By the time you read this many of you will be 6 weeks into your new healthier 2016 routines. Yes? Okay, so I suspect a fair few may have faltered slightly, but don’t beat yourself up about it, we’re all human.
However, fear not – I have great news. The (boggy) path to a fitter, healthier you is free, local and jolly good fun. In addition it’s muddier than a hippo’s playground. I am of course talking about the Parkrun phenomenon which continues to build momentum.
For those of you who have no idea what I am on about, let me explain. Basically a random group of around 200 people turn up at your local park every week to run/jog/walk/crawl round a 5km course. It’s organised and run completely by volunteers, is free to take part, and you get a finish time texted to you after each run.
A couple of points to clarify. It’s definitely not just for ‘runners’, in fact the majority of participants are just regular people, not athletes or wannabe Mo Farah’s. Families turn up and jog round together (complete with Labrador, buggies etc.), pensioners, first timers, people that haven’t so much as run for a bus in the last few years do it. It is a social event, and an opportunity to push yourself as hard (or as little) as you like. Clearly you get some club runners too. But don’t be intimidated. It truly is an event for everyone.
So, why not give it a look (www.parkrun.org.uk/burystedmunds)? It takes 2 minutes to register online, print off your barcode, pop it in your wallet, and then you are all set. There’s’ no pressure to go every week, just turn up with your barcode whenever you fancy it and you’ll be good to go. You’ll find that once you’ve done it once you’ll be back to try and better your time and track your progress. Take a friend and you’ll encourage each other round, both be one step closer to your goals, and have a good laugh at the same time.
Finally, I just need to emphasise the point about the mud. It’s no exaggeration to say it’s like running through a saturated ploughed field in places at the moment. What I’m getting at is, don’t where your new shiny white trainers and expect them to ever look the same again.
If you see a dad in an Ipswich Town shirt looking a bit too keen on the start line, then that’s probably me, and please say hello. Otherwise, I’ll see you all at the end, when we can compare notes and hobble back to the carpark together.
