This morning I travelled with my 10 year old Son to a new inaugural parkrun in Virginia, Co. Cavan in Ireland. The course was in a beautiful forest with views of a lake.
I have never been to an inaugural parkrun before. It was the perfect way to celebrate my 50th parkrun as the atmosphere was magical. There were parkrun tourists everywhere with so many parkrun T-Shirts being proudly worn. I met up before the run with a group from my local parkrun. It was so lovely to meet them.
After some speeches at the start line the parkrun started and off we went with 260 other runners. I just wanted to enjoy the run and not push too hard. My Son Oisin and I stuck together and ran the beautiful forest trail course in a time of 28:45.
Afterwards we met up with loads of parkrun tourists and chatted for ages. It really was an electric atmosphere. My son was buzzing. We then met our friends and went for a coffee in the local Rugby club where I celebrated my 50th parkrun.
All from a C25K app on my phone.
Damien
(I’m the guy in the Apricot T-Shirt)
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damienair
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Congratulations to you Damien and your son Oisin on completing the inaugural Parkrun at Virginia, County Cavin, I am sure you all enjoyed the cake and coffee at the local rugby club after the run, that is a lovely photo of all of you. 😊 🏃
I got a PB of 32.01 this morning when I ran at Dunfermline parkrun, quite pleased about that, I was beginning to slow down a bit but on the last lap I got talking to this lady and quickened up my pace telling her I would not overtake her, as it was she began running quicker and to my surprise I could keep up with her, so just as we were coming up to the finishing line I said to he "ladies first" so all in all we all have had a excellent Saturday morning. 😊 🏃
Thank you so much. Huge congratulations to you for your new PB. It’s great when your after getting a PB, it lifts your spirits all over the weekend and following week. Celebrate it.
Sounds like a great atmosphere and a perfect way to celebrate your 50th Parkrun! I guess you will soon be wearing a different colour t-shirt now that you have done that milestone run?! Lovely that you ran it with your son, I bet he's so proud of you. ☺
Thank you. My son really wanted to do it with me this morning and be there to celebrate with the fellow parkrunners from our local parkrun. I’ll definitely look forward to wearing my new red 50 T-Shirt with pride.
To be fair I quite often volunteer and run on the same day. A lot of my volunteering is first timer briefing or tailwalker. I have been timekeeper a few times too though.
Likewise I’m looking forward to doing a few UK Parkruns , we are going to do the compass challenge, so we will have to visit Eastville parkrun in Bristol, Southport and some other one. Must make a visit to Northern Ireland soon too.
Congratulations Damien! Great way to celebrate it and a fab time. It’s lovely to run with your children, we did it too today (impending post very shortly!) and to be able to celebrate your 50 with them and your new Parkrun friends is extra special.
What do you reckon? Christmas next year for 100? 😊😉
Yeah I am aiming to reach 100 in 2020. Also aiming to get to 25 Volunteer days too. Thank you so much for your lovely message, it was great running with my son, he’s my little parkrun buddy.
Congratulations on your 50th damienair, a great way to do it! My T-shirt has been dispatched already so you won’t have to wait long. I guess everyone was a tourist today.
Hello Dexy5, I’m proud to be a fellow member of the 50 Club. Oh wow, that was quick, I thought I’d be waiting for a few weeks for the T-Shirt.
Yes there was a at least 200 tourists, and I would say that most were inaugural parkrun chasers as they seemed to know each other and yet we’re all from different Parkruns themselves. It was such an amazing atmosphere.
Thank you. I’m just off the PC. I’ve booked flights for my Son and I to go to Eastville parkrun in Bristol in October. We are doing a compass challenge together. I’m getting a little hooked on parkrun touring.😀
If I'm honest I have to beat him out of bed some mornings to go, and other than going to parkrun he’d be on a PlayStation 4. But I don’t drag him when it’s raining and I’ll never take him against his will. The more he does the more he is getting into it himself and he is a good little runner.
Fantastic! An inspiring weekend from you and Oisin! I did a desultory 5k today by myself at way below a PB. But back to parkrun next week for some encouraging company.
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I did it! My 50th Parkrun today! 
