Sunshine, tutus, awards and the healing powe... - Bridge to 10K

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Sunshine, tutus, awards and the healing powers of PR out in full force today. 💕

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10
64 Replies

I’ve reposted this from the Marathon forum, as I realise lots of my well wishers are only on B210K - thanks for the heads-up Jell6 - I want to thank you all ......

I’m not going to lie, I’ve barely given running a thought since our VRB meetup last weekend. Not like me at all, but I was preoccupied by Mum’s funeral which took place yesterday. It went absolutely perfectly. I’m so thankful for that - and also to everyone who sent me condolences over the last couple of weeks. You’re all wonderful. ❤️

So today I shook myself up, donned my tutu and went for a run - like you do. The sun came out and the sky was a beautiful blue. What a bonus. ☀️

It was Eastville Park PR’s 100th event and its 2nd birthday coincidentally, so we were encouraged to don two-twos! Good old eBay to the rescue. Flossie had her harness adorned with 2’s too! 🐕 One of the regulars had brought along a bottle of fizz, so I had a tiny glass! Rude not to I thought! 🥂

After all the usual announcements, some awards were handed out for various good doings - and blow me down both Flossie and I got one! 😀 Mine was Volunteer of the Year, and Flossie’s was Bark-Code Scanner! It lifted my spirits 100% after a sad week! It’s also testament to how much volunteers are valued, as we often get panicky emails and FB messages on Fridays. Step up those who don’t - it’s such fun and you’ll be greatly appreciated. 👍😀

So yes it was a fantastic morning. Flossie and I had a lovely run and I feel human again. A lot of that is thanks to PR.

I think I might do a 10k this week - it’s been a while. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Happy running everyone. 💕

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cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunks
Graduate10
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64 Replies
Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate10

Glad yesterday went perfectly, as you put it , it is all you can ask for.

Your run today looked great with you and Flossie in matching tu-tu's and you both got awards for your great work.

I hope your running continues to help even in a small way .

Sending cuddles go you both.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend 😊😊🐕🐕

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toBuddy34

Thanks Buddy. I’m so relieved yesterday went well. It was something I wasn’t looking forward to in the slightest. Today was a lovely antidote to a stressful week. 😀

Tartancat profile image
TartancatGraduate10

Oh Cheeky how lovely for you and Flossie to get awards - well deserved!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toTartancat

It was completely unexpected TC. There were a few handed out and when I heard my name I almost fell over backwards! 😀

over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingGraduate10

Aw! So good to read cheekychipmunks. It is a very hard time, so particularly good you had such a great time today and congratulations on your awards!!! 🎉🍾🥂🏃‍♀️🐕💃(Nearest I found to a tu tu!)

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toover61andstilltrying

Thank you over61. I’d been dreading yesterday, but it was the perfect send off for my Mum. I’m happy it’s over, and this morning was the perfect antidote. ❤️

over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

It certainly sounded that it was so special and just what you needed. 💐

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toover61andstilltrying

It was, exactly what the doctor ordered! 😀

over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

I'm now wondering how you and Flossie were singled out for your well deserved awards? Brilliant! 🎉😊🏃‍♀️🐕

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toover61andstilltrying

I think it’s because we’re regular volunteers. I make sure I volunteer at least once a month and as I always barcode scan with Flossie, she earned her Bark Code Scanner assistant award too! We were very proud. ❤️😀🐕

over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

Just edited my last response to 'well deserved' instead of the typo of 'ell deserved'! I have still only been to two park runs. Oh dear! No volunteering yet either. Ah well, one day perhaps. My time is well accounted for at the moment. Take a day at a time and all the best with your running journey. I wonder whether you have begun to consider any future running aims. I'm just working my way back up to 10km. Reached 7.74km last week. It was meant to be 7.5km, but to see something that I wanted to see on the new route took me over my plan. 😊🌸

