Episode 18 - Rodney Turner

2016-05-04

In this episode

• parkrun adventure challenge (red shirt challenge)

  The running listener challenge from the previous week — wear red at parkrun and get a photo with other people in red. Mel reports doing it at Launceston ([00:02:17] "according to the Red Shirt Challenge last week"), Scott reports red shirts at the Parkville launch, and at [00:31:13] Scott extends it: "Another opportunity to get dressed in red, so we can continue our red challenge, Mel, for another week." It also drives most of the social-media round-up later.

• Statesmen / Stateswoman

  Brief callback to the Statesmen bit — Scott asks at [00:04:27] "So, this makes you a Stateswoman?" and Mel explains she doesn't qualify because her Devonport run was a freedom run, not an official parkrun: "You could classify me as an unofficial stateswoman because I have done an unofficial parkrun... I don't go on any lists for this one."

• Meet the ED

  Interview with Gavin Mackay, Event Director of the about-to-launch Batemans Bay parkrun in NSW (launching on the 7th). Covers the course — a double-loop with water views for 100% of it, using the new marina break wall — the lack of any running club in a 16-17,000 person town, his relationship with the elderly founders of the Broulee Runners group, his move from Glasgow four years ago on a pharmacy sponsorship, and the fact that he has never actually run a parkrun himself due to knee surgery.

• Guest interview — Rodney Turner (Heart Week)

  Interview with Tuggeranong parkrunner Rodney Turner, tied to Heart Week. He describes the 2014 ruptured heart valve that led to open-heart surgery, post-operative pericarditis and two episodes of heart failure, the loss of confidence that followed, and his nervous return to parkrun. He makes the case for cardiac rehabilitation and for parkrun/parkwalk as a community-driven reason to turn up regardless of weather.

• Roving Adventurers — international roving report (Nicole at Crissy Field parkrun, San Francisco)

  Pre-recorded roving report from Nicole at Crissy Field parkrun in San Francisco, billed by Scott as "more international roving adventuring" and "our first sample of some American parkrunners". She interviews run director Dale (event's 66th run, a record-equalling 51 runners, ~50 volunteer credits), Peter visiting from Barking in Essex who has just turned 60, and Catherine from Seattle doing her first ever parkrun while scoping out a future Myrtle Edwards Park event — which would be the sixth in the US.

• Social Adventurers

  Cued by Scott at [00:36:07] "What's happening on the social scene this week, Mel?" Round-up of Instagram, Facebook and Twitter posts, almost all Red Challenge entries: Barefoot_Mike77, Gary Murphy and his red dog Flynn at Highlands, Wendy Glenn's 50 Club red row, Tim McKinley (who unknowingly photographed Scott at Parkville), Macalicious21's GoPro film of the Parkville course, Running Guy Ryan at Tamborine Mountain, AK Selba at Jells Park, regulars Runjo Run / Recreating Mel / Finding My Balance / Will B1981 (formerly Positivism1), Ross Pentland's elevation stats tweets, and Bronwyn Bell at Nambour.

• Facts in a Haystack

  Not aired this week but trailed at [00:39:51] — "he must also love stats [facts] in a haystack with Ian Hay, which fortunately we're going to have again next week," with Scott replying "Looking forward to that. My favourite segment."

• Listener email

  Scott reads feedback from Paul Curtin: "Hi Scott and Melissa. Finally got around to listening to the podcasts. Three down. I think they are great. Just the right balance of fun and information. Keep them coming." Mel jokes "Let's hope he didn't stop at episode three."

• Where is the cake? (weekly anniversary/launch calendar)

  Cued by Scott's set question at [00:41:59] "Okay, where's the cake this week, Mel?" Anniversaries in three states: Cleveland QLD turning three with a crazy socks theme, Altona Beach VIC celebrating its first with no theme but plenty of cake, and Rhodes NSW turning one with an 'R' theme — leading to a riff on R costumes (runner, pirate, rascal, rebel rouser, rogue squadron leader) and Mel's recollection of Kawana's 'P' theme giving 100% dress-up compliance.