— open the full-size coverEpisode 223 - Abigail
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Episode 223 - Abigail · 2021-02-27
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Source: https://log.5kadventures.net/transcripts/ep223.html · The Adventurers Log · An independent project, not affiliated with or endorsed by parkrun.
Welcome
Melissa Ellis: Welcome to episode 223 of the parkrun adventurers podcast. My name is Melissa Ellis and I am joined by Shellharbour's speedy son, Ollie Spake. Hi Ollie, how was your parkrun weekend?
Oliver Spake: Hi Mel and hi everyone. I had a lovely parkrun weekend, thank you. Family holiday, so it's pretty hard to complain about that. Although, you know, if I'm being honest, I should say I'm tired.
Melissa Ellis: Oh, those people that whinge when they get up on their first holiday. They're, oh, I'm so tired.
Oliver Spake: Well, that's it, yeah. I really should have thought about that way to become least popular person number one because it really is a first world problem there. We were very fortunate to get to go away and it's a family holiday. I think I mentioned previously it's a family holiday that, well, at least my wife Kathy and her family have been doing for three decades. So... It was a lovely weekend. We were lucky with the weather. I ran up and down a few too many sand dunes, but hey, we had fun and yes, I did get to a parkrun.
Melissa Ellis: And is that why you're tired? Because you ran up and down sand dunes or is it because you're absolutely speedy at parkrun? I looked up your results, Olly Spake. I saw that you ran sub 20 and came fourth. So here, here's the thing that you beat me on. Well, look. Wear it with pride.
Oliver Spake: I will. I will. It's like 10-1 in that respect. So I'm happy to claim a one on that front and have something. And, hey, yeah, look, I was really hoping for a PB, on the altered course there at Huskisson parkrun, or Husky. I'd had a bit of encouragement from the Shellharbour event team, so the pressure was on. But, you know, it was just such a gorgeous morning. Felt great. And, yeah, funnily enough, just like last week, I think I was fourth there as well. So, yeah, stoked.
Melissa Ellis: And it said PB next to your name. I saw that, and that's your third time you've run there? Yeah.
Oliver Spake: That's right. So I've been to Husky parkrun three times now in total, but the last two times, well, the first time I was actually part of a fairly large Shellharbour contingent that came down for, I think, a fairly well-publicized launch, which was a fantastic day, and came back to not too long after that. But since then, the Husky team have had to move the course. And look, where they were originally starting, if for anyone that does know Huskisson, I suppose I should give a bit of context. Huskisson is a town on the New South Wales south coast. It's a beautiful coastal holiday town and highly recommend it to anyone that wants to get away there. But it's located around Jervis Bay. And the location of the parkrun was... It was pretty mint to start with. It had a handy spot. It was near the park. It was near toilets, cafes, and even the pub. So you can't go too wrong with that. But what it did do was it went past a bit of a pinch point near a caravan park, which was, again, very popular in terms of people. So it was a bit tight there. Since then, they've moved it out to a place called Moona Moona Creek and previously used to run through that and then across a bridge and wind around and along a straight bit. Now you start, you go across that bridge, you go around, and then it's basically 2Ks straight out. Then you come across Graham, you turn around, 2Ks straight back, and you wind back around and come across the bridge and finish. So I think it's been vastly improved.
Melissa Ellis: You lost me at the start. Sorry. Sounds good, though.
Oliver Spake: Yeah. Oh, look, it is good. Fair contingent of tourists, which is to be expected this time of year. So it was a lovely morning.
Melissa Ellis: I actually looked up Huskisson once upon a time. My daughter was going to join the Navy and I looked up where the naval training, officer training place was and where the closest parkrun was, of course, as all good parkrun tourists do. Yep. And it was Huskisson. That's right.
Oliver Spake: Yeah, yeah. So you've got Creswell, the naval base out there. You've got Albatross, which has an airfield. So, yeah, it's a pretty handy spot there for obviously any of the troops or cadets that would have the opportunity to make it to a parkrun at that time. Yeah, I think there are a few that do make it.
Melissa Ellis: And did any of the family join you on parkrun day?
Oliver Spake: The plan was to have the family join me on parkrun day. And, look, we weren't even sure whether we were going to go to the other favourite, which is Batemans Bay, further down the coast, or Husky. And it was about 6 a.m. in the World Cup decision-making final. Oh, my God. I'd had a bit of encouragement because I'd been talking about catching up with a very good friend from Shellharbour parkrun and listener, Michael, and he was going to make it to Husky. So that and the fact that the entire family decided to stay in bed was kind of like the deciding factor. That was the winning goal.
Unidentified speaker: Ah.
