How did your parkrun or (not)Parkrun go? - Bridge to 10K

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How did your parkrun or (not)Parkrun go?

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator
144 Replies

Hello Everyone and happy weekend. Today is parkrun day, a free 5K event which takes place every Saturday morning all around the world. It is for everyone, slow, fast, able, disabled, big, small and everyone in between. Oh and don't forget about the super Mum's and Dad's who push their babies in buggies. You can walk, jog, run, run/walk, it's not a race, just a run in the park and loads of us here on Bridge to 10K do it religiously every Saturday morning. 

Some of us may not be able to do a parkrun at the moment so until parkrun returns fully for everyone some of us will continue to take part on our own in a Virtual parkrun every Saturday morning called a (not)parkrun. Or if you are away on Holidays, prefer to run on your own, or do not have a parkrun close by you a (not)parkrun is perfect, please feel free to join in. Please post a little run report after your parkrun or (not)parkrun and let everyone know how you got on. The little run report can be done over a post parkrun coffee and treat/cake. (parkrun is all about the after run coffee and cake, and meeting friends old and new).

If you are a new graduate and would like to start, all you have to do is run, walk or jog at a parkrun or a 5K run/jog/walk (not)parkrun anytime today or tomorrow and write a little run report under this post. It's like a little community and it is good fun, sets you up nicely for the weekend. If you want to you can register on the parkrun website and you can log your 5K (not)parkrun. In fact you can log any 5K done during the week as a (not)parkrun.

For anyone whom has not done a real parkrun yet and if it is available to you, give it a try. It is the most wonderful community event. Saturday mornings will never be the same again.Looking forward to hearing from all of you who ran in real proper parkruns and (not)parkruns. Happy running and have a lovely weekend.

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damienair
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144 Replies
RunWillie profile image
RunWillieGraduate10

Hi damienair & other park runners, (not) park runners,

It has been super hot all week & I’ve run 45k on my HM plan so I opted out of park run today. I did run a (not) park run to meet no.2 son & hubby at park run in 32:02. No.2 son got 21:43 & hubby took it steady for him coming in at 27:20.

Happy park running to those who can ❤️🏃‍♀️🏃🏻‍♂️
Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to RunWillie

Well done RW and family. Amazing how you all keep running in that heat.

RunWillie profile image
RunWillieGraduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

Thanks Beachcomber66

It would be like you stopping because it was cold. You would never run 🤣

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to RunWillie

True …..or stopping because of rain, or fog, or gales …..no wonder we are tough up here!🙂

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to RunWillie

I look forward to your weekly photo RunWillie ☀️

RunWillie profile image
RunWillieGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

Thanks Dexy5 🥰

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to RunWillie

Gorgeous as ever RW! Good luck with the HM training 👍

RunWillie profile image
RunWillieGraduate10 in reply to TailChaser

Thanks TailChaser 😍 The HM training is ok but the HM race is a bit scary. I’m waiting to see how I go with that before I book the marathon.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to RunWillie

You’ve done a HM before though?

RunWillie profile image
RunWillieGraduate10 in reply to TailChaser

I’ve done two HM’s both solo & only at an easy pace. No race legs 😳

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to RunWillie

Well done on your HM training and your (not)parkrun and well done too for the boys parkrun, great running.

RunWillie profile image
RunWillieGraduate10 in reply to damienair

Thanks damienair 👍🏻

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10

Morning running friends 👋 No PR or volunteering for me this week as I’m on hols with my two daughters and two little grandsons. I have run a couple of 5ks though and I’ll do another on Monday before we leave. Shame there isn’t a PR here in Tenerife - it’s awash with runners, joggers and walkers so they’re missing a trick!

