I know organised runs such as parkrun UK are not for everyone but the following piece, from this weeks Parkrun Newsletter, sums up many peoples experience of Parkrun and the benefits it has given them. I first heard about parkrun from my friend Andy, who told me that his mate Tom had started this initiative where you could run every Saturday at nine o’clock at the park in Leeds, for free. I thought about it for around 30 seconds and concluded that it wasn’t for me. The reasons were obvious. I don’t run, I’ve never run and I never will run; I walk, but I don’t run. I don’t possess any running kit, I’d look ridiculous in Lycra and I’m so self-conscious that I’d rather miss the bus than break into a trot. Saturday at nine o’clock? I’ll be half way up Pen-y-ghent, not hanging around in a park with a dubious reputation in the city. But I couldn’t get past the ‘for free’ bit. It just didn’t make any sense. Eventually I registered and sheepishly turned up – I’d never done an organized run so didn’t really know what to expect. Fast forward 288 runs and I think I’ve got the hang of it. So what makes me keep coming back? It’s the atmosphere, friendliness and the sheer variety of experiences it offers. If I want to run intervals, I can (I rarely do, but the possibility is there). If I want to test myself, there’s a ready supply of people around my pace for me to chase. And if I want to pootle around talking to other parkrunners in the sunshine, I can do that as well. I can go to any parkrun in the country and know that I’ll be welcomed and that I won’t make a fool of myself. And I can be pretty sure that I’ll make some new friends over a mug of tea afterwards. There it is again – the F-word. Friends. I’ve just looked up the results from my very first parkrun and I’m amazed at the number of names there that I now count as bosom buddies, mates, nodding acquaintances, work colleagues and pub quiz teammates. I’ve only just noticed that Chris Wright was on tour with a contingent from Bushy at my very first run. Along the way, I’ve also become a runner. A card-carrying member of a running club (the mighty Hyde Park Harriers) and the proud owner of more T-shirts than you can shake a stick at. Yes, this hill walker has become a runner. A parkrunner. Happy running, Chris Jones Head of Finance & Fundraising
Posted on: Fri, 23 Jan 2015 12:01:41 +0000
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