Run and Talk

A few months ago at Bedworth we encouraged people to #runandtalk to breakdown the stigma surrounding mental health. We all have our reasons for running, but to lend to this conversation I'll share mine.

parkrun is saving my life.

Yes, that sounds dramatic, but indulge me if you will.

About a year ago, I braved my first parkrun in Bedworth, in the snow. I was slow, and cold, and miserable, but I did it. I kept going, and got to know some people. I started having a coffee, offering a lift, volunteering. People started to recognise me and we would run and talk.

Fast forward to now and for the sake of this report, I'll give you the abridged version. My husband moved to Ireland in November, leaving me solo parenting 3 kiddies (1,3&5) with no other family around. I have always been very open about my struggles with my mental health, but this has been the most lonely, isolating and challenging thing I have ever faced.

The realisation hit me on New Years Eve as I was sharing bottle of prosecco with Graham Norton and his guests, that I may not talk to another adult for a few days. Then I noticed one of the Bedworth core team say she was going to a parkrun event on FB. I had heard of the NYDD (New Year Day Double, the one day of the year, you can register at two runs in the one day), but hadn't had the time to research it (3 kids leaves you very little time to do anything). So in a little bit of stalker fashion, I decided to do the same two New Years Day Runs that the team were doing

I'd never ran with a buggy before, the kids were excited, and I was nervous. New place, about 1000 people, and me and my 3 kids.

I did it, Fionn moaned, but his little face when he crossed the finish line was worth it. The other two enjoyed the ride around the beautiful Sutton Park.

Then it was on to Kingsburry. I wasn't going to go, Fionn was tired, I was tired, but then 500m from the end of the run I saw the Bedworth team, and they asked if I was going. That was it, decision made, now how to make it work. I strapped the baby into the carrier and strapped the older two into the buggy and ran. (Ok, I didn't run, I trudged)

 I could hear people questioning my sanity. I was questioning my sanity, but that was when I realised I was doing it for my sanity.

I got back to the car, and as it turned out, amidst the hundreds, I was parked beside the Beduff Massive. One of the girls ran over and gave me a hug and said happy new year. That was the only person I hugged until my husband got back a week later.

That day I made the decision I was going to run. And if the options were to run with the kids or not at all, I guess Ill be running with the kids. There are weeks where if I don't go to parkrun I wont actually speak to anyone I know. So I go, and despite how long it takes to get around everyone is always warm, and welcoming and encouraging. There's always a friendly face, and a chat.

Everyone's parkrun story is different, but I think we can all benefit from a #runandtalk

Bedworth Run Report

Today at Bedworth we encouraged people to #runandtalk to breakdown the stigma surrounding mental health. We all have our reasons for running, but to lend to this conversation I'll share mine.

Park Run is saving my life.
Yes, that sounds dramatic, but indulge me if you will.

About a year ago, I braved my first parkrun in Bedworth, in the snow. I was slow, and cold, and miserable, but I did it. I kept going, and got to know some people. I started having a coffee, offering a lift, volunteering. People started to recognise me and we would run and talk.

Fast forward to now and for the sake of this report, I'll give you the abridged version. My husband moved to Ireland in November, leaving me solo parenting 3 kiddies (1,3&5) with no other family around. I have always been very open about my struggles with my mental health, but this has been the most lonely, isolating and challenging thing I have ever faced.

The realisation hit me on New Years Eve as I was sharing bottle of prosecco with Graham Norton and his guests, that I may not talk to another adult for a few days. Then I noticed one of the Bedworth core team say she was going to a parkrun event on FB. I had heard of the NYDD, but hadn't had the time to research it (3 kids leaves you very little time to do anything). So in a little bit of stalker fashion, I decided to do the same two New Years Day Runs that the team were doing

I'd never ran with a buggy before, the kids were excited, and I was nervous. New place, about 1000 people, and me and my 3 kids.

I did it, Fionn moaned, but his little face when he crossed the finish line was worth it. The other two enjoyed the ride around the beautiful Sutton Park.
Then it was on to Kingsburry. I wasn't going to go, Fionn was tired, I was tired, but then 500m from the end of the run I saw the Bedworth team, and they asked if I was going. That was it, decision made, now how to make it work. I strapped the baby into the carrier and strapped the older two into the buggy and ran. (Ok, I didn't run, I trudged)
 I could hear people questioning my sanity. I was questioning my sanity, but that was when I realised I was doing it for my sanity.