Sea view from balcony in Los Cristianos
MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorGraduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

Looks stunning! Enjoy!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding

It’s awesome MU, thanks! 😍

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to cheekychipmunks

Enjoy the rest of your Holiday and have a fantastic time.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to damienair

Thanks Damien. Only one full day left to go. But it’s been lovely. ❤️

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate in reply to cheekychipmunks

All that Blue!! Enjoy yourselves 🙂

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun

Yes, isn’t it wonderful Sola? Such a change to what we left last Monday, although I hear it’s not as bad now.’🙏🏻

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate in reply to cheekychipmunks

It wasn't bad yesterday, today was back to grey

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun

Boo. 👎

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

Getting a sneaky tan before race season starts! I am sure you are having a wonderful time .🙂

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

I’m sure I don’t know what you mean BC! I’ve been under cover all week 🤥

It’s been lovely, and we’re already planning next year. 😀

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

🏝️🍹

Week7 profile image
Week7Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

That view! Hope you're having alovely time. Impressed that you've kept running 🏃‍♀️!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to Week7

We have a fantastic view don’t we W7? So lucky. 🙏🏻 I enjoy running here, and it justifies some of the calories I consume! 😅

Week7 profile image
Week7Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

Oh don't worry about the calories. Overseas calories don't count! Enjoy!!!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to Week7

I heard that rumour too Week7 . Lucky really ……. 😈

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

Just a little bit envious cheekychipmunks . So glad that you could reinstate your annual treat this year.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

It’ll be back to normal on Tuesday Dexy, but yes it’s been lovely and long-awaited after all the covid faffage. 🙏🏻

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

Looks gorgeous cheeky! I bet that sun is a real tonic 😍

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to TailChaser

Oh it is TC. Rewind to Stratford in my 4 layers last weekend …. this is very welcome! Although I did love Stratford btw, and seeing you all. ❤️

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

It’s ok, I know where I’d rather be too 🤣

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10

Good morning Damien, no parkrun for me today, however, I did run a 3K "maintenance run"around a pond near to where I live in a time of 21.39.

Not sure about next week, there is a man living just down the road from where I live graduated from C25K about 4 months ago and now goes to parkruns when he hasn't got work commitments on a Saturday, he told me he has a Saturday off every 4 or 5 weeks and next week is his Saturday off, he told me last week if he can, he will take me in his car to Palacerigg parkrun.

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr

Some times a 3k is all we need Al. Keeps everything nice and loose.👍

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

Hi Beachcomber66, I agree with you about running short 3K runs, I made a big mistake back at the end of 2018 which was the year I graduated from C25K, as you know I have been a cyclist from since I was 7, however, in recent years I havn't cycled during the winter months, so during the winter of 2018 /2019 I didn't run at all thinking like cycleing it would be OK for me to restart running at the beginning of March 2019. After the first run I felt awful, I did not want to repeat C25K again in full, instead I ran run 1 of week 1 on a Monday, run 1 of week 2 on a Wednesday and run 1 of week 3 on a Saturday and so on until the 30 minutes runs of week 9, so now and since the winter of 2019/2020 I now run at least a 3K in addition to the 5K I run on a Wednesday, from March as I have done over the last few years I hope to gradually increase my running to 10K, I will increase my midweek run by 1K a week until I can run 10K again.

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr

You are well organised Al. I am finding that doing only long one run per week, and keeping the other two shorter but quicker, I seem to be making more progress in terms of pace on the long run. I remember the concept of “junk miles” from my early running days…sometimes less, in terms of short run distances, is more 🙂

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

👍 🏃🏾

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr

It will be nice to have a parkrun buddy again Al, even if not every week

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

It would be nice if he at least ran me in his car to parkrun, he works on most Saturdays but has the occasional Saturday off, he graduated from C25K on Saturday 6th August 2022, I was walking on my way to parkrun, as he passed me running he shouted that he was running run 3 of week 9, I shouted back "good luck" since then he's ran about 4 or 5 parkruns and a few 10Ks too, last Tuesday I met him running when I was coming back from shopping, he told me as he passed that he was running another 10K.

Doris8 profile image
Doris8Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr

Nice it keeps you topped up, and the walking you do as well .

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10 in reply to Doris8

👍

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to AlMorr

Well done on your 3K run Al. And great that you have a parkrun friend who can take you to a parkrun when he is not working.

