Despite, or perhaps because of, my pathetic lack of fitness, I've pitched up for a few of these and absolutely loved their informality, the first one was won by a guy running with his dog. What a wonderful antidote to the commercial brashness of this weekend's over-populated London Marathon. Cirencester's Adrian Williams won today's race in a course record 16:35 - he's had quite a week, his first ever race win last Sunday, at the Highworth 5, today's course record and sandwiched between the two his 35th birthday. On top of all that he's just succumbed to Facebook!
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The only danger of Parkrun is in its popularity. At some of the bigger venues, turnouts are regularly over 200 and a breed of runner is evolving who never runs anything but Parkruns, their sole aim in life being to achieve a t-shirt for running 50, 100, 250 even 500 of the things. This is having an impact on some clubs; I know at Ranelagh, which has a full fixture list through the winter (championship, league, mob, inter-club, handicap races), many members are doing the Parkruns instead. These runs are certainly great fun and to be fully encouraged whether for serious racing, coming back from injury or just for exercise with the dog/child, but a thriving club scene is vital for the longevity of our wonderful sport.
3 miles is my absolute limit at the moment: as well as my osteitis causing pain in the abdomen and adductors, my Achilles aches like hell (thought having time off would ease that) and my arthritic hip is causing me all sorts of problems. Add in constant headaches and feeling that I've been dragged through a hedge backwards (wouldn't mind if it was off 80 miles a week, not 12), and it's no surprise that I'm struggling. I'm getting out for 15-20 mins a few times a week, which is at least giving me some fresh air & exercise and has stopped my weight gain.
Talking of weight, I was particularly pleased that I didn't put any on a couple of weeks ago after a big 50th birthday party of an old school friend in London. I had a few drinks for the first time this year and apart from feeling a bit weary the next morning (!) I still went for an easy run; it felt like the old days when a Saturday afternoon race was followed by a few pints then the long Sunday run chatting to friends about the night before, if remembered. Highlight of the party came when the birthday girl tried to guess Claudie's age and underestimated it by 12 years (all started when she said to Claudie, "your turn next"!). It certainly made her feel good about her dieting - yes, she's been losing weight (lots of) while I've been adding it.
There will be a lot of nervous runners (& non-runners) tonight with the marathon on in the morning. Good luck to all, especially from Ranelagh / Cirencester, at least the weather is looking good this year. I had planned to be up there but Michelle pulled out with injury on Friday, very frustrating. Sweating on Monday's selection meeting now.
Finally, my best wishes go to a good running friend, Tim Willson, following his minor heart scare this week. He's a great guy with a wicked sense of humour and may he soon be back to full health & fitness. Tim isn't on Facebook but his Cockerel, Roger (see picture), is and has many friends including, sadly, me.
