Reflections of parkrunning in 2023
Like most people I like to look back on my year to reflect on the good and acknowledge where I could improve.
This is my parkrun edition.
By the end of this year I will have completed 42 parkruns as a runner or walker and chalked up 30 volunteers.
Of my 42 runs 15 of these have been at new events:
University of Stirling (Scotland)
Perry Hall (UK)
Russell Park (NZ)
Ara Harakeke (NZ)
University of Western Australia (Australia)
Somerdale Pavillion (UK)
Ekebergsletta (Norway)
Wolford Wood (UK)
Waitangi (NZ)
Lake2Lake Trail (NZ)
Gordon Spratt Reserve (NZ)
Northern Pathway (NZ)
Catton (UK)
Worcester (UK)
TBC - can’t choose just now! (UK)
I regained Countryman status at Gordon Spratt Reserve in August, added a new country (Norway) and achieved my very arbitrary University Challenge (the four parkruns that started with the word University, there are now two more).
I attended the parkrun adventurers listener meet-up in Perth with Axel. That was so much fun and I know I will get to another one (will be 2025).
Axel achieved his j10 run milestone and his v25 milestone on the same day, while I carried on working towards my next milestones.
parkrun has been part of every Saturday this year, even if it looks like I missed two.
One of these was when we had the weather event that led to all Auckland events cancelling. Puarenga was on until 7.40 when the conditions worsened. Some still went for a run, I went for coffee.
The other was when Puarenga was cancelled as we worked on a new course. I volunteered at the Gordon Spratt Reserve trial, which was held on a Saturday at 8am.
I’ve increased my v index to 11 (I’ve completed 11 different roles at least 11 times each). My p index remains 5 (I’ve visited five different parkrun locations at least five times each).
It’s not that I haven’t worked on this, I have. I’m playing the long game as I’d like to get up to 10 eventually.
That will take me a while but I’ll enjoy it as I go. What I like about this challenge is it encourages you to repeat locations, so you get to know other parkrunners.
I’ve not achieved the run goal I set myself, which was to be running the full 5km (and ideally at the same time or faster than when I broke my ankle).
My running hasn’t been consistent and that’s something I need to work on. I know that the more often I run the fitter I will get, but there are days when I let my inner Homer win.
Highlights of this year are many.
Going to Perry Hall with Simon Teale and walking in the inclement conditions with Emma Shaw.
Driving Chris Seymour, Tim Robbins and Gary Holford from Puarenga parkrun to the Tarawera Ultra 21km start for a 9am race.
palm in Perth, meeting parkrun friends in real life, making new ones, going to Rottnest Island.
Going to Oslo with my mum for her first international parkrun. There was snow at the parkrun, and the hotel we were in was parkrunner central. Again, met parkrun friends in person and made many more new ones.
The Waitangi weekend with the APAC crew and NZ ambassadors, though the flight there was problematic (Rotorua flight cancelled, drove to Auckland and then the flight had an aborted landing before finally touching down).
Lake2Lake Trail with Liz Henry and her daughters. This trip coincided with the then parkrun COO visiting the parkruns in the deep south so that was a bonus.
Launches at Gordon Spratt Reserve and Northern Pathway. Having been behind the scenes of a launch I can appreciate the excitement and nerves of the event teams welcoming the parkrun public to their event.
This year has been an awesome year as far as attending parkrun is concerned. Lots of memories have been made and it’s inspiring more adventures.
So that’s the reflection, next will be the goals, but that will be another post.