Running to the Edge – Ian’s Running Story
For some people, completing a Park Run is a weekly ritual they couldn’t do without
One successful runner, Ian Forsdike, shares his inspiring story – leading to his 100th park run in June 2024.
“I was never much of a runner. At school I’d knock myself out sprinting the 100 meters and that was it; I was too tired for anything longer.
But when I went on holiday to Jollymead in Dartmoor, with other kids affected by Thalidomide, something ignited my adventurous spirit and I really enjoyed the activities we did, from orienteering and rock climbing, to long walks in open countryside.
I got an appetite for the extreme, and later, I got into expeditions. In 1995, after one in Nepal, I decided that I would go for my ultimate bucket list trip the following year – an expedition to the South Pole.
Whilst we tried to come up with the money we were advised to get as fit as we possibly could – especially if we were going to attempt dragging a sledge over 700 miles of snow and ice.
Entering the London Marathon
Running became a big part of my fitness regime and I decided I would apply for the 1996 London Marathon.
I was a bit of a ‘boom and bust’ runner. I’d over exert myself, injure myself, get better and then over exert myself again; a vicious circle that meant I didn’t actually run the marathon until 1998.
I did it in 5 hours, 5 minutes.
Once that box had been ticked, I reverted to my old ‘boom and bust’ approach. When the South Pole trip didn’t happen I went on a ‘consolation expedition’ to Greenland in 2000.
I must be the only man ever to suffer heat exhaustion and dehydration on a polar ice cap! As a thalidomider regulating your body temperature is difficult at the best of times, without putting extreme demands on your system. I was married with four children by then and I thought ‘it’s time to stop being silly now, time to give myself a break’.
My running became a bit more sporadic then, until, whilst I was training for the inaugural Milton Keynes Marathon in 2011, I came across the Park Run initiative. I did my first park run on 20 August 2011 and I haven’t looked back.
There have been some bumps in the road. I had to stop for a while when I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in my shins – and then I suffered a minor stroke in 2013.
Going back to Park Runs
After a spa holiday in 2015, in Portugal, where I discovered juicing, I felt better than I had in a long time and reconsidered doing park runs again.
“I thought ‘this is something I can do without it breaking me’, but it hasn’t been easy. I’ve had to readjust my mindset from ‘stats, times, faster, further’ to ‘low and slow’.
As well as doing the runs, I train regularly, despite having hip and glute problems. I love walking as well and did the gruelling Brighton Mighty Hike for Macmillan Cancer support.
It’s not all running. I’m Webmaster of a website paying tribute to the Canadian Regiment that my great grandfather’s brother fought in, in WW1. I’ve connected with survivors and their families from all over the world, something that has given me tremendous joy.”
Motivation, motivation, motivation
“My motivation for running is simple; I don’t want another stroke and want to stay as fit as I can. I have high blood pressure and running helps to bring it down.
In the moment, when I’m running I hate it! But I love that ‘I’ve done it’ moment afterwards and the feeling of my body firing up, in the days after a run.
I’m not one of those runners who wear all the gear. Shorts, the best trainers I can afford (as they’re so important) and breathable, short-sleeved tops are what I’m most comfortable in. I always go for short sleeves to help with heat regulation. I also run in knee supports.”
That 100th run
“When I did my 100th Park Run, it was like any other run; but the support was enormous. Friends and family came to cheer me on and the Trust’s Michelle Robinson, a park runner herself, came along to help me celebrate my success.
The Park Run community is immensely supportive. You don’t have to run it, you can walk – and since the walking initiative was introduced numbers have soared.
Park runs take place once a week and it’s free to join. Anyone can take part and there are people in my group, much older than me, who have done over 600 runs.
I never thought I’d complete my 100th run, when I started – but obviously, I’m now thinking about my 250th – probably in five years’ time. That T shirt will be mine!”
Ian’s Park Run record
- 2011 - 1 run
- 2015 - 5 runs
- 2017 - 1 run
- 2019 - 11 runs
- 2022 - 19 runs
- 2023 - 37 runs
- 2024 - 26 runs so far, running his 75th on New Year’s Day
- 29 June 2024 - 100th Park Run completed
What’s next?
“My marathon days are behind me, but I still have to have something to aim for. My next targets are the 10k at the Bedford Running Festival in September, and the Macmillan Mighty Hike from Alnwick to Bamburgh in Northumberland – on September 14th – just a couple of things, to keep me busy!”
If you’re considering giving park runs a go – take a look at Ian’s top tips and follow in his footsteps.
Ian’s Top Tips for Would-Be Park Runners
- Begin at walking level
- Time yourself so you’ve got a baseline to improve upon
- Ease yourself in – don’t run before you can walk
- Build up slowly – low and slow is the way to go
- Be mindful of your limits – especially those caused by overheating
- Don’t be afraid to try it – you get tons of support, the Park Run volunteers are great.
