Health, Beauty, and Fitness: Cool runnings

But race season is approaching, with the Chris Hoy Half Marathon in Edinburgh next month (Sunday 18 April, www.edinburgh-half.co.uk) closely followed by the popular Bupa Great Edinburgh Run (Sunday 2 May, www.greatrun.org). So how do you motivate yourself to get out there?

One way to ensure that you definitely make a training session is to run with other people. You're far less likely to bail out at the first sign of rain if you know that you're going to let your running buddies down.

Another top tip is to invest in some shiny new kit. It used to be culturally frowned upon in Scotland to show any interest in the quality of your sportswear, the argument being that you just sweat in it anyway. But the technical running clothing available now can make a big difference to how you feel when you're pounding the pavements, even if your times are not going to trouble the Olympic selectors for 2012.

So what do you need to buy?

Colin McPhail, owner of ski and running specialists Snowlines/Footworks, suggests that you need less than you think.

He says: "Thin layers are what you want at this time of year – maybe a Brooks Equilibrium long sleeve top under a T-shirt. You could actually go out in shorts, two layers and gloves and you'd be fine."

Running jackets are also popular – and so lightweight that if you get too warm you can tie them around your waist.

North Face has just launched its spring collection of running gear and we were really impressed by the North Women's Refraction jacket.

McPhail says that anecdotal evidence suggests that nice kit means improved times. "If you look good, you feel better in yourself and all of that helps with your running."

Now you've just got to work hard to achieve the goals you've set yourself. Or risk the following insult from your fellow runners – "all the gear and no idea".

Contact Snowlines/Footworks for details of free running clubs on Mondays (7pm), Thursdays (7pm) and Sundays (9:30am)

Snowlines/Footworks, 14/15 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, tel: 0131-229 2402, www.snowlines.co.uk; www.thenorthface.com/eu

The North Women's Refraction Jacket, 79, inset, is ultra light and wind resistant with reflective seam tape

Fab facts for a beautiful life

HEALTH

Only natural

Want to know more about alternatives to conventional medicine? Then get hold of The Natural Health Bible for Women by Marilyn Glenville. As well as plenty of general advice, this book offers pragmatic treatment tips for a range of problems, from an overactive thyroid to polycystic ovary syndrome. It also outlines the potential benefits of taking vitamin D for various conditions (including heart disease) and how xylitol (a naturally occurring alternative to sugar or saccharine) may help in the fight against osteoporosis.

The Natural Health Bible for Women by Marilyn Glenville, Duncan Baird, 16.99

BEAUTY

Spring cleaning

Bin the quick-fix wipes and treat your skin to a deep cleanse with Elemis new Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser. Warm a dollop of this smooth potion between your palms, then slather all over your face, while inhaling the scents of sweet Brazilian orange, lavender, ylang-ylang and patchouli. Then rinse.

As well as removing make-up in one fell swoop, Elemis claims that daily use will help protect against pollutants and balance moisture levels.

Elemis Pro-Radiance Cream Cleanser, 27, www.timetospa.co.uk

FITNESS

The extra mile

There's still time to get in shape for the Sainsbury's Sport Relief Mile, to be held in Glasgow on Sunday 21 March. The event will involve a choice of a one, three or six-mile sponsored race – each kicking off at Finnieston Quay. If you choose, this can be preceded by a continuous two-minute hula hoop, from noon, as part of the Hula Hoops Hoopathon – an attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most people simultaneously hooping.

From 5 to enter; visit www.sportrelief.com

This article was first published in the Scotsman, March 6, 2010