2023 - A year in review

 The big goal for this year was to complete all the Scottish parkruns and as you will have seen from my previous post I did achieve this just last month.  I did go into detail in that post about it so I won't say anything more about that in this post.

Instead I'm going to be analysing my actual running and other milestones.  In terms of running parkruns I achieved my 300th parkrun in June, very appropriately at the home of parkrun, Bushy park.  I also wanted to get nearer to 50 parkruns at Queen's, my home parkrun.  Where I am now at 48, having started the year at 32.   I was also looking to do more parkruns around Glasgow that I have not done in a while.  This I didn't quite achieve as I really just did Pollok, Linwood and Drumchapel outside of Queen's.  

What about times, well this is where it went a bit wrong you could argue.  

2017 - 31.04 (35 runs)

2018 - 31.52 (46 runs)

2019 - 30.33 (44 runs)

2020 - 31.40 (64 runs) - (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

The sub 30 minute run never came this year and in fact my fastest time came up in Shetland at 31.58. Obviously doing all the hilly courses back in Glasgow didn't really help the average.

But where did it go wrong.  Well I have been looking at my Strava for the year.  There were actually only 4 weeks of the year where I didn't do any running at all.  But I think the key is that there were only 4 weeks of the year where I did 3 runs in a week. In previous years I would do 3 runs a week most weeks fine.  I also never went above 3 miles for any run where as previous years I would have done at least the odd 4 1/2, 6 mile run.  I think one of the reasons is I'm kind of set to do runs on Monday's and Wednesdays after work and if I miss them I don't think oh I'll do it some other time. I just won't go out any other time.  Somehow need to get some more flexibility and creativity in the schedule. Something I'll be thinking about more over the break.  

In terms of volunteering I reached the v250 milestone very early on the year.  I did wonder if I would reach v300 but fell short at 297.  So this should be one I can grab early next year.  I also reached my 200th stint at Rouken Glen juniors and my 600th attendence day at any parkrun (Volunteering days and running days combined).

Based on this year I think its clear I need to make changes to my running in order to improve.  I also need a new challenge which is something I have been thinking a lot about too.   I'll be going into this more in the next post about my 2024 plans.

Scottish parkrun challenge complete 69/69

 It's been quite a while since my last post.  Things are not going the best running wise with my times slower than they have ever been.  But in terms of getting round the Scottish parkruns it really has been the shining light of the year.  I was pretty much ticking off one a month up to July, then in July I did 4 new ones and August 2 including trips up to Lews Castle in Stornoway and Bressay in Shetland.  Also, a trip to Bushy parkrun, which was the very first parkrun thrown in for good measure. A couple of new ones started up in recent months, one over in North Berwick - Whitekirk Hill parkrun and then one down in Castle Douglas, Carlingwark Loch parkrun.  And that was me finished them all :-) It has been some journey and didn't come without its challenges but I feel so fortunate to be able to have done this. And with the people I have met on the way, seeing some amazing places and getting to get out and run.

Background

So how did it all start?  As has been well documented on here my parkrun journey started way back at Pollok in 2009 where it was the only event in Scotland at the time.  But as I was a longer distance runner at the time, although I got involved with parkrun. My actual parkrun journey didn't really start proper till my return to running till 2014.  Between 2014 and 2019 I did do various different parkruns but it was really just to mix things up instead of going to Pollok all the time.  In 2018, 2 chaps named Douglas and Craig set off on a challenge to complete all the Scottish parkruns in 1 year and filmed each one for you tube.   There were about 33 when they started and 43 when they finished.  I didn't know them when they started but it turned out they were local Glasgow southsiders too and I met them through Rouken Glen junior parkrun.

So the seed was planted through them that I thought I'd give it a go too.  But I thought I would start in Spring to start the journey as winter is often prone to cancellations.  But in February I remember talking about it with my parents over tea and I remember my dad saying why don't you just start the challenge now.  Then suddenly, the next week I headed up to Aberdeen to do Aberdeen parkrun.  That was the first time I had done an overnighter purposely to do a parkrun.  That year I had a lot of adventures and went up to Aberdeen 4 more times. While also ticking off Thurso, Elgin, Kirkwall, Alness, Dumfries as well as other ones in Fife and Edinburgh.

