A year on from my first parkrun and 5KM. 33 minutes a year ago and 23 minutes today! What a year!

[RunBrianRun]

I can’t quite believe it and I never thought it could happen but I am ecstatic. From couch to this at my tender age. What a Xmas present 🎁😃. My brother ran with me and pushed me beyond what I thought possible. I wanted to stop so many times. But he wasn’t having it! Great to run with his family. Lovely start to the day but sadly the oven has decided to die! Oh no!! 😱

Did I mention I love Parkruns? 😂

Have a lovely day everyone and happy new year fellow runners! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

[jayval70 Graduate10]

Oh what a fantastic and inspirational tale. Well done on all your hard work. You must be chuffed to bits. Merry Christmas Brian 🏃‍♂️ 🎄

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to jayval70]

Thank you jayval 😊 yes, so chuffed! Still buzzing! Merry Xmas 🏃‍♂️🎁

[Realfoodieclub Graduate10]

Wow that is a fantastic reduction, well done you. OMG, bloody ovens. Hope you still get some food . Rfc x .

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to Realfoodieclub]

Thank you rfc. Thank you ☺️ The neighbour stepped in and let us use her oven which was just big enough.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

That is great news Rfc x

[Hidden]

Wow that’s amazing. Inspirational, in fact. That’s a brilliant pace, and frankly I’m in awe. Well done, and happy Christmas!!

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Neil 😊 I hope you had lovely Xmas day too. 🎁🏃‍♂️

[mountaindreamer Graduate10]

Wow - incredible! Well done!! 😃❤️

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

Thank you mountaindreamer 😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Wow, just wow Brian! Monster reduction in time. Not surprised you’re buzzing! 🏃👍👏 Great photo too. 😀

You have a lovely neighbour that’s for sure! Hope your Xmas meal was delicious wherever it was cooked! 🎄🎄🎄

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you cheeky! 😊 yes, I was stunned when I looked at my watch and had to check with my brother that his was showing the same time. And yes, dinner was finally rescued by a wonderful neighbour. And it was delicious. I’d never had mushroom Wellington before! And it was 😋 scrummy!

[Jennypenny2 Graduate10]

Well done ,great time, nice to have family running with you.

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to Jennypenny2]

Thank you JennyPenny 😊

[Deals1 Graduate10]

That's excellent!!!! Well done. Merry Christmas and happy running 😁🏃🏃🏃

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to Deals1]

Thank you Deals1 😊 and happy new running year to you too 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Wow,what a time Brian - well done!

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Thank you Jonathan! Just goes to show that whatever you think you can do there’s always more in the tank!

[sunshinefish Graduate10]

It's always good to be able to look back and see how far you have come - and that's an amazing achievement! Well done you.

Glad your dinner was good too

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to sunshinefish]

Thank you sunshinefish 😊 Absolutely. Looking back is always good for the spirit when running. Yes, dinner was great after the stress thank you.

[Agelesslass Graduate10]

Wow, my quickest time is 34 mins, would love to get my time down, but at 65 I suppose so should be grateful. Well done and happy new year.

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to Agelesslass]

You’ll be surprised how much more you can do. It just takes time and patience. Even so, just getting out there is good for the soul whatever the time.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Wow BrianUK , that’s brilliant. And great that Christmas dinner still happened.

Due to excesses of food and drink previous night we treated ours as a fun run and UpTheStanley ran with me. It wAs like a Santa run with everyone in festive dress. It turned out I was only 10 seconds behind my PB without trying. Now I know I can beat it.

I’m volunteering on 29th, have another great Parkrun.

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Hey Dexy! 😊 That’s a great way to do it. Together having fun. And just look how close you are to a PB. That’s coming up soon for sure and I look forward to hearing all about it!

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

And there was a proposal after the run too. It was so lovely, he got down on one knee and she said yes. 🎅🏻❤️🤶💍

[Hidden]

That’s so impressive! And thanks for linking up on Strava x

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you 😊 Flick. Yes, Strava is fun but sometimes intimidating I feel especially on the bad run days!

[Hidden in reply to RunBrianRun]

I wouldn't worry about that - everybody is encouraging no matter how the run went, and we all understand bad days x

[DebJogsOn]

Wow - well done Brian. Glad you got to enjoy your dinner too 😊.

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to DebJogsOn]

Thank you Debs 😊 Xmas day was saved by a wonderful neighbour!

[Katnap Graduate10]

Hi BrianUK. Just caught up with your post and I'm very impressed! 😸

Have a fantastic new year!

🎅 Xmas Katnap 🎅

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to Katnap]

Hey thank you Katnap! ☺️ I hope you had a peaceful Xmas and have a wonderful new yew year too! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

[Katnap Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

Mew year even!

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to Katnap]

😂😂 it’s all falling apart already 😂😊

[Katnap Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

Just like so many kids presents! 😸

[Beccym Graduate10]

Got a pb for this run Xmas day chuffed

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to Beccym]

Well done!! We both got PBs on the same course, and on the same day 😊