Parkrun volunteering

[Kingfisherk26]

About a month ago having done my 7th park run I droned on about how good it is... my new PB etc. Theziggy pointed out that the best way to say thank you was to volunteer.

So having done my 10th run last Saturday I spoke to one of the orgaisers and left him my email address. On Thursday I got an email thanking me and asking me to show up at 8:30.

As luck would have it I would not have run this morning as I was not very well. (I am concerned that after having a dry January I had one glass of wine last night ... AND I did not enjoy it... AND I didn't feel very well afterwards... AND am now concerned that I have taken this health thing too far and may have weaned myself off alcohol... what have I done LOL!... bang goes the new years resolution not to side track or waffle).

Back to the point... 8:30 saw me in a high viz jacket over a waterproof, fleece and jumper sorting out the finishing lane tape. By 9:00 I was a Marshall... which just meant standing there as a human marker on the park path having strangers thank me for doing nothing!

A couple of non Parkrun park users spoke to me about what was going on which gave me the opportunity to bore them silly about park run... C25k...Laura etc.

Some people are nervous about starting a park run. Please don't be ... the people who organise seem very friendly.... I know the marshals are coz I now is one!!!

Happy running

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Good for you, especially since you didn't feel well. A reversed hangover?

[Kingfisherk26 Graduate in reply to Irishprincess]

Reversed hangover... Like it.

[seaspaniel Graduate]

Well done and thank you. I always say good morning and thank you to all the marshalls as I pass. This is a good check that I am not running too fast. If I can't say good morning then I slow down.

I will take your lead and volunteer as well. Might wait for a couple of weeks as the PB is coming down nicely. Don't be too impressed with me though as I'm more Mo the Lawn than Mo Farah

[notoutofbreath Graduate in reply to seaspaniel]

Ha, that's a good tip, talk to marshals to control your pace. I'll store that one away for reference.

[Kingfisherk26 Graduate]

Mo the Lawn... lol... will certainly nick that phrase as my own! I was discussing with another marshal if you should clap and say well done as people run past. I found myself on the last lap saying "Well done" and "You're nearly there" to those who seemed to be flagging ... I felt that they were "My people".

[notoutofbreath Graduate]

Glad you put this because to be honest, being a volunteer so I can give back is more my speed than actually running in one! LOL So I'd been wondering about putting my name in the hat.

[Theziggy Graduate]

Well done Kingfisherk26 , strange reaction to the glass of wine - maybe your body is telling you something (I wish mine would!!!!)

I was a Marshal yesterday morning too. A new course since our regular one is flooded. 1 degree and raining - when I remembered belatedly that I had bought a set of thermals and haven't opened them yet.

I saw two jackdaws having an enthusiastic bath (brrrr) and a proud pair of swans cruising past majestically with their six, nearly fully grown cygnets.

Our Parkrun had been cancelled for most of January so it was nice to see everybody, from first to last.

I got feeling back to my fingers and toes by about 11.00 am.

[Kingfisherk26 Graduate]

LoL... I was wearing so many layers i could not do up the hi viz jacket they gave me.... I have lost weight honest!