a bring a friend for free deal, I knew I could resist no longer (not just because I’m cheap!).

I was going to try ZUMBA and I was just a little bit scared.

And not without reason. A constant theme of my blogs is that I’m uncoordinated. I’ve seen Zumba videos and there is far too much going on, for my liking. Another reason for my trepidation was that I wasn’t unfamiliar with Christine’s Zumba with Glasgow Sisters method of making you sweat. I “enjoy” her Kettlecise and Insanity classes. I had a suspicion that her blend of Zumba would be testing.

And I was right, on both counts.

As the only man in a room full of women all staring at me accusingly for invading their inner sanctum, I retreated to the back row, where my shuffling and stumbling would go relatively unnoticed until the instructor ultimately pointed at me and coordinated a group laugh.

This is what I was thinking. In reality, I was made to feel welcome and was even given a few words of encouragement. I did still head to the back row. And then it began.

I am ungainly. I am stiff and I have no rhythm. The first few tracks, I felt lost. I’d just get the hang of a move and Christine would move to the next. It was relentless. I was moving in the opposite direction to everyone else and I was having to occasionally stop and stare at what she, and everyone bar me, were doing.

Put your right leg out

Just as I was getting into the swing of it, Christine announced that now that we were warmed up, it would get faster.

“F-A-S-T-E-R!?” I mouthed incredulously at my girlfriend.

But a funny thing happened. As it got faster and I started sweating even more, I started to relax. I started to get in time with the music. I started to enjoy it. Sure, I was still all over the place, but I was shaking my arms like I just didn’t care.

Shake It up

As the music and moves moved from Salsa to Bhangra to African I started to feel my hips gyrating and my smile widening. Any more so and I’d be close to getting arrested. At one point I jumped out to berate Christine’s partner Spencer for not giving me some manly moral support and couldn’t help myself from dancing back into the room.

By the end, I didn’t want to stop. I was having a great time, doing something that the woman I loved, loved doing. Zumba is far removed from what too many people perceive it to be. It’s hard work, it’s a great workout and more importantly it is a whole lot of fun. All the way home we laughed and joked and I now appreciate just how hard Teresa trains.

What will my OnePercentMore Challenge have me doing next? It’s up to you. What would you like to see me try? Remember, I am a Try Athlete!

And, if you want to try Zumba in Glasgow, you could do a lot worse than trying Christine’s Monday, Wednesday and Friday classes. Alternatively, you can search for Zumba in Glasgow on the official Zumba page.

August 4, 2016 1 comment

Radio Try-Athlete

CamGlen Radio’s Adventure Show TryBowls

written by Stephen Morrison

Another week and another outside broadcast for CamGlen Radio recorded as we TryBowls.

April 7, 2016 4 comments

Radio Try-Athlete

CamGlen Radio : New weekly Adventure Show

written by Stephen Morrison

While every other blogger is turning their attention to vlogging, Periscoping and Snapchat, I am going old school and using the tried and trusted medium of radio to share my try-athleting ways.

From tomorrow and then on each and every Tuesday, I will be joining the amazing (not a word I use lightly ) Paula McGuire, of Paula Must Try Harder , on her CamGlen Radio Adventure Show to discuss ways to become more active.

Paula and I first became friends in 2013 when we were both selected to blog for the Commonwealth Games and we are now reuniting to deliver a weekly dose of fun, inspiration and our own brand of Legacy.

Well, that is the plan. It might take me a few weeks to discover my radio voice (there is a reason I blog). I already have a radio face.

Each week, I will reporting on an activity and tomorrow starts with how I first started out on my path (literally).

With walking and with Paths for All

Stepping out at work

So, tune in to Paula’s Adventure Show on CamGlen Radio from 11.00am and listen out for my dulcet tones.

Let’s Get Scotland Walking and more active. Let’s have fun and let’s all become Try-Athletes with CamGlen Radio and the Adventure Show.

March 28, 2016 0 comment

Commonwealth Games #Team14 DoMore with Strathmore Running Triathlon Try-Athlete

Libby’s Guide to Running

written by Stephen Morrison

If you follow my blogs here, at the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine or at Great Run you will know that I like to promote physical activity for all; that I like to run and that I love meeting amazing athletes and participating in exciting events. Every activity I try is fun and every person I meet is inspirational, in their own unique way.

