Getting a V! Almost a parkrun Disaster! Running Vogrie parkrun at Christmas in Fancy Dress.

[@lynseyhope2800]

I got my Christmas PB! 😁 It was lovely to meet you guys and get to run a lap chatting with your lovely sister. I'm now catching up with the podcast and loving it! 😊

[@NicolaRuns]

Oh that's amazing! Well done 🎉🎉🎉 Huge congratulations! Oh I'm so pleased you're enjoying the podcast ☺️ We're recording tomorrow to cover all the Christmas events 😃

[@pennysimpson2777]

Great video as always and fabulous jump shot! And the RD’s accent was the best! 😍

[@NicolaRuns]

Thanks 🤗 They are beautiful accents aren't they?! Poor Carla did a jump too but the photographer missed hers so I was lucky 😃

[@pennysimpson2777]

Poor Carla. I am unfortunately very good at missing a jump shot as photographer. 🫣😜

[@pennysimpson2777]

@@NicolaRuns don’t worry, I only put my hand up to take photos if we’re desperate! 🤣

[@NicolaRuns]

@@pennysimpson2777 lol don't be silly! Any photos are a total bonus! Especially for free! We're so super grateful as runners for the wonderful volunteers, jump shots or no jump shots! 😃

[@pennysimpson2777]

@@NicolaRuns that’s very sweet. I do feel very appreciated when I volunteer, I just think my skills are better utilized elsewhere. Not enough clipboard action and opportunity to be bossy taking photos. 😉

[@mattmiller8139]

What a beautiful course. I have yet to do a Scottish parkrun because the restart in 2021 got put back but I did manage to do a freedom run along Wallaceneuk’s course at Kelso in the Scottish Border region. It is a lovely out & back course along the route of an old train line. I think you would enjoy that one. Its only drawback is the long walk to the start. It is at least 800 metres from where you can park your vehicle.

[@NicolaRuns]

Thanks, that's worth knowing. Especially if going with my sister who likes rocking up 5 minutes before 😂😂😂

[@seaturtle7777]

You are a remarkable ambassador for Parkrun! If I lived in the UK, I would be searching for one every weekend. I looked it up, and there is supposed to be one here in the States, just 25 miles away!

[@NicolaRuns]

Oh wow I'd love to run a parkrun in the States! 😃🇺🇸 Thank you so much for your extremely kind words. I absolutely love parkrun and couldn't be more passionate about it! 🏃‍♀️

[@Mookiethedog]

It was good to see Carla pull ahead of you to finish since Poppy wasn't there to do it! My favourite part was the guy explaining the route to the first timers. Really enjoying catching up on your videos! (Your flat tire adventure attitude was amazing!)

[@NicolaRuns]

Oh my goodness wasn't he absolutely brilliant! I usually cut most of that out but I thought he was wonderful. Pam's Corner 🤣🤣🤣 And "if you're a faster runner I've no idea what you'll see" 😂 Comedy gold! Lol the flat tyre just adds to life experience doesn't it! I've not had one before so it's all learning. I was tempted to see if I could sort it myself but Poppy would have been TERRIFIED if she was alone in the van, she really didn't like it, and the van was shaking so much when the lorries went past that I don't think I would have felt safe! Hooray for breakdown 🎉 Plus all's well that ends well 🤗

[@bertiepowell3027]

What an amazing course and a great presentation and inspiring video and beautiful light and great course. I thought it was going wrong but really went well

[@NicolaRuns]

Thank you so much 🤗 Oh my goodness, not the ideal start but all's well that ends well 😃

[@chilloutvibesforyou]

Cool! Meanwhile in Australia my Christmas Parkrun was a hot and humid 30C at 7am in the morning 🥵

[@NicolaRuns]

Ooh which one? When we were in Australia I was so worried we'd sleep through our alarm and not get up in time! Such a super early start! I can't imagine that on Christmas Day though! 🙃😃

[@geoffh2560]

Looks like a really interesting parkrun - and I have Vogrie on the list for my V, so now I know what to expect. Thanks so much Nicola!

