Banbury Parkrun

 

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We had an excellent turn out of BCHC people to parkrun on Saturday. There was a frost so it was decidedly nippy. Thank goodness for my built-in insulation! As I was driving through Banbury I saw Chris Braund (physio) and his son Arlo gracefully tripping along…faster than my car…so I knew they were going to be speedy.

All this mask wearing in the last 2 years has had one benefit, I was able to keep my buff over my nose and mouth for a lot longer than previously, meaning I kept the cold air out for slightly more time. There was less mud than usual so I was unable to have an impromptu mud bath (has happened previously, I pretended it was deliberate and that I was doing it for my glowing complexion). Obviously, the small amount of mud I did splosh through was repelled by my radioactive 1980s bridesmaid peach trainers and, as always, at the end they looked sparkly new and peachy.

Banbury cross takes on the Banbury Parkrun

I included my couch to 5k week 3 run 1 into it, and then did alternate ‘run’, walk, ‘run’ to songs. When I say ‘run’, you should know that the elderly gentleman who was walking, overtook me. It’s more that you can actually perceive that I am moving when I am ‘running’! The advantage of taking my time and ‘admiring the scenery’ (aka ‘gasping’) is that I get encouragement from everybody as they lap me, and from people who have already finished. It’s really lovely.

So fab to see the marshals each lap, cheering me on – it is impossible to say how uplifting it is, how grateful I was, and how it kept me going when I might otherwise have come to a grinding halt! Needless to say Chris and Arlo were round in low 20’s – they may have passed me but it would have been a blur of speed. James Kennard was next and Stella shortly afterwards – both encouraged me along as they lapped me. I think Stella lapped me about 3 times!! Nicky and Donna (friend of Nicky & mine + I work with her sometimes, so counts as BCHC) both did Personal Bests which is super impressive. Sadly Jasper, Nicky’s totally gorgeous dog, didn’t record a time. Ann came in next, followed by Sarah from the Call Centre and then Vicki our Health and Wellbeing Coach. Then, finally, me. It is brilliant coming in later than others – I had Nicky, Donna and lovely Jasper as a guard of honour running either side of me as I stumbled towards the end, and loads and loads of cheering.

Parkrun is really fab. Even if you don’t want to run or walk, volunteering is great fun. Everyone is really welcoming and people of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities join in!

You know it makes sense! Go for it!

Dr Gwyneth Rogers, Clinical Lead

Published: Feb 7, 2022