Oliver Spake: Yeah, yeah. So headed off to Husky without the family. But I had my other family in that Michael was there. Michael's been on a bit of a comeback from an injury over the last month and a half and has been erring towards some more of the flatter and smoother courses. He's, yeah, tried a few of them and this one kind of fit that bill nicely. I mean, mind you, he's gone and done a quarter marathon in Gloucester in the meantime. So he's a pretty brave man. Yeah. Yeah, Michael took on the course and we caught up afterwards for coffee and brekkie, so that was nice. And we had, just because I've got to say it, we had some of the Shellharbour parkrun. Yeah. Familiar faces, one of the super couples, Corinne and Nathan, who'd been down with their youngest in a pram. So they were out there. And actually, Mel, this was interesting. So I was running along and I'd been told about Graham, who I mentioned before. Graham's a volunteer who's often the turnaround marshal. Looked up his stats after the event because I didn't get to talk to him except that moment when you turn around and you say well done you know thanks you're awesome because he's sending you back um and because he's a volunteer so he's awesome but uh yeah Graham clearly is he's he's volunteered at 90 of the 117 events at husky so far the guy's only done five parkruns but this was event number 90 so he wasn't there but they all did a big cheer for him at the start and I was sure to try and you know pass that on to him at the halfway but that kind of put me into my parkrun endorphin high where I just get a bit enthusiastic and say, well done and keep going and good work to everyone that I pass on an out and back course because I don't like anyone to miss out.
Melissa Ellis: Oh, bless. Ollie, if you had just saved your energy a bit, you might have got a few more seconds.
Oliver Spake: But I was at about 4Ks. I was nearing the runner in front when he told me to pack it in and shut up. And I could tell that it was in jest, but I did pass him.
Melissa Ellis: Well done.
Oliver Spake: Finished in front and then turned and faced him and realised he was one of my best friends from high school I hadn't seen in 20 years.
Melissa Ellis: Oh, what?
Oliver Spake: The people you see.
Melissa Ellis: Small parkrun world.
Oliver Spake: Small parkrun world, yes.
Melissa Ellis: That sounds like a pretty enjoyable parkrun morning to me.
Oliver Spake: It certainly was. It certainly was. And, Mel, I believe you got some parkrun adventuring in as well. Where did you go? How was it? I did.
Melissa Ellis: Yes, no, I got to Fairpark Reserve. That had been my goal the previous week. Yeah, and there was lots of very familiar faces there, so it was a very enjoyable morning, parkrun's always a fun morning, but just having special people there, it just puts that little different spit on it. I caught up with some people, some good friends that I hadn't seen since before COVID. So I really enjoyed that, catching up with them. My mum came. I haven't seen mum a lot over the last 12 months and she came down because Fairpark Reserve is local to her. So she came down and walked it. It was her ninth event. Fantastic. Yeah. She's sort of been all over Victoria at different points with me. When I have the opportunity to borrow her and take her with me on an adventure.
Oliver Spake: She went to Kate Reed too, didn't she?
Melissa Ellis: She did, yeah. That was her birthday weekend. So I'm like, do you want to go away for your birthday, Mum? I'll pay. Yeah, she's been to Merimbula and she's been to Mount Beauty. She's been all around Victoria with me. And I might get her with me this next weekend. No, not this next weekend, the one after. I put the proposition to her and she said, is there going to be painted silos? If there's painted silos, I'll come. So now I've got to find if there's... Do you have silo art where in New South Wales? I have seen...
Oliver Spake: Some. Well, I don't know if it's silos. Look, I've seen obviously the boards on the street corners, certainly the murals on the walls. We've got some big gas storage containers I've seen art on, but silos...
Melissa Ellis: It's a bit of a thing in country Victoria and there's actually a siloed art trail and they are absolutely brilliant where they're disused silos that get commissioned by artists to be painted. Then they become like a tourist attraction for the community and they bring in interest and people come to see them. So it brings people to the towns and Yeah, mum's really keen to go and see. And previously on other parkrun trips we have, you know, seen some of the silo art. Yeah, so I'll have to track them down and see if there's going to be some that I can factor in to get mum out on another adventure.
Oliver Spake: That's a nice combination, a bit of a silo art tour, parkrunner art tour.
Melissa Ellis: Yeah, all parkruns should have a painted silo, that's what I say.
Oliver Spake: Or something painted at least, absolutely.
Melissa Ellis: But anyway, it was event three of Fairpark Reserve and I had a little trot with my friend Helen. There was 101 runners on the day, so that's not bad for event three. They've... One of the events in Victoria that had to wait, that was due to launch prior to our initial parkrun pause, then had to wait almost a year and then launch. And then we had an interruption, of course, last weekend. So they were back with event three.
Oliver Spake: That can't have been easy. Well done, Fairpark team.
Melissa Ellis: Yes, they did very well.
Oliver Spake: I understand we've got a bit of audio.
Melissa Ellis: We do.
Oliver Spake: We do.
Melissa Ellis: Yes, because one of the friends that I had the pleasure of sharing Fairpark with was our very own Tony O'Connell.
