Hello Everyone and Happy New Year. Today is New Years Day and also parkrun day, a free 5K event which takes place every Saturday morning all around the world. It is for everyone, slow, fast, able, disabled, big, small and everyone in between. Oh and don't forget about the super Mum's and Dad's who push their babies in buggies. You can walk, jog, run, run/walk, it's not a race, just a run in the park and loads of us here on Bridge to 10K do it religiously every Saturday morning.
parkrun is back thankfully in most Countries around the World. I am hoping for any Countries still struggling with COVID-19 that it returns to you soon.
Some of us may not be able to do a parkrun at the moment so until parkrun returns fully for everyone some of us will continue to take part on our own in a Virtual parkrun every Saturday morning called a (not)parkrun. Or if you are away on Holidays, prefer to run on your own, or do not have a parkrun close by you a (not)parkrun is perfect, please feel free to join in.
Please post a little run report after your parkrun or (not)parkrun and let everyone know how you got on. The little run report can be done over a post parkrun coffee and treat/cake. (parkrun is all about the after run coffee and cake, and meeting friends old and new).
If you are a new graduate and would like to start, all you have to do is run, walk or jog at a parkrun or a 5K run/jog/walk (not)parkrun anytime today or tomorrow and write a little run report under this post. It's like a little community and it is good fun, sets you up nicely for the weekend. If you want to you can register on the parkrun website and you can log your 5K (not)parkrun. In fact you can log any 5K done during the week as a (not)parkrun.
For anyone whom has not done a real parkrun yet and if it is available to you, give it a try. It is the most wonderful community event. Saturday mornings will never be the same again.
Looking forward to hearing from all of you who ran in real proper parkruns and (not)parkruns. Happy New Year and happy running in 2022 and have a lovely time with your family and friends.
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damienair
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May I be the first person to wish you Damien and your family a very Happy New Year for 2022, I hope you enjoy all your runs this year.
I hope to return to parkrun next Saturday, on Monday of this week I ran my 81st (not) parkrun, however, during the run the timer on my Smartphone stopped so I had to guess my 5K time, I sent a time of 35:57 (x) to the Website of Dunfermline parkrun, but after I sent that time I noticed that the timer corrected itself and my 5K time was 35:01, ✅once again Happy New Year 🎉 👍👍👍
Happy New Year Damien and to all fellow runners! Sadly no parkrun for me this morning as I have failed (as of Thursday) to outrun omicron and am now confined to barracks with what is exactly like a stinky cold. It is such a lovely day too 😭 Oh well, next week. Enjoy your runs everyone 🏃♂️🏃♀️
Get well soon Sandie. It's hard to outrun Omicron. So far we have managed but only just. My Sister got it last week. We have been doing antigen tests since. So far we are clear.
As Portsmouth Lakeside parkrun was non-operational both today and last week, I headed down to Southsea (my second parkrun home) this morning to join Dexy5 , UpTheStanley and tail-walker Oldgirlruns . It was so mild (12° with a south-westerly breeze) that I managed with just shorts and t-shirt. A very enjoyable run with a big field - a few other refugees from other parkruns I think. Time was 29.08 Garmin, but as it took me a little while to get to the start, 29.30 official. I'd treated myself to some new insoles over Christmas and think that may have helped!
No parkruns in Wales at the moment. They're playing safe there with the new restrictions on groups over 50 people outdoors.
But I'm not in Wales. I was last weekend, but now I'm back home.
My local parkrun is not running today, so I did a little bit of parkrun tourism.
I went to Watergrove, which starts at a reservoir at the foot of the Pennines. The route is flat until you get to the back of the reservoir, then there's a long climb on cobblestones, and then a left turn down into the valley of one of the streams that feeds the reservoir, then up to a gate on the other side where you turn around and retrace your steps. You've done 2km at that point. Back down into the dip and up the steep climb out the other side. Then where you turned before you have to turn left again and climb up another track up to a set of stones in the middle where you turn around and retrace your steps downhill back to the start.
It's more like a cross-country run than a park run. Very muddy in parts and hard running on either stony ground or cobblestones.
