Its finally here….the #spearbigsixchallenge officially is open for starting this weekend…where are you going to kick it all off. There are a few SPEAR colleagues heading to Hazlehead and Aberdeen parkruns to volunteer and also to run. The parkrun has always been a family event for me and this weekend we have three runners and two volunteers from my family (including my Dad…signing up as the official photographer…he has downloaded his barcode and is all set for his first ever volunteering role – legend) taking in the beautiful route around Hazlehead.
As a way of keeping track of your progress, upon researching, I recently downloaded the app “running achievements” which links directly to your own barcode and keeps a record of your runs both locally during the challenge and also for long after the challenge finishes. This is the home page but loads of virtual medals and challenges on this….in fact some of them have inspired this blog.
So over the next few months how are you going to complete the challenge…I have put together a few ideas and depending on your personality you may choose to under take the challenge slightly differently.
- The Socialiser
The socialiser will look up a friend in the area and choose to complete the run whilst catching up on the latest news. What better a way to catch up with friends in Deeside (Crathes), Inverurie (Ury Riverside), Ellon, Stonehaven or in Aberdeen. A run shared is a run halved… well not really but I am sure the time passes doubly as quick when you are surrounded by friends. After the run be sure to take in a “fine piece and a coffee” (Look out for some local coffee shops offering discount for SPEARBIGSIXCHALLENGE runners) after all – thats the reason Scotland starts at 9:30am …to ensure the coffee shops are open after.
2. The Eclectic Runner
An eclectic runner is a runner who has multiple runs at each of the park runs in the challenge. They then take the fastest run from each of the park runs and accumulate the time and divide by 6. The aim of the 6 months then is to reduce your average by improving your times at each of the parkruns.
Example:
Aberdeen 22:00 , 21:30, 21:45, 20:20
Hazlehead 23:30 , 22:30, 22:30, 21:00
Ury Riverside 21:30 , 21:19,
Crathes 21:30 , 22:30
Stonehaven 22:00, 19:50
Ellon 23:30, 20:20, 21:30 20:29
Total Eclectic score = 20:20 + 21:00 + 21:19 + 21:30 + 19:50 + 20:20 / 6 = 20:43 SBSC Time (SBSC = SPEAR BIG SIX CHALLENGE)
Download the following calculator to help you calculate.
3) The Volunteer – er
The most important part of the challenge is to volunteer at least once through the summer. The roles are far and wide and the parkruns wouldn’t be as successful or in fact ran if it wasnt for the hard work of the volunteers. We value the parkrun volunteer role so much that numerous local companies have donated a prize that volunteering at specific park runs makes you eligible for entering a prize draw for that area. Example – if you volunteer at Crathes – Out There Active Wear have donated a prize. At Hazlehead Gathimba Edwards have donated a prize.
The more you volunteer the more chance you have of winning the prizes.
If you own a small local business or know a lovely boss who would wish to donate a prize – we would be grateful if you could contact james@spearphysiotherapy.co.uk to discuss further.
4) The Geography enthusiast – East to Wester
Completing the park runs in order of location most easterly to most westerly. The order would be Ellon, Aberdeen, Hazlehead, Stonehaven, Ury Riverside and Crathes ( My geography is not great so I stand to be corrected :-))
This can also be completed as a West to Easter – reverse from above. Go all out and complete North to south, or South to North. Be creative.
5) The PR collector
This is simple over the course of the challenge simply ( not as simple as it suggests ) achieve a Personal (course specific) Record at each of the 6 park runs – although through default you have to run each parkrun more than once to qualify – none of this 1 time PR achievers ;-)… you have to earn the glory.
However you choose to achieve your runs, we at SPEAR are delighted that you are taking part and improving your physical and mental wellbeing. We are offering a discounted rate in the clinic to help look after you through the challenge should you need it. Although there is no charge for the challenge, we would encourage donating to Mental Health Aberdeen and only participants that have registered at eventbrite will be eligible for medals after the challenge finishes.
The most important thing is to enjoy your runs, get active and encourage someone to get active with you. So:-
- Get your barcode
- Register to volunteer
- Register on our event,
- Donate to Mental Health Aberdeen
- Print off the “Bingo Board – Facebook or instagram” and tick them off. Below.
- Dust down your trainers and we look forward to your parkrun selfies and ensure you tag @spear_sportsinjuryclinic and @physiorun and include the #spearbigsixchallenge
Good Luck and lets run together.
Run Long and Prosper
James