Get kit for summer
We all know that looking good doesn’t automatically translate into running well, but having the right kit helps (the psychological effect, perhaps!).
So, as we start to enjoy lighter mornings and brighter nights, it’s time to shed the winter padding (that could be clothes or weight...) and get ready for spring and summer.
If you’re in the Edinburgh area and weren’t already aware, Run and Become, the specialist running store that has been serving athletes in Edinburgh for more than two decades at Haymarket, has now relocated to 20 Queensferry Street and will sort you out with everything and anything from wind proofs (this is the UK after all!) to water carriers and road racers to technical tees.
The new Edinburgh store opened its doors earlier this month, and, after the first day of trading, a small informal function was held for a group of friends, suppliers and representatives of most of the local running groups in the Scottish capital.
Guest of honour was British international middle distance athlete and Edinburgh-based Lynsey Sharp who had a real breakthrough in 2011 as she came so close to breaking to two minute barrier for 800 metres - clocking 2:00:65; she declared the new store open and then had a celebratory run on the new in-store running strip, designed for customers to test their shoes out before buying.
Adrian Stott, who together with his daughters Shyamala and Dhavala look after the store, said: ''In 20 years we have seen many changes and trends in running gear, but running remains essentially a simple activity. It has been fascinating to watch young runners like Lynsey (Sharp) grow up and develop into senior internationals, but it has also been very rewarding to just be a part of the Edinburgh running community and make friends with so many runners of all abilities who just want to enjoy themselves or challenge themselves in their own way. We look forward to continuing that in our third decade.''
Other figures from the Edinburgh running community who were present included legendary Hill runner Charlie Ramsay and his wife Mary, GB & NI junior international Ross Matheson and Scottish men’s cross country grand-prix winner Andy Douglas.
Charlie Ramsay’s completion of 24 Munros in the Lochaber hills in 24 hours in1978 led to it being named the Ramsay Round and is generally considered to be much tougher than its more well known English equivalent, the Lakeland Bob Graham Round.
Run and Become has three stores in the UK in Edinburgh, Cardiff and London and in addition to specialist running kit, expert service and product advice, they also offer inspirational running workshops.
Check out the website at: http://www.runandbecome.com/