Parkrun..

Bungy Girl

Just back from the junior run too. So well organised with lovely encouraging volunteers. My 4 y.o. loved it, delighted with herself for doing "2 laps!".

Tigerandahalf

Another bunch of parkruns starting in the new year.
Castlehaven in Cork has some beautiful views of the sea. Definitely one for the tourist.
Falcarragh in Donegal
Glengarriff in West Cork.
Tramore
All good tourist spots.

edisonolmy

Castlehaven came out of the blue. It's really taking off in Cork. Good to see.

BeenMadAgain

Letterkenny is on Facebook too.

Sunny Dayz

BeenMadAgain wrote: »

Letterkenny is on Facebook too.

Letterkenny? I thought Parkrun was starting in Falcarragh?

BeenMadAgain

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

Letterkenny? I thought Parkrun was starting in Falcarragh?

Yes, there too. Letterkenny's Facebook page has only gone up recently, so it will probably be a while before it starts, whereas Falcarragh starts on 9th January.

Co. Donegal parkruns must be like buses!

edisonolmy

Donegal a big county so not a surprise that two are starting up - would expect more

Sunny Dayz

That's great that Letterkenny is starting up. Himself is from Donegal and I asked him last night was Falcarragh far away from his parents house and he says it's the best part of an hour. Himself said Letterkenny would be doable for us if there was one, the Parkrun gods must have heard us talking!

edisonolmy

Anyone on here going to the Euros by the way - Bordeaux looking at starting a parkrun, hopefully be set up by June 18 of next year. The only parkrun in France isn't that far outside Bordeaux, but it looks quite remote.

Dub13

One of the kids just asked me if the junior parkruns count towards there To Shirt...? You know what kids are like they are dying to get them, they have 4 or 5 adult runs done and one junior. I presume they count...?

robinph

Dub13 wrote: »

One of the kids just asked me if the junior parkruns count towards there To Shirt...? You know what kids are like they are dying to get them, they have 4 or 5 adult runs done and one junior. I presume they count...?

Nope, the junior runs don't count towards the tshirts.

They count towards a completely separate award of the Half/ Full/ Ultra marathon wrist bands. (which adults will never be able to get, so they will beat you on that if that helps with appeasement)
http://www.parkrun.org.uk/news/2014/05/13/junior-parkrun-newsletter-14-may-2014/


Volunteering at Junior events does count towards the regular volunteer tshirts though.

Sunny Dayz

Does anyone know if you can take part in a Parkrun in the UK? Can you use your barcode that you use in Ireland? Does it count towards your Parkrun record?

RayCun

Sunny Dayz wrote: »

Does anyone know if you can take part in a Parkrun in the UK? Can you use your barcode that you use in Ireland? Does it count towards your Parkrun record?

Yes, he said yes, it will yes

edisonolmy

Same barcode works anywhere in the world - I've run in Ireland, the UK, Denmark and New Zealand with the same barcode - they all count towards your record

Sunny Dayz

Thanks all. Have only started Parkrun in the latter half of this year and only in one location (so far...) Going to the UK for a long weekend early next year but on reflection I'm not sure I can drag the hubbie and son out of bed early on their holiday for a Parkrun and get them away from the breakfast buffet!! But may pack the barcodes and running gear just in case...

edisonolmy

Parkrun tourism is good fun. It has helped me see more of Ireland over the last couple of years and visit places I'd never have visited otherwise. Bere Island for example

Phoebas

Do Parkruns shut down for Christmas?
My nearest on is St. Annes and I might feel inclined to do one on St Stephens morning.

Doubt any PBs will be broken.

edisonolmy

Best to check each event's own web page or social media. Some do extra events on Christmas Day and Jan 1. From this http://www.parkrun.ie/stannes/news/ it appears St Annes is on Dec 26 at the usual time

edisonolmy

For those in the Dublin area, Hartstown and Waterstown both on Dec 25. No better way to start the day
http://www.parkrun.ie/christmas-compendium/

Gael23

Some are on Christmas Day but not that many

Amigaman

and for those of you who wish to start their new years day off right - Griffeen parkrun in Lucan will be having a special new year run on the 1st of Jan @ 09.30 the only one in Dublin...if any boardsies are there on the day stop me and say Hi....

Pawwed Rig

Phoebas wrote: »

Do Parkruns shut down for Christmas?
My nearest on is St. Annes and I might feel inclined to do one on St Stephens morning.

Doubt any PBs will be broken.

St Anne's is going ahead on 26th according to Facebook.

Dub13

Pawwed Rig wrote:

St Anne's is going ahead on 26th according to Facebook.

Father Collins is also on the 26th.

Firedance

Dub13 wrote: »

Father Collins is also on the 26th.

as is Cabinteely

mugsymugsy

Great Christmas parkrun at Hartstown despite the weather. Thanks to all the volunteers!

Gael23

Slightly off topic but do you all eat your breakfast before parkrun or wait until after? I've heard stories. of consequences of eating before exercise.

The Muppet

I find i can eat up to an hour before running with no ill effect, i think its a matter of trial and error to see what works for you.

fletch

I don't eat anything....maybe 200ml of water/juice....the effort for a 5k is such that I would be risking a stitch if I ate anything beforehand.

menoscemo

The Muppet wrote: »

I find i can eat up to an hour before running with no ill effect, i think its a matter of trial and error to see what works for you.

If you want to run your best, my advice would be to not eat within 3 hours of the run so unless I was up really early then I would just have a coffee

GalwayGrrrrrl

Gael23 wrote: »

Slightly off topic but do you all eat your breakfast before parkrun or wait until after? I've heard stories. of consequences of eating before exercise.

