The day a herd of VRBs smashed Lyme Park PR!... - Bridge to 10K

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The day a herd of VRBs smashed Lyme Park PR! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🐕🐌

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10
179 Replies

I’ve just got home and I’m still grinning! I’ve just done something utterly ridiculous - I drove for 4 hours with Flossie the dog in tow on a Friday evening, ditched the B&B I originally booked (looked 😱) thus wasting some money, booked into a tried and tested Holiday Inn Express instead, got up, ran 5k and drove home again! 🤦‍♀️

Oh, I missed something out. I met my awesome wonderful VRBs and that 5k was Lyme Park PR, one of the hardest in the country on PR’s 15th anniversary. Very fitting! 😀 So TailChaser , Katnap , kittens, BaddieThePirate . Sandie1961 (with loyal non-running Chris and Ben the 🐕), Jay66UK , RunaroundSue , Mr Runaroundsue, Pianism , UnfitNoMore . Little Miss UNM and Sharuns all nervously descended upon LP!

The first timers’ briefing did nothing to help our nerves. All we could hear was up this, up that, difficult, rocky, up some more, and then some more, down (yay) slippery, be careful .... !!

But you know what? Yes it was tricky, especially the first rocky uphill stretch, but holy mackerel it was beautiful! The stretch up to The Cage was jawdroppingly amazing, and the fact it was uphill went almost unnoticed for me. 😍 It was followed by a fantastic downhill stretch which I could have run forever. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

We successfully negotiated Tumbler’s Turn - you could see why it was called that! A helpful marshal stood there to catch people overshooting it! 😅😅 Then there was a cruel uphill stretch near the finish. 😩

We all did it! I did my usual and ran the lot slowly. Others took a few walking breaks, others flat out sprinted it! We were jubilant at the end, and celebratory hot drinks and cakes were consumed with gusto. 😋

What an amazing bunch of people you all are guys. It was sooo worth 8 hours of driving. ❤️

Next up, my home PR with some more VRBs. This forum doesn’t stop giving! ❤️❤️❤️

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cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunks
Graduate10
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179 Replies
Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate10

🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽!! How wonderful to see you all together VRB’s! 😍 Lyme Park sounds like a challenge, but those smiles tell me it was conquered!! Fantastic achievement by you all Cheeky!! You’re all fabulous!! 🤩🤩🤩🤩🥰❤️

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toFabulous450

Thanks Fab, it was brilliant fun! An incredible course and wonderful VRBs. ❤️❤️❤️

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10

What a good photo of all of you at Lyme Park Parkrun today, you were very lucky getting all that cake after the run, I was at Dunfermline parkrun this morning, got nothing, not even a result until about 3 o'clock, however, I got a sub 35 minute 5K time of 32.31, very disappointed, not at the result, but because unlike you, there was NO CAKE at the end.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toAlMorr

No cake Al? Something wrong there! Well done on your great PR time today. My time was considerably slower than usual, but for good reason! 😅

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply toAlMorr

Our results were late today as well. I blame the technology! Or the operators - when Mr RAS used his phone for barcode scanning he thought he had sent the results, but in fact they were waiting to send because he didn't turn his data back on. We went off to play at a ukulele gig, oblivious to the urgent texts and emails asking him to "resend" and asking me to get him to check his phone.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply toRunaroundSue

He he

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate10 in reply toRunaroundSue

Oops!

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply toKatnap

Yes, I expect that is what the Run Director said !

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toRunaroundSue

Oh no! Mustn’t laugh, but that’s hysterical! 😅😅😅

Benno87 profile image
Benno87Graduate10 in reply toAlMorr

There's usually cake at Dunfermline. That's my home run but I was stuck in a car driving back from Wales.

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10 in reply toBenno87

That's nice to know Benno87 that Dunfermline is your home run, there was cake at Dunfermlines 4th birthday Parkrun which was first but no cake yesterday, if there are no cancellations Dunfermline will have parkrun number 100 on the 2nd November.

