December 2024 Overview

So I have been a bit lackluster lately on my Parkrun blogs, so instead of doing individual ones, I think i'll go for monthly overviews and attempt to see how successful they i'll be at keeping up! I don't do lots of parkrun tourism so it may be a bit similar however I still tour a bit and it'll be nice to keep track of my parkruns this way. However, the Stats and Rankings are accurate haha!

Prior to this, I just wanted to mention I got a new PB of 19:27 the week before December at Northampton, 1 second faster than my previous PB. So in December I completed 4 Parkruns, all at different venues coincidentally and none at my usual Northampton Parkrun. We started off on one of the windiest and wettest days of the year, causing 80% of Parkruns to be cancelled in the UK, however one that wasn't cancelled was 'Bury Field Parkrun' in Newport Pagnell. The weather was absolutely atrocious and on the drive into Newport Pagnell I went past many flooded fields and feared the worst. Thankfully it went ahead due to the most incredible volunteers I think I have ever come across. 64 people braved the tough terrain, soggy underfoot conditions and also the headwind coming at you as you scale the huge hill (twice!). I came 5th with my slowest time of the year aha! getting a 23:44 with Lee coming 15th again with his slowest time of the year, but we had to do this one if we wanted to get Lee's 50th on Xmas day and it was well worth it. Difficult but very very fun. We then went to a cafe for an omelette and fries. 07/12/2024

The week after, due to Lee being over in MK, we did the 'Milton Keynes Parkrun' with our other friend Luke, who is a very fast runner. I really liked this course, fairly flat with one memorable incline which was a funky zig zag to add some flair and uniqueness to the course. The 2nd part of the course is around Willen Lake, which on this day had a lovely calm breeze and the sun just glinting across the lake so it was a very lovely view. As well, you could see the finish line from a decent distance away, so knew when to give it the beans and when to hold it back. This could defo be a PB course too if you are on form, as after the incline, there's a nice down hill section, then around the lake is incredibly flat. As ever, the marshals were amazing, with a very enthusiastic run director which we LOVE to see! There were 584 people who took part (which I believe is actually quite a low number for MK Parkrun), I came 15th with a 19:49 (huge thanks to the 20 min pacer), Lee came 81st with 23:45 and Luke rocketed home in 8th with 19:24! 14/12/2024.

Due to Football, I didn't do a parkrun the week after so my next parkrun was Christmas Day at 'University of Northampton Parkrun'. This was so enjoyable, if you have ever thought about doing an xmas day parkrun I would totally recommend it. So much joy was in the air and it was great to be surrounded by so many members of my running club too. I decided to pace 25 minutes (however this didn't quite go to plan aha), the start was difficult to navigate and with 3 hills round the course my pacing was all over the place. We ended with a 24:41, which was too fast but it's better to be fast than slow as a pacer I say! Lee completed his 50th too which was great to mark on this amazing day. 25/12/2024.

My final Parkrun of December, and the year was at Sixfields Upton. This is one of Lee's favourites, so he often does it if we aren't able to Parkrun together or he's running late (Which obviously never happens ;)) but it was a lovely one to end on. This one is very close to our local football club, Northampton Town as well, although it goes from Park to Country Park to Farm Yard all in 2.5KM! Bargain if you ask me! It is a pretty flat course, albeit with some funky terrain, but can definitely be a PB potential. The run was also started with guest RD Billy Lockett. Personally I found this run a bit harder than usual, hadn't been running as much due to Christmas and I think the Turkey caught up with me a little aha! I was aiming for 20 mins and got 20:04, which was still good but not quite the aim. Still though, a lovely way to end the Parkrun year. 28/12/2024

I completed 34 Parkruns in 2024 (with an injury at the start of the year and Football some Saturday mornings we'll take that). I went from a PB of 21:38 to 19:27, including a 6 week span of PBs that went 21:16, 20:33, 20:03, 19:51, 19:47 and 19:28. With the first of this span being at a Parkrun called Beacon Hill Country Park, a beautiful setting that I would heavily recommend. I ran at 12 different Parkruns and did 6 new ones. What an incredible thing is Parkrun malarky is ay! Bring on 2025