Glasgow or not, it's all just politics. As runners, we should focus on our own progress, not get caught up in bureaucratic decisions.
Focusing on breathing and cadence is key. I've also found that it helps to start with small changes, like ditching the watch or headphones, and gradually work your way up to a more minimalist approach. It's all about listening to your body and making adjustments as needed.
One thing that helped me when I was starting out was to use a run-walk interval approach. It allowed me to build up my endurance and get a feel for my pace without pushing too hard. You can start with something like 5 minutes of running + 1 minute of walking and adjust as needed. It's not about being fast, it's about being consistent and finding a pace that works for you.