I saw a few people walking the steeper slopes, but I did plod on throughout.
I finished 34 out of a field of 67 (not counting the two tail walkers), and a time of 29'12". That's only 1 second slower than I was two weeks ago at Chadderton.
I even managed a little spurt of speed at the end, overtaking another runner. I've never done that before.
The guy who finished first was in the same age bracket as me (50-54) and did it in an amazing 19'32" (though his PB is over a minute faster!!!).
A lovely mild morning in Sussex and a trip to Preston Park in Brighton for us.
I’ve not run since Christmas Day and had my booster jab the following Monday so today was never going to be a PB but I paced myself really well and for the first time had negative splits! 🙌
This morning I got up early and decided to kick off the New Year with some parkrun tourism. I traveled to Waterstown parkrun in Dublin. It was a lovely park which is situated along the banks of the River Liffey. A beautiful mild morning, and a field of just 54 runners and walkers. I managed to run it all in a time of 33:40. I've started doing interval training again and plan to improve upon my finishing times all through 2022.That was my 85th parkrun, so the countdown of 15 is on to get me to 100.
Happy New Year to you Damien and to all fellow park and non parkrunners.
Sligo was wet and windy today, but unseasonably warm with the wind coming from the hot countries. There was a total of 59 runners today, and most wore a mask at the start as requested by the run director.
That big puddle was back again today so everyone's feet got a good soaking at the very start of the run.
My usual pacemakers (not actual pacemakers but people I use to hell me along) were not there this week so I ran mostly on my own. I was overtaken twice near end, I could hear them coming but didn't feel like I had the juice to stop them. I finished with a time of 25:08 which isn't bad considering it was almost 4 am when I went to bed as my son and his girlfriend celebrate New Year with us (they went to bed when I was getting up for the run, and he is working from 12 today..)
Excellent running and great finish time. I must get over to Sligo some weekend and do that parkrun. I plan on getting some camping equipment this year and doing some parkrun tourism and camping with my Son. Happy New Year to you and all in Sligo.
A happy new year 🥳 Damien and all. I hope you’ve got the year off to a great start despite any heavy heads this morning?
Katnap and I shared a nice bottle of red last night but thankfully it didn’t leave any lasting effects. Unfortunately Katnap is still suffering with his injury so I was the only member of the Kat family running today - eldest kitten and Katnap were scanning and youngest kitten was taking photos. I had the honour of putting the cones out in the car park - there is usually a bit of a bun fight for the cones (I don’t know why 🤷🏻♀️) but they were there for the taking this morning.
I was worried about my ankle (again) as I’d irritated it on a hike on Thursday. Thankfully the swelling had gone back down so I decided to risk it. Good decision as I was fine. Fitness seems to have returned a little as I didn’t feel quite so pushed today. This is good news as I’m about to step up the running again for my HM plan. Reminder not to wear my walking boots until I’m fully recovered.
First time we’ve had >300 since parkrun returned. Still wasn’t the usual NYD numbers but it was nice to have a crowd. We also had our local Commonwealth Games contender, Adam Fogg, back from uni and it was amazing to watch him glide round - he sort of floated past and his feet didn’t seem to hit the ground. He got the course record back in July and I reckon he’s a contender to beat Andy Baddeley’s record one day.
I was in a good 13 minutes after Adam at 28:27 but I’m very pleased with it as it didn’t seem a big effort. I wish I’d listened to Christmas tunes as I’ve not done that bingo square yet but I’ve got a run tomorrow planned so I think I’ll inflict them on myself then 😅
Have a great runny week everyone and hope your running goes well this year 🥳🥳🥳
Happy new year! I’ve still got a niggily calf so I volunteered in the funnel today. Lovely atmosphere today with lots of “happy New Years” flying about. 361 participants today which is the biggest crowd I’ve seen in my short time of taking part. The weather wasn’t great; windy and lots of sea mist. Hard to believe it’s the warmest NYD on record! 😂 Hoping my leg will be up to running next week.