I get up at 7am then eat a bowl of porridge straight away. I am ok to run 5k at 9.30am then (no stitch or vomiting etc) Most people I know seem to wait until afterwards for breakfast though.

Pawwed Rig

I always like a banana before parkrun.

Gael23

I've read an article that Coffee is supposed to help?

edisonolmy

Caffeine will help longer distances, when fatigue can be a factor, but I don't find much difference in performance taking it before a 5K. It'll most likely kick in when you're driving home. That being said, I have taken pro Plus before 5Ks before, just in case.

As for fasted running, I do it all the time. I never eat before a parkrun. if I was doing an early morning 10K, I might eat a banana or two.

BeenMadAgain

Fatigue over 5k IS a factor for some of us!! ;o)

There are probably more important things than pre-run eating and caffeine to concentrate on - like decent training and proper hydration, so as long as your not having a big breakfast just before the run it shouldn't be a huge issue. You also probably don't want to be going for a PB every week, so just do what you would normally do for a training run.

5k should be short enough not to need much to eat beforehand - should be fine to eat nothing on the Saturday morning, but I sometimes go for a small sugar boost shortly before the run, which hopefully peaks blood sugar levels about half an hour later, just in time for that last km!

The science seems to suggest that caffeine can improve performance, but coffee may not be the best way to take it - it contains lots of other active ingredients. It's no longer a restricted substance, but beyond certain dosages it's no longer effective (do your own research / web search if you are interested). It seems to be most effective if taken about an hour and a half before exercise. Pro plus may be more cost effective than energy drinks or gels, but not as cost effective as generic tablets, which are widely available.

annapr

Took four little lads to Rush Junior parkrun on Sunday... They loved it, fantastic event, nice little park and very enthusiastic volunteers. Well done to all involved.

Amigaman

annapr - its brilliant to hear yours and others on boards feedback on Junior parkrun - as you know the concept is still new to Ireland and i know Matt and Niall would love to hear of your experience , they can be reached @ matt@parkrun.ie and Niall ( the Event Director of Rush Junior parkrun ) @ rush-juniorsoffice@parkrun.com and I know they would be trilled to hear from you ...

annapr

Amigaman wrote: »

annapr - its brilliant to hear yours and others on boards feedback on Junior parkrun - as you know the concept is still new to Ireland and i know Matt and Niall would love to hear of your experience , they can be reached @ matt@parkrun.ie and Niall ( the Event Director of Rush Junior parkrun ) @ rush-juniorsoffice@parkrun.com and I know they would be trilled to hear from you ...

Thanks! I will get in touch, it was inspiring... Starting to think we could do with one closer to d3!

Gael23

Limerick not going ahead on Saturday due to flooding

kookiebrew

Any idea when limerick will be starting up, run the bank often enough and I'd say with the Shannon so high could be a while before its ok.

Gael23

kookiebrew wrote: »

Any idea when limerick will be starting up, run the bank often enough and I'd say with the Shannon so high could be a while before its ok.

They haven't set a date, just whenever the course is in a suitable state.

kookiebrew

Gael23 wrote: »

They haven't set a date, just whenever the course is in a suitable state.

Thanks, still waiting to do my first parkrun.registered months ago but closest one is Galway about 35 mins drive there and 35 mins back. In Limerick every other weekend so was hoping to start there. Will have to keep an eye out here.

Pawwed Rig

kookiebrew wrote: »

Thanks, still waiting to do my first parkrun.registered months ago but closest one is Galway about 35 mins drive there and 35 mins back. In Limerick every other weekend so was hoping to start there. Will have to keep an eye out here.

There is one in Ennis that is easily reached from Limerick.

kookiebrew

Still a nice round trip for a 5k though...

Pawwed Rig

Worth the effort though. One of the nicest courses I have done.

Gael23

Knocknacarra in Galway would be another option to consider. I know nothing about the course but it's a handy spin from Limerick

kookiebrew

I'm living about 35 mins north of Galway so knocknacarra would be my closest. But I'm in Limerick every other week, wouldn't have to travel to get to it, would actually jog to the boathouse in UL and use it as a warm up, about 2 miles along the bank to my parents. Will have to try Galway too though, make it one of my New Years resolutions

ger664

kookiebrew wrote: »

Still a nice round trip for a 5k though...

You also have Clarisford in Killaloe

BeenMadAgain

On Friday I slung a bike in the back of the car and drove to Stormont, then cycled to Comber, did the 9:30 parkrun, cycled back and did the 11am parkrun. Timings were a bit tighter than I anticipated - changing gear at each end, but it was still fairly comfortable, though I could have done without the rain on the return cycle. Was good fun - lots of people turned out, including a new record attendance for the north at Stormont - more info on the Stormont parkrun facebook page. Lucky I chose Comber for the first one though as Waterworks was iced off. So far it doesn't seemed to have aggravated my Achilles injury as much as I thought it might - I took it easy and kept the cadence high, but obviously I had to take part in what I think is the first ever parkrun double in Ireland!

Maybe Dublin next year???

kookiebrew

ger664 wrote: »

You also have Clarisford in Killaloe

That might be a good call, thanks Ger

chrislad

kookiebrew wrote: »

That might be a good call, thanks Ger

Clarisford is nice. That's the main one I do, when I do it! Course is 4 loops of the park, and normally there's about 40 people. It's a fast enough field too. Normally winner is about 17mins or so. Over 25 mins (in my case) and you're in the bottom half!