Oliver Spake: Ah, well, should we have a listen now?
Roving reports & the Channel 5 News crew
Roving report Tony O'Connell — Fair Park Reserve
Tony O'Connell: Howdy parkrunners, TOC reporting in for the Channel 5 News crew. Today we've ventured down to Melbourne. The corona restrictions have lifted and we've come down to Fairpark Reserve. So we're just out having a wander, walking with a couple of lovely ladies here. I'm walking with Jodie and Lynne. How are you ladies?
Jodie: Good, thank you. Good, thanks.
Tony O'Connell: Jodie, I heard a whisper that you did Kate Reed for your first ever parkrun. What possesses someone to go and do a trail parkrun with that sort of terrain for their first parkrun?
Jodie: It's called Brendan Peel. He encouraged me to do that for my very first one. That's the one he took me to. So, therefore, I did it.
Tony O'Connell: Well, as you know from listening to the podcast, I do like hills and that would be a cracker of a course. And I'd love to get down and see Curly and the gang down there. So, yeah, congrats on doing that. This is your eighth parkrun today?
Jodie: Yes, it is.
Tony O'Connell: And what do you think of the Fairpark course?
Jodie: It's beautiful. It's lovely. The greenery, the animals, the animal noises. It's just lovely. Parkland grunts. Yes, and the company is lovely as well.
Tony O'Connell: And I've got Lynne here with me. Lynne's come down from Cobram today. That's a bigger hike than what we've made. Lynne, what brings you down to Fairpark?
Lynne: Visiting the family and checking out another event.
Tony O'Connell: Cool. And what do you think of the course?
Lynne: Oh, it's lovely. Nice and green and smelling the native trees and the great friendly vibe. It's fantastic.
Tony O'Connell: And being from Cobram, you're probably looking at the gum trees trying to find your local koalas.
Lynne: That's right. Looking for the drop bears.
Tony O'Connell: The drop bears. Yeah, no, it's a lovely little course. Follows a bit of a creek, I think we'll call it.
Unidentified speaker: Yes.
Tony O'Connell: And a couple of bridges to go under, which if you're anything over about Six foot four, you're probably going to have to duck. Unfortunately, at my height, I can stand upright and just walk.
Lynne: We're right. We're right. We're okay. Lots of dogs on track. Yes. Yeah, lots of dogs.
Tony O'Connell: Lots of people out and about too today. It's good to see so many people out using the course.
Jodie: Yeah.
Tony O'Connell: And not just parkrunners, but a lot of the locals obviously using it.
Jodie: Yeah, it's lovely.
Tony O'Connell: We're actually walking under a fairly big road now under a bridge, so you can probably pick up the echoes on the recording. Yes. All right, and where to next, guys? What's the next week bring?
[other]
Jodie: To Cobram, run directing. Hopefully Tasmania, and I think we might be doing Our Park.
Tony O'Connell: Cool, that's another one on the list, another O, or an O in your case for your alphabet, so on the way.
Jodie: That's right. Fantastic.
Tony O'Connell: Well, we've got to bike back.
Lynne: Bike back. Morning. Morning. We're just about to go up the hill, so it's probably a good time to wrap up before we get breakfast.
Tony O'Connell: All right, guys. Well, thanks for the quick chat, and we'll talk later.
Jodie: All right. Bye. Bye.
Melissa Ellis: And thank you. It was nice to hear from TOC again. And I enjoyed catching up with TOC on this last parkrun day at Fair Park Reserve. And he spoke to lovely Lynne and Jodie. So yes, those ladies had a nice walk with him.
Oliver Spake: Yeah, great to hear mid-parkrun, some of the updates there. And hey, what a way to start your parkrun journey, Jodie. I mean, I think that's quite an impressive list already of parkruns, ticking off some good ones. So look, it sounds like all the cool kids were down at Fairpark.
Melissa Ellis: And Lynne coming down from Cobram, she really put a different aspect into the roving report by describing the smells that she could notice of the native trees. Not many people articulate what they can smell. So we appreciate you giving us that aspect, Lynne. Thank you very much for that.
Oliver Spake: No, it's true. I think it's something I definitely take for granted because when I think about it, that was one of the things that really stood out for me at Wildgate Bridge the other week is just the bird sounds as you're running around the course there. And yeah, there are some fantastic diverse courses that we're so fortunate to parkrun at. Yeah, there are some pretty amazing ones out there.
Melissa Ellis: While we're on the topic of that, Ollie, while I was stalking your profile, I did pick up. So there are a couple of other things that you've got up on me.
Oliver Spake: Oh, right. So it's not 10-1. No. 10-2. So you've got a Z. I do have a Z. I do not have a Z. Ah, well, there's probably one way to get a Z, as those familiar with the options across Australia would be aware of. So, yeah, I've done the weekend trip to Brisbane for the Z, well and truly. It seemed that I wasn't the only one that weekend. So, yeah, the good people of Zillmere, we were very accustomed to that.