Although I live in Cumbernauld which is 26 miles from Dunfermline, for over 9 years I have visited and walked through Pittencrieff Park at least once a month, it's easy to get to by bus, when I registered with Parkrun I put Dunfermline as my "home parkrun"

Since my first parkrun on 13th July at Dunfermline a new parkrun nearer to where I live has begun, Drumpelliier parkrun near Coatbridge, I ran there on the 21st September and got a PB of 30.55. It's a flatter course but could get muddy during wet weather whereas Dunfermline although hillier is all tarmac and would only have some puddles in wet weather. 😊 🏃🏾

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10

YEAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY... You all look absolutely buzzing and amazing... What a wonderful turn out and what a SUPER RUN!!!!!

You are all absolutely INCREDIBLE!!!!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toOldfloss

We all missed you Floss. 🙁 But yes it was fantastic fun! 😀

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

I'll get to one eventually!!! And maybe we can all get to an Isabel Trail here at some point too!! You look great the whole wonderful bunch of you... :)

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply toOldfloss

Yes, we definitely want to get to Isabel sometime

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply toRunaroundSue

Me too !

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toSandie1961

And us!

BaddieThePirate profile image
BaddieThePirateGraduate10 in reply toOldfloss

Yes, we do

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toBaddieThePirate

Haha, you’ve just answered my question from Sandie1961 ’s post 🤣

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toOldfloss

Oh just say the word and I’ll be there! 👍👍👍👍

MsLegs profile image
MsLegsGraduate10

How lovely to see everyone who had a fab day out! X glad you had a good PR. X

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toMsLegs

Thanks RP, it was a special day indeed! 😀😀

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10

I dunno about smashed it... it nearly smashed me a couple of times! After “cleverly” leaping over some mud, to land in more mud, slip, scramble to stay upright, onto the grass, more slippage and a leap back onto the path, all my HM training about to go to waste, I finally, somehow, managed to get running again... only to twist my ankle about 50 yards further. Walked it off and did a run walk home... at which point I was seriously considering a name change here!

So, nice brew, expensive and average butty, but good company... and it was time to depart. Team UNM headed to the gym, my legs needed to know that I didn’t hate them.. onto the treadmill, 31 minute 5k on the way to 4.25 miles... a mile of cooldown walk after. Maybe I’ll stick with the name after all.

Wonderful to meet you and the others that I hadn’t met thus far... wonderful sprint finish by one of the kittens by the way (never saw the other one running, way too far ahead of me!). And also some now familiar faces. Great way to spend a Saturday morning.

I’d request that the next one was a little flatter... but it kinda has to be. One of the toughest five parkruns ✅ but it was a close call.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

Well after all those shenanigans, I’m mighty impressed that you hit the gym too UNM! You definitely need to keep your name! Great to meet you and Little Miss at last. 😀👍👏

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

Hopefully we will get down to your neck of the woods too... there’s a similar run calling me! What am I thinking? Maybe the Severn Bridge one would be better 🤣

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

Any time you fancy it UNM, let me know. You can pick the course - Ashton Court, Severn Bridge, Eastville - all nice ones! 🏃‍♂️😀

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

Being me I’ll probably say Ashton Court... so someone else should choose 🤣

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

You’d do fine there - it’s way less treacherous than LP! 👍🏃‍♂️

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

Done that one, I have to say overall I preferred Lyme Park because the ups were interspersed with downs!

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

We will definitely come to Eastville sometime when we are down that way. Not 19th though, we have decided on Clevedon

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toRunaroundSue

Oh yes please do RAS! Let me know when and I won’t be a tourist that week! 😀👍

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

Absolutely awesome and I am so sad I could not be there to see you all! And to watch your acrobatic display too !!!