I got back to the car, and as it turned out, amidst the hundreds, I was parked beside the Beduff Massive. One of the girls ran over and gave me a hug and said happy new year. That was the only person I hugged until my husband got back a week later.

That day I made the decision I was going to run. And if the options were to run with the kids or not at all, I guess Ill be running with the kids. There are weeks where if I don't go to parkrun I wont actually speak to anyone I know. So I go, and despite how long it takes to get around everyone is always warm, and welcoming and encouraging. There's always a friendly face, and a chat.

Everyone's parkrun story is different, but I think we can all benefit from a #runandtalk

199 people congregated at Miners Welfare Park this morning for Bedworth's 50th event.
30 people were new to the course, and 9 were new to parkrun. Despite very strong winds, and freezing temperatures a whopping 42 people achieved a PB. There were no official milestones, but perhaps James CONDLIFFE (28:54) is saving his 200th run for the big first birthday next week?
Chris HORTON was on fire as not only first finisher, he achieved a new PB and set a new Age Cat VM40-44 record (17:17).
Hot on his heals was Christopher LIMMER, setting his own PB (17:29)
I can't tell you who finished 3rd, because they forgot their bar code, in fact 9 people forgot their barcodes, and thems the rules. No Barcode, No Time!
Top 3 Ladies this week were
Helen TALBOT (20:46) Sadie WALKER (21:56) Celine GUERY (23:38)

Bedworth parkrun #54

Talk about all weather running, we had 4 seasons in one day this week at Bedworth for event #54

The sun was shining as 72 first timers joined us for the New Runners Brief; 53 joined us for their first parkrun, while there were 19 tourists new to Bedworth. Including Peter DUNNE (40:13) from Tymon parkrun in Dublin, who ran a post knee operation PB.

The clouds began to cover as RD Anne-Marie welcomed 272 participants, including the graduating C25K class from Nuneaton Harriers, as they ran their first full 5km. What a privilege it was to witness so many happy runners achieve their goals and continue to encourage each other around the course and across the line. We hope to see everyone back next week for that difficult second run.

The heavens opened as the first finishers crossed the finish line. Adrian PAYNE (18:29) lead the pack running a new PB. He was followed by Glyn BROADHURST (19:10) coming home second, with Steve TAMPIN (19:41) PB just behind him to make up the top 3 men. The women were lead by Zoe MOORE (22:32), a PB, followed by Penny MASSER (22:47) and Jessica DALY (23:18).

Despite the intense winds, a whopping 55 people achieved a PB and there was even a new Age Category record set. John GABRIEL (24:03) VM70-74. What an inspiration John, well done!!

Two people who joined us for milestone runs were Charanjit SOOMAL (23:60) who ran their 50th and Bruce ROGERS (25:14) who ran their 100th. Congratulations to you both.

As it was International Women's Day this week, I found it inspiring to see so many women run, an almost 50:50 split.
It was also inspiring, to see so many people don some bright accessories and take out their earphones to talk to each-other. Following the news of Prodigy font man Keith Flint's untimely passing, and learning he was a member of the extended parkrun family, quite a few people ran   #5forkeith There was definitely a sense of chat and community amongst all runners.

As usual there was a gathering post run, in the newly refurbished Mayor's Cafe, were coffee, cake and most importantly chat, was enjoyed by all.

This week a special thank you go to the Nuneaton Harriers who supplied a number of high-vis heros, as well as everyone else who made this run possible.
Alex BRUCE  •  Alison Not Cambridge CLARK  •  Anne JOHNS  •  Anne Marie MATTHEWS  •  Cathy MCKEOWN  •  Chris J HAMER-HODGES  •  Daniel HARRISON  •  Derek GORDON  •  Emma BILLINGTON  •  Emma BISGROVE  •  Eric FOWLER  •  Ian CARWARDINE  •  Jenna DAVIES  •  Jon KING  •  Karl PERCIVAL  •  Martin SWAN  •  Neil ADCOCK  •  Pete MARSHALL  •  Peter BARZETOVIC  •  Richard ARNOLD  •  Sam JEPHCOTE  •  Sharon CANAVAN  •  Stephen WHITE  •  Toby CLARKE