Happy VRBs at Leamington Parkrun today. 🏃‍♀️🏃🐕 🌈 😀

[cheekychipmunks]

Oh wow, what a fabulous course Leamington is. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone who finds themself in the vicinity on any given Saturday morning. 😀

It has it all. A flat grassy playing field, some lovely tracks meandering through the woods, a not insignificant hill, some undulating smaller inclines and, of course, a lovely downhill section to counteract the climb. It’s also unusual in that it’s a single circuit. It’s a winner in my book. 👍 It was so colourful with people dressed up for Pride and there was also a jolly band playing which added to the atmosphere. 🎺 🥁 🌈

What made it super special though, was meeting up with Windoze (who runs there regularly - thanks for hosting us Steve!), TailChaser , Katnap , Alex the Kitten and Sandie1961 . Last but not least, my dog Flossie joined us! She was miffed to miss the last VRB meet-up, so I had to make amends. 🐕

We all ran our own pace and were all pleased with our respective times. Mine was 35.56 official, and 35.48 Garmin, although my watch recorded 4.96k! All our Garmins recorded different distances - some over 5k, some under! Go figure. 😅😅

The obligatory coffee and cake followed, we planned potential future meet-ups (c’mon guys, Ashton Court is calling your names), and we headed our separate ways. My 2 hour drive up from Bristol was followed by a 3 hour drive back. Do I care? Not one jot, it was worth every moment and I’ll be doing it again! 😀❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Yeayayayayaay Lucky spuds!!!! Wish I was nearer...and fit again... !!!! It looks and sounds terrific....again!!!

Love you folk xx

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

It was ace Floss - it would have been lovely to have you there too. Daft as it might sound, I’m going to do my darnedest to make it to Lyme Park in October! Running has made me totally bonkers! 🤪🤪

[Couchpotato2 in reply to Oldfloss]

I second that

[Hidden]

Awesome! Pooch looks happy... so does everyone else 😁 Great stuff guys! Go parkrun! Go team HU!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

She loves her runs clubberlang. This was no exception, especially as a friendly lady gave her 3 treats when we first got there! ❤️😀

[backintime Graduate10]

sounds like a fun meetup (if an early start for you).

good time too!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to backintime]

I left home at 6am, so early, but not too bad. It was worth it! Would be nice if you could join us one day too BIT! 🏃🏃‍♀️🐕

[backintime Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

one time when I am in the UK, or if you all decide that a weekend jaunt to France is on the cards

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to backintime]

Where in France are you? We’re heading back to the Dordogne at the end of the month

[backintime Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

A small village to the west of Paris.

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to backintime]

Probably a little far from us 😥

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to backintime]

Just say the word when you’re here BIT! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to backintime]

Next year..I will be there!!!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Yay Floss! You need to meet my dog Flossie too! 🐕🐕🐕

[Sandie1961 Graduate10]

It really was a lovely course, although my legs failed me towards the top of that hill and had to walk about 20m 😩. More hill training required if we’re going to tackle Lyme Park in October, I think. Fabulous to see cheekychipmunks , Katnap , TailChaser and Kitten again and to meet Windoze See you all again soon x

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

I’m still buzzing Sandie, I thought it was a brilliant course. Can’t imagine it being quite so enjoyable through the woods in the mud though! 😳

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

True! It was nice and dry. It was raining heavily around Birmingham so glad we missed that. Stopped now though and an early g&t has been poured 🍸

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

I didn’t have a spot of rain on the drive back. Funny old British weather! ☀️💦 🥵 🥶

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Our fault, we did some gardening this afternoon and it started then... Sandie, from what I see of you on Strava, you seem to do loads of hills already! Enjoy your evenings, it’s been a fab day, thank you so much for coming over 😀🤗x

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

I’d definitely run that course again, it was so much fun. And I’d love to come to Stratford one day too! Ooo, so many runs to be had! 👏👏👏

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

We’ll have to do parkrun swapsies 😁

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

You’re on! 👊

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

Loved it! Need to work on the old glutes though.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

Get squeezing Sandie! 😅

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

I’m sure the sun is over the yard arm somewhere Sandie.

