Rosedawn Ramblings

I'm sitting on the balcony watching the world go by, the bottle kilns my ever-present backdrop.  It's early on Sunday morning. The sun is shining, there is a refreshing breeze. Every now and then, the sound of traffic replaces bird song to interrupt the peace and quiet. A couple walking their dog pass by on the bank opposite. The same man who runs by everyday has just appeared. Someone is fishing up by the bridge. A child is feeding the ducks. The coffee tastes good.  I've got a new book to read. It's my happy place ; my place to reflect and re-set. In the nearly 12 months since my last blog post, my new job has continued to be just what I needed, we've had some mini-adventures and lots of fun-filled days. There have been a few bumps in the road, especially when it comes to blogging and running, but I've been doing my best to live up to the intention to  start again . First there was Tailenders Live, which definitely brought the laughter back... Then...

I did it! On Saturday 13th July, I completed my 250th parkrun. It's been quite a journey... I completed my first parkrun on 12th November 2011 - it was Hanley parkrun's 8th event and there were 39 runners taking part, quite a few of whom were there yesterday too, either running or volunteering. I was a volunteer for the first time on the 14th January 2012. My first parkrun tourism was to Pollock parkrun in Glasgow on 28th January 2012 - it was a freezing cold day and we ran through icy puddles on their alternative cross country course.  It didn't deter me. In fact, it's fair to say I was hooked... parkrun has been an ever present part of life since then.  I reached the milestone of 50 parkruns in April 2013 and proudly received my 50 t-shirt from Hanley parkrun's originator Tommy Hill. I started run directing at roughly the same time. Mr T started his parkrunning adventures later that year (coinciding with a Doctor Who-themed fancy dre...