In 2020 I did Fort William parkrun and had booked others like Shetland but had to cancel because of course when March came round, we were all confined to our homes and parkrun was stopped due to COVID.  It wasn't until August 2021 when things started up again and I was able to get on the tourist path again.  There were quite a lot of new parkruns starting up in 2022 which meant it felt like when you completed one you were never quite reaching the goal.  But in 2023 only 3 have started up meaning it's been a lot easier to catch up.

Challenges

Obviously Covid was a big barrier to progression but that couldn't really be helped.  But there were various other challenges along the way too. For example, Crathes castle in Aberdeen where I nearly didn't make it.  As my bus "broke down" halfway from Aberdeen to Crathes castle and had to get a replacement.  The normal bus was due in at 9am.  So by the time they got the replacement I arrived at Crathes at 9.26.  With half a mile still to cover to get up to the start.  I literally got there just as the final announcements were made.  

There were other times I have had to persevere to get to a parkrun due to having to call off for various reasons.  Stranraer (Agnew parkrun) took 3 attempts. The first time I was meant to go down with group I used to go running with, but all the hotels were booked out.  The second time I booked and had a half day from work. Then I got to Ayr and the train to Stranraer which I switched on to was cancelled and the next one wasn't for 2 hours.  So, I went and got a drink and a bite to eat in Costa filling the time.  Then went back to the station only to find all trains to Stranraer for the rest of the day were cancelled.  It wasn't even due to weather it was staff shortages.  Luckily Ayr isn't too far from Glasgow, so I headed back up the rails on Friday night.

I have also used work nights out on Friday as an excuse to get a hotel in Edinburgh and do a parkrun the next day.  But even then, there was a time when that didn't go to plan.  And last December I woke up to snow where most of my targeted parkruns were cancelled.  And trains home to Glasgow had major delays so ended up not completing parkrun and getting home mid-afternoon.

Where it went right

But a lot of the time things went right and there were a lot of memorable moments on the way.   I did go to many of the parkruns on my own.  And most of the trips did go like clockwork and my timings were usually spot on.  I think the most memorable trips though are the ones you meet people.  And as welcoming as parkruns are it's not always the easiest thing to do. Walking into a new parkrun you haven't done before.  And there are people there who see each other every week and know each other well.  And you're coming in really just for a once maybe twice visit.  But I've found the best trips are the ones are the ones you do meet folk.  For example, in Bressay, Shetland I met Ibrahime, Erin and Wendy and they encouraged me to go to the cafe after with them and I had a great morning. 

Lews Castle in Stornaway I ended up chatting away to a load of folk and I did actually walk this one with the tail walker due to forgetting my shorts and had a great time.  Girvan is one of the smaller parkruns in terms of numbers and by the end of it you feel like you knew everyone running.  Meadowmill was another memorable one as I got chatting to quite a few of the volunteers and to get to my train I had to walk back up the course so got to speak more to the marshals too.  I found it easier to do this at the smaller events rather than the bigger events.  The bigger events were still good in their own way though.

Parkrunning adventures with folk

All the parkruns described above have been adventures on my own.  But there have been many adventures with other folk too.  My parents who have played a big part in letting me reach parts of the country that are trickier to get to by public transport have helped with 14 parkruns in Scotland.  Then you get all those English trips down to see family and other trips down south and you can nearly double that count.  The most adventurous one recently was Aviemore where most of Scotland had an amber warning for rain.  And it absolutely chucked it down for the entire event. The trails were covered in puddles, and I think my shoes are still not recovered yet.  The journey home the rain persisted and there were quite a few times we had to divert to avoid tailbacks due to flooding at various points.

I mentioned Craig W and Douglas at the start, and I have had the pleasure of their company on a number of trips too.  Along with various members of a bigger gang - Jo (Craig's wife), Susan, Mhairi, Jenn, Scott.  Mix and match with these guys I covered - Erskine Waterfront, Auldcathie District, Mount Stuart, Lochore Meadows, Whitekirk Hill, Carlingwark Loch, Palace rigg A course and maybe more.