[@NicolaRuns]

It's great! And I love it when all the interresting stuff (Vogrie House, the sculptures etc) is at the end and the run itself is a lovely trail run. It means you can have a great run and then focus on exploring 😃

[@simonthecuddlyteddy]

Brilliant video. So glad you went to Vogrie, it’s one of our favourite parkruns. Hope you had a great Christmas and New Year.

[@NicolaRuns]

Thank you ☺️ Happy New Year to you too. I can see why it's one of your favourites... We loved it too! 😍

[@emmarunyeard6832]

What a lovely wooded parkrun X awww Poppys little face at the start whilst on hard shoulder .. never a nice experience xx but yayyy for breakdown angels x

[@NicolaRuns]

Bless her, she was SO scared! I just had to keep reassuring her ❤️❤️❤️ Couldn't agree more about breakdown angels! 😇🙌

[@rachbentley9967]

Great video and what a lovely course I enjoyed spotting the Christmas tree 🎄 ( or Carla) some shots she was in front , then behind or beside you 😂

[@NicolaRuns]

That's so funny 🤣 the tree on the move! 😃🎄

[@chuck4863]

Great video as always. It wouldn’t be a good video without a little drama. Vogrie is a lovely course.

[@NicolaRuns]

Lol thanks, it would have been better if the drama cost less time and money but all's well that ends well 😃

[@sallylovesparkrun]

Excellent video once again and I loved your and Carla's outfits! Vogrie is a terrific parkrun and I swear everyone who has been there has a photo of themselves on the giant chairs 🤣 I'm heading down that way shortly to do Whitekirk Hill, which I'm really looking forward to but it also makes me sad as I'd love to repeat Vogrie. Mind you, I feel like that about a lot of my tourist experiences, I'm sure you know what I mean!

[@NicolaRuns]

Thank you 🤗 Totally know what you mean! It's a good and bad feeling isn't it?! 🙃

[@tonystrange7224]

Happy New Year Nicola glad you made it after your unscheduled breakdown. Loved the Santa hat it did make me chuckle. Good to see you happy and moving on with life. Looking forward to watching the Christmas Day one, as always take care

[@NicolaRuns]

Thanks Tony, I've just downloaded the Xmas Day video files. I hope it looks as good on camera as it was in real life as it was definitely up there for me as a favourite! 😍😍😍

[@NicolaRuns]

And Happy New Year to you too 🤗🤗🤗

[@goldentjg]

Lovely Christmas vid Nicola!

[@NicolaRuns]

Thank you, it's got to be the best time of year to be parkrunning 😃

[@richsullivan1950]

Happy New Year Nicola, wishing you a happy, healthy and positive 2024. Loved the hat. Looking forward to further episides of 'Nicola's Noisemakers'😂

[@NicolaRuns]

Happy New Year! Ooh I wonder what further episodes will feature?! 🤣 I'm yet to see a parkrun marshal with a vuvuzela 😜😂

[@richardbuck1729]

Bravo on the blood donation Nicola. I'm excited for my 50th credit at the end of the month. Was also surprising to see you at Miggy Woods on NYD while I was timekeeping for the first time. Felt like seeing a TV celebrity! 😄🤣

[@NicolaRuns]

Oh wow Richard! That's awesome! I'd love to get to 50! Congratulations for when you get to that! 🎉🎉🎉 Hmmm... I was very tired and hungover on NYD 😳🤣 I hope I was delightful rather than a tired grump 🙈🤣 Thanks for volunteering then too 🤗

[@nolavout3025]

Hi kidda excellent job as per usual, hope you enjoyed new year,and all works out well for you, i put on half a stone in three weeks, nothing new there then!!!!🙄 diet back on tomoz wjth a vengeance

[@NicolaRuns]

Thank you ☺️ Oh my goodness I feel you! The struggle is real right?! 🙈 Happy New Year, let's hope 2024 is better for us both than 2023 🤞🤗

