As part of our celebration of International Women's Day we will be posting profiles of women who participate at Old Deer Park. If you'd like to be featured, please cut and paste the questions, replace with your answers and email OldDeerPark@parkrun.com
1. When did you first come to parkrun? I first ran a park run back around 2008 with a Park Run at Bushy Park - I did not realise then, that Park Run would become such a huge success. In those days, Park Run was quite a small event held at Bushy Park. After that, I stopped for a few years as I got a Saturday job!
2. What made you decide to come? Originally I went to Park Run with a group of friends. When I returned about 4 years ago, this time on my own, I was not really doing much exercise. I decided that I needed to get back into some form of fitness or vegetate into old age!!
3. Were you nervous about coming for the first time? Yes, it was daunting as I thought I had lost practice and that everyone else would be competitive and fast - I thought I would be left behind and it would be embarrassing! Luckily, I realised there was a tail walker - so I would never be last!!
4. What three words would you use to describe parkrun? Fun - Happy - Challenging
5. What do you love the most about parkrun? Knowing that it's doing me good and I feel stronger and fitter - and of course the coffee and chat afterwards!!
6. What difference has parkrun made on your health and wellbeing? I'm not heading to old age quite so fast as I was! (I'm 63 now!) But still trying to get a faster time!
7. According to ThisGirlCan 52% of women worry about being judged during exercise, what would you say to someone who has this fear in relation to parkrun? Just turn up - You don't need posh running gear - just a tee shirt, jumper and leggings trainers and (try to ) smile! You will fit right in! Every week we explain the route and what happens - so nothing to worry about.
8. If you could give one piece of advice to someone considering coming to Parkrun, what would it be? Just come along - it is very inclusive - of course there are the fast runners - but most of us are 'just trying to get round' and we try and encourage one another through the 5 k.
9. What would parkrunners be most surprised to know about your life outside of parkrun? Since getting back to running I have confidence to now participate in Sprint Triathlon - I have joined the Tri50 group for mature athletes and have found some great new friends. I couldn't have done that without the confidence of having done park run.
10. Please can you email a picture of yourself in your outside parkrun life?
11. If there is anything else you would like to add, please do!