Melissa Ellis: So I might have 10 other letters of the alphabet that you don't have, but I don't have a Z.
Oliver Spake: Thanks for giving me that.
Melissa Ellis: And I also noticed that you've got your ton at Shellharbour.
Oliver Spake: Yes.
Melissa Ellis: To be precise, you have 138 events at Shellharbour.
Oliver Spake: Yeah. I think that harks back to the days where I used to have the favourite role of volley coordinator. So get there and help everyone get started and do a role before or afterwards and have a run. It's one of those... I think good roles where you can have the best of both worlds, kind of like Tail Walker or first-timers briefing and that kind of thing. So, yeah, I was well looked after there, obviously.
Melissa Ellis: Still an important role and a nice job to relieve the burden from the event team.
Oliver Spake: That's it. Put me in good stead to get used to the step up with the megaphone, which, yeah, was definitely a big step.
Melissa Ellis: Yeah, so my event that I've got the most runs at is Berwick Springs, which was my previous home parkrun where I started my parkrunning journey and I managed 70 events at Berwick Springs before touring took my fancy and now I'm never in the same place twice very often.
Oliver Spake: Well, that's quite a solid run up, Mel. 70 events, would you ever be tempted to go back and get the 100 or is that just logistically a little challenging?
Melissa Ellis: Yeah, it's on the other side. It's about 100 kilometres away, Berwick Springs now. So, of course, I would be more than happy to return to Berwick Springs because I'm very fond of it. Oh, chihuahua feet.
[other]
Oliver Spake: There we are. We missed them. We missed them last week.
Melissa Ellis: Oh, it's not Chico, it's Bambi.
Oliver Spake: Ah.
Melissa Ellis: Yeah, I will say to the listeners, I've abandoned the control room. Last week there was too many issues with the audio relocating to the control room. So I'm back in my office with the chihuahuas.
Oliver Spake: With the crew, with the production crew.
Melissa Ellis: As you can hear. And the budgies are on the back deck, Ollie.
Oliver Spake: Writing the note now. Increasing the likelihood of me remembering by about 15%, but I'll do my best, Mel.
Melissa Ellis: Thank you. Now I've lost my train of thought. Thanks, Bambi.
Oliver Spake: I think, as you were saying, I'm in Berwick Springs. I haven't been to Berwick Springs. Oh, yes.
Melissa Ellis: Of course, it's always going to have a very special place in my heart because it was my first home parkrun and I knew the community so well. And, you know, as you do when you're somewhere or a lot, you know all the faces and all the people. So I will venture back there on the occasion when the opportunity arises. Yeah.
Oliver Spake: Yeah, it'll be good to embrace, you know, new home a little bit and, hey, you've got a Sunday home now as well. I do. Yeah.
Melissa Ellis: And, yes, that's what I love about Junior. So since I moved to Meltown.
Oliver Spake: Meltown, that's it. I love that one.
Melissa Ellis: Because I do tourist so much and I'm a little bit obsessed, don't tell anybody.
Oliver Spake: Doesn't come across.
Melissa Ellis: I haven't really established myself in the Toolern Creek community, which, you know, my fault. And I am on the roster in a couple of weeks. I will say I will be back at Toolern Creek in a couple of weeks time. But since I've started the juniors, this is where I'm really getting to know people and meeting people in the community. And that's helping me seeing as I'm relatively new to the area myself. Yeah, I'm making friends and getting to know people and enjoying it.
Oliver Spake: Establishing a good community there and a nice bunch of junior parkrunners there. How was it to have junior parkrun back this weekend after the brief but still obviously significant short lockdown in Victoria there?
Melissa Ellis: It was good. It was our event number five. And we had a drizzly morning. It wasn't cold because we've had some warm weather down here in Victoria, but it was a little bit misty and drizzly. So we had probably reduced numbers due to that, I think. People looked out the window, as they often do, and go, oh, it doesn't look too good. Might stay in bed, not take the kids out. But we had, yeah, we had 35 kids. So we were happy with that. That's pretty consistent. So that's something to build on. And we had, so I had a full roster, which was fabulous because we do need a lot of volunteers for juniors. And I had my roster full and I was a floater.
Oliver Spake: Excellent. The utility.