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toover61andstilltrying

I fully recommend parkrun and volunteering. It’s a wonderful community and so inclusive. We had 580ish at ours today! The good weather brought everyone out - I took nearly a minute to get to the start when they said go! I’m always at the back with Flossie but I don’t mind. 🏃‍♀️🐕

Yes I have lots of races to work towards. My next one will be my first HM race, the Bath Half in March. I ran the distance in September so I know I can do it. Then in May I have two 10ks - Bristol and London Vitality. 😀

Do you plan to enter any races? I love them personally. 😀

over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

Wow to all your race plans! 😮😲I hope to take part in our local fun run during carnival week in June, as I did this year, but no other plans.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toover61andstilltrying

Sounds like a lot of fun! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate

That’s lovely 😊 really inspiring

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toSueAppleRun

Thank you so much WaS! 😀😀

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate in reply tocheekychipmunks

It’s been this forum and reading posts like yours that have kept my enthusiasm up so thank you

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toSueAppleRun

Oh I’m so glad to hear that. This forum has got me to where I am today with my running for sure. There’s no way I’d have continued on as enthusiastically (or at all) without it, so I’m just paying it forward. 😀

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate in reply tocheekychipmunks

That’s how i feel, there isn’t quite the fun just saying to someone “we did 5k today” but we put it out here on the forum and our VRB’s say something nice and we feel warm and happy inside

Other runners understand our highs and lows too

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toSueAppleRun

Absolutely. ❤️ Happy running to you! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate in reply tocheekychipmunks

And to you ♥️

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toSueAppleRun

❤️👍

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate10

Such a lovely post, sounds like a very celebratory event. Nice to have a good day after what must have been a very emotional week for you.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toGrannyhugs

Thanks GTB, yes it was just what I needed. It’s been an emotional couple of weeks, getting harder and harder up to the funeral itself. But it was perfect and I can’t ask for more than that for Mum. ❤️

Debston profile image
DebstonGraduate10

Sorry for your loss but glad to hear that yesterday went as well as these things can. And great to hear that you got to celebrate Parkrun birthday / 100 this morning. In a two-two no less! Sometimes I think the benefits of running are just as much for the mind as for the body. ☺

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toDebston

Oh I totally agree Debston. It’s a chance to clear the mind, it’s wonderful. Thank you for your kind words. ❤️

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10

Glad all went well yesterday Cheeky - I think that really helps.

Also glad to hear about your double awards! Volunteer of the year is much deserved (as is Flossie's of course!). Having a good run is a bonus - parkrun works its magic again!👍 Enjoy your 10k.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toJonathanP

Thanks Jonathan. The funeral was simple and beautiful. It couldn’t have gone any better and I’m so relieved. Yes, today was very welcome, and those awards were unexpected and so lovely to receive. Flossie and I were very proud! 🐕😀

Oldgirlruns profile image
OldgirlrunsGraduate10

What a lovely post Cheeky- I’m so glad your Mum’s funeral went off OK, it’s always such an emotionally draining occasion. Your PR sounds brilliant - congratulations to you (and Flossie of course!) on your award - that’s real recognition by your local PR! Happy running!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toOldgirlruns

Thanks OGR, the funeral was just perfect and I’m so thankful for that. I think mum would have been proud. ❤️

Today’s PR was fantastic. There were over 580 running today, I assume as the weather was perfect. The awards were totally unexpected and so lovely to receive. Flossie deserves hers - she attracts lots of “customers” to me when I’m barcode scanning! 😀

Did you run today? 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Oldgirlruns profile image
OldgirlrunsGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

No, not today - I was on finish tokens duty - and managed to bring 2 home in my pocket! I confessed to RD immediately!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toOldgirlruns

Ooops! Well done for volunteering. 👏👏👏👏

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate10

That's a great post CC, great pics and just so good to hear the feel good factor coming through 👍🏻😁

Really pleased to hear all went as well as it could for your Mums' send off 💕

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toGoGo_JoJo

Thanks JoJo, I was dreading yesterday, but yes it went very smoothly and I felt it was perfect. ❤️