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

As they say, it is 5 o’clock somewhere! Really looking forward to the next VEB meet up. Have VW, will travel 😃

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

VRB🤦‍♀️

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

I think we need to buy one too - makes parkrun tourism easy

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Definitely 😀😀

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

A brilliant meet up cheeky and well done you for getting up so early to get to Leamington- it was enough effort for me to get to the seafront today. Lovely to see your pics of Flossie, Windoze, Sandie1961 , and Kat family -1.

I’ve definitely got to attempt some hills before I consider some of the runs you do! I hope the drive back wasn’t too hot for you and Flossie - it was boiling here for the Race for Life juniors and the Muddy Run.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Haha, you’d still beat me time wise though Dexy, hills or no hills! It just messes with my rhythm and momentum if I walk - so I don’t!

It was fairly overcast driving back, so it wasn’t overly hot. Flossie is an excellent passenger too which helps. 🐕

Hope you had a great run today too! We missed you and UTS today. ❤️

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Well I was on positive splits this morning. I started far too fast following Mr @Coddfish and his 100 shirt and then chatting to a tourist from Worcester who was quicker than I normally run. Put that with the hot sun and I ended up jeffing in the last km. I did spot my friendly age grade rival near the end , put a good spurt on and nearly ran into a lamppost. Luckily spotted it just in time 😂😂. That would have been embarrassing 🥺

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Oh my goodness, that would have been painful and embarrassing, especially with everyone watching! 🤦‍♀️

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I was watching 😀

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

👀

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

😂🤣😂

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

The dangers of city running. 😂😂

[Katnap Graduate10]

🌈 great report cheeky 🌈

Kitten 1 knows a lot of the musicians in that band 'Spa Brass'

Lyme Park in October.

Summer'holiday' period can be a bit tricky for availability but maybe we can head over in your direction before October.

😺 Katnap 😺

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Katnap]

Thanks Katnap! They were a great band! I loved how kitten sprinted in - true grit and determination today! Good for him! 👏👏👏

Lyme Park is calling my name and I’ll be there if at all possible! 💪 Just let me know when you fancy Ashton Court (or Eastville for that matter ...). In the meantime, have a great summer and it was awesome seeing you guys today! 😀😀

[TailChaser Graduate10]

Thanks for coming cheeky, you, Flossie, Sandie and Windoze made it really special. And I love Flossie, he’s wonderful! I’ve never met such a smiley dog! I hope you got home ok despite it taking so long. I must run Leamington again soon when I haven’t got a cold and try and beat my time!!! No excuse now! Looking forward to your Ashton Court hills in the spring (if not before from what Katnap says!) 😀👍🦆x

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

It was a great day TC, and it was fabulous to see you all too. I’m glad you like Flossie. She’s a hit wherever she goes and she helps me barcode scan by attracting dog loving runners!

It was worth the drive (plus I’m a little odd as I love driving! 😬) Look forward to seeing you again before too long! 😀

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Definitely cheeky 😀👍👍👍

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

Yay, can’t wait already! 😅😅

[Oldlady57]

Well run cheeky!! Good pace too👍🏻

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Oldlady57]

Thanks OL. I was surprised at my pace, it certainly didn’t feel sub 36. 😀

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

Great write up and photos. Glad it was a good meet. I'll try and make the next one ☠️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

It would be lovely to meet you Baddie. 😀

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Sounds like a great meet-up Cheeky. Glad you all had good runs - and refreshment afterwards!👍😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Thanks Jonathan. We all came away agreeing how lovely the course was. Such a fun morning! 😀

[lexi6 Graduate10]

And ditto Cheeky lovely report and photos. Brilliant! 😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

Thanks Lexi, it’s such fun meeting VRBs! 🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♀️🏃🏃‍♀️

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Its just awesome! Being 12,000 miles away I get a real buzz reading VRB run reports and seeing your lovely photos. You’re all photogenic but I’m loving the four legged blonde. ❤️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

She is a looker isn’t she? 😍🐕😍

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

Well done all, I had a surprisingly good run this morning after a surprisingly social Naval evening yesterday …. sub-25 for the first time for a while.