Melissa Ellis: Yeah, and I like that because especially with juniors, because the volunteers need to be validated to be able to step in, so we can't just grab anybody on the morning if somebody doesn't turn up. So it's always good to have a couple of spares up your sleeve just in case, for any unknown reason because if somebody's sick you know obviously we're encouraging people not to come to parkrun if they're sick so if someone wakes up and their kid's got the sniffles or a cough and they can't come that's fine completely understand and we just want to be prepared to be able to you know problem solve that on them on the day so yeah anyway I'm trying to I'm trying to fill my roster every week with a couple of spares up my sleeve so I was the spare this week which was fine I was just floating around um after the event started. And then I spotted a woman sort of rushing towards the start line with her son. And I went towards them and I said, oh, you know, are you here for parkrun? She said, yes. You know, we had a bit of trouble finding the start. We're a bit late. And we'd already said, ready, set, go. The kids had already gone off on course. And I just went... oh, oh, I didn't want to turn these people away. You know, it was their very first parkrun. They were all excited to be here. So I just said to the little boy, are you ready to run? He goes, yeah. So I just grabbed him and we went running. I said, if we can catch the Tail Walker, we'll be right. So off we ran. And we ran about, I don't know, 200 metres and he needed to stop for a walk. So I got on the phone to the turnaround marshal and I said, stop the Tail Walker. We've got a latecomer. Yeah.
Oliver Spake: Excellent.
Melissa Ellis: We got out there and, yeah.
Oliver Spake: You caught up?
Melissa Ellis: We caught up.
Oliver Spake: Caught up, yep.
Melissa Ellis: And he completed the parkrun, his very first parkrun, and he quite enjoyed it. So, yeah, it was a successful morning in that respect.
Oliver Spake: The junior parkrun usher. Excellent.
Melissa Ellis: I was the backup tail runner.
Oliver Spake: Yes, the extended tail.
Melissa Ellis: Yeah, so that was fun. That was nice. And I felt good that, you know, he didn't miss out. But, of course, I wasn't there when Abigail came over the line. I wasn't there for her to come up and tell me what number she was.
Oliver Spake: Oh, so did we hear, Mel? Did we hear how she went?
Melissa Ellis: We did. I recorded a roving report with Abigail.
Oliver Spake: Abigail. Oh, well, we have all been looking forward to hearing how Abigail has been going. So maybe we should have a listen and look while we're at it. We'll listen to the informant too, shall we?
Melissa Ellis: Okay.
Oliver Spake: All right.
Roving reports & the Channel 5 News crew
Roving report Melissa Ellis — Eynesbury Heritage Trail Junior parkrun
Melissa Ellis: Good morning, adventurers. It's Melissa from Eynesbury Heritage Trail Junior parkrun and I've got a very special guest with me today. I've got Abigail. Hi, Abby. Hi.
Abigail: What number did you come today? 27. Wow. Have you had 27 before? No.
Melissa Ellis: And what was the course like today?
Abigail: It was really fun.
Melissa Ellis: Yeah? What was the weather like?
Abigail: It was rainy. Just little bits of rain. But that doesn't matter. Did you mind? No. No. And I'm wearing my sister's hat. Are you? Yep. It's very pretty. Thanks. Who did you run with? Um... Mostly Zoe and Alicia and Summer. And what did Mum do today? She was Run Director. Did she do a good job? Yep.
Melissa Ellis: What about Dad?
Abigail: Yep. But he didn't run when I told him to. Oh.
Melissa Ellis: Maybe next week. All right.
Abigail: My shoulder's better.
Melissa Ellis: Yeah. Thanks for talking to me, Abby. No worries. See you next week. Yep.
the Informant
the Informant: This is the informant. These are unofficial stats. They may differ from the stats you read elsewhere. They are only current at the time they are collected, with a 100% chance of an error from time to time. There were no event launches worldwide again this week, However, the majority of events were free to return from COVID lockdown, with just a few local councils and landholders holding out for a sunnier day. 447 events ran worldwide. We had 412 events run in Australia and New Zealand, with the remainder taking place in Japan, Russia, and remote UK territories. Down under, we had just under 50k runners, with 49,946. Despite most of us complaining that we had put on COVID kilos, the PB features prominently in the stats. A COVID record of 7,134 PBs were recorded. 2,420 people in Australia and New Zealand participated for the first time. 223 reached their 50 milestone, 110 reached their 100 milestone, and 11 reached their 250 milestone.
Statesmen update
the Informant: In the ACT we have 10 new Territorians. Wayne Baylis, Emily Potts, Irene Bomacante and Paul Kelly ran at Coombs. David O'Kelly, Hayley Cuttle and Richard Dantas ran at Ginninderra. David Matthews, Derek and Linda Allen ran at Gungahlin. In the Northern Territory we have 4 new Territorians with Aldo Conti running at Darwin, and Tanya Mace, Rebecca and Bruce Payne running at Nightcliff. Rounding out new statesmen, we have Jonathan Morgan, who ran at Mount Barker in South Australia. Over on our Most Aussie New Zealand Events list, the biggest mover of the week was Chloe Bailey, who moved up nine spots from 201 to 192 at Wallaby Track. Meanwhile, we had four runners moving up eight spots from 217 to 209. Joanna Henderson at Pioneer Dairy. Barry and Katrina Crossley at Mount Clarence. Or David Ray continued his streak at Jindabyne. In the top 20, Kevin Muller moved to equal 16th at Gladstone. Kathleen Wallington moves up two spots to 13th at Pioneer Dairy. And further up the list, Ros Burrell moves up one spot to be equal 8th at S.S. Koopa Trail.