The PR feel good factor did indeed strike this morning. Love it. 🏃‍♀️🐕💕

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate10

Oh, lovely. Congratulations to both you and Flossie - well deserved awards for two fabulous volunteers. And so glad to hear your mum’s send off was a good one. We remember such moments so vividly that it’s a help when things go as well as they can. 💕

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toGranspeed

Thank you Granspeed. I’m so relieved the funeral went well, it was looming large and I was absolutely dreading it. So I’d been looking forward to PR knowing Friday would be over and done with, and the awards just made the morning even more special.’❤️

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator

Lovely post Cheeky. Congratulations on your volunteer award and congratulations to Flossie too. Oisin will be delighted for Flossie. I’m also delighted that your Mums funeral went well and again I wish you all my best at this difficult time for you. Happy Birthday Eastville.

Damien

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply todamienair

Thanks so much Damien! Yes, tell Oisin his buddy was very proud of her Bark Code award! 😀🐕

I’m so relieved the funeral went so perfectly. It’s a stressful time, but now that it’s over I can move on and carry mum’s (and dad’s) memories with me on my runs. ❤️

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply tocheekychipmunks

I told Oisin about Flossie winning the award. He was thrilled. Oisin formed a very strong bond with Flossie that day in Eastville. We even had to go out to your car in the car park after the cafe and wave goodbye to Flossie.

Damien

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply todamienair

Aww! It was lovely seeing him playing sticks with her. Something wonderful about kids playing with dogs - and of course Flossie loved her new pal! ❤️

Franglaise profile image
FranglaiseGraduate10

Sounds like those rewards are well deserved.

Happy to hear the funeral went well...big hugs.

Enjoy your 10k this week and keep being kind to yourself.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toFranglaise

Thank you so much Franglaise. PR was a fitting end to a stressful and sad week, but as the funeral went so smoothly I can now get back to enjoying running again. I haven’t liked not running, but I simply didn’t feel like it last week - not be at all!

Flossie and I loved getting our unexpected awards! 😀👍🐕

Gwenllian1 profile image
Gwenllian1Graduate10

What a lovely post. It's good to know the funeral went well. A good funeral really helps in saying our goodbyes. And how lovely to get your park run awards! Great recognition for what you give to others in volunteering.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toGwenllian1

You are so right Gwenllian. It was lovely and it went so smoothly. Everyone commented on how mum would have approved and that’s all I wanted. ❤️

As for the awards, well they were very welcome and so unexpected! 👍🎉😀🐕

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

I’m glad everything went well at your mum’s funeral on Friday. It’s a difficult time but it’s good to get those who loved her together to talk about happy times.

What a great parkrun you belong to that they recognise their volunteers in this way. It will also hopefully make those who just turn up to run every week think about giving something back. Your certificates are so well deserved.

Glad you enjoyed your tutu run with Flossie yesterday cheeky, and what lovely sunshine you had too. Enjoy that 10k; I’ve only got as far as 7 since the GSR.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toDexy5

Thanks Dexy. Yes, the funeral went without hitch. Mum would have been happy with it I’m sure. ❤️ I’m so relieved it’s over. It’s the waiting that’s so hard.

I had the same thought about volunteering. Ours is a huge PR - yesterday there were 580+, I assume because of the weather - and lots of those are regulars who never ever volunteer. Why not? It’s such fun. 🙄 Anyway, let’s hope our little award ceremony made them think twice .... 🤞

I think my 10k will be very muddy - but I don’t care I’m doing it anyway. Either tomorrow or Tuesday. 😀🏃‍♀️🐕

