Two licks of the lollipop! (Buckingham Parkrun)

[iain-strachan]

I haven't done a Parkrun since mid November, due to a combination of awful weather, closures, and a back injury sustained while raking up leaves.

My local parkrun (Abingdon) did take place, but the photos posted on Thursday looked direly muddy so I really didn't fancy slithering round it. Fortunately a couple of friends from Abingdon parkrun felt the same way, so they gave me a lift to Buckingham Parkrun - a new course for me. This is a highly recommended Parkrun for bad weather as it's all on tarmac. The course is described as a lollipop - a straight section at the start along the river, then two laps round a park (which they describe as "licking the lollipop") and then a return along the same route as the beginning ("the stick").

Earlier this week I did 5k in the evening very cautiously so as not to irritate my back, and did a 39 min 5k run at night time. So today was delighted to do 35:47 - actually my second fastest 5k, the fastest being the previous Parkrun at Didcot at 35:00.

I am now enjoying that post-run euphoria feeling. I'm back! And talking of backs - mine feels fine (and hopefully still will once the endorphins wear off!)

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Be careful of that back. Great time, the new course obviously suited you. Happy running

[iain-strachan Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

It's great as there are absolutely no treacherous muddy bits as it's all on tarmac, but through beautiful parks and the river Ouse. My two friends say it's one of their favourites - only downside is it's about a 40 minute drive to get there!

[Grannyhugs Graduate10 in reply to iain-strachan]

Needs must sometimes.

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

Great you had some friends to take you to a more suitable parkrun. You sound like you really enjoyed it. 😊😊

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

It always feel so great to be back out there after injury or illness, doesn't it? I have had my fair share of "interruptions" over the last few years, since graduation but now I know they are merely "bumps in the road" - I always find myself back out there and loving it just as much! Sounds like you do too!🙂

[Debston Graduate10]

Sounds like a lovely route and well done on your time! Glad to hear your back is behaving itself, long may that continue.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

So glad that your back is now fine, good run and time for you Iain, those 5K times are improving with practically every run, soon you'll get a sub 35 minute 5K, nice if you got that at your favourite parkrun. 😊 🏃🏾

[Granspeed Graduate10]

👏🏼🎉👏🏼 Well done and welcome back. Nice to get off that IC, isn’t it? Take it a bit easy....