The biggest Wilson mover
the Informant: A new segment for Stats is... The biggest Wilson mover. This week it has a parkrun adventurers of old flavour to it. Luke Crozier, a regular at Westerfolds, increased his index from 2 up to 10. Your friend and mine Melissa Erbacher moved from 9 to 23. Perhaps Mr Scott Trickett could call in and tell us his W index. P.S. It's 13. My biggest mover on the Wilson chart and the final stat for the week is Brad Carr, who jumps 29 from 33 up to 62. This has been The Informant, and my spreadsheet is bigger than yours.
Melissa Ellis: Did you enjoy listening to Abigail, Ollie?
Oliver Spake: It was very exciting to hear from Abigail. She's done well. Well done, Abigail. That's a fantastic effort. Number 27, wasn't it?
Melissa Ellis: I think so.
Oliver Spake: Yes. And nice to hear her turn, you know, I think a junior parkrun in spite of the weather into a fun day. So, yeah, really love hearing about that. And thanks for capturing that, Mel.
Melissa Ellis: Oh, you're welcome. And the informant sounding a little bit more relaxed this week, not as surly as normal.
Oliver Spake: Yeah, yeah, kind of missed that tone, really. Really?
Melissa Ellis: And there was no launches this weekend to be had anywhere in the parkrun world?
Oliver Spake: Yeah, we've got all that excitement out of the way for our events that are fortunately starting to get off the ground there after many delays early in the month. And now we're getting to a bit of stability, dare I say, in Australia and obviously in New Zealand and some other select parts of the world too. But good to see our Victorian and Western Australian parkrunners back as part of our Saturday and Sunday events.
Melissa Ellis: Can you please touch some wood after you've just said that?
Oliver Spake: Yes, wooden desk.
Melissa Ellis: Stability in a pandemic? Oh, my goodness.
Oliver Spake: Yeah, it's clearly it's not the case in so many ways. So, you know, we'll certainly cheer for them but look forward to having more stability further afield.
Melissa Ellis: Did he say 412 events this week? Yeah, that's huge. We're slowly creeping back. What do we still be? Not even a quarter of pre-COVID?
Oliver Spake: No. Yeah. Look, and I suppose globally from a context perspective, hopefully as we see all of our Northern Hemisphere brothers and sisters moving out of the winter, hopefully there are some rays of hope there because it has been very tricky conditions that so many have been going through. Well done to everyone once again, getting out there and not parkrunning, getting out there for a walk or a run whenever you can, managing through all kinds of lockdown environments. But again, with a A ray of hope, seeing some people getting the vaccinations now. Hopefully we will see, you know, some of those trends continue in a much more positive way.
Melissa Ellis: I was listening to with me now on my drive over to parkrun this week and I was listening to Nicola say that spring was in the air. So that's good to hear. Got some improved weather over there in the UK.
Oliver Spake: Yeah. Look, we clearly haven't experienced it in Australia and certainly not in New Zealand yet. in the same way that so many other parts of the world had. But I know even personally that the difference in the weather, maybe it's because I just love summer so much more than winter, but just feeling a bit of sunlight, feeling a bit of warmth, feeling a change in the season, it did help. And hopefully that spring in the air continues.
Melissa Ellis: Did you catch the last episode of With Me Now, Ollie?
Oliver Spake: I haven't yet. No, no.
Melissa Ellis: Oh, Nicola told a story about going for a two-hour run and losing her car key on her two-hour run and all week. Oh, Nicola, I felt for you when I heard you say that. And every run that I've gone on since, I'm paranoid and I keep feeling my pocket, you know, continuously during my run to make sure my key's still there because, yeah, it's the worst fear, getting back after that run and not having that car key in the pocket. Yeah.
Oliver Spake: I'm grabbing the wooden desk again. I mean, that's never happened to me. I know when my brother was much younger, he used to take himself off surfing and lock the key in the back of the car and wasn't any kind of modern car. So it would always involve trying to, yeah, break into his own car, which he became quite good at. Not the sort of experience that anyone wants to go through.
Melissa Ellis: No.
Oliver Spake: Look, one thing I did catch up on, Mel, was another thing from the parkrun Day just gone, seeing some support out there at Wynnum parkrun. So we saw on Instagram actually a couple of parkrunners that had – Turned out in pink in support of a movement that's obviously been very close to the heart at Wynnum parkrun, Small Steps for Hannah. So that's a movement for those who aren't aware that arose out of very tragic circumstances where a year ago, Hannah and her three children were tragically victims to domestic violence. Her family and obviously those that have been close to her have started this movement to educate, advocate, fund and support activities to halt that cycle of domestic violence that sadly affects so many. But it was really heartening to see and I love it. When a parkrun does this, obviously we're not there to be charitable events necessarily, and it's not necessarily the best fit for every parkrun. Every parkrun's different, but clearly when it is so close to the heart, as it was for clearly many at Wynnum parkrun, fantastic to see everyone turn out in pink and contribute and promote the awareness. Congratulations to everyone. Keep it up.