GoogleMe profile image
GoogleMeGraduate10

I'd been wondering how you were getting on. Congratulations! And bravo on getting out there... it's months since my father died and we've already given him a splendid memorial event, an obituary in The Guardian, a tree planting, and there's another charity event we're doing for what would have been his birthday coming up.... but this week was the university thanksgiving for body donors and my week has rather revolved around that (and also chickening out of going out in the rain, especially as Google is even less keen on wet weather now she can't see) And he was an obsessive runner who would shoehorn in a run anywhere any time!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toGoogleMe

Oh wow, what wonderful tributes to your father GM! You’ve had a busy week indeed. We will be sprinkling mum’s ashes in the same place as my dad’s - on their beloved Dartmoor. It’s my magical place too. ❤️❤️

Hope it’s drying up for you a bit now. I’ll head out for my 10k tomorrow or Tuesday, but I know it’s going to be extremely muddy. All the more fun to be had. 🏃‍♀️🐕👍

Getfitok profile image
Getfitok

Aww bless... x

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toGetfitok

❤️

Maddee_6333 profile image
Maddee_6333Graduate10

I’m sorry to read about your loss, but glad that you’ve had so much support from the forum.

I wish our Junior Parkrun had thought of the tutu thing on their anniversary, that would have been amazing.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toMaddee_6333

Thank you Maddee. Mum was 94 so a great age, and although it was very peaceful for her at the end, it’s still a massive loss. 💔 But the funeral was beautiful. ❤️

We had lots of tutu’s on Saturday so the atmosphere was great fun. Definitely a good idea. 😀

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate10

Yay!!! Awesome 😁😁😁

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toKatnap

Thanks Katnap, it was awesome, you’re right! Good old PR to the rescue. ❤️

alisonx profile image
alisonxGraduate10

Aww how lovely cheeky - that certainly came along at the right time. Congratulations 🎉to you and Flossie

Looks like you had a beautiful day for the run. So glad you enjoyed it x

I hope you are looking after yourself, after the difficult week you've had, really pleased Friday went as well as it could.

I hope the fab PR can help bring back your joy of running - maybe you and flossie can take the Tutu's out again :-) xxx

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toalisonx

Thank you Alison, it was the perfect antidote to a pretty rubbish couple of weeks. I didn’t expect an award, nor did Flossie, so those were such a great surprise!

I ran 10k along the muddy sloppy towpath with Flossie this morning. The sun was shining and I loved it. Running is the ultimate therapy. 💕

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate10

Aah Cheeky, I’m so pleased to see this. It’s so absolutely well deserved. You are amazing! 🤩 I’m so pleased to hear your mothers funeral was a fitting tribute and went perfectly. 🤗❤️

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toFabulous450

Thank you for your kindness Fab. The awards were just what I needed to lift my spirits after a sad couple of weeks. 💕

And yes, the funeral was perfect. ❤️❤️

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

🤗🤗! You always lift my spirits Cheeky! ❤️

grumpyoldgirl profile image
grumpyoldgirl

Your parkrun seems like a very special one, Cheeky, I'm so glad you had such a lovely end to the week xx

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply togrumpyoldgirl

Thanks GOG, it is a remarkably friendly PR that’s for sure. I didn’t know about these awards, so it was lucky I wasn’t on a tourism week somewhere like I have been of late. 👍

It definitely helped buck me up after a sad couple of weeks. ❤️

Hi Cheeky. I’ve only just seen this and I’m so sorry to hear about your mother. I’m sure it will be a comfort that her funeral was everything you wanted it to be.

How lovely for you and Flossie to be rewarded like that for your great support of ParkRun.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to

Thank you so much Rainbow. Yes the funeral was just as I wanted it. Simple, with her family there. I’m thankful it went smoothly and I’m relieved it’s over. Mum would have approved I know. ❤️

Running has been of great comfort and taking Flossie along has been doubly so. Mum adored Flossie and I used to take her to visit her at the care home. 🐕 ❤️ The PR awards for us both were so unexpected! 😀

in reply tocheekychipmunks

How lovely and it’s amazing how much of our emotions wonderful pets soak up. What a fantastic running friend to have. 🐕 x

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