Chris Cutforth's Blog

Vision and action can really change things  This weekend Concord was my chosen destination on a bright, sunny but cold morning. On arrival I was greeted by Tan and Lock, 2  beautiful border collies, who had just completed their own version of parkrun - 2 laps of their park with their owner (also a parkrunner but not today). I remember being intrigued a few years ago when I learnt that Concord parkrun had been started by the local fire service. Chatting with Race Director Neil this morning, I asked him if they were still involved. Apparently they are, albeit on the periphery - they recently donated a defibrillator and also make their facilities available free of charge for volunteer training - good stuff.  My time of 25:01 was a bit disappointing and a step back on my goal of breaking the 24 minute barrier by Christmas. The Concord hill held me back (I'm not very good at hills) but I did come first in my age category which was pleasing - I think I might dine out on that! Need t

Running and the human spirit    Another busy week  - not much teaching but loads of meetings, student interviews for an Africa volunteering project (very exciting) plus piles of marking (or 'grading' as my brother in  America   calls it). Marking students' work is the least enjoyable and most stressful part of my job, mainly because I know it's important but also because I don't feel entirely comfortable forming judgements on other people's work.   So the parkrun couldn't come soon enough - an opportunity to relax, unwind and have some fun.   Hillsborough was my chosen destination this week and it didn't disappoint. It was their 250th event and Dorothy, wife of Roy who runs in the 85-90 category, had baked an awesome cake on which Stephen's Corner had pride of place (more about that later).   Before the run I chatted with Kate, a year 10 student at Stocksbridge High School and one of the  volunteers, who told me she was pursuing her Duke o

parkrun, family and happiness Back after a weekend away with the family in Edinburgh - my second favourite city (after Sheffield of course!).   My daughter Katie, an Edinburgh university student, was running in a cross country event. I suggested I might join her and her running buddies on the coach, perhaps teach them a few drinking games learnt many years ago when I was a student. For some unknown reason she didn't seem that keen, so I decided to focus my efforts instead on persuading my son Luke to join me at the Edinburgh parkrun. Sadly he too declined my invitation in favour of a lie in, so I decided to follow his example. Later in the day we did a gentle 10k together around Arthur's Seat, which was fun, leaving Ailsa, my lovely wife, to relax in Katie's rather luxurious student flat  which she shares with 4 young lads and a family of friendly mice.   The run was followed by a trip to the cinema to watch 'Breath', a powerful portrayal of one man's