Isabel Trail is flat in Stafford.. as is the Dolgellau PR:) xx

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply toOldfloss

Hoping to be in Snowdonia weekend after next but still a case of TBC

Glad I had a trip to decathlon for some trail shoes, no way I’d have stayed upright in my Pegasus or Free RN 🤣

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

You did wonderfully!!!! x

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toOldfloss

He sure did! I’d have sulked and slunk off! 😅

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

Wow UNM, more running at the gym after that. Awesome! It was great to meet you 😃

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply toSandie1961

Not done much of anything since I got home... bit of time with my old best mate the couch!

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

Oh no, take good care of that ankle!

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply toSandie1961

It’s good... I’m just being lazy 🤣

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

My (limited) experience tells me the best way to tackle puddles and mud is to go through it. The edges are the most slippery..

Imagine you are going on a bear hunt.... 😄

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply toKatnap

I was gonna... don’t know what came over me... maybe I needed to test my reflexes and balance... nearly needed a change of shorts though 🤣

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

Eek!

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

That's the scree surfer in you!!🏄‍♂️

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply toJell6

Could be... at least I survived it this time!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toKatnap

And I find the best way to tackle rocks is to mince! I love mincing!! 😅😅

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

🤣

over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingGraduate10

Superstars!! Brilliant! Fabulous! 🍾🥂🏃‍♀️🐕🤸‍♂️🏃🏽‍♀️🤸‍♂️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♂️👏🏻👍🌟 💥⚡️🎉😊🍾🥂🏃🏻🤸🏻‍♂️🏃🤸🏻‍♂️🏃🏻🤸🏻‍♂️👏🏻👍🌟 💥⚡️🎉😊🎂🍰

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toover61andstilltrying

It was such fun over61! I’m still wearing an inane grin. 😅

over61andstilltrying profile image
over61andstilltryingGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

And so you should be! Obviously a confident driver as well as a brill runner 😊🏃‍♀️🐕🚘

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toover61andstilltrying

I’m one of those who enjoys driving as it turns out. Lucky really! 😅😅

Coddfish profile image
CoddfishGraduate10

Wow, that sounds a tough course, well done on completing it and on your grand meet up. Looking forward to seeing you at GSR (we are also green).

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toCoddfish

It was tough, but ultimately very enjoyable Coddfish! 💪

Can’t wait for GSR - 2 weeks tomorrow. 👏👏👏👏

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply toCoddfish

I’m in White, but we will meet up 😃

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate10

This is BRILLIANT!!! I love the fact that you drove all that way...I love the fact you took Flossie and I absolutely love the fact that you all met up!!! Right...anyone in Yorkshire, Brighouse parkrun is a good one!! anyone??

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply toMummycav

Not too far for us

BaddieThePirate profile image
BaddieThePirateGraduate10 in reply toMummycav

Sometimes. I’ve got Yorkshire roots. I’ve added it to my mental list.

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply toMummycav

It’s not a million miles away... I’ll work on it

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply toMummycav

About 1.5 hours for me so doable, but perhaps not in the depths of winter!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toMummycav

Aww thanks MC, I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat! I’d love to come to Yorkshire at some point. It’s fun being a tourist, and Flossie enjoyed her (slow) run too! She took great delight in rolling on the wet muddy grass (at least it was just mud 😳)! 🐕❤️

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toMummycav

We’re just trying to think of the logistics of this one Mummycav 🤞

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10

I need to read this properly later - the pasta is nearly ready.

But it is Sharuns

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toRunaroundSue

Ooo thanks Sue, I’ll edit it and tag her properly! 👍

JaoJao profile image
JaoJaoGraduate10

Ahhh so nice! Well done you guys!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toJaoJao

Thanks JaoJao, it’s fun having meetups and putting faces to names! 😀

JaoJao profile image
JaoJaoGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

I bet! Looks amazing! I’ve only met one VRB to date and she’s lovely, we are meeting up again in a few weeks xx

Olney profile image
OlneyGraduate10

You are a trooper, the pics are fantastic 🏅🎉

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toOlney

Aww thanks Olney, we had to commandeer a National Trust staff member to take the round the table group shot! 👍