Chinkoflight profile image
Chinkoflight

UseHi Damienair,. Hope you're weekend is going well.I'm on tourist roster this week and fortunate to be on the Isle of Wight and able to run the Medina PR, which starts in Seaclose Park and uses a long out and back run along the banks of the Medina River. The rowers were out being coached to the backing of a curlew call, a great soundtrack.

The first Km was very tentative as I've been hampered this week with an odd muscle strain from gardening! Just two short runs, but all seemed well so I maintained a steady pace with the aim to get round and appreciate the new route. My watch time said 39:54 so happy with that.

This is an exceptionally well run and very friendly PR. If you ever holiday on the IoW I recommend it. But note when the festival is on the site is closed for running for a couple of months or so and the PR switches to what I believe is a more challenging up and downer in Ryde.

Update official time was 40:27 and this was faster than my summer course run which I remember as an easier course so very happy with that.

Medina Parkrun
Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to Chinkoflight

If I’d known you were on the island, I would’ve waved across the Solent Chinkoflight . 👋🏻

Chinkoflight profile image
Chinkoflight in reply to Dexy5

No worries I was thinking about the clan on North Island! Bit grey today but perfect running weather and good underfoot. 😁

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Chinkoflight

Very well done on your parkrun. Great running.

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorGraduate10

A (not) parkrun 5k for me! My husband has started running more consistently in preparation for a 10k we’ve entered in June. He did a little bit of hill training last year but mainly short intervals to get fit. This was the second ever 5k we’ve done together. A lovely chilled out and chatty run beating last time’s time by three seconds. The time didn’t matter to be honest-it as great to see it was a comfortable, confidence building run. The out and back uphill followed by downhill led to some super negative splits too! Maybe next week we’ll be up early enough for an actual park run. Our nearest is known to be tough so will look at options!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding

so lovely to be able to run together MissUnderstanding . I dreaded the early parkrun start, and then I got addicted. Now it’s 8.30 starts when volunteering.

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

Thanks! It’s working really well. I was worried because he’s naturally faster than me but the chatty, enjoy nature runs are lovely. Running together regularly on Saturday is a new thing since new year. Hopefully the next step is to make it a little earlier.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding

What fun MU! Might you run together in your race?

Mr Cheeky has yet to be persuaded to join my daughter and I at PR, mainly because he’s always at his beloved rowing club on a Saturday morning. Plus he’d make it into a race and do himself a mischief! He’s a good runner, but only uses it as rowing fitness. One day we’ll get him out with us!

MissUnderstanding profile image
MissUnderstandingAdministratorGraduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

Running together for the event is an interesting proposition! I think he’s likely to be quite a bit faster than me but much less experienced and might crash and burn. The race is June so plenty of time what will lead to the most marital harmony!!!

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to MissUnderstanding

Well done to you both on your (not) parkrun. Lovely to be able to run together.

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator

This morning I traveled with 2 of my parkrun friends to do some parkrun tourism at Russborough House parkrun. It was a lovely course on hard tarmac, trails and fields. I ran this morning with the aim of completing the course without taking a walking break. I also didn’t look at my watch and ran at a comfortable pace whilst still trying to push myself a little. I’m very happy with my result which was 31:35. Bit by bit I’m improving and getting fitter. Another parkrun done and another one ticked off my list. It was so nice having the company too.

Russborough House parkrun
Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to damienair

Sounds like a great morning Damien; your fitness is clearly coming back; nothing like a bit of company to help you maintain pace.👍

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to damienair

it’s great that you’ve got a little possee for tourism damienair.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to damienair

You must have quite a few tourist parkruns under your belt by now Damien? Well done on that time, you’ll be at a pace you’re happy with in no time I’m sure 👍

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to TailChaser

I’ve 43 different parkrun courses done now. I’m working my way up the most events list in Ireland.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to damienair

Wow Damien! Nearly a half Cowell?! That’s quite a percentage of runs done isn’t it?

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to damienair

Another new parkrun ✔️ Improving time✔️ What's not to like Damien!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to damienair

Awesome time there Damien! You’re coming back in leaps and bounds. Such great news. 👊👊👊

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to cheekychipmunks

Thank you Cheeky

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10

BEWARE LONG POST!

