I ❤️ Ashton Court PR!

[cheekychipmunks]

An unremarkable time at PR today, and certainly not worth posting about if it was my regular course, but I’m super chuffed. I ran Ashton Court for the 5th time with a visiting friend, who’s even more of a PR nerd than I am! She wanted an A for her alphabet challenge, so I was happy to oblige. 😀

It’s a fantastic out and back course with amazing views and it’s well worth a tourism visit if ever you’re in or around Bristol. It’s hard - one massive hill to run up, then down, but boy it’s fun. 👍 It‘s hard not to grin inanely as you make the turn at the top, so I didn’t even try not to! You’re greeted by most popular marshal on the course I should imagine, the one congratulating all the relieved panting runners! 😀😀😀

Running down it feels like you have wings. Fast runners might even find it scary! I don’t, I love it. I even got my usual fake negative splits for kms 2-5 (cheating because of the hill but I’ll take it!) 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️ My homework will be to crack the 2nd km - it’s brutal and my splits show how much! 🥵

My friend loved it too. She usually runs sub 30 PRs, but she ran just over 34 minutes today. I was 4 minutes slower than her, but we both were buzzing at the finish. It was a perfect day, dry with weak sunshine and no wind.

I love parkrun! Today was number 48, creeping ever closer to the red 50 shirt. Can’t wait! 👏

I hope all you runners had fab runs today too. Isn’t it fantastic? 😀🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️👍

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

What a fantastic PR sounds like you and your friend had a blast. Well done on that hill, was wondering why your splits looked like that, I thought she’s good, look how fast she finishes 😁

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Hahaha yes there’s a reason for those GS! It’s such fun and the sense of achievement at the top is immense. 😀

[linda9389 Graduate10]

How brilliant! I'm still in single figures with PR ... we'll all be old and grey before I get a red shirt 🙄. Looking forward o celebrating yours though 👍

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to linda9389]

It’s amazing how quickly they rack up though Linda. Once you’re on a roll (which you seem to be now!) you’ll get there! You need to join our meet-ups! 😀🏃‍♀️

[Jell6 Graduate10]

Well done Cheeky, glad that you had a good time.

The last one was a fast one👍🤩

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Jell6]

Love, love, loved it Jell! I might even go back on the 21st for another crack at it! 🏃‍♀️💪

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Great run for you today Cheeky, I bet you were buzzing at the finishing line, well done.

No parkrun for me today, however, next week I will be running my 13th parkrun, I intend to wear a red 🎅 Santa hat and a 🤶 🎄Christmas 🤶 🎄 jumper with reindeer on it, perhaps there will be runners in a full Santa dash outfit, I'll have to wait and see, if any, how many. 😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

It was sensational Al, and the weather couldn’t have been kinder if it tried. Can’t wait to go back. 😀

I hope you’ll provide us with a photo of you in your Santa hat and jumper next week! 🎅🎄 🏃‍♂️

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

👍 Not sure about that Cheeky, you will have seen from previous posts that I don't take my Smartphone to parkruns, this is because there could be a difference between my time and the official Parkrun time, however, there usually are photographers on the course, if they are there next week you might see me on the Dunfermline Parkrun Homepage. 😊 🎄🤶🏃🏾

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Hope so Al, have fun next week! 😀🏃‍♂️👍

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Ha ha, I will probably sing Jingle Bell's🎄🤶🎅 running the whole way round. 😊 🎄🤶

[Coddfish Graduate10]

Well done Cheeky, that 50 shirt edges ever closer.

Is Ashton Court close to Bristol’s Ashton Gate rugby ground? If so I might have to find away of combining my two obsessions one Saturday; we don’t have an A yet.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Thanks Coddfish, yes it’s very close indeed. You can see Ashton Gate as you run down. Let me know if you fancy coming along! 😀🏃‍♀️👍 🏉

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Just brilliant cheeky, I have the parkrun app and have a shortcut to your results and thought you had done well. That last km looks very impressive.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy! I’m still buzzing now. I had dry teeth running back down! 😅😅🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Sounds truly joyful CC ! Soon have to decide about run 50 👏👏👏👍

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks BC, yes it was. I can’t wait to go back - you soon forget the pain of running up. 🏃‍♀️🥵😀

Let us know about your big 5-0 won’t you? Mine’s 99% going to be at Eastville on the 28th. 😀🏃‍♀️🎉

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I meant you have to decide! I have about 43 to go 😂.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Oooooohhhhh, and there was me thinking you were close too. Even so, let us know when you get there - which you will! 😀👍🏃‍♂️

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Will have to get back into the habit. Needed to do a 10k today to keep up with HM programme. Busy week last week plus after effects of massage threw everything out. Bit of planning time tomorrow will fix it!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Can you incorporate PR into your HM training? I am. 😀

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I will, just got out of sync this week.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Brill! 😀👍

[Runsome Graduate10]

Your post sums up what PR is all about. 👍😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Runsome]

Aww thanks Runsome. Definitely a massive positive addition to my weekends. I’m quite gutted that I can’t run next Saturday, but I’ll get over it (maybe 😩😩😩😅)

[JaoJao Graduate10]

Wow cheeky that sounds like a fun parkrun, I will make a note of going there in there future.

Yes I’m buzzing too from parkrun this morning, I’ve just returned from holidays and it’s was an extra special feeling to feel at home again on a Saturday morning.