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10

What a hard core crew! Must be hills week. Glad you all survived intact and had a great gathering of VRBs. Think you must be in line for the most travelled VRB 🥇 😊

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toBeachcomber66

Hahaha, I was saying to everyone that my travel distance limit is increasing! It used to be 1 hour, then 2 - now 4! Scotland next!! 😅😅

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

Be careful! AlMorr will be persuading you to join him at parkrun before you know it 😂

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toSandie1961

Haha, don’t! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

Brilliant,brilliant. That must be the biggest VRB get together so far. Well done everyone for even contemplating that parkrun, let alone doing it.

Did Flossie enjoy it too cheeky?

Enjoy you evening out too - no falling asleep in the soup now 😴💤💤

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toDexy5

It’s ok Dexy, I’m still operating on adrenaline, and I believe there’ll be a DJ later so I’ll be bopping (and singing along too knowing me!) 😅 🎶

Flossie loved it! ❤️🐕

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toDexy5

I had to chuckle Dexy. Guess what the first song was that had me up and dancing last night? “Come on Eileen”! 🎶😅

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

That is one to get people up 🎼😃

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10

Well a pw for me today (apart from when I was Tailwalker). 24 seconds slower than my first ever parkrun at Conkers. It wasn't quite as bad as I remembered from when we walked it and I ran more than I expected. But it was very uneven underfoot in a lot of places, so I walked a fair bit.

But it was great to meet you all.

I think we were quite lucky with the weather, I would not like to do that when it is hot, and winters can be quite harsh there. Just a shame that it wasn't clearer because the views across to Kinder Scout can be lovely.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toRunaroundSue

Now a few hours have passed, I’d love to do it again on a cold crisp clear day to get the benefit of those views. 😍😍

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

Yes, it can be lovely. We often walk there

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

I was actually thinking that I would do it again if the opportunity arose 😬😃

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

Yes! Definitely up for that cheeky!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toTailChaser

Yay! How does eldest kitten feel today? I hope he’s mighty proud. That sprint! 😳👍👏👊🏃‍♂️💪

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

I think he’s wondering what all the fuss is about. I just took him for a walk and he seems fine amazingly 😀👍

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toTailChaser

Bless him, he’s amazing! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

BaddieThePirate profile image
BaddieThePirateGraduate10 in reply toRunaroundSue

Too busy looking at my footing to pay much attention to the views unfortunately, but I did remember to take a quick peek

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toBaddieThePirate

I can only imagine what the views from up by the Cage would be like on a clear day. As it was, they were pretty spectacular. 😍😍😍

Sharuns profile image
SharunsGraduate10 in reply toBaddieThePirate

As I approached the cage the wind was blowing my hair in front of my face where it loitered until the last stretch. A marshall kindly offered me a hair bobble. Fortunately I've seen the views a good few times before.

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply toRunaroundSue

Kinder needs a parkrun!

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

Mmm not sure about that. Pity the poor marshalls in the winter :)

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply toRunaroundSue

Hadn’t thought of that... I’ll just have to do the high peak marathon one year then.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

😱

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate10

You guys! That's just heartwarmingly brilliant 👍🏻💕😁

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toGoGo_JoJo

Thanks JoJo, we had a blast! Love our meetups. ❤️

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate10 in reply toGoGo_JoJo

Will have to do a VRB meet down your way?

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate10 in reply toKatnap

It might be the one thing that could drag me to a parkrun! 🤣🤣🤣

I'd rather take you all over the Downs with me! 😁

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toGoGo_JoJo

Oh I would so love that JoJo but maybe not the distances you do!

