Parkrun Tourism - but not too far !

[JonathanP]

Although I have been enjoying parkrun since last July (time on that first one 37.27), I have so far stuck to my local, Portsmouth Lakeside, and resisted the temptation to go elsewhere - but the time had come to break my parkrun tourism duck! 🦆

So where to start? Where better than Southsea, home parkrun for Dexy5 , UpTheStanley , @oldgirlruns,

Coddfish and Mr Coddfish - also it's only 5 miles away! So this morning we all gathered on Southsea seafront. Only Dexy, UTS and I were running today - the Coddfishes are running in the Vitality 10k in London on Monday and oldgirlruns is currently on the IC (hopefully not for too much longer) so they were volunteering today - well done all!

The course is very simple - along the prom for 2.5k (avoiding unsuspecting pedestrians) and back for 2.5k. But you do have those fantastic views of the Solent and the Isle of Wight to distract you. The conditions were good today - not too hot and a light breeze, so some PBs might have been expected…….. Unfortunately not for me (28.30) but yes for Dexy (31.38) - congratulations!🎉😀

We adjourned to the local cafe for tea/coffee, breakfast (except for me, who had already partaken at 6.30!) and chat. Great to meet up with some more VRBs and keep the Health Unlocked forum spirit going! 👍😀

Finally, you may be wondering - where's the photo? Well I can only apologise on behalf of us all for forgetting to take one - blame a senior moment!😋

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Congratulations to you JonathanP on achieving another sub 30 minute 5k at Southsea Parkrun, excellent news that Dexy5 got a PB as well, not long before she will achieve a sub 30 minute 5k at a parkrun, well done to all that ran today.

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks Al. Yes I knocked a whole 1 second off my PB from January. According to Garmin, my actual time was a little more than last week but it was good to see PB against my name again.

[Pianism Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Fantastic - well done!

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks Al - I thought I might be in with a chance of a PB, but there's always next week😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Sounds like a fabulous run for you all today! Can’t wait to try it myself sometime this summer. 😀👍🏃‍♀️🏃👏

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It would be great to see you here cheekychipmunks - a rehearsal for the end of the GSR. 😉

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

It's a date Cheeky!👍

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

No photo?!! Glad you all had a meet up and well done Dexy5 on your PB 👏

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thanks Baddie, as Coddfish says “every second counts”

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Doh!!!

[damienair Administrator]

Nice. Visiting a different Parkrun is great. Meeting up with fellow forum members is even better I’m sure. Congratulations on your time.

Damien

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Thanks damienair. Yes, I might get a taste for it!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well what can I say , but we must all be of a certain generation that we didn’t automatically reach for our phones to take a photo! But as you said JP it was a great get together and lovely to have you cheering me on at the finish line this morning. Maybe you can come back for my 50th parkrun

😁🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️. 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️🚶‍♀️

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Yes, really showing our age!

Your 50th? Sounds like a plan! 👍

[Pianism Graduate10]

I love these VRB meets - makes such a difference.

And, gosh, I dream of times like 28.30!

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Pianism]

Thanks Pianism - dreams can come true!😀

[Katnap Graduate10]

Well done Jonathan! Enjoy your future tourism runs! 😁

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Katnap]

Thanks Katnap - might not be 8 months till my next!😀

[Katnap Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Pianism will be in Poole in a few weeks time so will be a chance to meet more VRBs 😁

[grumpyoldgirl]

Glad you all had a great time. Well done dexy! And great time Jonathan 😊 (I believe it happened, even without a photo - must be my age, too!)

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Thanks GOG - the power of imagination!

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Thanks grumpyoldgirl, 😂

[Slinkymalinki Graduate10]

Lovely to hear of Parkrun meet ups of VFBs and the great timings - well done to you all! Flat and scenic sounds like my ideal run!

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Slinkymalinki]

Thanks Slinkymalinki - it was a great occasion!

[Coddfish Graduate10]

Nice to meet you in person. In my opinion Southsea is one of the nicest parkrun routes I have done. What’s not to like about dead flat, wide and lovely sea views? It can also be one of the worst when it’s blowing a hoolie from the south west! And the redeveloped cafe - now the Briny - is great, if perhaps a little less well set up for parkrun than the site’s previous incarnation. Mr Coddfish and I are having a very gentle Sunday, continuing carb loading, before heading up to London ready for tomorrow’s big event.

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Yes and you too. It is a great run - but I did have a hankering for the slight rises & dips and variety of Lakeside!

Hope you both have a very enjoyable run tomorrow.

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Sounds wonderful! Well done Dexy5 on your PB! Meeting with once VRBs and PBs are always worth celebrating! 🍾🥂🏅👏🏻👍🌟 💥⚡️🎉😊

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Yes a great day all round over61.

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Any guess as to when the magic sub 30 will come your way? 😊

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

It could be a while if I only knock off a second at a time! I am going to keep trying...