Melissa Ellis: Yeah, well done, Wynnum.
Oliver Spake: Look, I suppose looking forward, we're still also feeling somewhat excited after last week's chat with TOC about Palm.
Melissa Ellis: Yes, and we have had some suggestions for costumes for the dress-up night. Some feedback, maybe not enough feedback for my liking. We'll have to work on that, okay well one of the uh suggestions was from Simon Mackley our very own quiz master and his suggestion was a tropical theme very apt yes I thought so I like that one yeah I approve that could easily be fruity but it could be so many other things so yep hang on a minute I'm looking for a suitable sound effect to say I approve okay what about this one I've used that before.
[other]
Oliver Spake: Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
Melissa Ellis: Okay. So and then Sonja Pohlman, she suggested represent your own home parkrun.
Oliver Spake: I like that that would involve a lot of opportunity for interpretation, which is fantastic in fancy dress. I mean, for someone who lacks creativity like me, it'll probably give me many sleepless nights. But you could have some pretty cool options there.
Melissa Ellis: I just see you covered in shells, Ollie. Yeah.
Oliver Spake: Yeah, that's probably it. I mean, lately I could come as a snake. It's snake season. Okay. But again, yes, creativity.
Melissa Ellis: I don't even know what I could be, Toolern Creek.
Oliver Spake: Well, would it be your home event or would it be your favourite event?
Melissa Ellis: Oh, that would be a bit awkward if I didn't say my home event was my favourite event.
Oliver Spake: Could we really mix it up and say come as your top three? Ooh.
Melissa Ellis: Or you could come as your dream parkrun.
Oliver Spake: Yes.
Melissa Ellis: I could just come as a bushy park tree. Or a sofa flat. Yes. Yes. Good grief. Oh, yeah. Don't shower. I'll come like with a mud mask on. Wrapped in a towel, I'll put a towel on my head and have a mud mask on my face and I'll be Puarenga. How about that?
Oliver Spake: And we'll see a whole bunch of emu costumes rolling out as well maybe.
Melissa Ellis: Okay, moving right along. Tracey Wood suggested an Aussie theme.
Oliver Spake: Which I like very much.
Melissa Ellis: And Peter Pohlman went left field and suggested fruit and veg. I want to know if he's trying to bring in the pineapple theme.
Oliver Spake: Yep. Well, again, there's a lot of opportunity there in fruit and veg. I like this one. You could really mix it up.
Melissa Ellis: But I still think there's more ideas that need to come forward. I like the idea of a masquerade. And then our informant can come and he can have his identity sufficiently protected.
Oliver Spake: Well, yeah, that's exactly right. I mean, maybe everyone should just dress as the informant.
Melissa Ellis: I picture him like the Stig.
Oliver Spake: Yep, helmet. Is it a bodysuit? No, obviously it's a racing suit, racing track suit, but a flashy one.
Melissa Ellis: You don't know how tight-fitting the informant would like his costume to be.
Oliver Spake: Well, I think, you know, you've got to puff it out a bit just so that you keep everyone guessing.
Melissa Ellis: He could be like the Tin Man. See, this goes back to my Wizard of Oz.
Oliver Spake: Yep, yep.
Melissa Ellis: This is where my Wizard of Oz theme could really work. The informant could be the Tin Man.
Oliver Spake: Or just keep him behind a curtain, just the voice. We just need a mobile curtain rail.
Melissa Ellis: Yeah, that's it. Can we please vote for Wizard of Oz?
Oliver Spake: I want to start a movement. I see how you got me there. Yes, very clever. I was going to say movie theme. Didn't even realise. Well done.
Melissa Ellis: Mel can be Dorothy. She's got the costume. We know that Erbacher will be all over that.
Oliver Spake: Oh, wow.
Melissa Ellis: I'll be the green witch.
Oliver Spake: No, look, I'm sorry, Mel. That doesn't give Mel the opportunity to create a new costume, and I don't want to deny her that. Who can I be, though? Sorry?
Melissa Ellis: You can be an Oompa Loompa.
Oliver Spake: Awesome. Awesome.
Melissa Ellis: Or a flying monkey.
Oliver Spake: I like the flying monkey, actually. Yeah, I'll be the flying monkey.
Melissa Ellis: Hannah can be an oompa loompa.
Oliver Spake: Well, maybe if I suggest that to her, maybe she'll come. Don't like my chances. Yeah. No, look, thank you, everyone. They're great suggestions. Sounds like Mel's raising the bar a bit further, but, you know, QuasiPoll might help us decide here.