None more so than Libby Clegg. I spent a day with her and Strathmore Water as part of the #DoMore campaign, for which Libby is an Ambassador. A day that has left a lasting impression on me and inspired me to literally do more.

I had returned, after 24 years, to my old school, Hutchesons’ Grammar, to learn this time from Libby Clegg and her team about guided running for the visually impaired. As a runner I appreciated and enjoyed the training session with Lincoln Asquith, Libby’s former guide and step-father to her current guide and fellow gold medalist Mikhail Huggins (watch out Mikail, I’m after your job).

Lincoln putting us through our paces

As a former Team GB sprinter and coach, Lincoln’s advice to increase my cadence (speed of my steps) hasn’t been lost on me, although I am more likely to share with my running buddies how he informed the group that I was strong and fast (he didn’t add, for my size!). Maybe, I am a sprinter after all!? He put us through shuttle runs and speed drills, focusing on knee drives and using our forefoot to push and propel ourselves forward..

Wait, sorry, I am possibly losing you and confusing you for my Great Run audience. Simply put, Lincoln provided us with some simple tools that we can use to become faster runners. The same tools that have helped Libby Clegg win Silver at London 2012 , World Championships and Gold at Glasgow 2014 and which give her continued hope of realisng her dream of joining the able bodied sprinters at the next Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast and the Rio Olympics in 2018.

However, here with us, her goal was to share some insight on what it is like to run for those with limited or no sight and to give us an opportunity to experience what it means to be a guide. I’ve watched Libby and Mikail at both the Commonwealth Games and at a British Athletics meeting in Glasgow and marvelled at the synchronicity of both the runners. One of the reasons I run, is because it is simple (once you forget about biometrics). I find it hard to coordinate my own movements, without having to factor in someone else’s.

So I was both honoured and horrified when Libby split the nine attendees into pairs, with the odd man (both psychologically and numerically) me, partnered with Libby, herself!!

The first thing we had to master was walking as a pair. Libby had us use hair bands to tie our hands together and she explained that we would walk as if a mirror was placed between us. Despite my fears, matching stride and arm movements came naturally. After a few practice walks, Libby decided we were ready for blindfolds. Libby is registered blind with Stargardt Mascular Dystrophy leaving only peripheral vision in her left eye , but watching her move around her surrondings, it is easy to forget, so I thought nothing of it when my partner put the blindfold on me. Until, that is, Libby stated that it was the blind leading the blind. Even then I felt confident. We were on a running track with no obstacles and I had every faith in Libby.

Walking with a blindfold on was a strange experience. You lose track (no pun intended) of time, distance and speed. Despite being assured of the contary, by Libby, I didn’t feel like I was walking in a straight line or close to Libby, even though we were connected at the wrist. You don’t feel in control, but with Libby guiding me, I at least never felt in danger. After a few practice walks, we moved on to running. Slowly to start. And a strange thing happened. Running with a blindfold on felt easier and was more enjoyable than walking. I felt that I was more stable and more confident. Libby helped, by keeping me posted on distance and by telling me to stop.

And then we swapped roles and Libby dropped a bombshell.

Other than Mikail and Lincoln, before him, Libby doesn’t let others guide her……but she WOULD let me! I cannot fully convey how this made me feel. Honoured, trusted and just a little nervous. I shouldn’t have. We set off and as our arms pumped and legs strode in unison, running in tandem seemed the most natural thing in the world. I even felt that my form improved. Even as we increased our pace, our movements mirrored each other.

Running in Sync (told you, Mikail)

I have went from running solo to running with my friends at Glasgow Nike Run Club and now to running arm in arm with a Paralympian, Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist and World Champion. Of all the experiences I’ve had, this one has been the most special. Not just because Libby was a great host and sport and praised my efforts, but because it has given me a chance to DoMore. It also helped that she uttered the immortal words, that so many Team Scotland members have now proclaimed:

Again, if you’ve read my blog, you’ll know that I used to be morbidely obese and you might also know that I had mobility problems in my childhood, but aged 19, I also lost my eyesight, albeit only for just over one week, with Optic Neuritis .

Running with Libby has triggered a desire to learn more about guide running, in the hope that I can encourage and support blind runners. I’ve made contact with Visibility and Scottish Disability Sports and you can too.

