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International Day of the Midwife - In conversation with Gemma Bolton

To celebrate International Day of the Midwife, midwives are being encouraged to take part in their local Parkrun. Gemma Bolton, one of the midwives here at Northumbria Healthcare, has completed 91 Parkruns and has shared her experience.

How did you first hear about parkrun? 

My brother first made me aware of Parkrun as he had been going for years but I thought it was just for “proper” runners because he was fit and fast. My two son’s school did a takeover day in 2019 and they both ran. I cheered them on and thought what a fantastic event and community it seemed, and not just for fit and fast runners!

What made you decide to give it a try?

I’ve had a bit of a love/hate relationship with running my whole life and I’m not a natural runner at all. I had done couch to 5k a couple of times and then given up. Parkrun made me contemplate having one last go at this running thing. I thought about it for a month or two after my boys had run, then eventually one cold and grey January morning I woke up and decided to drag my youngest (who was 10 at the time) with me, bribing him with the promise of an ice cream afterwards.

Tell us about your first parkrun/volunteering experience.

My first Parkrun was on January 4, 2020. My son Daniel left me behind not long after the start, so I ran alone but with others at a similar pace to me, so I never felt self-conscious or uncomfortable. I found it tough but managed to finish in 37 minutes. The cheers at the end and all the well done’s from the volunteers put a huge smile on my face despite the fact I was exhausted. The community spirit is what made me return.

How has parkrun benefited you personally?

Parkrun is a very important part of my week now. Not long afterward my first Parkrun, my friend Lynda started coming with me and now Parkrun is the highlight of our week. Along with another friend Emily and our children Keira, Arabella and Dylan, we have a lovely social occasion every week, often going for breakfast afterwards whilst full of endorphins. Parkrun for us can be both a sociable run, when we take it easy and chat all the way round, or a serious attempt at a fast run. I had an ambition to get in under 30 minutes for a long time, and finally achieved it when accompanied by another midwife, Leila, who kept me going when I wanted to quit. What a brilliant feeling that was. We also volunteer and have found that seeing the other side is really fulfilling, especially being the ones shouting out the encouragement and cheering the runners over the line.

How will you be celebrating International Day of the Midwife with parkrun and what does it mean to you as a midwife?

I will be running at Ashington parkrun to celebrate International Day of the Midwife. I am hoping to see plenty of my colleagues there flying the flag for midwives and getting healthier at the same time. As a midwife I know how important it is for our physical and mental health to have an active lifestyle, and parkrun promotes this whilst also making everyone welcome and being a very inclusive event for all.

What advice would you give to anyone taking part in parkrun for the first time?

Don’t make the mistake I did and think that parkrun is just for serious athletes. Everyone is welcome, from fast runners to those who want a sociable walk on a Saturday morning. There are always tail walker volunteers whose job it is to come last, so you will never finish last. It doesn’t matter what you look like, what you wear, or how fast you go. Everyone is welcomed and encouraged as much as the next person. Most importantly, don’t forget your barcode! And listen to the first timer’s briefing before the start, it’s always full of useful info.

Do you have any other memorable moments from your parkrun experiences that you'd like to share?

My most memorable parkrun was Amsterdam, when my friend Lynda and I planned an entire weekend trip with our husbands around our desire to go to a Parkrun in another country! It was a stunning Parkrun with incredibly friendly volunteers. A real highlight of a fantastic weekend. We are hoping to return to the Netherlands to get our “Z” at Zuiderpark.

What are your parkrun hopes for the future?

I have now completed 91 Parkruns and am looking forward to getting the coveted black 100 t shirt. I am also hoping to get a new PB soon of under 29 minutes. But also, to carry on enjoying it and our Saturday morning get togethers.