If you had told me in May that I would be running 5km or even running for more than a few steps, I simply wouldn’t have believed you.

Seven months ago I was at my heaviest weight ever tipping the scales at an unhealthy 21 stone 6 pounds and sitting at well over 50% body fat. It is what I call my Brexit weight. Travelling constantly and eating fast foods on the go four or five nights a week had taken its toll. I was out of breath tying my shoe laces and colleagues had even expressed concern that I was heading for a heart attack when they saw me gasping for air after climbing five flights of stairs to a House of Commons Committee room.

Two years ago when I tried to start running (well a strange mixture between waddling and jogging), I was starting to make a little progress on light runs with my son. But then I went out on the roads and on two successive occasions I had abuse from passing cars. When you receive a chorus of “run fat boy run” (amongst other expletives), as well as getting a drink chucked at you, the old self-esteem takes a hit and so I found my excuse to stop again.

Then I decided to do something drastic, well… drastic for me. I decided to join a gym and start running again. Running isn’t just as simple as putting one foot in front of the other. It takes a lot to put yourself out there as my experience had taught me. That’s what makes the parkrun so great. It doesn’t matter if you are an 18 minute speedster or a walking legend, it’s a community where no one judges you on your ability; people are full of positivity and support. I have become a parkrun tourist, completing runs in Sligo, Cellbridge, the Waterworks, Kilcock, Antrim, and my home run of Queen’s parkrun. Each run is different not only in the type of course but in the people who make it work. For example, Queen’s parkrun has a hugely enthusiastic energy and I have to give a mention to one of the Waterworks parkrun directors who every so often comes up with a new parkrun song with themed lyrics sang to the tune of an old song. A particular favourite was Petula Clark’s ‘Downtown’ which was switched out for the lyrics of “Parkrun”.

And it doesn’t matter if you have to take a week off. The same community spirit is waiting for you when you come back. It is running without judgement and an easy way to get fit. The first 5km I did was on my own and I did it in 51mins and while I was proud of myself for doing it, I didn’t know if I could do it again. The next was for the opening of the A6 bypass and I was guilted into it by my good friend Seamus Leheny and I completed that in just under 45mins. Fast forward a couple of months and with more support from Seamus, I now have ten parkruns under my belt and a reasonable PB of just over 32 minutes with the 30 minute mark in my sights. But more importantly I am enjoying exercising. I’ve started running on my own again after getting my confidence back. I’ve lost 4 stone and feel healthier, and if I am honest, happier. But most importantly I am able to keep up with and do more activities with my 14 year old athletic son.

Parkruns have made a tangible difference to my life in terms of health and self-confidence. If I can do it anyone can. So give it a try on your own or with friends. As their strap line goes it’s ‘free for everyone forever’. You have nothing to lose and a lot to gain.

Though I do have a bone to pick with the regular parkrunner in Sligo who told me “its not a hilly course at all”. When at the end of the race, red faced, sweating and shaking, I asked why he had not mentioned the big hill that we had to climb twice before the end………… He looked at me with a cheeky grin and said…. “sure the wee downhill bits make up for it!”

Aodhán Connolly – Director of the Northern Ireland Retail Consortium 

Find Aodhán on Twitter @MichaelAodhan