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate10 in reply toTailChaser

Oh no, it would be a short but scenic one! There's car parks at the top and just running along the top is easy! 👍🏻😁

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toGoGo_JoJo

😍

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toKatnap

Yes yes yes! 👏👏👏

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10

cheekychipmunks you should post that group photo on the Lyme Park parkrun Facebook page

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toRunaroundSue

Ooo good idea Sue, I will. 👍

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

I always like to leave a thank you on my tourist parkrun Facebook pages

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toRunaroundSue

Another good idea. You’re full of them Sue! 😀😅

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply toRunaroundSue

Me too RunaroundSue. It’s good to thank the volunteers who support each parkrun.

Jay66UK profile image
Jay66UKGraduate10

Lovely meeting you!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toJay66UK

Yes you too Jay! I’m so glad you were able to make it. 👍👏😀

BaddieThePirate profile image
BaddieThePirateGraduate10

It was lovely to meet you at last. Weird that you have a real name Cheeky and I’ll never remember it (even though you told me twice). You’ll always be Cheeky to me. A great get together and no rain. In fact no wicked cold wind either. What a day. Thanks for coming so far 👍🏃‍♀️🐕

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toBaddieThePirate

Hahahaha, it’s Jill, Baddie, but I don’t expect you to remember that! 😅 I had to ask someone your name again after you’d told me too! Who needs real names anyway? 😅😅

I wouldn’t have missed that for the world. Yes the weather behaved didn’t it? I can imagine it would be mighty tricky in the wind and rain. 😳😳

BaddieThePirate profile image
BaddieThePirateGraduate10

We do look a bit like a herd of runny people!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toBaddieThePirate

I loved how we were pretty much 90% of the first timers’ briefing! Her face was a picture! 😅

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

We were about 8% of the total finishers 😂

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toTailChaser

😅😅

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate10

Lovely photos and wonderful post! Lyme Park sounds amazing...ly hard - hats off to all of you!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toSandraj39

Thanks Sandra! I highly recommend VRBs. Everyone is so friendly, just like they are on here. ❤️

I also recommend giving Lyme Park a go if you’re ever in that neck of the woods. It’s crazy footing in places, but spectacular all at once. 😍😍

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10

Brilliant write-up cheeky! We got home a couple of hours ago and have just stuffed ourselves with a well deserved dinner with ice cream and home made ginger biscuits 😋after a good walk in the main grounds of the house.

What a fantastic parkrun that is, I’d be more than happy to run it again (and I never thought I’d say that!). The anticipation before running was like that before a race: my hands got all sweaty and I just couldn’t wait to start. The views and terrain are the perfect distraction from how hard it is. And yes it is tough but (imho) it wasn’t as hard as 5k on sand at Hafan Pwllheli. So proud of everyone today, but (& I being very biased here) particularly youngest kitten for speeding off (as ever) and eldest kitten for beating his demons and not only doing it but finishing with a sprint (which is becoming his USP).

And I still can’t believe you did what you did 🤣, you are particularly amazing!

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply toTailChaser

Really thought eldest kitten was gonna run out of sprint before the line... that was epic, especially going uphill.

I’d second that thought on Pwllheli, that one was so incredibly tough.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

I know UNM, I was amazed! For someone who was so anti running a year ago he’s done so well. And he does it smiling now too!

Lovely to see your daughter giving it a really good go too. This Parkrun stuff is amazing, it’s doing so much good.

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply toTailChaser

I’d love to see him go round a track, and we have a parkrun with one nearby if you’re back this way. Didn’t see little kitten at all, he must have rocketed up that hill!

Little miss is just getting back into the running... kinda lost interest after last time we were at Lyme, kept running but with more walking than anything, but suddenly she wants to do it again.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

That’s great UNM, eldest kitten blows hot and cold about it too but he loves the meet-ups. I’ll see what he thinks about track running, he’s definitely getting better. As for youngest kitten- he is a rocket, he could be pretty good but both he and eldest got put off by the way school does it. He is the reason I started running!

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply toTailChaser

Some good came out of how school does it then! They really don’t spend time with running, and they should as it would have fitter kids ready to compete in other sports. Unless you were quick straight away at my school you ran maybe 3 times a year and we’re expected to be quick over 5 miles... sadly I don’t think much has changed.