Melissa Ellis: When we figure out how to do that.
Oliver Spake: Well, and we've had some good suggestions too. Thank you to those that have reached out. So I think we'll find a way. You know, we've got some tools at our fingertips. And, you know, with a couple more suggestions, it'll be pollster time shortly.
Melissa Ellis: It'll be what?
Oliver Spake: Pollster time.
Melissa Ellis: Oh.
Oliver Spake: Yeah.
Sign-off
Melissa Ellis: Okay. Are you going to be home back at Shellharbour next week?
Oliver Spake: I will be back at Shellharbour next week, yeah. I'm run directing again. I feel like it's probably time for me to make an appearance back home. So, yeah, a brief stint back at Shellharbour, back run directing. And, look, looking forward, I'll certainly be looking forward to seeing some of the Rundown Undershirts for Park Rundown Under Day.
Melissa Ellis: Oh, yes. I've seen some posts popping up about that. There's some excitement brewing about that.
Oliver Spake: That's it. So for anyone that isn't aware, and I'm not sure how many of our listeners wouldn't be aware, but if you're not aware with Rundown Under, certainly jump onto Facebook and have a look, or you might find your local parkrun promoting the Rundown Under shirts popping up. I think certainly Scotty and Mel had, was it Travis, the founder of Rundown Under? Yeah. Yes. On the pod previously.
Melissa Ellis: I remember hearing Travis.
Oliver Spake: Yes. So great to see the shirts out hopefully and a bit of promotion. So I will look forward to being back at Shellharbour and welcoming everyone there. What about you, Mel?
Melissa Ellis: So my parkrun day next week is in the planning.
Oliver Spake: Okay.
Melissa Ellis: I've got an adventure on the cards. I haven't booked accommodation yet or figured out the logistics.
Oliver Spake: Okay.
Melissa Ellis: That's all arbitrary. Okay.
Oliver Spake: But you've got the event.
Melissa Ellis: Yes, I've got to get to, I don't know if it's Lewis Hayman or Louis Hayman. Ah. It's the last event I need to again regain my statesmanship.
Oliver Spake: Aha.
Melissa Ellis: Which is this coming and going thing that's very hard to keep up with.
Oliver Spake: Catching up on the wave.
Melissa Ellis: Yeah. So anyway. That's exciting.
Oliver Spake: That's exciting. So there's a bit of planning still to go. How far afield is Louis Hamon?
Melissa Ellis: I can't remember. Three hours? Something around that ballpark, I think. Country Victoria. I've got to go north. That's all I can remember. Excellent. Yes. Hopefully with some friends, hopefully.
Oliver Spake: That'll be very exciting.
Melissa Ellis: I'm not very coherent today. Blah, blah, blah.
Oliver Spake: Well, it has been a good chat. I think we've obviously had a good chance to catch up. We're still soaking in all the excitement for Palm from last week's chat too. So it's all racing around in the head. Before we even know it, it's going to be upon us. If I'm not mistaken, Mel, next week is March.
Melissa Ellis: It is. And we've got a special treat next week. I've got another way that I can beat you at something.
Oliver Spake: Awesome. Awesome.
Melissa Ellis: So the Quizmaster is going to come on and he is going to have host versus host quiz for us next week. Simon Mackley will be with us.
Oliver Spake: For real life March Madness in March.
Melissa Ellis: Yes. And do you remember the first March Madness, Ollie? Yes.
Oliver Spake: Look, I don't remember it too clearly, Mel. I'm a little scared to ask. Yeah.
Melissa Ellis: Oh, well, I might have been on the first March Madness as a contestant. Ah, and how did you go, Mel?
Unidentified speaker: I won.
Melissa Ellis: No pressure.
Oliver Spake: No pressure at all. Long-time listener, first-time answerer. So, yeah, we will see. Simon, I hope we have some New South Wales questions in there that I do justice.
Melissa Ellis: Maybe he better run them past the informant. He can be the adjudicator. Do we even know what state the informant's from?
Oliver Spake: Or territory. Oh. No. No, and the bag's not asking him. Hopefully one of them will help me. I'm going to need the help. But I look forward to that, Mel.
Melissa Ellis: And as always, if anybody would like to send us correspondence, give us some feedback, ideas, or just tell us how wonderful we are, feel free to drop us an email at parkrunadventurers at gmail.com.
Oliver Spake: Or quiz hints. Pardon? Or quiz hints.
Melissa Ellis: Well, you better send them to the quiz master, not to us.
Oliver Spake: Look, Mel, I know it's a shorter one this week, but I guess that's time to wrap up. Thanks, everyone, for joining us. And thank you, Mel.
Melissa Ellis: Always a pleasure, Ollie. Chat to you again next week.
Unidentified speaker: Bye.