You mention times, I get deflated easily if I’m not near my PB each week but I think we put too much pressure on ourselves and just need to enjoy it like you have done.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to JaoJao]

Definitely right about the times JaoJao. No way could I better my PB at Ashton Court as it doesn’t compare to some of the other PRs I’ve done, but today it felt right. 7 seconds off my Ashton Court PB, but this was a better quality run in my opinion. Loved it. 👍😀🏃‍♀️

How great that you’re home too and able to enjoy PR again. Aren’t we lucky having it in our lives? 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[JaoJao Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Definitely feel blessed to have Parkrun on my door step and this running community to share my journey with. Life has a funny way of showing us that we can do stuff we never thought we could do 😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to JaoJao]

Too right. 👊

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Obviously a great experience Cheeky! The sense of achievement we get from reaching the top of hills....!👍

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Isn’t it just Jonathan? It certainly helps me personally if I know the distance of the hill, as I can tick off blocks of it in my mind. It’s such fun. 😀😀

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

Looking good there Cheeky! Running up that hill? You should definitely be chuffed in my book!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Thanks OGR, I do hills regularly, but this is definitely the most relentless. The promise of the long downhill is worth every step though. 👏🏃‍♀️😀

[Hidden]

Wow well done Cheeky. I feel exhausted just thinking about that run!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Rainbow. It’s a toughie, but worth every step for the sense of achievement it gives. 👍🏃‍♀️😀

[Hidden in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I’m sure. I really need to start tackling those hills in the New Year but not a moment before! 🤣

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Go for it! They’re surprisingly addictive and so rewarding. 😀

[Couchpotato2]

Sounds like a great PR, varied and a nice challenge. Well done!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Couchpotato2]

It’s a fabulous PR CP. I’m going to make an effort to do it regularly next year, maybe even every other week. 👍

[Fabulous450 Graduate10]

Fantastic Cheeky! 🤗 I’m sure that red 50 will look superb on you! 🤩❤️

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Fabulous450]

Thanks Fab - nearly there! 👏👏👏

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

Well done Cheeky!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thanks Baddie! Similar to Lyme Park in difficulty but the terrain is easier and it’s “just the one hill”! 🏃‍♀️

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Just one hill, well that's ok then!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Haha yes, it’s their tagline! 😅😅

[Elisabeth3 Graduate10]

Well done.

You did 48 pr, out of them 5 at home. 43 pr tourism?

I did my 45th yesterday, only 1 away as a tourist. My home pr is relatively young, so I did two others before this one existed.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Elisabeth3]

I think I’ve done 29 at my home PR (Eastville) Elisabeth3 . Ashton Court is local to me, but not my regular one. We have several round here within about 30 minutes drive, plus I’ve done about 6-7 VRB meetups at PRs further afield. 😀

I’ll be doing my 50th at Eastville on the 28th. Have you worked out when yours will be? 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Elisabeth3 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I understand now.

I thought you are a hard core pr tourist.

I wanted to do my 50th pr this year or early Jan but with the weather recently, I cannot predict.

Nice you will bag yours in 2019. An early resolution, haha.

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

That’s the Parkrun I used to go to every week.... I have to say I don’t now as I love my woods running. However it’s a fab one.... well done

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

Oh you should come back ju-ju- ! Let me know if you do. 😀

[damienair Administrator]

Oh wow. How exciting. A lovely red parkrun 50 milestone T-Shirt for Christmas. It’s a lovely feeling wearing it for the first time.

Your down hill splits were very speedy. Well done Cheeky.

Damien

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Thanks Damien! I do love running downhill, it makes me feel like I’m really going fast, but really it’s still slower than you speedsters! I’ll take it though. 😀🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[RunaroundSue Graduate10]

Well done. Ashton Court is the hardest one I have done. Tough going up and downhill is not good for my knees so I can't even speed up.

On New Years Day we will be near Weston super Mare so two possibilities for parkrun as far as I can see. Street or Eastville.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to RunaroundSue]

Oooo come to Eastville on NYD - it’s the 10:30 one and I’m volunteering! 😀👍

Last year was the Ashton Court/Eastville double which I did. Brilliant fun! 👏👏

I’ve run Ashton Court 3 times this week already, and I intend to go back on Friday. It’s strangely addictive and a total thrill running back down - but I don’t have bad knees, so I can imagine it wouldn’t be fun for you at all. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[RunaroundSue Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

My knees are generally ok, just not down steep slopes! I was surprised that I didn't have any problems when I did the Guardian Hills podcast. Maybe it wasn't steep enough

I am tempted by Eastville to get a Compass point, but Street is a bit nearer so it may depend on what happens on NYE

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to RunaroundSue]

That’s the reason I’m volunteering on NYD. We’re at a 20’s party on NYE so I’m not likely to be bright eyed and bushy tailed enough to run! 🏃‍♀️

Would be good to see you, so let me know if you decide on Eastville. It’s a fun course. 👍😀

[RunaroundSue Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I will. It also depends on what my brother and family have in mind for NYD.

If not then we will be coming one day

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to RunaroundSue]

Great stuff! Have a wonderful Christmas in the meantime. 🎄😀

[RunaroundSue Graduate10]

I've got two conversations going on at the same time!

It seems my family are planning to walk and run with us and want to go to Street.

So we need to postpone Eastville. Sorry.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to RunaroundSue]

Ahh no worries. hopefully you can make it in 2020. 😀👍🏃‍♀️