Shakespeare's Virtual Vitality 10k

[TailChaser]

So here we are in sunny Stratford upon Avon, which I have always felt like being a bit like a mini London, and therefore a fine substitute (and probably not as warm). We might not have The Queen and The Mall but we do have The Bard and The Tourists (normally). And today we also had sun and blue sky 😍. It was a beautiful morning for a run. We probably should have started a bit earlier really but the bed was too comfy and it was still a reasonable temperature when we set off.

We chose to do a tour of some of the sights. We started off in Henley St where Shakespeare's birthplace is and ended with a few circuits of the RSC (which was a bit tricky social distancing in places). In between we had his mum's house, and the church where his headless remains lie, via a very quick visit to our very own Shakespeare Scholar, Shake-and-run .

As it was so hot and there were no cheering hoards to spur us on, we didn't go too fast. In any case there weren't any water stops either, apart from the Simply Fresh shop, but that's way too complicated a diversion these days!

So once we'd done our final lap of the RSC we joined the picnickers on Waterside for a well deserved and needed strawberry slushie. A bit slower than we'd normally do in a 'race' at about 1hr 6mins but it was a superb way to spend a bank holiday morning. And when we got home we had some carbo recovery with the last of Decker 's cinnamon rolls 😋. Not sure what happened to our medals - the designer/maker (i.e. youngest kitten) was distracted by a very important mission (i.e. computer game)...

Thank you to Dexy5 for kicking us off with her superb post on Friday, and hope all who joined us had as lovely a run as we did. Looking forward to meeting up with Dexy, UpTheStanley , cheekychipmunks , Sandie1961 , Beachcomber66 and maybe Windoze when Vitality finally decide on a date, even if it's in 2021 (so it may include many more of you then?!).

It's a bit odd this now, I feel quite sad it's over...but then it isn't because we haven't done it yet, which is even odder. Perhaps this should be the Kat Family's Schrödinger 10k?

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Great post TC. A fabulous place to run. I guess I got over the disappointment when I realised Vitality wasn't going to happen...today has been great ...hopefully tomorrow will be too 👍

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

It has BC, it's been a lovely day even if we are all hundreds of miles apart. And when it does happen you'll be ready and able to give it your all. Tomorrow is another day nearer 😊

[Shake-and-run Graduate10]

It was lovely to see you both this morning and thank you for the gift of a vital bread making component.

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Shake-and-run]

It was great to see you too this morning Shakes, it feels like years since we sat on the pavilion steps. Let us know if you need any more (🤫...there was strong flour in Waitrose earlier...).

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done TailChaser and Katnap , what a lovely time you had running round Stratford-upon-Avon this morning. I bet you wouldn’t have been able to do that on a normal bank holiday Monday with the throngs of overseas tourists.

Producing medals was obviously not a high priority for youngest kitten. 🤣🤣

Looking forward to that meet up for the real thing in London.

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

It was a lovely way to see the town Dexy. We have both run round the different spots many times before but it felt extra special today. Normally (even on an ordinary day) you can't get near the birthplace for people taking photos but today there were only a handful of people just passing by. The park was just beginning to get busy as we made our way home so it was good timing.

Very much looking forward to it when it finally happens, I've been watching YouTube videos of last years (have you seen the brave team of ladies running in their underwear?).

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

Maybe if I was 40 year’s younger!

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Nope, couldn’t do it, ever!

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

Congratulations on your virtual vitality 10k. Like you say it may not have been the actual event but just look at those photos and that blue sky. Beautiful 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

[TailChaser Graduate10]

I know Buddy, we are really lucky here and it's been such a gorgeous day. Thank you 😊

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Fantastic effort round your tourist spots. Happy running 🤗

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thanks GH, you too 😊🤗🍻

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Sounds like a great tour TC - I assume you did a commentary on the way round?😋

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Now there’s an idea...🤔😆

[grumpyoldgirl]

Fabulous photos, you two! What a great report, you made the most of the circumstances.

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Thanks GOG 🤗 These virtual runs are wonderful, they’re bringing a lot of fun to a tricky time.

[Decker]

Congratulations on your race. Maybe not the actual race, but still memorable and beautiful in its own way. And I’m so happy you had the cinnamon buns too! How did they turn out for you?

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Decker]

Thanks Decker, definitely memorable, it’s been a lovely day.

The buns were big! They were also very calorific! I had a couple but had to donate them to my boys - I couldn’t run far enough to burn them off! They were very tasty though and we all enjoyed then. I’d like to do them again, maybe half the recipe and put some apple in instead of the raisins 😋

[Decker in reply to TailChaser]

Oh they are big aren’t they? Just as well your boys could help you out. I’m pretty sure there were likely no complaints? Mrs Decker’s batch made so many too. Your apple suggestion has just made her look up Apple pie cinnamon rolls which may be next on the menu. I like where this is headed!

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Decker]

Ooh, that sounds good! 😋 Big tummies and lots of running maybe on the cards 😁

[Coddfish Graduate10]

Well done and glad you had a good run.

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Thanks Coddfish 🤗

[Rowers Graduate10]

Love your photos and nice running!

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Rowers]

Thanks Rowers, it was great fun 😀

[Fabulous450 Graduate10]

Wooh hoo! Congratulations Tailchaser!! 🥂🍾🙌🏽💥💥! You’ve all done so brilliantly. It has been amazing reading all your posts. I’m so happy for you all!!

Congratulations to UpTheStanley, cheekychipmunks, Sandie1961, Beachcomber66, Windoze JonathanP, AlMoor and anyone who I may have missed your post, but joined in. You’re all brilliant!! It’s been amazing reading all about it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️

❤️

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Fabulous450]

Thanks Fab, it was almost as good as the real thing but can’t wait to do the real thing now!! x

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

How gorgeous to run through the streets of Stratford-upon-Avon 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🙂 especially nowadays.

I met up with a friend there last summer for a weekend and it was so busy but I did think I should head back in the winter when it’s less busy. Now would be good!

Fab run for both of you and what lovely photos. It really is such a pretty place.

I still haven’t seen Shakespeare’s birthplace as the queues were so long so that’s one for next time.

Well done 🏅🏅🙂x

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

It is a lovely town but you do learn when to pick your moments. When we were trying to sort our meet up last year it was quite a headache trying to find a weekend when there was little on. We settled on November as it wasn’t too bad. Jan and Feb are the quietest (normally). In April it was lovely because it was so quiet, it was just locals so we could enjoy it in the nice weather, it’s usually just ramping up then with the birthday parade and celebrations. It’s getting busier now but it’s still verrrry quiet as there are no overseas visitors.

Let us know when you’re coming and hopefully there’ll be a parkrun and a cafe we can go to 🤞🤞🤞

[Irishprincess Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

Definitely 👍🏃‍♀️🙂

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Irishprincess]

Fab 😀🤗👍

[Time_Lord]

Well done TC. I love Stratford-upon-Avon. Should’ve done my first half marathon there in April & was gutted it was cancelled but at least I know I have a place for next year.

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to Time_Lord]

Hi Time_Lord! Was that the Shakespeare HM? We were doing that too! It’s a really nice course. See you next year???

[Time_Lord in reply to TailChaser]

Yes it was. See you next year x