I would never have expected to write the following. I joined a running group! It is so strange that only this time last year I only ran for a few months and that was on the treadmill.
Many years ago in Sixth Form, to get me up and well running – in the morning I sometimes used to jog a mile. I could barely manage that. Over the years I tried a few more times but it never took off. Then in 2019, a medical issue meant for the next couple of years I could not run straight. It felt like my right leg was falling off!
At my last job, there was small gym on site. I used to go on the treadmill. I liked this idea. No one could see and judge me, if my dodgy right leg played up and I tripped, I could grab the handrail plus I could just listen to my podcasts in the comfort of an air conditioned room.
But one Saturday morning, I am not sure why or how, after a night out drinking, I got up, put on my trainers, and went jogging. It must have been around 9am as I suddenly found myself amongst loads of other runners. “What was this?” I thought to myself but never pursued it. And I never continued the jogging outside and in fact decreased my use of the treadmill. Then I got another job so goodbye to the gym.
A friend told me that he often does Parkrun. I asked him more about it. 5km at 9am and all ages and abilities take part. It is not a race, except against yourself if you want it to be. It was free! And he told me that the nearest one to me was just a few moments away at Forest Recreation Ground. This is what I saw! He said he would join me the next Saturday so I got ready for him to message me saying he had overslept! I had got up and ready thought so I decided to go alone instead. Not knowing what to expect, I walked over to a guy and asked him what to do. Very friendly. I did the first one and was hooked. I have only missed about 5 weeks but done every week for about 10 months! It has become almost like a religious ceremony. I love that it gets me up and that I have done more than most do on a Saturday before the day has even begun!
And then a few months ago, I decided to go along to Nottingham Frontrunners. Many months previously, on a night out at The Lord Roberts, I remember reading about an LGBT+ running group. With the increasing love of Parkrun, I think I had followed the page. Every so often I would see it pop up on Facebook but I would forgot to follow through. On another night out, I saw the posters once again and it cemented my commitment.
I would certainly attend the next run. I went along and arrived early. There was no one there. A few people appeared, dressed in what I considered running gear. They confirmed they were and we got chatting. Suddenly, everyone appeared around the corner. I later found out most people arrive together as they firstly do a bag drop at the Lord Roberts.
The run itself follows the same route running through the Park Estate and then heading along the canal path, up Lower Parliament Street, and then through Hockley finishing at The Lord Roberts totally just over 5km. This comes at a perfect time for me. After my run on Saturday, this keeps me in routine. I imagine, if it were to not exist, I would let the busy-ness of life get in the way and only run on a Saturday. This keeps my running regular.
After the run, we cool off and then enter the beer garden. It is so lovely to socialise with such wonderful people. I soon joined the WhatsApp group and this is added confirmation of what a supportive group it is. Very wonderful!
The Frontrunners have recently done a Parkrun ‘takeover’ where they helped volunteer. Parkrun, being so close to home, is the only Parkrun I have ever done. Every so often, different Frontrunners appear and it is great to have a catch up afterwards.
If you are thinking about going running, I strongly recommend both!
Speak soon,
Samuel
Parkrun and Frontrunners
Parkrun – every Saturday, 9am, Forest Recreation Ground.
Nottingham Frontrunners – every Tuesday, 6.30pm, the Robin Hood statue.
