DFW running club part 4!! ALL ARE WELCOME!!

beer_tins

Annie,

I'll just echo what others have said, regular walking is the best way to start strengthening the legs before you start running. When you're ready to start, check back in and we'll advise on how to start introducing runs.

Feels like my cold is more or less over. My wife reckons my immunity is still weak from getting over my recent colds, so I'm picking up every cold going. She may be right! no run today, but will probably aim for a purging New year's day run of around 12-14K.

Hope everyone's well and you all have a good New Year's.

becky_rtw

chickadee wrote: »

I don't understand why you would be upset by this. Surely any sort of funding or support that will allow Parkrun to expand and set up new runs in parts of the coumtry where they don't presently exist is a good thing?

"Our support of parkrun next year, along with the sponsors, will enable parkrun to set up a further 20 events in 2010, bringing free running to more communities - which can only be good for increasing participation in the sport and provides London Marathon runners with a regular weekly event."

Parkrun is already sponsored by Nike, Lucozade Sport, and Sweatshop, who are already widely-known so having the London Marathon on board is only adding to the team. And of course it isn't just for London Marathon runners!

I have just had a look at the New Year's Honours list and maybe next year someone will propose Paul Sinton-Hewitt for an OBE for services to grass-roots sport?

Yes, but you cant imagine that LM are doing it from the goodness of their hearts to support running - they are doing it to get access to a whole new market of runners to flog stuff to or to most likely ultimately convert parkrun into thier own 'race for life' type event!

They are a very cynical company - it seems parkrun has made a deal with the devil :eek:

beer_tins

Just seen chick's post. I have to agree, VLM supporting parkrun is a good thing, in my view. It will bring more free events to more people. I'm not sure how many goody-bag and medals runners will find this event up their street anyway, they may not start going. Or if they do, they may discover the joy of running for the sake of it. No bad thing. I can't see the Parkrun ethos changing as a result.

Speaking of parkrun, is anyone doing a South London one on the 2nd? I fancy having another crack at Bromley, but may be persuaded to switch to a different one if others are going. Must say I wasn't a big fan of Roundshaw, though I suspect it would be better without sliding all over the place. Or maybe I should splash out on a pair of off-road runners!

becky_rtw

I think we are doing Reading BT, but we are doing Banstead on 1st

And its less about who wants to turn up and more about what LM think they might be getting out of the deal - lets face it - you dont pour tons of money into something unless you are getting something back - you can see the point for the other sponsors - they get kudos which leads to customers...LM dont need customers they have too many - they need more events...

beer_tins

becky_rtw wrote: »

Yes, but you cant imagine that LM are doing it from the goodness of their hearts to support running - they are doing it to get access to a whole new market of runners to flog stuff to or to most likely ultimately convert parkrun into thier own 'race for life' type event!

They are a very cynical company - it seems parkrun has made a deal with the devil :eek:

Hmm, only time will tell. I certainly hope not. I can't see many parkrunners buying in to that kind of thing. It's not why people started doing the park runs every week. Most of them will shrug their shoulders and shun any merchandising efforts, I expect. I certainly will. I don't by more Nike or Lucozade products as a result of my Parkrun participation. I'm just speaking for myself, of course.

chickadee

becky_rtw wrote: »

Yes, but you cant imagine that LM are doing it from the goodness of their hearts to support running - they are doing it to get access to a whole new market of runners to flog stuff to or to most likely ultimately convert parkrun into thier own 'race for life' type event!

They are a very cynical company - it seems parkrun has made a deal with the devil :eek:

Yes I know, but I don't imagine that the regular Parkrunners won't already have heard of London Marathon. They are doing it for exactly the same reasons as Nike, Lucozade Sport and Sweatshop.... access to a group of potential buyers of their products, whether they are drinks, or running shoes (or races). Go along, run, don't buy their products if you don't want to.

beer_tins

becky_rtw wrote: »

I think we are doing Reading BT, but we are doing Banstead on 1st

And its less about who wants to turn up and more about what LM think they might be getting out of the deal - lets face it - you dont pour tons of money into something unless you are getting something back - you can see the point for the other sponsors - they get kudos which leads to customers...LM dont need customers they have too many - they need more events...

Do you know what Parkruns are on on the 2nd? I assume most of them. I'll be with the in-laws on the 1st, so nowhere near a parkrun, unfortunately!

I've got faith in Paul Sinton-Hewitt, he put a lot of his own money into this to make it a free event. I would hope he would keep it free and not give in to any attempts to change it into a LM event.

becky_rtw

Oh and I agree about Paul - he should be given an OBE or something!!

beer_tins

becky_rtw wrote: »

Oh and I agree about Paul - he should be given an OBE or something!!

Likewise. How does one go about recommending someone for a New Year's honour?

becky_rtw

Here we go:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/UKgovernment/Honoursawardsandmedals/DG_067917

If enough of us do it then surely next year

I think Parkrun should support a campaign...just digging out the xmas list of runs for you BT

Edit: http://www.parkrun.com/crispy.aspx there you go