Me and Mr OBK launched a cunning plan last night. We'd watch the New Year celebrations from Moscow (at 9pm), drink our customary bottle of champagne then go to bed early so we could do Parkrun (we missed the Christmas one because I didn't get to bed until nearly 2am so overslept). It worked a treat! I woke naturally at 7.30 to a beautiful sunrise and we got there in good time. After about a km or so husband pulled ahead of me. I couldn't catch up so let him go off on his own. Long story short, he finished in 34:31 while I trailed in at 38:01 but here's where the beauty of the age gradings kicks in. Mine was around 52% while his was around 46% so we both won (not that it's a race ) He got a PB too. Next time I'll bring something to listen to!
Nice run Oldbadknees and happy New Year to you and your husband, I like to look at age grading as well, although your husband ran faster at 34.31 but 46% age grading, you had a higher age grading at 52%, which quiet rightly you are very happy with, well done 😀 🏃🏾
Happy New Year damienair and all you happy Parkrunners. 🎉
Flossie and I volunteered today. My 24th time doing so. It was supposed to have been my 25th, but due to a family Covid outbreak on Christmas Day (3 out of 8 adults affected - not me I hasten to add), I couldn’t marshal at Juniors on Boxing Day.
Anyway today was warm and I thought I’d overdressed for my marshalling role, but it began to rain after a while so I was thankful of my coat. 💦
349 at Eastville today. Quite a few less than normal, but a decent turnout. I heard more Welsh accents than usual - quite a number must have popped over the bridge due to theirs not running at the moment. 🏴 Everyone was in a great mood, and people love to see Flossie in her hi-viz! 🐕❤️ I swear she gets more hello’s than I do when we turn up! 😅
Thanks OGR! Mr Cheeky and I have taken daily LFTs all week and we’ve been negative. Maybe the booster? Maybe because I had Covid myself in November 2020? Who knows, but we *think* we’ve dodged a bullet, for now at least!
We left our car at our friends last night on the other side of town - almost exactly 5k away. We walked home at 2am after a wonderful night where quite a bit of alcohol was consumed. So I set off this morning to clear the head by walking 2k and running 3k to collect the car. A wonderful way to blow away the cobwebs and see our friends again. Happy new year everyone!
Hi Damien, Happy New Year to you and everyone! I managed to rouse my brother, who’s staying with me and famed for his sleeping habits!, in time for Parkrun this am - after an evening of eating and drinking with Dexy5 and UpTheStanley. But we were quite good and didn’t overdo it but I started fading about 11.30 so it was home time before the witching hour. I digress. I was Tail Walking this morning which I thoroughly enjoyed; my fellow TW and I hope we’ve managed to recruit a couple of new people we met along the route and everyone was very cheerful. Due to volunteer shortage I also did the First Timers brief, my first in that role - think I managed to remember all of it! My brother was also put to work on set up and breakdown duties - I really must get him signed up so he can be rewarded when he comes down here and comes to Parkrun with me! It was good to have Jonathan P with us as well. And of course an excellent breakfast with Dexy and UTS in one of our favourite cafes afterwards! Happy running in 2022 folks!
Oooo, the first timer’s briefing OGR? Wow, you’ll be RD next! Awesome. 👏👏👏
Sounds like you had a lovely evening and PR morning too. We went out for lunch yesterday and didn’t get home until 9:30pm! Happy I wasn’t running today! 😅
Happy New year to you Oldgirlruns and all the Southsea Crew, well done on doing the first timers briefing then being the tail walker, who knows you could be the Run Director soon.
It has to be said that I drank more white wine that Oldgirlruns last night (she is so sensible), and was woken at 0400 by revellers returning home, so when the alarm went off I was not feeling very bright. In fact if it wasn’t for encouragement from UpTheStanley , I probably wouldn’t have got out of bed, let alone out the door!
A cup of tea appeared like magic and I was given an extra 20 minutes wake up time by walking down instead of delivering parkrun equipment with him for 0830. As I walked down I was wondering whether I would even be able to run 🤢
One of our runners played Auld Lang Syne on the bagpipes to get us in the mood and there was a great atmosphere. A lovely surprise to see JonathanP too.
