Another Alarmingly Early Morning …..

[UpTheStanley]

So, another of my technical supplements to Dexy5 's description of a VRB meet-up, this time in my old stamping ground of Beckenham. The parkrun uses grassy common land on the eastern edge of Beckenham Place Park, literally on the other side of the tracks from the slightly more developed west side, around which I used to chase a golf ball with limited success . It's a two-lap B-shaped course with the start and finish near the top of the upright bit of the B, which is a mix of sand, gravel and tarmac path, while the loops of the B feature rough and slightly muddy grass underfoot - I was pleased to be wearing my trails. My Garmin recorded 30m elevation gain, but there were no obvious climbs, it must just have been gently undulating terrain throughout.

I'd promised myself an easy run, with hockey to follow, so trotted along taking in the surroundings and listening to Dexy and Sadie-runs getting to know one another . We'd knocked off 3.5k in around 23 mins, and I was just threatening Dexy with the need to produce a decent finishing 800m once we got back on the path, when she declared a stitch and need to walk. Sadie stayed with her, but I lost my presence of mind, forgot about hockey and completed the run at something like my usual 5'00"/k parkrun pace, for an official time of 30'41". Having walked for a couple of minutes to get rid of the stitch, the others finished 3 minutes later.

As always, the organising team were a friendly bunch and pleased to welcome a couple of sleep-deprived tourists. Not an easy run to set up, as the corners all have to be marked with cones and the route round the fields doesn't follow any obvious line that I could see. So pretty impressed that my watch reckoned they'd set the course at 4.99k, well within the limits of Garmin error.

For those who've asked in Dexy's thread, I was dreadful on the hockey pitch in the afternoon, but luckily it's a team game and despite my worst efforts we won 5-1 ✅. For some reason Dexy declined the opportunity to watch me, and went shopping in Bromley instead . Whatever, any day with a VRB meet is a good day ✅, Sadie was an excellent host ✅, and Dexy driving me home meant for once I didn't have to count my beers in the bar after the match ✅ .

Here's to the next time!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Briiliant report UTS...a lovely meet up, and weekends sport! 😊xx

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Haha! It’s hard to resist a burst of speed at parkrun, eh Stanley! And you ran so well, despite it being a slightly challenging course. I was most impressed when you zipped off ahead during poor Dexy’s stitch incident. Great technical report, thanks!

I feel honoured that you both joined me at this parkrun, and in awe that you not only had an early start and ran 5k, but then went on to play a hockey match! Impressive. Glad to hear your team won. 😊👍

Hope we get to run together again some day.

Sadie x

[Coddfish Graduate10]

Just look at that fog. It looks freezing!

[Katnap Graduate10]

I heard your hat was firmly in place the whole run! Go Brunhilde!

🎅🐱 Xmas Katnap 🐱🎅