I took up park running around in October 2019 at the invitation of my Son commencing at the Jubilee Way Parkrun. I have been running all my life, with some largish gaps, with the most running undertaken during my undergraduate degree, followed by a major gap of some 15 years a bit later. However, each time I run, whether at a formal event like parkrun or by myself, I have felt much much better mentally and physically. Even at my current age, and despite the muscle ache afterward, running has always made me feel good the next day. Unlike my boss who regularly runs 10 km (but is a little younger), I tend to only run 5 – 7.5 km, but it’s enough. This blog is to encourage all people to take up exercise. It’s perhaps the most important thing you need to do to stay healthy – I know, it’s my job! I just saw on the news an 84 year old park runner (who has run 184 runs) talking about how it has kept him alive and well – his advice is worth heeding < https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-13/staying-fit-running-parkrun-health-fitness-old-age-exercise/101238192 > (13 August 2022)
Now a plug for park runs - or at least doing some exercise
Parkruns takes place all over Australia, and indeed the world, on a Saturday morning, starting at 8 am, with a distance of 5 km (it started in UK with 13 runners and spread around the world - history here). One does not need to stick to the same run – indeed there are some who make it a habit of visiting park runs around the Country and world. For those who like a challenge try the Anstey Hill Parkrun: it’s steep with a segment called Torture Hill which is as steep as it sounds. Its also a great training ground – somewhere I like to run weekly (Anstey Hill Parkrun). It becomes a community event, and each week you meet the same and different folk - all out to enjoy exercise.
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| The start of the Jubilee Way Parkrun in August 2022 (Wynn Vale, SA) |