Good morning Damien and other fellow parkrunners! This morning I was sitting in bed with a cuppa scrolling through social media when the local news said a new parkrun was starting at one of the sports centres in Lincoln. I knew it was being planned but didn’t know when it was due to launch. So a change of plan to what is now my nearest parkrun (just under 5 miles) with a choice of 4 within 10 miles. The car park was already pretty full as I arrived at around 8.40 and I bumped into quite a few of my running club members as I walked to the start. As you can imagine there was quite a response when the RD asked if there were any tourists 😂😂 The course is round the cycle track, so not the prettiest and it is twice round the short end and 3 times round the longer end. I was lapped at least twice by the faster runners. Only 17m elevation gain in total and all on tarmac, so could be a pretty fast course. My Garmin time was 33.29, official time 33.35, which is 2.31 faster than last week (the inhaler I’ve been prescribed appears to be working - and, even better, no post run coughing 🥳👏🏻). My finish token was 378 😳 although it came through as 322 on the email 🤷‍♀️out of 449 runners. How true that is I don’t know as my scanner said they only had 450 tokens 🤪 So much for trying to keep it quiet! The cafe was open, but the poor young lad serving didn’t really know what had hit him, so, after queuing for 40 minutes, chatting to other runners, I bailed and went home for coffee and a bacon sandwich. Looking at the numbers for the other Lincoln parkruns, they aren’t much lower than usual but there were huge numbers of visitors from all over including Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Cambridgeshire. I was chatting to somebody from West Bromwich who had driven over specially, there was a couple from Blackburn and a lady from Hertfordshire. I don’t know if it was because it was the first run or because, and here’s the knock out blow, it is Yarborough Leisure Centre parkrun. Yesss, a Y for my parkrun alphabet 😃😃😃 Also day 4 of RED February. All in all, a very satisfying morning.

Yarborough parkrun course
Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961

Good run Sandie and great that your inhaler is working. I needed to use both of my inhalers this morning, which is unusual. They worked though; one of my intervals was at 5:32 pace and I wasn’t remotely out of breath. Thank heaven for the NHS !

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

I’m just so glad it has stopped me coughing. I had definitely had enough. On my way back 😊

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961

ha ha. It seems they didn’t follow parkrun advice to keep it quiet for the first one! I was told about it yesterday. 😂 Not only were people after a Y, but there is also a 1 for the Fibonacci sequence. Runs 2, 3 , 5 etc will be very busy too.

I’m glad to hear your inhaler is doing the trick Sandie1961 , a good time today.

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5

We were amazed. The other Trotters said they thought there might be about 100!! I had no idea there is a Fibonacci sequence and don’t know what it is anyway 😂😂

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961

For info; you add 2 numbers to make the next number.

Fibonacci sequence challenge
nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate10 in reply to Sandie1961

Fibonacci Sequence:

Start with a list with two entries: 0, 1.

Add the last two numbers in your list and tag the result on the end of the list. Keep repeating this step.

Eventually you get a sequence that starts:

0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377, 610, 987, 1597, 2584, 4181, …

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply to nowster

Who says parkrun isn’t educational? 😂

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to Sandie1961

It’ll be interesting to see how much chatter there is about it in the UK Parkrun Tourists Facebook page. They usually try to keep quiet about inaugurals but it doesn’t seem to have worked for this one, I hope it doesn’t do it any harm as we really need more than one ‘Y’ in this country!

Fabulous news that the inhaler is doing its job, I bet that is a big relief (in more ways than one!). 😍

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser

Good job there is a very large car park. The centre is the race village for the 10k, cycling grand prix etc so they’re used to big numbers (unlike the, possibly teenage, lad who was in the rather small cafe)

Yes, very pleased at the benefits of the inhaler (just as long as I can get rid of it asap)

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to Sandie1961

Hopefully they’ll get used to their popularity as I’m sure this will be the new norm.

