Feeling a little creaky today but I’m not sure if that’s to do with the run or the litter picking we did in the afternoon, anyway, here’s my run report (sorry it’s long again!)...
217 free car parking spaces from 8am, so I was expecting a big queue, but no, we sailed into a spot! We twiddled our thumbs discussing buses with Youngest Kitten as he had to get off to his climbing lesson and meeting points with Eldest Kitten. Windoze was waiting for us by the entrance with a big smile - he really helped to steady my nerves with his calm friendliness, thank you 🤗
We chatted away like we’d known each other for ages and we were soon at the bag dropping off area (via the loos!). A quick warm up jog around the finishing area and off we went to the starting ‘pens’. We said our goodbyes to Windoze, promising to meet up at a future parkrun - he was off to the quicker pen whilst we were in the middle of the biggest 55+ minute area.
It took a bit to get going but we were soon nipping in and out of the slower runners as we made our way onto Newbold Comyn. We waved to a couple of Marshalls that we knew and got into our stride. It’s an undulating trail along the parkrun course (loved the ‘No Swearing’ sign on one of the hills!), passing the old, disused golf course and then back down onto the road to pass the leisure centre to head back into town. That was half of the race down already, it went in the blink of an eye and we’d weaved our way through a lot of people (sometimes it’s useful being little!).
Getting back onto the road was a bit of a shock as it was uphill to begin with and I didn’t expect it, it seemed to go on forever. At the top though was the water station and cheering crowds. I got quite a lump in my throat as we went through them, I got surprisingly emotional seeing all those people. There were Scouts offering cups of water and children with their parents offering jelly babies. I felt very humbled but I didn’t want to stop (sorry!). It gave me an extra spurt of energy just to see them all.
By now I’d lost Katnap . He was creakier than me so was going slower than hoped. My knee had lost all of it’s niggles so by now I was really enjoying myself. For the first time I actually enjoyed seeming the kilometre markers (I usually hate them!).
Through the busy centre of town onto the Pump Room Gardens gravel path, I didn’t notice it really although I’d been worried about it. Down into a short tunnel under the road there was two way traffic, opening up to pass the (international) bowling greens and along to Victoria Gardens where it was strangely desolate. Very odd - there was hardly anyone there to cheer us along and it was quite demotivating. However, my workmate was there to cheer us (and my boss who had run past earlier)! Fantastic!!! I’d never been so pleased to see him - perfect timing! I’d have hugged him if I could have stopped but I was now motoring as the 8 kilometre marker came up.
Back through the tunnel someone had fallen by the exit, they were being supported and protected by Marshalls. They seemed ok but the Marshalls were calling for help. Back into the Pump Room Gardens and passing the band stand the 9k sign was up...nearly there!! Crossed the main road into the busy Jephson Gardens.
I think the initial excitement for the crowds had died down and most people seemed to be milling around by now rather than cheering. Ah well, I knew my time was ok for me and I was nearly there. Youngest Kitten suddenly appears and cheers me on, asking where his dad was, so I pointed backwards. He’d delayed getting his bus to see us to near the end (I knew he wouldn’t be able to resist it!). He gave me another energy spurt and I raced a bit too quick up the hill towards the main road. Made myself slow and calm down a bit before turning for the finishing straight.
So back to lots of cheering people again as I put on a sprint to get to the finishing post. The sign said 1:04 something but I knew I was quicker than that as it had taken us nearly 5 minutes to go through the starting post. Katnap came through a few minutes later and Eldest Kitten met up with us as we collected our goodie bags.
My fantastic boss and his son (who are both much quicker than us!) took us for a slap up breakfast once we had calmed down and stretched. As we ate, the results came through - yippee! I’d broken the 60 minute barrier by 14 seconds 🤪, so 3 minutes more off my 10k PB 😃 Blimey, that was close but I’d reached my target! Katnap also got a PB despite being less than 100% fit, so he was happy but disappointed in not getting the sub 60.
What a morning - really enjoyed that! Brilliant meeting Windoze, being cheered by so many people, lots of smiling faces, people running for so many reasons (big shout out for those running to remember the NZ mosque shootings as they won’t have had much time to train and there were loads of them). I want to do it again! Boss talked about London Marathon...stop it, you’ll give me ideas...😳
PS - Youngest Kitten managed to get to climbing only 30 minutes late, which I didn’t think was bad all things considered!!
PPS - Recognise my number safety pins Runningroni , Oldfloss and BaddieThePirate 😁??!
week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?