Stretford parkrun is one I’m saving... 450m of track to start and 350 back on it to finish... no hills... polar opposite of Lyme.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

Not at secondary school UNM, scary to think it’s not changed in such a long time as my school was the same too - nothing for months then a cross country run. They don’t seem to know how to treat the less sporty ones once they start secondary school. Primary school have really got it sussed with Kids Run Free and the Daily Mile but it all gets lost once they start big school. Very disappointing (and a big pet gripe of mine).

Stretford sounds a good combination, maybe a bit too far for us but who knows!

Sharuns profile image
SharunsGraduate10 in reply toTailChaser

Stretford was my 5th Parkrun and my pb to date. It's popular because of the speed but starting and ending in the stadium is good. It has to close occasionally for athletic events (when we met at Sale we had 'homeless' Stretford runners swelling the ranks).

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

Stretford is scheduled for December I think. I have to do that one, it is on the list of "parkruns in places I have lived"

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toTailChaser

Oh wow, eldest Kitten’s sprint finish was something to behold TC! What a trouper! 👏👏👏 I hope he’s mighty proud of his achievement getting round that course. 👍👊🏃‍♂️👏 And as for youngest Kitten - well I never see him finish. He’s like greased lightning (as are mum and dad!) 😅

I totally agree with your sentiments. I’d definitely do it again. And yes, I loved how we were all shuffling around nervously at the start! My butterflies had already kicked in big style when I saw the first sign for Lyme Park when I was driving there, 🦋🦋 I loved every minute. What an experience. ❤️

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

It was wasn’t it cheeky! Best one yet!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toTailChaser

I think it was. Shame all our VRBs couldn’t make it. Hey, we’ll just need to do it all over again! 😀👍

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

👍😁👍

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10

Btw, is that an official group noun for VRBs? 😂

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply toTailChaser

It is now

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply toRunaroundSue

That’s what I was thinking 😂

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toTailChaser

We look like one, so yes probably! 😅

SaskAlliecat profile image
SaskAlliecatGraduate10

What a great group of VRB there! I love that you all were able to meet up; you were very devoted to the meet up to make an overnight trip of it. Huge kudos to you! I love reading these write ups and especially seeing all the pictures. Thanks for sharing!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toSaskAlliecat

You’re very welcome Sask. It’s getting to be a regular thing and it’s such fun meeting up with like minded people from this fantastic forum. If you’re ever in the UK ........ 😀

lexi6 profile image
lexi6Graduate10

More fabulous photos of you amazing lot. Wow! Cheeky seriously impressed with your dedication to VRB’s meet. Flossie would have been good company in the car though. Thanks for the great report and photos. 👍🙂

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply tolexi6

Thanks so much Lexi. Shame it didn’t coincide with your visit. Next time ok? 😀😀

Yes it’s lovely having my running buddy with me. ❤️🐕 She did an amazing job leading me over the rocky bits even though she was pretty much at walking pace for lots of it!! 😅😅

Runawaytrainer profile image
Runawaytrainer

Is there a list of Parkrun difficulty gradings somewhere? Clearly not all Parkrun's are equal!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toRunawaytrainer

This one Runawaytrainer! It’s what makes it interesting trying new PRs - and no they’re definitely not equal! 😅

jegmar.com/stats-hq/fastest...

Runawaytrainer profile image
Runawaytrainer in reply tocheekychipmunks

Can't find mine! I don't think we're below sea level!!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toRunawaytrainer

😅😅😅

316neil profile image
316neilGraduate10

Oh my word. That’s my local parkrun, that’ll teach me not to read HU for a bit, sorry guys, I feel really bad now 😥 you know what? I nearly did Lyme Park yesterday too, gutted!!! Glad you all had a great time. I’ve run the course a few times but never actually done the parkrun. Well done, proud of you all 👏👏👏

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to316neil

Oh wow Neil, your local PR? How wonderful, you must be a mountain goat! 🐐 What a shame you didn’t come yesterday, it would have been fabulous to meet you.