[@nolavout3025]

Defo xxx

[@Tonyr2]

Oh you just passed 3.10 subscribers.... can't believe I didn't spot that before, my bad. 👏

[@NicolaRuns]

Awww thanks Tony 🤗

[@jameshickey100]

I done two park run in Australia 🇦🇺 plus it my 52 park run i am doing Applecross park run on Saturday

[@NicolaRuns]

I just looked it up, Applecross looks awesome! 😍 I bet it's really beautiful 😃

[@jameshickey100]

@@NicolaRuns I done champion lakes park run 🇦🇺 and Geographe bay park run

[@NicolaRuns]

@@jameshickey100 awesome! 😃

[@jameshickey100]

@@NicolaRuns I did upload a video on KZbin me filming a sunset

[@NicolaRuns]

@@jameshickey100 cool 😎

[@AlastairCunningham-g4z]

Don’t want to be a fun sponge & I’m sure someone has mentioned it. The hard shoulder is a dangerous place, you should evacuate your vehicle ASAP.

[@NicolaRuns]

Breakdown gave us strict instructions to remain in the vehicle and strapped in so we did that?! 🤷🏻‍♀️ I did ask as I wasn't sure what was best 👍

[@paperjourni8964]

wow. that would never be the advise in Germany and I find it absolutely terrifying. warm but terrifying. not sure if that is even allowed here. casually filming while sitting there is super 😲

[@NicolaRuns]

@@paperjourni8964 yes they were very clear... Keep your seatbelts on and do not leave the vehicle. They said make sure the handbrake is on but I thought advice was to make sure it's off (as long as you're level) because if something does hit you then there will be some give rather than just hard impact. Having never been on the hard shoulder before then I just followed their instructions 🤷🏻‍♀️🙃

[@davidmcnae]

I'd 100% say get out and get behind the crash barrier asap. I used to work in the Police control centre and this was always the advice we'd give to anyone breaking down. Wonder why they have that advice?! Odd.

[@NicolaRuns]

I did wonder! I've never broken down before but you see people stood out of their cars. The other bit I questioned was the handbrake as I thought it'd be better being off if something did hit us but they said to keep the handbrake on. When I questioned it all the lady said she was just reading out the script on what the advice was to do so I followed it 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@tobyk8125]

Every time I saw Carla, I thought "Wow, Poppy's grown up quickly!" Every time.

[@NicolaRuns]

No way! Do you think they look alike? 😃

[@tobyk8125]

Maybe. It's more that she was occupying Poppy's usual space in the video

[@NicolaRuns]

@@tobyk8125 awwww I was missing my girl but it was nice to run with my sister 🤗

[@bren70ssss94]

Sending you some ❤❤❤❤ , there is no charge 😁, i forgot to ask how poppy is doing with the breakup, im sure its been yucky for her too .Poor baby 😟

[@NicolaRuns]

Thank you, she's been totally fine actually. A few factors helped. Obviously not seeing Al for 3 months in the summer, then he didn't get her anything for her birthday, not even a card and that really upset her and then the same at Christmas... Didn't even wish her Happy Christmas so I think how awful he's been to us has made her realise the kind of people that are good to have in your life and that he's not one of them 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@bren70ssss94]

@@NicolaRuns Oh my God thats horrible , do you know i suspected something was up when he didnt come over to see you when you were here for your birthday .Ah sure you are better off out of that situation , as i mentioned to you before my ex took my 2 back to canada in 2012 ,it broke me but i can deal with it now barely , summer is 13 tomorrow and brody is 14 the next day , you never forget .I dont think ill ever trust again .Thank God you have her , shes awesome :)

[@NicolaRuns]

@@bren70ssss94 oh no! I'll keep you in my thoughts the next few days, I imagine that will be a really tough few days for you 😔💔 Yeah it was funny, I split up with Al after he didn't come out as planned for my 40th and then ignored me for a week after my birthday... Wouldn't reply to my messages or answer my calls! But then he begged me to get back with him and I fell for his words but it was all fake and he didn't mean a word of it. At least I see his true colours now 🤷🏻‍♀️ onwards and upwards! 😊