And the lamppost sidestep was well worth seeing, if annoying, because for the first time I'd got Dexy5 really fired up to catch someone over the last 100 metres - and she was going brilliantly, it was a genuine sprint and she'd have won by 5 metres instead of losing by 1. But I beat her rival's OH by 6 secs and Dexy only lost by 1, so we won on aggregate …….. or would have, if it was a race, but it's not, is it? ……………… (much )

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

Sounds like you and Dexy had brilliant runs too UTS. Sub 25 is pretty awesome, especially after a good evening! My PR PB was after an evening of several G&Ts! 🍸

Hope to see you guys before the GSR. Are you planning on doing Lyme Park in October? 🏃‍♀️🏃

[telford_mike Graduate10]

Looks lovely, and a pooch to 5k run too! Cake & coffee sounds nice 👍

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to telford_mike]

Aww thanks Mike! My little pooch adores PR as much as I do! She goes into running mode and doesn’t put a paw wrong! 🐾 🐾

[Fabulous450 Graduate10]

Looks and sounds like a great day Cheeky!! ❤️ Xx

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Fabulous450]

It was such a lovely morning Fab! The course was fantastic. Really scenic and enough of a challenge to make it interesting! Hope you’re enjoying your running now that the weather isn’t quite so brutal? ❤️❤️

[Toonlou24]

Brilliant! My local! I was there for the last 2 weeks! Didn’t go yesterday! Typical!! Glad you enjoyed. Nice hill eh! But the views are well worth it!! Xx

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Toonlou24]

Ahhh Toonlou what a shame you didn’t make it yesterday. If only we’d known it was your local. 🤦‍♀️ I personally enjoyed the hill (saddo), as my local PRs in Bristol are notoriously hilly! Yes the views were gorgeous - in fact I think it’s my favourite PR course to date (only done 5, but hey!)

Hope you can make a VRB meet-up soon. There’s talk of Stratford before long. 😀

[grumpyoldgirl]

Oh wow, a rainbow parkrun with unicorns! And a 6am start, now that's true grit, cheeky! Lovely post 😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Thanks GOG! A 6am start will feel like luxury if I decide to do Lyme Park in October! 😅😳 I’m losing the plot with this running malarkey! 😅😅

[Wimborne]

Just replied to TCs post and I know Cheeky I should be interested in the run bit but really it’s just the meet for me 😀. Those smiles, Floss ... cake and a run. Insanely jealous. Such a fabulous meet again. 😍

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Wimborne]

Well before too long you’ll be part of it again Wimborne. We missed you and hope you’re still making good progress on your road to recovery. ❤️

[Wimborne in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Oooo I just can’t wait 😊. I have been walking lots and fast walking to get it moving more. Lots of tiptoes and even tried a wobbly bouncy Walky jog on treadmill twice this week as just wanted to see what it was like and it was ok!!!! Couldn’t really describe it as running but it was bouncy and afterwards it wasn’t too bad at all. Off to my trusted park tonight to see what I can do... 👌👌👌

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Wimborne]

Hey, sounds a bit like my usual pace Wimborne! You’re making great progress - yay! 👏👏👏

[Wimborne in reply to cheekychipmunks]

😊 your pace is spot on Cheeky..... you can go for mikes and miles..... you have a perfect pace for you 😀.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Wimborne]

True, I can trot along for ever! Lucky we’re all different isn’t it Wimborne? 🏃‍♀️🏃😍