I can’t believe what activity has done for me – I have got fitter, discovered a hobby, met loads of people, many of whom I am delighted to call friends, and more importantly, realised, that despite my age, I could do something I never ever thought I could! I am still parkrunning – and I am still competitive (well, I am a stubborn Scorpio). I am entering nearly any event I can, as I know I won’t be able to keep it going indefinitely, and I don’t want to waste any opportunities, and even when I had a bit of a health scare a few years ago, it helped me focus, and relax. I can’t think of anything negative to say about activities like running, it’s all positives. I do all of it on the roads or woods. But whatever works for you.
Managing Director for Mercia Ireland
I always fancied running, but every time I tried, my knee started clicking and I was afraid to go further, and I resigned myself to walking only. Walking is a super activity, but I never personally fully “switched-off” while doing it.
That was until nine years ago. My local parkrun had published the one year anniversary photos in the local papers, and someone told me you could walk it, so off I went with my son, and I walked it. I was struck by the good humoured mood, and returned for the next two weeks, even when my son wasn’t available. Then I started thinking – I wonder could I run from that tree to another, or that side, or whatever. I got myself a knee support bandage and I was one of those stop/starters for what seemed for a very long time. Eventually, after four months, I did what I never thought I could, and I did the whole 5k running – no stops and no walking.
I was thrilled inside, and that remains the high point of everything I have achieved in running since. I can still remember the excitement I felt inside. By then my wife had joined in, wondering what was making me want to get up on a Saturday morning, and also my daughter. As I did it, I realised that many people were there for different reasons – some for fitness, some for mindfulness, some for company, some to escape from a problem – maybe health, nursing a sick relative etc for a few hours. Indeed over the years, deaf communities and visually impaired participants joined in too. I met someone who meditates as they walk it, and in recent years, once a month we remember participants who have experienced the worry of cancer within their family or friends.
After a while, I wondered if I could improve at all even at my age, and I joined a running club. I was hesitant, as I knew I would be one of the oldest, but they didn’t treat me any differently because of my age, and I mucked in like everyone else. One of their weekly sessions was exactly right for me – fun and encouragement. I wasn’t long there when I heard that many of them were training for upcoming events like half marathons or 10ks. I started secret training to see if I could extend a 5k to a 10k, and I finally achieved that. Would I ever manage a half marathon? Well, if you volunteer at an event, or go to watch it, it’s hard not to want to give it a go. So more training. I did my first half - it even finished while it was snowing, which made it even more magical.
More parkuns, 5Ks, 10ks, halves followed. People from parkrun often volunteer at Dublin marathon, and I did too and watched it in awe, and wondered if I could. I convinced my wife that despite my age, I should leave it to fate, as they had just introduced a ballot system. I was devastated when I didn’t get through the first ballot, but that made me realise that I really wanted to do it, and I was delighted to finally get a ticket. The training began, and the long runs often included running to parkrun, doing it, and running after it. I finally completed it and it was an unbelievable experience! Was every bit of it good? – no – but overall, it was a great day. (I must admit I wished I was living in a bungalow in the following days). I recently completed the Belfast Marathon, and I plan on completing the Dublin Marathon next October, and of course there is the ballot for the 2026 London Marathon!