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.

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...

Goals

It's that time of year again when I start to reflect on the year that's been. Taking stock of what I have achieved and noting areas that were lacking. What then quickly follows are thoughts of the year to come, and how I can do better. This is where goals are important, they sound simple enough, just targets to be completed in the future and that contribute to a more improved version of oneself, but it's never that easy. A number of years ago I attended a motivational talk by double European indoor gold medallist and Olympian David Gillick. He was tasked with inspiring the younger athletes in my local athletics club where I was coaching at the time. It was a really uplifting talk but what stuck with me was something he said at the very start "a goal without a plan is just a wish". Planning or having a system is key to achieving goals. Writing down what steps are going to get you there, setting smaller and more achievable goals along the way. Creating an environ...

Valencia Marathon Week 4/12

This week didn't go particularly well, my first speed bump in the road. Some of it was from being a little tired but most of it due to humidity, I struggle a lot in these conditions. As delightful a prolonged summer is, I'm craving cooler temperatures. This will be a shorter recap than previous weeks as I don't wish to linger for too long in the negativity. Monday 8 miles (13k) easy, a lovely day for a recovery run. Tuesday 9 miles (15k) easy, into Herbert Park and back along the canal. Wednesday 8 miles (13k) with 6 miles (10k) at 160 heart rate. An extra mile added to the tempo portion. This should have felt like progress but the fade was obvious, power dropping for the same effort. Just happy to get this one done. Thursday 5.5 miles (9k) with the RCSI gang. Loved this run, felt bouncy and smooth. Definitely the outlier of the week. Friday 5 miles (8k) easy, quite the contrast to the day before, every step was a chore. However, I did finally start some strength and condi...

Dave Bradshaw Running

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