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to Sandie1961

Nice to be in at the beginning Sandie! And pleased that your cough has been dealt with👍

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP

I missed the 1st one at Market Rasen, only making no. 2 so it was good. The atmosphere was amazing! Feeling more normal, even if due to inhaler, was a big plus

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to Sandie1961

Woohoo Sandie 🙌 A win on every level! Nice to have that Y ticked off (none for miles in the SW as far as I know), and great that you’re kicking that lurgy well and truly into touch.

Hopefully help will be recruited at the cafe next week. 🤞

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

It was so much better than last week (apart from the company of course 😊)

Poor lad. I felt so sorry for him, but tbh everybody was chatting away finding out where the others in the queue were from

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961

I hope he got a bonus based on his sales.

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Sandie1961

Very well done on your parkrun and how nice to have a new one so close to your home.

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10

A bit of an off beat 5k in the woods this morning, Bare stats, 5k at 33:24 don’t really tell the story. This was an interval run, and the first 1k included a walk and stop for stretching exercises before the intervals started. So my first 1k was 7:53. but the intervals got me into sub 6.00 pace for the first time in years. I felt ok afterwards too. 🤞 I feel the same in the morning! I even managed to spot a hardy tree creeper on my walk home….clearly my head was up and sight wasn’t too blurred by the effort 🙂

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

Ey up, that’s a bit speedy, but if it feels good, do it BC 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️ Just don’t overdo it!

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961

My stride length stayed at my usual 95/96cm It was over-striding which caused the problem a couple of years ago(I think 🤞🤞🤞).

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

Great management 👍

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

Wonderful off beat5K run for you in the woods to day BC66, if you wish you could have called that a (not) parkrun, well done 😀 🏃🏾

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr

Thanks Al. I enjoyed it.🙂

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

Brilliant BC! Good news you feel ok for it too, long may it continue 👍

I heard both a normal woodpecker and a green woodpecker whilst I was doing the EDCC. I think the birds are getting frisky again.

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser

I guess you saw them, or does one peck a semi tone higher than the other 🙂

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

No, one was pecking the other was cackling. I don’t think you hear the green ones pecking 🤔?

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser

I will have to do some research! I haven’t seen many greens up here.👍

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

Good old Wikipedia: “The European green woodpecker spends much of its time feeding on ants on the ground and does not often 'drum' on trees like other woodpecker species. ” It appears they nick nesting holes that are already made. Professor Yaffle from Bagpuss was one. Maybe it’s just as they don’t peck as much as he’d have pecked a hole in himself!

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser

🙂 Fascinating. We get the noisy spotted noisy wood pecking type up here. I have only once seen a green one. Maybe that is because they are more discreet!

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

Good that your sub 6 didn't have any untoward after-effects BC

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP

So far any way JP. Slow long run planned for Monday. I know what you mean about not letting the coach/ programme lead me astray. No more intervals planned for a week, so we will see how things feel then.

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

Sounds like a good application of the scientific method of experimentation BC - test and test again!

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP

As opposed to repeating the same mistake and hoping for a better outcome 🙂

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

😂

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

Creeping up the speed eh Captain Sensible? The difference is, you’re doing it in a controlled fashion and know when things don’t feel right. Mr Snail-no-More! 👏

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

We’ll see Cheeky. I was surprised that I didn’t get out of breath at all. Mustn’t get carried away!

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Beachcomber66

Very well done on your interval session. I need to fit some into my week this week.

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to damienair

Hi Damien. I enjoyed it; much to my surprise. I hope that I still feel the same after my long run tomorrow!!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

This morning was proof that the running community is awesome. We had our food collection at Southsea parkrun for the local Pantry, and people were so generous. We had volunteers from the Pantry in attendance as well as a journalist from the local newspaper.

I was awake at 4.00, hoping it would all go to plan, and I’m still buzzing.

On top of that,  UpTheStanley ran in less than 25 minutes, which he hasn’t been able to do for ages.

Breakfast had to follow.

So a very good morning - now to think about rugby. Come on Wales (sorry Damien) , Come on England.