The group I used to run with during loch down, Blythe, Kirstin and Claire had a trip up to Faskally Forest, Pitlochery to complete that incredibly scenic course.   Ritche and Caitlan who I met through volunteering at Queen's did Kirkcaldy parkrun together and we also met Rob and Ann there who I've got to know at various events.  Ritchie, Stuart R and I also had a morning through in Springburn.  Campbell accompanied me to Plean and him and his wife also came along to one of my visits to Falkirk too.  Craig P, a Stirling local went with me to University of Stirling parkrun and did his first ever parkrun.  And finally, my brother Ken where we went to Drumpellier parkrun.  I think that's all but hopefully not missed anyone.   So many memories, laughs and runs shared.

My favourites

I mentioned above my favourite experiences and the great people I have shared many of the parkruns with.  So, this is a list of my favourite courses.

1. Alness
2. Lews Castle
3. Faskally Forest
4. Hazlehead
5. Whitekirk Hill

What's next?

That's a tricky one and I don't have a definitive answer.  Long term I would like to get to 500 parkruns but it's deciding how to get there.  There are folk who do another loop of Scotland.  While I don't mind repeating if there are other people up for going places, I don't think I'll be actively chasing a second loop.  The other option is to do the Northeast or Northwest.  Which I may chip away at but no plans to fully complete them as that would involve a lot of time off and there would be many that are awkward to get to.  But this year I have certainly been sharing the journey a bit more with folk and I do hope that continues.  

 

Bressay parkrun the low down

 There are 2 ways to get to Shetland - Plane or Ferry.  Plane is more expensive but takes a lot less time. Loganair fly to Shetland from many cities in Scotland.  For the ferry you have to go to Aberdeen and its an overnight ferry which does get you into Lerwick in plenty of time for the Bressay ferry although its not the same port and the Aberdeen ferry docks in the north of Lerwick.  There is a bus which goes from Sumburgh airport to Lerwick but if you want to explore the island you are as well renting a car.

On parkrun day itself I would arrive at the ferry terminal in Lerwick 20 mins -25 mins before hand. The ferry was there waiting when I went.  You pay when you go on the ferry.  It was £2.90 I think and you only pay on the way out.  They accept contactless, cash or chip and pin.  I didn't need cash at all for buses either, used contactless for everything.

The ferry takes about 10 minutes and there is a muster area once you get to Bressay at the car park for the ferry terminal. From memory there are toilets here too as well as a waiting area.  You can leave suitcases in the ferry waiting area at your own risk.  They also have a white van which you can put your jackets/warm up gear in and they drive it to the finish.  The first timer briefing and part of the main briefing also take place here before everyone walks over to the mayfield hotel where the parkrun starts.  

The parkrun itself goes south about 3k. Turns round and comes back but not as far as the ferry.  It finishes in the cafe car park.  The cafe is run by parkrun volunteers and I think the money goes to charity. Well worth a visit.  It is about 20 minute walk back from the cafe to the ferry.  Or at least allow that time if you are walking.  Then the ferry is at 10.30 or another at 11.30.  11.30 is not the last ferry though there are plenty more crossings throughout the day.  You can take a car on the ferry but if you are just doing parkrun and not exploring its probably not worth it.  I believe there was parking on the Lerwick side beside the port.  

March parkruns

 Just the 2 parkruns in March out of a possible 4. But volunteered once and then the other time wasn't feeling up for it.  Too tired I think.   But the 2 I did do were Scottish ones that I hadn't done yet.  Auldcathie District and Holyrood

Auldcathie District

For this one I headed east with Craig W as he hadn't ticket this one off yet either.  Auldcathie District parkrun is in Winchburgh near Linlithgow and is Scotland's newest parkrun at time of writing.  At their inaugral they had 601 people turn up which is the highest inaugral attendence for a Scottish parkrun.  Their numbers have settled to about 100 now.  The route is on brand new paths built specifically with parkrun in mind as Winchburgh has seen a huge amount of housing built recently.  And one of the asks was to have a parkrun to go with it.  The course therefore goes round the outside of a housing estate and is quite undualting but I would describe it as gradual climbs.  

I knew a few other people there too from work as this is actually very close to my work.   I completed the course in just over 32 minutes and in my fastest time this year.

