Saturday, 28 December 2024

2024 - A year in review

This year was really a stepping stone year in terms of parkruns rather than achieving any big goals.  I reached 350 runs and by the end of the year, finished on 362.  I was aiming for 360 which would mean 40 parkruns done in the year so 42 gives a bit of a cushion for next years target which I think will be 40 again.  

But how did it all play out?

Distribution of parkruns - Here is where I went and how often:

14 - Queen's, Glasgow
6 - Linwood
4 - Pollok, Erskine Waterfront
3 - Palacerigg Country, Elder Park
1 - Strathclyde, Springburn, Victoria, Drumchapel, Auldcathie District, Lochore Meadows, Whitekirk Hill, Skinadin

So one of my longer term aims is to do 100 parkruns at Queen's and with 14 added this year I'm now on 62.  I'm actually a bit surprised that I did 14 different parkruns this year as I didn't aim to do lots of different ones, it's just how it panned out.  In terms of hilly versus flat courses it works out at about 24 hilly to 18 flat (ish).  

Average time for the year compared with other years

2017 - 31.04 (35 runs)

2018 - 31.52 (46 runs)

2019 - 30.33 (44 runs)

2020 - 31.40 (64 runs) - (8 actual parkruns, a lot of not parkruns)

2021 - 30.59 (16 runs) - (only included actual parkruns which started up half way through the year due to covid)

2022 - 33.21 (35 runs) - 2 tailwalks not included

2023 - 34:48 (36 runs) - 1 tailwalk and 1 park walk not included

2024 - 36.24 (41 runs) 1 tailwalk not included - Also Pollok Christmas day parkrun time adjusted as finished in 36.03 but parkrun time was 39 minutes as due to 900+ people running, it took 3 minutes to cross the line.

So my slowest year to date but I did expect it.  The usual not going out during the week, hampering any chance of improving my times.  But I still love getting out on Saturday morning regardless.  I'm also pleased to record my 3rd highest number of parkruns ever in a year and most since 2019.  I think that shows my health and maybe the weather has been better this year.  Fastest time this year was 32:00 minutes at Erskine, which was only 18 seconds slower than my fastest time last year. No sub 30 this year but I'll keep trying, it's nice to have that carrot dangling in front of me.

Challenges

One of the challenges I contributed to at all this year was the Albateer challenge (completing all the Scottish parkruns). 2 new parkruns started this year - Skinadin in Skye and Crinan Canel. Skinadin I did complete and it was a great trip. Crinan is still on the list to do for next year.  The other challenge I upped was the P index - Doing x number of events, x number of times.  This year I moved up to 8, thanks to a trip to Drumchapel. Other than that I've just been enjoying going on road trip to various parkruns with Douglas, Jo, Craig, Mhairi, Susan and the folks.   Along with hanging with folk when I get to parkruns including doing volunteering at Rouken glen on a Sunday.

So overall a decent year and looking forward to next year already.

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