Southsea parkrun food collection
Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5

Wow Dexy, that is an amazing collection. Well done Southsea 👏🏻👏🏻

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961

Isn’t it incredible? I think the co op on the sea front gained some extra custom too

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministrator in reply to Sandie1961

Fantastic and very well done UTS too! x

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

That’s fantastic Dexy! Terrific effort by everyone there 👏👏👏

Chinkoflight profile image
Chinkoflight in reply to Dexy5

Gloomy here as the Welsh better half has resorted to necking very good English beer. I'm saving myself for England. Brilliant combination of activity and purpose over The Solent. The joy of a community.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to Chinkoflight

is it too early to hit the gin?

Chinkoflight profile image
Chinkoflight in reply to Dexy5

🤣 Not if you want to end up comfortably numb before what might be a challenging English experience.

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

Amazing response Dexy! And well done UTS👏

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

Wow Dexy, what a haul! Excellent work everyone. 👏👏👏👏👏👏

And speedy UTS must have been chuffed as ninepence too. What a morning. 💥

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

oh yes , he was so disappointed with the few seconds over last week.

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5

Fantastic response. I have witnessed your organisational skills in action Dexy5; I am not remotely surprised that it went so well.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

Shucks BC ☺️

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Dexy5

Excellent Dexy. How wonderful that you got such a fantastic response and collected so much food for the food bank. That is just great. Well done too to UTS, brilliant effort and great finish time.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10

Good afternoon Damien and all,

Bit of volunteering, bit of running, bit more running then more volunteering this morning. Just how I like it ☺️

Ran to parkrun with the token bag over my shoulder, someone commented that it looked like I was running from a ‘job’ and my bag should have ‘Swag’ written on it 🤣🤣. Then I did the course in reverse to do the course check, just a table from the restaurant and a tree branch to move out of the way.

We had a trainee Run Director today and she did very well. How she could do the run brief and not want to be swallowed up by the ground I don’t know, but that’s why I normally give that job to Katnap 😁

I wasn’t going to go fast today as I’ve now started a HM training plan and it told me to run at Level 5 (what is that???). I took that to not mean full pelt, but I probably went faster than I should have done because I just can’t help myself! I reckon a Level 7-8 (whatever that is). So I came in at 29:31 which I was really pleased about as I’ve got my first Stopwatch Bingo number for about a year - only 8 more to get! I’ll be on 500 plus runs before I get them all at this rate! Once you’ve got to a certain level it takes ages to get the last few numbers.

Core team meeting post run at my friend’s cafe. It was a sad day as she was closing up for good (it’s a long story of battles with the landlord). We bought her out of brownies again, I’m going to have to find out where she gets them from (or get the recipe).

Level 6 6 miles tomorrow 🤷🏻‍♀️. Have a great runny week everybody 🙌👏👏👏

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser

that sounds like a complicated plan TailChaser . Do the levels equate to effort out of 10, like the NRC guided runs?

I’ve got 55 stopwatch bingo points and like you say, those last few will take forever.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

That’s really good Dexy. I would say you’ll get the rest in no time, but who knows! Most of mine are in the 30s I think.

Yes, it is a bit complicated. The highest level is 9. It’s the Big Half 9 week plan and it seemed to suit, it’s only the levels that I don’t like. It’s quite easy for the first couple of weeks then the speed play kicks in.

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to TailChaser

I thought at first that you meant Level 66 TC! Now that would be fun.....😱

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to JonathanP

Maybe Level 42 would be more suitable JP, they have a track called ‘Running in the Family’ after all! 😉

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to TailChaser

Boom boom!😜

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to JonathanP

😁

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to TailChaser

LOVED that LP in the 80s TailChaser . Now you’ve given me an ear worm! 🎶

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

I’d forgotten all about it until now cheeky, I’ve got it too, I must fish it out!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to TailChaser

I used to play it while I was ironing. I was word perfect! 🎶🎶🎶

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to TailChaser

Not that cafe TC? 🥺🥺🥺🥺

What a lovely morning you had, and I love how your chosen pace is faster than it should be, and mine is slower! 😅

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

😁 Yes, that one 😢 Landlord has been a complete 💩 The annoying thing is I’ve been trying to get core team meetings in there for months and they really liked that room as it was just the right size (the same one we were in last week - the heating was on this week!).

