Having a little catch up on the blog ready to start #Juneathon tomorrow and realised the one important thing that I just haven't written enough about. parkrun.
I love parkrun. This wont be a surprise to anybody who knows me as it seems to be my default answer to most things- Want to start running? Come to parkrun! Want to get quicker? Come to parkrun! Want to meet new friends? Come to parkrun!
There have been 34 Southend parkruns now -I have run 13, volunteered at 12 and just turned up for a chat at 2. Quite impressed at that to be honest, when I first heard about them starting I was worried at being able to get there for a 9am start. I'm only a mile and a half away but I do love my sleep and the logistics of getting the children anywhere they need to be make it a bit of a mission sometimes - a very worthwhile one though!
parkrun is for anyone who wants to come along and I think the most important part of the parkrun ethos is that it is a run, not a race. There is a bit of friendly competition but it mostly is people wanting to beat their own times, not each other. Having said that, going quicker isn't compulsory, I think I have twice gone out wanting to run faster, usually I'm happier to plod round keeping other people company, having a chat.
I run with Ben
I run with Matthew and Maxwell
I ran with Olivia in the running buggy until she got too big, then I passed it onto friends to start coming to parkrun with their little ones
I've introduced Mum and my friends to parkrun
It really is for everyone.
(Even strange people who want to run about in fancy dress in the rain!)
I tend to alternate running and volunteering where I can. Alex and his marvellous core team do all of the behind the scenes hard work to make parkrun happen but on the day, volunteers help them out with jobs such as marshaling, time keeping, barcode scanning ...
My little helpers!
In my 8 months as part of the Southend parkrun family I have made wonderful new friends, lots of cake, got great running advice and just had so much fun! Find your nearest one - http://www.parkrun.org.uk/events/events/ - register, print your barcode and take it along tomorrow morning :-)
Writing about Southend parkrun wouldn't be complete without a picture of some of the yummy post run snacks!