Holyrood

Holyrood is to me the easiest Edinburgh parkrun to get to if you are in the city centre without a car.  I stayed in a Premier inn in between Waverley and the parkrun which is a circular route of Arthurs seat.  I met Jonny who volunteers at Rouken glen who had the buggy with him.  The first two hundred metres or so is all flat but the rest of the first mile is all uphill and quite leg sapping.  I eventually had to take walking breaks.  The second mile is mainly flat and the views really are stunning here and you can see for miles.  But thing is its really not an easy flat mile as you already have all that up hill to deal with so I was struggling with the flat and had to take walk breaks again. But then the third mile is all downhill and this is where you make up the time.  My last mile was 9 minutes. Compare that to 12 minutes which is what I did the first mile in.  I was thinking this may be harder than Queen's despite being faster but then I went and did Queen's first week and April and errr, maybe not :-)

Thinking about the future

I have been thinking a bit about my parkrun goals and my running in general at the moment.  It's not been the best start to the year in terms of midweek runs.  I think the maximum I have done during the week is 1 run and often none.  This has made parkruns more tough and the fact I have done Queen's 5 times doesn't really make things any easier.  For Queen's I have got into a routine of running/walking the same sections to the point I don't think I can improve any.  The old adage that if you keep doing the same thing your going to keep getting the same results. And I think that's where I'm at, at the moment.

So I am thinking of doing more flat parkruns instead. And looking at the 9 Scottish ones I have left to do, there are some undulating ones left, but none on paper, come close to Queen's and there are a number of flat ones.  But for closer to home I think I will start looking at flat ones in the area. And there are plenty now: Strathclyde, Drumpellier, Linwood, Victoria, Erskine, Elder, Troon and Greenock. Basically tonnes.  I'm just walking too much at Queen's and I feel by doing flat ones I'm more likely to run more and get my times down a bit. 

That's the thought anyway.,........as long as I manage to get up for them or may just end up at Queen's lol

January and February parkruns

Been a while since I posted so thought I'd mix things up with a new format.   Instead of going week by week of which parkruns I've done, I'll go over the tourist ones, then any others I have repeated/home runs.

Erskine Waterfront parkrun

The first parkrun I did this year was Erskine waterfront parkrun.  This was the first time I did this one and was very handy to get to being just outside of Glasgow so I could drive there no problem and had no issues with parking having arrived around 9am.  I hung about in the car for a while before making my way over to the start.  This is where I met up with Craig, Douglas, Mhairi and Susan.  Got the first timers briefing which was good and lined up to start.  Craig and I started off together, but I prompted him just to go for it as I am a lot slower than him.  When I met him afterwards, he was grateful as he ran his fastest time in a while getting under 25 minutes.

I settled into a nice pace.  The course runs along the Clyde and is two out and backs which is perfectly flat.  You get great views of the Clyde and the Erskine bridge.  There were 123 runners and although the path was narrow at times there was no problem with overtaking or folk getting in the way each other. I finished in 33.27, not a great time for me for a flat 5k but it did feel comfortable, and I didn't have to walk. Afterwards I met up with the gang and their friend Callum and headed over to Caulders for breakfast.  

Hay Lodge parkrun (Peebles)

In the second week of February, I headed to Peebles with the folks to tick off another parkrun.  This one was really easy to find heading from Glasgow as the car park is on the same road you come in on, if coming from Glasgow direction.  The park is across the road.  The course is basically 4 laps, but the two middle laps are the only ones which are the same.  The first lap is the flattest and the gentle downhill start means you can go off too quickly and maybe I was slightly guilty of.  The second and third laps are the same and go up a hill, which I just walked up.  All three of the first laps go along beside the river for parts which was nice and the fishermen were out in force.  

The final lap is a shortened lap and the finish is uphill going on to the grass.  Even though it was hillier this was my fastest time of the year at that point coming in at 32.58.   There were about 70 runners today which is one of the smaller events I have been at recently which is not surprising given the location but still a decent number, nevertheless.

Keswick parkrun

As seems to be tradition in February, my parents and I have a short break away in February and this time the location was Keswick.  There were 2 parkruns to choose from in this area; Keswick or Whinlatter Forest.  The latter known as being one of the hilliest parkruns in the UK. I opted for the flatter Keswick parkrun.  The parkrun is an out and back along a disused railway which is now an excellent walking/cycling path.  And the start is at Keswick's disused railway station which acts as a perfect meeting point and if it does get wet it means the volunteers have cover.