So what’s it like in foul weather? Or (worse for me) really hot weather? 🥵 Must be a killer. 😳

316neil profile image
316neilGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

Yeah I know 😥 I’ve never done the Lyme PR, though I’ve run the course several times, I did a really fun hilly run the other week, from home (High Lane), up into Lyme, following the PR course up past the cage, then running home. Sorry I didn’t make it 😥

I generally avoid Lyme in the rain. The one bad weather run I did was an organised 7k night run back in January, it can get a little sloppy, not as bad as you’d think though. In hot weather it’s hard work, lots of hydration needed, plus it’s busy too!!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to316neil

Gosh well kudos to you running it for fun! We all loved it so much, I can see another visit on the cards. We want to meet you too! 😀

316neil profile image
316neilGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

Lots of replies from you, I’ll pick this one 😂 It’s strange, I did 12k a week ago Friday, from home up round Lyme, Knightslow wood, up to the cage, back home... 210m climbing, felt fine. Yesterday’s 13k was so hard in comparison, yet much flatter.

Hey is it me or is the first climb up from the car park into Knightslow Wood a bit of a killer??!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to316neil

Definitely not just you Neil! That first climb was brutal, made worse by the rocky path. I stayed on the gnarly grassy bit on the side and tried to avoid the tree roots. It was one where we had to dig deep, and it felt great to get through the gate towards the top! 👍😀

316neil profile image
316neilGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

Except... you’ve still got a climb through the wood, and then that rocky path up the side, and then the slog up to the cage 🤣

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to316neil

True, but all the climbs after that first one seemed relatively easy in comparison! I personally found the one near the finish hard - and so cruel! 😩😅

316neil profile image
316neilGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

Trying to remember the route, is that the one up from near the ticket hut back up the other side of cage hill? If so, I’ve had to walk up that on occasions!!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to316neil

Yes I think so - it starts just after Tumbler’s Turn and there’s a long slog back up with the Cage up on the left. It then levels out a little towards the finish ..... 😩😩

316neil profile image
316neilGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

And to think... I ran all round Lyme Park for “fun” a week or so ago. Why do we do this to ourselves?! 😂

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to316neil

Oh no Neil! I should have messaged you, I’m sorry 😩 Don’t know if you can pm on Strava and I don’t think you’re on here so often anymore? We will be back though, I’m very sure of that! Looks like you did a stonking run yesterday though 👍

316neil profile image
316neilGraduate10 in reply toTailChaser

It’s ok! Just feeling a bit down about missing you all, totally my fault doh! I get the notifications when someone PMs me on here, so that would work. I’m just crap at social media I guess 😂

Yesterday was a challenging run, harder than it should have been, and I’m suffering for it today, I hope my physio can put me back together tomorrow!! On the plus side, I got back to 13k. Maybe I’m just not meant to do distance 🤣

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to316neil

316neil , I think the chances are very high that we’ll be back! 👍😀🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🐕

316neil profile image
316neilGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

Glad to hear it, sorry I didn’t make it cheeky, I feel terrible about it 😥

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to316neil

Please don’t feel terrible Neil. We’ll make up for it - I’m a Lyme convert! 😅

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to316neil

I know that feeling, I keep hitting a wall at 10 miles and it’s really frustrating as HM is so close! We’ll get there Neil, I’m sure of it, we just have to keep at it.

And we will keep you in the loop for future runs, although the next one is more south (I’ll be putting up a post later). Please don’t feel bad, it’s definitely not your fault!

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply to316neil

Here is the list of planned meetups in the Manchester area.

Pianism has us running a new one each month. You are welcome to join our growing band of (not so virtual) running buddies.

iangoughmusic-my.sharepoint...

Jell6 profile image
Jell6Graduate10

How fabulous that so many of you met up!. I am certain that type of terrain would be the end of me, so I am in awe.

