Signing up for Parkrun

To sign up for Parkrun, follow the link below and be sure to select Dave Bradshaw Running as your running club.

When the registration form is completed you will receive an email which will include a link to a PDF. This PDF needs to be printed out as it contains your barcode. You need to bring this barcode with you every time you run a parkrun.

Alternatively you can buy a more durable type of barcode from the parkrun shop

Link - Parkrun shop

How does the barcode work?

When you cross the finish line you will be given a token by a volunteer with your finishing position. You will then walk through the finish chute where you'll be greeted by another volunteer who will have a scanner, they will scan your token and your barcode. Later when all the information is uploaded from the stopwatch and scanners, finish times are matched to finishing positions and barcodes, giving you an accurate 5k time and finishing place. The overall results will then appear on that parkruns website later that day.

Parkrun is free and would not be possible without volunteers. Volunteering is very rewarding and it is considered good etiquette to volunteer at least once for every ten parkruns you run.

Happy running.

My Top 12 Running Books

12. "Running with the Buffaloes" by Chris Lear An honest account of renowned coach Mark Wetmore and his winning cross country team. Coaching philosophy, hard work, personal insights and tragedy all told with a delicate touch, definitely due a reread. 11. "The Art of Running Faster" by Julian Goater & Don Melvin The book is an account of Julian's own running career and almost a case of 'what if?' He tries to impart wisdom to the reader, all the things he's learnt through experience and reflection with regards to training, technique etc. Things he wished he had applied during his time as a competitive runner. 10. "Can't hurt me" by David Goggins The language in this book is not for the sensitive. This is not your typical running book! For one thing he runs ultras. There's so much more to this former navy seal than meets the eye. I may not agree with some of what he says but his tenacity and mental toughness is to be both admired...

Lost My Running Mojo, Help!

There are lots of reasons a runner can lose their running mojo, injury or illness, time constraints from family or work commitments, failure to hit a goal, over-training or perhaps an underlying medical issue. More recently it could be due to our schedule being out of whack due to the current restrictions that have been imposed on us as we try to tackle the covid19 virus. The loss of one's mojo has happened to most if not all runners, including myself. It can come from nowhere and be both frustrating and exhausting. I'm a lot better now at recognising the signs and taking appropriate actions to quickly sort it out but in the past I've gone a year, maybe longer without running, and so maybe by default, I'm now an expert in the subject. 1. Go for a run when you feel like it. Don't force yourself out the door but aim for at least twice a week if you can. 2. Keep your runs short, if your normal run has been 5 miles or 10k, cut it back to 2 miles or 5k and ...

Valencia Marathon - 12 Weeks to go!

Last year's Valencia Marathon resulted in a small personal best. I ran 3 hours 18 minutes and 31 seconds, it was my first time to ever run a negative split (second half faster than the first half) and my eleventh attempt at the distance. I'm definitely a slow learner! It was very satisfying and not once did I experience any weak spots throughout the 42k. Needless to say, I was thrilled, however I left this wonderful city thinking, what if.... What if this wasn't my third marathon in eight weeks, what if I concentrated on a good diet (eat more), what if I did some strength/core work? So here we are, twelve weeks out and my motivation is sky high. I want to run another personal best, feel strong and have a smile crossing the finish line, it doesn't sound like much, but to an experienced runner, we know what's involved! Time, commitment, patience, effort, recovery, support, to name a few. I've made some rough sketches that are starting to form a plan. Some of which...

Dave Bradshaw Running

Search This Blog