At the start their was a special guest who was in town.   He was Iranian and directed a movie which was showing at the film festival in Keswick.  He was given the task of counting us down to start. But instead of 3,2, 1 go., He said 1, 2, 3 go. There were a few sniggers lol, but job done and off we went.  I settled into a slow pace at the start and noticed I was gradually overtaking throughout the first half.  The course is amazing; One minute you are going over bridges, next through a tunnel.  Then you have the river weaving its way round and beneath you.  It's quite a spectacular one really.  Instead of having marshals stood along the way, they let the marshals run with the other runners and if they see something happening, they can phone base.  There is a marshal at the turn.

I finished in my fastest time this year of 32.33 and enjoyed a nice sprint finish.  This was the busiest parkrun I have been to this year with 189 runners in attendance.

Queen's parkrun

So overall in January and February I did 7 parkruns.  3 above then 4 at my home parkrun Queen's.  These were back-to-back.  I pretty much had the same strategy for all of them.  Run the first 2 hills on the first lap, then walk the third hill on the first lap, then walk all the hills on 2nd and 3rd lap.  But try and be a bit more aggressive going down the big hill on each lap and run all the flat bits.  The result? 35.01, 34.40, 34.42, 34.19. 

So nearly a Groundhog Day in there and improving gradually.  My midweek runs have disappeared again so need to try and get more of a routine going again.  Pretty pleased though to add 3 more locations and have no cancelations which can often hit during winter. Long may that continue.

 

2023 plans

 This year will be centered around parkrun again as I continue my quest to complete all the Scottish parkruns.  Although I'm doubtful I'll be able to complete them all this year as I think there will be quite a few starting this year.  At time of writing I have 12 to do with one about to start.  

Now last year my tactic was to try and complete the more difficult to get to ones further away.  Which although proved tricky did work. And now, really only 3 out of those 12 parkruns I have still to do require me to take time off work.  So I think I am going to try and focus on the 9 parkruns that don't need time off work.

For this I can split them into categories:

Edinburgh area - Holyrood, Meadowmill, Vogrie, Winchburgh

Borders - Hay Lodge (Peebles)

Fife - Lochore Meadows

Angus - Forfar, West Links

The West - Erskine, Mount Stuart (Bute)

The other 3 parkruns are Lews Castle (Stornaway), Bressay (Shetland) and Aviemore.  I'll see in the second half of the year how I'm doing with the 9 whether I attempt these or not.

I also have two English ones booked, one in the Lake District and Bushy which both conincide with breaks.

In terms of time sub 30 will be the aim for flat ones. I would like to do it at Queen's too but I think I'll be happy to get under 32 there as I don't think I've done that since last January at Queen's.

In terms of 5k volunteering last year I aimed to do once a month which I think I'm going to try and stick to this year. I would also like to volunteer at Linwood as it's the only parkrun I have done more than 10 times that I haven't volunteered at.

In terms of milestones I should hit 300 runs in possibly July hopefully, as I have 18 to hit that target.  In terms of volunteering I will hit 250 maybe even in the first full weekend of parkrun in the year as long as there are no cancellations.  Who knows if all goes well I may even reach 300 volunteers by the end of the year.  I would also like to get to 50 runs at Queen's. Currently on 32.  But I was thinking I haven't done a load of the parkruns in Glasgow for a number of years now so may have trips to the likes of Drumchapel, Victoria, Ruchill and Strathclyde on the cards too.

Happy new year everyone and hope its a good one for you.

2022 year in review

Reading back on my blogs I have done this year, it hasn't been the best of years running wise.  But at the same time I have achieved quite a lot too. Both of which I will be going into in this blog.

Completing every Scottish parkrun event

This is a challenge I have been chipping away at for a few years now.  I remember in 2019 where I decided to go for it I made a serious dent in it by completing 19 in one year.  I started this year on 44 Scottish events done out of 59.  I knew there would be more added around the country this year so aimed for 60 events.  In total at the end of 2022 there are now 66 Scottish events with another one having had a test event and awaiting a start date.