Brilliant, glad you had a great time (I smiled imagining your reaction to the B and B 🤣🤣.)

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toJell6

Thanks Jell, it was pure curiosity which made me want to tackle Lyme Park, and I’m so glad I did. It’s incredible and the hills weren’t as scary as I had imagined. The footing was harder than it looked on the YouTube video though - it was very rocky in places. All in all a wonderful course. 😀👍

Yes, I approached the B&B which looked like a private house on a quiet dark backstreet, and thought “nah”. A single woman with a small Labrador as her only guardian? I had to cut my losses! 😅

Sharuns profile image
SharunsGraduate10 in reply toJell6

Some of us walked part of the route. I was wary of the uneven ground as well as the hills.

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10

You certainly are a parkrun junkie Cheeky! Definitely worth it though!👍😀

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toJonathanP

I really am Jonathan! I’m fortunate in that Mr Cheeky spends most Saturdays at the rowing club so I’m free to travel around and meet VRBs. Perfect! 😀 Looking forward to coming down your way in a few weeks too! 👍

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply tocheekychipmunks

Yes will be great to meet up again👍

grumpyoldgirl profile image
grumpyoldgirl

Well done and huge congrats to the whole herd of you! I've got a warm fuzzy feeling reading that cheeky 😊

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply togrumpyoldgirl

I’m still warm and fuzzy even this morning GOG. It was magical. ❤️

Silverfox1943 profile image
Silverfox1943Graduate1060minGraduate

Sorry to ask but what are VRBs?

GoGo_JoJo profile image
GoGo_JoJoGraduate10 in reply toSilverfox1943

Virtual Running Buddies, ie, folk off the forums 👍🏻😁

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toSilverfox1943

Oh sorry Silverfox - Virtual Running Buddies! Except now we’re all RBs (Real Buddies!) 😀

skysue16 profile image
skysue16Graduate10

What great photos! Sounds like you all had a wonderful time. Such a lovely idea to meet up with VRB's 😀

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toskysue16

It’s a fantastic idea isn’t it SS? The more we do it, the more people seem to show up. We’re trying to spread the love and do different parts of the country to give more VRBs the chance to come along. 😀

ktsok profile image
ktsok

Brilliant! Well done chaps x

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toktsok

Thanks ktsok. An epic day all round. 😀🏃‍♀️😀🏃‍♂️

Well done everyone. Sounds like it was definitely worth the trip cheeky! So nice to see the pictures of everyone having such a great time.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to

Thanks Rainbow. It was 100% worth the trip. I think we all unanimously agreed it was an amazing experience - and there’s talk of returning one day too! 😅

Slinkymalinki profile image
SlinkymalinkiGraduate10

This has brightened up my day! Lovely account of your meet up and great photos too! I've got a head cold and can't run with a muzzy head but am going for a gentle walk in the woods later. I am not a morning person at all and have a love-hate Parkrun vibe but must shake it off so I can manage some more southerly parkrun meet ups! Thanks for sharing and inspiring. 😊

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toSlinkymalinki

Yay, glad to have brightened your day Slinky. Head colds are miserable. 👎

I’m down south too (Bristol), so that’s best for me too - although I’m happily driving all over the country at the moment! 😀

Flaraflarkin profile image
FlaraflarkinGraduate10

😱😱😱 I've only just seen this!! You are all awesome ~ lovely to see so many smiley faces 😍🤗

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply toFlaraflarkin

We had an absolute blast Flara! Hopefully we’ll see you on a meetup before too long? 🤞🤞😀😀

Run46 profile image
Run46Graduate10

That sounds absolutely brilliant, you are very brave and maybe a little bit crazy but fab all the same 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️😀🎉

alisonx profile image
alisonxGraduate10

Wow you guys! Looks amazing. I can see from all the posts that it was an enjoyable experience

Great to see all you VRB's meeting up :-)

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