Monday 30 January 2012

A bit more about... parkrun

I'm going to embark on another mini series of blogs about stuff you might find useful.  I'm sure you'll all contribute your own wisdom either as comments here or on Facebook!
Anyway, this mini series is about local events and kicking off with parkrun.



  • What? 
    • Eastleigh parkrun
  • When? 
    • Every Saturday morning at 9am
  • Where? 
    • In winter, the playing fields on Wide Lane, in summer, Lakeside Country Park next door.  The parkrun website tells you exactly where the start is - and whether they are in summer or winter mode
  • How far?
    • 5km
  • How much?
    • Free to everyone.
  • How does it work?
    • You need to register beforehand on their website.  This is free.  
    • Then print off a barcode that you take with you on Saturday.  
    • On crossing the finish line, you'll be handed a 2nd barcode.  A marshal will scan this together with your personal barcode.
    • Later that day, you'll be texted & emailed your time.  You'll also learn if you managed a PB!  Check on the website to track your progress.
    • Do 50 (like Karen B & Claire D) & you'll get a t-shirt.
  • What's so good about it?
    • parkrun is a series of 5km races that take place at venues all over the country at 9am on Saturdays.  Extremely well organised by volunteers, you'll run with a diverse mix of speeds - and ages, including kids.
    • The organisers are fabulous - and will respond well to any queries.  They maintain a useful Facebook page as well as the main website.
    • You can track your progress.
    • Pretty flat.
    • On the summer route, you can take your dog.
    • Pacemakers operate on some weeks - a great way to beat a time barrier.
    • Because it starts at 9am, it doesn't cut into your weekend too badly.
  • Any downsides?
    • It can be muddy - trail shoes will help, especially in winter.
    • The course always involves laps
    • Try to get there at least 5-10mins before the start.
If you're a little nervous about the first time, volunteer to help out.  This will give you the chance to see what's going on & meet some of the runners and organisers without the additional pressure of actually running!  You can volunteer any week, but SRS are providing lots of volunteers on 18th Feb.

Alternatively, mention you'd like to give it a go on Mon/Tue at the training session & I'll see if I can rustle up a running buddy for you.

Runs in Eastleigh 23rd & 24th Jan

Please can you all ensure that you have joined/renewed membership?  It is only £15 per annum - a fraction of most gym's monthly fees - so cost shouldn't be a barrier!  I'm never going to ask to see membership cards, but if you are running with us, you need to be a member or our insurance isn't valid.  Click here to find out how.... 


Congratulations to Claire D who did her 50th parkrun at the weekend - an incredible achievement!  She joins Karen D as our 50 parkrun stars.


Mon 7pm, 7.37km in 47:18, 608 calories
Mon 8pm 6.84km in 49:40, 538 calories
Tue 7pm 5.61km in 44:26, 389 calories
Tue 8pm  3.87km in 36:12, 227 calories


Beginners Week 4

  • Warm up
  • Run for 3 mins, walk for 1 min until you get to 13 mins
  • Run for 4 mins, walk for 1 min until you get to 37 mins
  • Cool Down
  • Stretch

Sunday 22 January 2012

Eastleigh Runs last week - 16th & 17th Jan

Well done to Sian - she broke the 30 minute 5K barrier at parkrun last week and got a new PB this week.  Sarah N also did her first parkrun in under 30mins.  Karen H & Valerie both took part for the first time.
And if you take a look at this link, you'll see a red 50 by Karen B's name - she's notched up an incredible 50 parkruns!  Claire D is at 49, so will soon be joining the 50 club.
We are so lucky to have this free, weekly, very well organised event on our doorstep.


Many congratulations to Lizzie who has given birth (finally!) to Isabelle.  Who knows, in 18 years, perhaps Isabelle will joins SRS?!


Little bit of drama with the Tuesday 7pm run where we managed to get split up - all worked out in the wash though!  The SRS AGM took place on Wed & I was chuffed to see Helen & Sarah F there.


Last Week's Eastleigh Runs

  • Mon 7pm  7.18km in 46:55 mins, 593 calories
  • Mon 8pm  5.46km in 43:42 mins, 374 calories
  • Tue 7pm  6.02km in 42:39 mins, 479 calories
  • Tue 8pm  3.86km in 36:51mins, 234 calories



This week's beginners will be:

  • Warming up
  • Running!
    • Run for 2 mins
    • Walk for 1
    • Repeat until you get to 12 mins
    • Run for 3 mins
    • Walk for 1
    • Repeat until you get to 36 mins
  • Cooling down
  • Stretching

Sunday 15 January 2012

Runs w/c 9th Jan

Welcome to the new beginners!  You all did fabulously on Tuesday & it was great to be able to put faces to email addresses..... and particularly good to see Alexa & Sue back.
More well dones - to Louise H-W, Clare W & Jo who all ran in the Stubbington 10K.


It's the AGM this week on Wednesday - I'll be there & I hope a few others from Eastleigh will be too!


Mon 7pm 7.22km in 49:18, 595 calories
Mon 8pm  4.2/6km in 36:20, 247 calories
Tue 7pm  5/5.5/6km in 42:53, 283 calories
Tue 8pm 3.1km in 31:41, 173 calories


Beginners this week will be....

  • Warming up
  • Running for 1 minute & walking 1 minute until 15 minutes.
  • Running for 2 minutes & walking 1 minute until 34 minutes.
  • Cool Down
  • Stretching

Sunday 8 January 2012

Runs w/c 2nd Jan

Apologies for the chaos on routes last week.  Monday's runners got to choose their own (kind of), taking turns to decide which way to go at the junctions.  Tuesday went a bit wrong - I really wasn't intending for the speedier runners to do 8K & we didn't finish until 8:15.....
My new New Year resolution is to prepare more conscientiously - especially as the beginners start on Tuesday 10th!


Louise, Jennifer & I joined Dawn, Tanya, Catherine, Pat, Gillian and Hilary as marshals for today's CC6.  The next one is on 19th Feb & is in the New Forest again at Bolderwood (and it's stunning around there!).


Jennifer has a big batch of kit now - including SRS reflective bibs for £5 - and will be selling it at the AGM on 18th Jan.  Let her know if you'd like some but can't make it to the AGM.


Last week's runs:

  • Mon 7pm  6.52km in 44:34 529 calories
  • Mon 8pm 5.30km in 43:19 355 calories
  • Tue 8pm  7.07km in 60:05 471 calories