[@bren70ssss94]

​@@NicolaRunsah I'm ok , tough as old boots me , nothing I can do about it , don't know where they are ,and being skint doesn't help lol , the garage cats are keeping me company , couple of porkers , I hope I'm not feeding them too much , a tin of dog food each a day because they are anarchists lol , sorry for going off on one , sometimes the wall cracks a bit , I know all women aren't bad but it's a game of roulette relationships isn't it 🤕

[@NicolaRuns]

@@bren70ssss94 it certainly feels like that having just come out of a horrific one! 🙈🤣 I think it's good to talk, I think it helps us process and move on 🤷🏻‍♀️ I'm pleased you have the cats, they're great company 😻

[@dannynorman4717]

Dear BIME, 25-mins before the start is not early.

[@NicolaRuns]

I knew how hard this would trigger you! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@richardbuck1729]

I would guess that Carla doesn't bother with a warm up beforehand. Or a cooldown after 😉

[@NicolaRuns]

@@richardbuck1729 you are correct. And to trigger Danny further then Carla thinks that arriving 15 minutes early is still early 🙈🤣

[@alanrobinson2229]

Hey Nicola,happy new year. I did my first one at Muncaster Castle,its stunning mountain setting,only started in September 2023. (Rattle,not clacker) Also debating whether to boycott Alans channel after what he did to you.

[@NicolaRuns]

Ooh that sounds stunning 😍 I'll add it to my list 😃 Do what feels right to you. Al's ex says he's a total toxic narcissist. I'm not sure if it's that or all of the pressure he's under with the court case and being on bail for the past year. It has been really stressful. I think he's a really wonderful person to be around but a terrible person to be in a relationship with. He's got an epic skillset and an approach to life that is similar to mine but yeah... He wasn't a nice person to me and that will stay with me forever. When I watch anything of his now it all seems fake as how can you sell positivity when you're prepared to hurt people 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@alanrobinson2229]

@@NicolaRuns Don't hold back Nicola, lol, sorry 😔. Right,I will unsubscribe him🎉 (P.S. why is he on bail?)

[@jankarel6454]

@@NicolaRuns A couple of weeks before reading about what happened to you, I actually sat down and wrote out a list of characteristics I saw in Al. Suspicious old woman that I am, there was something in some of his facial expressions that bothered me. (It was quite a list.) The item that jumps out at me now is "nice--when he wants to be". Nicola, I was married for over 50 years before I lost my husband, and I can confidently say that he would have set himself on fire before he ever raised a hand to me. There are wonderful, kind men out there in the world, and then there are men who only disguise themselves as wonderful and kind. Unfortunately sometimes the disguise is very effective, until it eventually begins to break down. From what you have written and said about your late husband, I believe you have experienced the kind of love that you truly deserve. I sincerely hope that you find that kind of love again in the future.

[@NicolaRuns]

@@alanrobinson2229 Yeah sorry I think I'm thinking through it while I'm typing! He's on bail because he submitted a guilty plea to being the owner of a dog that was dangerously out of control. Blue bit a boy in the face at the bushcraft show the year before last. It's all been awful.

[@NicolaRuns]

@@jankarel6454 I think you're right but I couldn't see it until I was out of it. I'm so sorry you lost your soul mate but how wonderful that you had each other for so long 💖 When Al was love bombing me in the first year I felt so lucky to have found 'The One' for the second time. I can see now that none of it was real. You're right, Ben was the same as your husband: A real man who would never lay a finger on a woman... Or anyone for that matter! Ben's nickname was the gentle giant ❤️ He was 6ft 5" and had the biggest heart 💖 Maybe I'll find someone like him again, my true love, and maybe I won't. Either way I have learnt a lot from my relationship with Al and I need to not get into anything as destructive to my soul as my relationship with Al was. We live and we learn. P.S. You'll have to teach me how to spot the one's to stay away from!