JN9

I've done 13 parkruns so far (Netley Abbey parkrun if anyone cares... We normally have about 120 people, and Ewan Thomas often turns up, my ultimate goal is to baet him one day!). I've been a bit slack of late and I'll be missing tomorrow. My PB at the moment is 20:16, but I normally come in at about 21:30. Like everyone else it really depends on what my Friday nights are like, but as I'm geting older Fridays are getting a lot tamer. In fact, I now often prefer to stay in on a Friday night so I'm ready to attack that PB on saturday morning! I've also been made aware of something called 'Longest Parkrun' which is explained below.... "For the last couple of years, parkrun has organised an event called 'Longest parkrun' which happens on the first Sunday after the longest day of the year (23rd June) and gives runners the opportunity to visit 6 parkrun venues in one day and complete as many as they want to without being timed and with minimal volunteers, etc. It's really a series of social runs where groups of parkrunners run the course. In the UK, there will be several parkrun loops (as detailed at Longest parkrun 2013 | Crispy Corner) and I'd like to create a loop that includes runs at: * Fleming Park, Eastleigh * River Park, Winchester * Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Horndean/Petersfield * Staunton Country Park, Havant * Royal Victoria Country Park, Netley Abbey * Southampton Common, Southampton The starts of each run are staggered by 90 minutes to give runners about 45 minutes to complete the 5k course and 45 minutes to get between events. Runners can participate in as many or few of the runs as they like." If it goes ahead then me and a pal are going to give it a go. Does anyone else know about this?

Well I'd say I'm 'quite fit', but its all relative really isn't it... I do Boxing and Thai Boxing quite intermitantly, for example I'll do four or five sessions one week and (like this week) only one on others, I also try to swing a kettlebell about five times a week. I normally run 5k on a saturday morning (although hangovers have gotten in the way of that in recent weeks), and I also cycle to work so I do about 45-50miles a week on my bike... So I consider myself fitter than the average bear, but I don't know how fit you guys are or how fit I need to be... I'm kind of hoping that I can wing it a bit...

Well many thanks for all of the replies... This is all very interesting and potentially exciting... It would seem that driving should be my priority and I don't think that should be too much trouble. I did do driving lessons a while back but sadly ran out of money before I could finish (I was also very lazy about booking my theory), and I was pretty good at the driving part, so hopefully should be able to get that sorted relatively quickly. Sadly though, this has all got to wait until I have got myself married (end of August), and I've actually got some money again... Also I think I would be better off not doing a 6 week crash course, and instead doing the courses broken down and try to get some kind of volenteer work/paid work while I'm doing them. The main thing I really want to know is whether there is anything that I can do now? Anything I should be reading up on?

Insurance? Well I don't really know, just something someone mentioned... I take it that this is not an issue then? Arbo Venture look like a good company and very convenient for where I live. Looks like I may have to slightly reconsider the idea of doing a training course and then going straight into work... I think that doing the relevant courses over a longer period and trying to get some work under my belt while I'm doing it might be a better way. Like I said before, I was told that a lot of knowledge on plant biology is needed, however I haven't really seen it mentioned during my internet scouring... Is this as big a deal as I was led to believe?

Well, many thanks for the helpful posts. I'm pretty sure that this is the way I want to go... Is there anything I can be doing now? I have volunteered to help out at my local country park (I know its only potentially loosly connected but its the best I can think of at the moment). I indirectly know someone who used to be in the business, and he has suggested getting as much knowledge on plant biology as possible... Is there any particularly good source for this? Or is it a case of getting a book, and get studying...? Do Arb companies have labourers or an aquivalent? Could I get any experience before I sign up for the course? Or am I better off trying once I've completed the course?

Well stone me! I didn't expect such a positive response. I was expecting a list of posts from people telling me how much it'll cost to get started up and how much insurance is (which I'm sure are both things that need to be taken into consideration, but not necessarily put me off). Thanks for all the positivity, just what I needed! Thanks kevinjohnsonmbe for your post... I was hoping to get an idea of what challenges I'll be facing... I live in Southampton and will probably be based there for the forseeable future. Right next to the New Forest. Will this be a help or a hinderance? or indeed not make much difference at all?

...but hopefully you'll all tell me that my ambitions of a new career are very possible... So here goes (and please, tell me I'm being an idiot if that is indeed the case)... I decided that this office lark is not for me anymore and that I'm more suited for the outdoor life, and having looked around (briefly), that tree surgery is just the thing for me. I am starting absolutley from stratch and at the age of 28 I have very little to no experience in this field, in fact I don't even have a driving license. Anyway, let me bulletpoint my brand new life plan, and please offer suggests, or just pick massive gaping holes in it if pleases you. -I have already volunteered to help out at my local country park just to make sure that I enjoy outdoor work (I really think I will. So assuming that is the case...) -Learn to drive. -Earn enough money to take a 6 month course in tree surgery. Fast Track Tree Surgery Course : Proclimber Professional Arborist Products Online, Supplies for the professional arborist -Pass said course -Get relavent job -Undertake a woodlands conservation management degree, as I am aware that tree surgery probably isn't a job for life. Please let me know that this is all very doable... I'm going to give it a crack even if you tell me I'm