In 2019 I remember most things going to plan, with one incident which I thought may derail my attempt. Where on the way to Crathes Castle in Aberdeenshire my bus broke down and I litrally made it to the start with seconds to spare. I thought that day what would have happened if I didn't make it in time, would have I just given up the challenge.  Well this year I have had to cancel about 9 trips and I am still chipping away at them. So I think the answer really comes back to yes I am more reslient than I thought as I certainly haven't given up.  But why did I cancel all these trips?  A real mixture.  I was on the way to Stranraer, got to Ayr, then all trains to Stranraer were cancelled and I had to turn back.  A few weeks ago I woke up in a Premier Inn in Edinburgh to snow and the trains all started to cancel due to signal failures.  Theres been train strikes and reduced timetables meaning it's not been practical to get there.  Then you have illness, being wiped out after drinking too much caffine and also the Queen sadly passing away which meant I had to cancel another trip.

But on a positive note I did still manage to do 10 Scottish parkruns I haven't done before.  Notably Wallaceneuk (Kelso), Loch Leven, Largs Prom, Palacerigg (Cumbernauld), Torvean (Inverness) and Ganavan Sands (Oban). I pick out these ones as I have to thank my Mum and Dad for driving me to these, some of which we did make a weekend break out of.  Some of these in particular are quite tricky to get to by public transport so it helped a lot and allowed me to progress with the challenge.  Another one I ticked off was Kirkcaldy where I had a wee road trip with Richie and Caitlinn.  Then I had solo trips to Agnew (Stranraer) and Ury Riverside (Inverurie) as well as a very short trip to Elder park in the southdside of Glasgow.

I do find it quite amusing that I started the year with 15 Scottish parkruns to do and even though I have done 10, ended up with 12 still. But there we go.  Some other positves is that with Ury done I have now ran every parkrun in Aberdeenshire.  Another parkrun I did, not in Scotland was Jesmond Dene in Newcastle.  This was done as part of a holiday with half an eye on the Alphabeteer challege.  I just have 3 letters to do now, B, Y and Z.  But at the moment Albateer takes priority.

Times

I have targetted quite a while of having an average parkrun time for a year of under 30 minutes. As you can see below this year has been the worst year since I started recording average time for the year.  But maybe it doesn't give the entire picture too.  20 of these I have been at Queen's my home parkrun which is of course one of the hilliest in Scotland.  Another 3 have been at Pollok which is not far behind. Then the other repeats have been once at Linwood, once at Tollcross and once at Springburn.  I did get under the 30 minute mark twice this year, once at Largs Prom and once at Linwood but again it's probably the least amount of sub 30s I have in one year. But I don't help myself doing hilly courses so much.  It's always nice to have the aim of doing a sub 30 at Queen's though. It feels like a more than reachable target if I can get some consistent training.

2017 - 31.04 (35 runs)

2018 - 31.52 (46 runs)

2019 - 30.33 (44 runs)

2020 - 31.40 (64 runs)

2021 - 30.59 (16 runs)

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

Milestones

I did reach quite a big parkrun milestone this year reaching 250 runs. 100 was the previous official milestone and 500 is the next one so because they are getting few and far between now I also look at unofficial milestones too. I finished the year on 282 parkruns.

Something I don't really talk about or aim for is volunteering milestones.  Truthfully I didn't even have a goal for volunteering as because I volunteer down at Rouken glen mainly you don't know how often they are going to cancel throughout the year and some years its quite a lot.  But this year it felt that we didn't cancel nearly as much as previous years. In fact there was times during the year I felt I had quite long stretches of volunteering where I felt I needed to take a week off every now and then.  I actually nearly ended up hitting 250 for volunterring where I am now sitting on 248.  I did 51 stints this year with 9 at 5ks and 42 at juniors which is my most amount in a year ever by far. 

I also hit another few unoffical milestones.  My 150th volunteering stint at Rouken Glen as well as my 100th tail walk at Rouken Glen.  Another stat which is new to the 5k app this year is total attendence days at parkrun, so counts volunteering and running. This one surprised me a lot as this year I reached my 500th day at parkrun, currently on 517.

Total Miles

Total miles for this year was 331 miles, which is over 100 miles down from last years 468 miles.  Right there is another reason my parkrun times have got slower.  One of the big differences this year was that the running group I was in disintegrated this year which definitley helped constantly getting out last year.  

But all in all I'm still getting out there and that's the most important thing