June 8th 2024.
Participating in parkrun with a toddler and a newborn may seem like a daunting task, but my partner and I learned first-hand that the most challenging part is actually getting out of the house on time. We experienced this when, just two weeks after giving birth to our second child, we found ourselves frantically running around our home on very little sleep, trying to remember everything we needed to bring with us.
From a running buggy to wipes and snacks, the list seemed endless. But somehow, we managed to make it to the start line just minutes before the race began. Our toddler was safely strapped into our all-terrain buggy, while our newborn, Inigo, was snuggled up to my chest in a sling. And there I was, just 12 days postpartum, already out in the fresh air and ready to tackle the 5k run – or walk – that my family and I have been doing every Saturday for the past 18 months.
As I approached the start line, with the sun peeking through the clouds, I was surrounded by familiar faces – adults, children, and dogs who I've seen every weekend but don't really know by name. Some of them even peered into the sling, curious to see the baby they had watched grow in my belly week after week.
And then, the run director signaled the start and we were off! Before having children, my partner and I were occasional parkrunners, but once we had our first son, Fabian, everything changed. With an early riser in the house, we were already up and ready to go in the early hours of the morning. So, we invested in a three-wheeler running buggy instead of a regular pram and started participating in our local parkrun when Fabian turned six months old – the recommended age for running with a baby.
Since then, we have been regulars at parkrun, rain or shine, on holidays and special occasions. We've even had our son join us on the morning of our wedding! And although we did have one mishap when we tried to run with both the buggy and our dog, causing a pile-up and a new rule against running with dogs, we've had mostly positive experiences. Even when I was 20 weeks pregnant with our second child, I felt an immense sense of pride as I pushed both my babies around the course.
Our son has grown to love Saturday mornings at parkrun, and "parkrun" was actually one of his first words. He's become friendly with all the volunteers and loves to scan our tokens at the end. And if there's a coffee van, he'll always ask for a babyccino as a reward for his efforts.
This year, I walked instead of ran during the later stages of my pregnancy, with my partner and son overtaking me halfway through the course. But it didn't matter, because parkrun is not about competing, it's about having fun and spending quality time together as a family. And even when we had to stop for snacks or take a break for an emergency potty break, it only added to the memories we have made at parkrun.
We hope that our parkrun tradition will instill in our children a love for non-competitive exercise, community, and family time. And even though it may be a challenge at times, the fact that we do it together as a family makes it all the more special. Walking a lap with our second son nestled against my chest was a significant moment for our family, as it was a chance for our eldest to share with his new sibling what makes us a family.
This is the power and magic of parkrun – a free 5k run organized by volunteers – that has the ability to bring people together and create lasting memories. And even though it may be difficult to make it to the start line on time, the rewards far outweigh any challenges. So, whether you run, walk, jog, or strut, join us in this journey of wellbeing and empowerment. Register for parkrun now and be a part of the Metro parkrun partnership.
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