Let’s Do More to enable more to Do More!

September 3, 2014 0 comment

Commonwealth Games #Team14 Try-Athlete

Before and After Glasgow 2014

written by Stephen Morrison

My own story has been one of transformation. The purpose of this “How Many Miles?” blog has mainly been to chart the challenges and opportunities that now present themselves to me. To help me to reflect on where I was, what I have achieved, how far I can go and what I can do to secure my own and my boys’ future health and happiness. Glasgow 2014 will, in many ways, be a reflection of Glasgow’s transformation and in exactly one month today we will witness the culmination of years of planning and regeneration. Although the Games themselves will last only a few short, but exciting weeks, the ripple effect will hopefully carry on for years to come.

Let’s think about what we hope to see the Commonwealth Games deliver and leave behind for Glasgow and indeed Scotland.

Everyone feeling excited, engaged and empowered to get more active.

Glasgow benefiting from increased exposure and an improved profile resulting in more high profile national and international events

Areas across the city being developed and many new facilities being built in local communities.

Companies flourishing on the contracts won, growing and recruiting more employees.

Young people being given the opportunity to gain work experience and new skills with increased employment opportunities.

Every one of these goals will enrich lives and fuel the economy and in, my day job, I have witnessed the genuine delight on the faces of people gaining employment in a Glasgow 2014 related role. Many of these positions may only be temporary, but the confidence and skills gained will give many a renewed belief in themselves while increasing their employability to prospective employers.

However, as a physical activity champion, it seems appropriate that I focus on how the Commonwealth Games present a fantastic opportunity to excite, enthuse and encourage more to get active, to try and take up sports and to leave a legacy for our next generations. It is an opportunity to address some of the damning statistics that blight our city and our nation.

Our children are some of the most inactive in the world with a Life Expectancy shorter than their parents. Inactivity can reduce our life expectancies by 5 years. We have a diminishing percentage of adults meeting Physical Activity guidelines and increasing levels of Obesity.

So, how can Glasgow 2014 reverse years of declining health statistics and affect behavioural change in our population? I have argued, in my role as a Lay Adviser to the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine, that a wide and varied approach is required. That we need to ensure that physical activity is available to all and viewed as part of our daily lives. With the latest reports showing that over 96% of primary schools are now meeting the recommended target of 2 hours of physical activity each week, there is hope that our next generations can be our most active. We then only need to look at some of the other plans that are in place to get Glasgow and Scotland more active to see that there is a genuine and strategic plan to get more of us moving.

I am an Ambassador for the Scottish Government’s Fit In 14 campaign, which is aimed at Scottish businesses to encourage their staff to take small, simple steps towards a more active lifestyle which will have a positive impact on their mental and physical health and well-being. Sedentary behaviour is a leading contributor to several life limiting conditions and with many of us spending considerable time at our desks, workplace initiatives can be highly effective and fun. Yesterday marked the end of my latest workplace walking challenge that attracted nearly 300 participants. By 2016, it is hoped that, across Scotland, we will have at least 150 Community Sports Hubs, where local communities can gather to take part in new activities. These will hopefully bring local communities together and provide more support to grass route sports, activities and the volunteers that deliver them. Having looked at the current Hubs in Glasgow I have concerns that they are mainly located in Glasgow’s leafier suburbs. I would hope that many more will be rolled out across the city to ensure that physical activity is available to all. Community led initiatives are also at the heart of the Big 2014 Communities Programme and Active Places Fund with £10 million set aside to fund local programmes to get more people, more active. Later this year I’ll be launching one such scheme, to get more people running. Running is a major part of my life and it is a fun and challenging way to get fit and achieve personal goals. These programmes, when combined with the momentum of the actual Games, have the potential to make a positive impact on our perceptions of sport and physical activity. To make them more accessible, inclusive and fun. To make them part of our active lives again. To take us from spectators to participants. The key is public engagement. People make Glasgow and for all of the above to succeed, it will require the people of Glasgow and Scotland buying into the programmes, being excited by the opportunities and retaining an interest long after the athletes and officials have moved on to start their preparations for the World Championships and Rio 2016. With one month to go, what are you doing to ensure that your community benefits from the legacy of the Games?

June 23, 2014 0 comment