I realised that I hadn't done a write up of my St Albans run, the last parkrun before they all stopped for the virus.
Again a super friendly group. Big turnout. And what a venue! Includes a lake and, as you know I love to run near water (not too near). Will definitely want to return, if not just to enjoy the venue. Slightly up-and-down, but nothing too taxing. It's very open, so you can see all the runners streaming around the course. And a good central location, so hopefully many people can get there and enjoy.
So... the great pause. Firstly, I am hugely in favour of stopping parkruns and other group activities. It's the right thing to do. We have a nasty virus to defeat, and we need to do everything within our own power to achieve that. Nothing in this post should make you think I am against that.
It obviously throws up some challenges for exercise. Running near where I live, for any real distance, is pretty dire. Too many roads, not very interesting, poor pavements, and often no pavements. That's why I run in the park. However, it's a drive away, and driving and parking is just not sensible right now.
So I have replaced running with cycling for now. I am notching up about 30km on most days, which is far more than I have ever done. I have to keep those legs moving. The roads are clearer, and the weather has been amazing. I am discovering new and beautiful areas only a few miles from my house (see photo). I have thought about cycling to a venue and then running, but the chance of returning to find my bike gone is too high around here.
Sorry if this isn't very run-positive. But I will return to running the second it becomes sensible to do so. I enjoy it too much.
I hope everyone else is finding ways to keep moving.