UTS ran with me and we wished Happy New Year to familiar faces along the route. He doesn’t usually see more than red mist and talking while running is definitely a novelty for him.
A conservative 34.47 time (34.00 Garmin) for my 90th parkrun.
I was pleased to gain 2 badges from Mr Garmin this week. When I went to the gym to escape wind and rain I discovered that it was my first 5k on the treadmill. Then I earned the Strong Start badge today for running on New Year’s Day
All finish tokens sorted for next week and now slumped on the sofa!
A good move cheeky and I am sure Flossie enjoyed the adoration. I am on standby to volunteer next week as UTS is RD again so wanted a run today. The pressure of being close to 100!
Happy New Year!I don’t do many parkruns but I took my husband to our local parkrun to celebrate his last run of C25K this morning (and last week we visited a different local-ish parkrun to celebrate the anniversary of my graduation 👍) . As a lady of a certain age, I unfortunately got a hot flush soon after the first km, so jeffed the rest, but still managed to keep my husband, as well as the 33 minute pacer in sight.
He normally works Friday nights so (not)parkruns may become the thing that we do together going forward.
May I just mention that some nannas 👵 have been know to run with a buggy too?
Back home at lyme park for the 8th time. Have had a bit of a scare recently as we had contact with a positive case a few days ago. All good so far so was able to get out and participate. Was taking it slow none the less. Don't want to overload my body if it turns out I am incubating an illness. Finished 66th out of a massive 237 total runners in 26:10 so my slowest time ever at lyme. On 23 total parkruns now so not far off being able to get the 25 t-shirt although I expect I'll wait to get to the 100 milestone til I spring for one as they are now charging for them.
26 mins at Lyme Park sounds very impressive to this prom plodder! Why not compromise and go for the red 50 T-shirt. It’s a long way to 100. Hope you stay negative on the Covid front.
Great running and very well done. Even for your slowest time that would be super for me. Happy New Year. I agree with Dexy, you should buy the red 50 milestone t-shirt. The 25 T-shirt used only be an option for Volunteering before. V25.
I haven't my back "snapped " on me on 28th December. I was getting up from a sofa and that was it. Couldnt move. Floor rug was inches away from me and I couldn't move. I had to lie down on a hard floor for a while thinking it will go away. Nope. Feeling a little better now. Thank you for your encouragement which gives me sense to keep moving. Happy New year every one 2022.
Thank you Damien. Yesterday I managed to walk 3miles in total I need to keep up. Dark mornings now which means morning walks is out of the question for now. I must get on now. One day of freedom left. I am back to work tomorrow morning. Cheers.
I did my first Xmas day Park run this year and then yesterday and absolutely loved it, I was amazed that they were on on these two days. The atmosphere was brilliant, and people had bough boxes and boxes of chocolates waiting to be eaten at the finish line which for some reason tasted soooooo nice after the run!🤣🏃♀️
Very well done. Christmas is a special time for parkrun, usually we have a parkrun on Christmas Day and also one on the Saturday, so you could have 2 parkruns in the same week. But this year Christmas Day was on a Saturday, so just the one this year. But next year we might be able to do a parkrun two days in a row. 🙂 Happy New Year.
You won't regret I'm sure. I only joined them in July when they all started back. I thought I would probably do one every couple of weeks, but after the first one I was hooked and now go every week. They are brilliant, everyone is usually so friendly and they are definitely addictive! 🏃♀️🏃♀️🙂
Why not pop along next week. Just walk it. Loads of people walk instead of jog or run. That way you’ll get to experience it without feeling under pressure. Print out your barcode and bring it with you. It is a fantastic community event. Many people also walk and jog or Jeff their way around. Then the next week try running it and you’ll be guaranteed to beat your PB. I love it. It is so inclusive, every age, every ability, and such a lovely way to kick off a weekend. Go for a coffee or breakfast with a group after and you’ll soon have new friends.
Thanks that’s good advice, I’m away next Saturday finally doing Christmas with my son due to illness/Covid but I shall def walk it first I’d never thought of that!!
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