🌼 MAY RECAP 🌼 

Well, that's May wrapped up. 

It's hard to believe we're already turning the page into June. May has been one of those months that seems to have flown by. 

The lighter mornings are back, the evenings are stretching out that little bit longer and it finally feels like we've got a bit of summer on the way (although we'll not speak too soon when it comes to Scottish weather ☀️). 

One of the highlights of every May is always the Troon 10K. There's something really special about seeing so many HQ faces taking part in an event right on our doorstep. Whether you were running, supporting, volunteering or simply joining us afterwards for pizza and a catch-up, it was another brilliant night and a great reminder of what this community is all about. 

We've also seen lots of you taking on challenges further afield this month too. Huge congratulations to everyone who took part in the Edinburgh Marathon Festival, and a special mention to Nicola who absolutely smashed the Edinburgh Half Marathon last weekend. What an achievement. 👏 

Back at HQ, it's been another busy month. Hundreds of sessions completed, countless early alarms, plenty of sweaty workouts and lots of small wins that often go unnoticed in the moment but add up over time. Maybe you've lifted a little heavier than you did a few weeks ago. 

Maybe you've managed a few more reps. Maybe you've built confidence in an exercise you used to avoid. Or maybe you've simply kept showing up when life has felt busy.

One of the things we love most at HQ is that success looks different for everyone, and this month has been full of examples of people quietly getting stronger, fitter and more confident without making a big fuss about it. 

This month we also celebrated our Member of the Month, Sasha. If you've been around HQ for any length of time, you'll know exactly why she was chosen. From the Meadowgreen days to outdoor lockdown workouts and the famous "Shed of Shame", Sasha has been part of the journey through it all. Her consistency, loyalty and ability to encourage others is a huge part of what makes HQ feel like HQ. 

Behind the scenes there have also been a few upgrades happening, with some exciting things planned for the weeks ahead that we're looking forward to sharing with you all soon. 

This weekend also marks the end of a couple of chapters. We say goodbye to Fraser, Uné and their gorgeous baby girl, Anneline, as they head off on their next adventure. We know they'll be hugely missed and we're incredibly grateful to have been a small part of their journey. We also say goodbye to Niamh as she starts a new chapter in her coaching career. We wish her all the very best for whatever comes next. 

It's often the little things that stand out most when we look back on a month. The chats before class. The catch-ups after class. The person who comes through the door saying they nearly didn't make it but are glad they did. The confidence that starts to build when you realise you're capable of more than you thought. Those are the things that make this place special. 

A little reminder too that our Cookie Run is happening this Wednesday 🍪 and we'd love to see as many of you there as possible. 

As we head into June, schedules will start to look a little different for some of us. Holidays, long weekends, family plans and enjoying the lighter nights can all make routines feel a bit less structured. That's okay. You don't need a perfect month. You don't need to train every day. You don't need to get everything right. Just keep showing up when you can. 

One session. One walk. One run. One positive choice at a time. However your May has looked, we hope there have been moments that made you smile, moments you're proud of and moments that reminded you to slow down and appreciate how far you've come. 

Thanks for being part of another brilliant month at HQ. Bring on June 💙