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to TailChaser

😡

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to TailChaser

Great running TC and very well done on your sub 30 minute parkrun.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to damienair

Cheers Damien 👍

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10

Another enjoyable run at Portsmouth Lakeside this morning. Almost a carbon copy of last week - just 2 seconds slower and a field of 248 . Back to shorts and t-shirt today and no gloves - that's more like it!

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to JonathanP

🥶 Katnap wore shorts too, you’re both mad!!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser

and UTS. He said he’d be faster in shorts!

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

Depends if you shave your legs Dexy!😜

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to TailChaser

As a box of frogs TC!

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to JonathanP

🤣🐸

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to JonathanP

Sounds ideal Jonathan. Maybe spring has sprung? 🤞🤞🤞

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

Not according to the weather forecast Cheeky! -1° on Weds and Thurs nights?🥶

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to JonathanP

Oh. ☹️ 🥶

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to JonathanP

Well done Jonathan. I ran in shorts and T-Shirt yesterday too. It was cold but I warmed up quickly.

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate10

Good afternoon, Damien and fellow runners.

My tenth visit to Hafan Pwllheli this morning, and parkrun number 56 for me.

I'd done a 2.25km run to the chippy yesterday evening, before driving from Manchester to Aberdaron (about 3 hours).

I was a bit too slow in getting ready this morning and found myself having to drive a little more assertively than I'd like on the B roads into Pwllheli (eg. overtaking slowcoaches on the few good visibility sections whilst staying within the speed limits). I arrived with 5 minutes to go, quickly changed my shoes and donned a cap. I probably would have benefited from gloves (8°C with a breeze), but had forgotten to bring them.

The Run Director (who greeted me by name) was in the process of explaining the route (essentially, run along the beach to a cone 2.5km off in the distance and come back here) and asking if there were any milestone runners (there were none).

The tide was going out, but was still fairly high up the beach. The sea was calm at the start point, but further round the curve it was washing in and out enough to catch a few people by surprise. There were lots of stranded jellyfish of various sizes littering the dampened sand.

Something struck me when I was approaching the turnaround point: for someone of about 5ft 7" tall at sea level, the horizon is about 5km away. So I called out to the marshal there that this was "Half way to the Horizon." I then had to pause briefly to explain myself to a puzzled-looking marshal. (The look might instead have been, "This bloke's off his rocker.")

The return leg had me feeling more and more tired, but I kept plodding. I actually overtook a few people on this bit but that was probably more from them being more tired than me than anything special on my part.

Of course, for the last 200m the sand gets softer and we have to run further up the beach. This makes the last bit much harder to run.

Then it's over and I get handed my finish token (a very worn barcode with the number 9 on it). I stop the watch and phone app, get my breath back, then go to the scanner marshal.

Afterwards, I hang around chatting for about 15 minutes by which time I was starting to get cold. A man finished and dropped to his knees on the sand to get his breath back. His wife said he always did that. A little after that I bid my goodbyes. The stragglers didn't finish for another 20 minutes after I'd left.

Splits: 5'54", 5'43", 5'34", 5'24", 5'37", (+60m) 5'28"/km

Official time: 28'29" Position 9 of 27.

Parkrun banner on beach with volunteers and finishers behind.
TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to nowster

Ah, someone else who gets that look too 😆 I’m glad I’m not the only one! Well done at keeping at it, good to see they’re getting a better winter crowd.

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to nowster

Great running nowster and well done on your sub 30 minute parkrun.

OldManRunning profile image
OldManRunningGraduate10

Hi damienair, parkrun was OK despite unfortunately being without my wing man, daughter number 2, as she fancied a lie in so I was left to my own devices. Bumped into 2 friends who invited me to run with them so the warning signs were up as they normally finish 500mtrs ahead of me. Started a bit quick and they lost me on the first hill after 2k. Struggled a bit but managed 29'15" my second sub 30' 5k. I posted about a feeling either half empty of fuel or half full of breakfast an uncomfortable feeling none the less😂😂Overall quite pleased with the effort 😁

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to OldManRunning

You should be delighted with that effort, great running and very well done on your sub 30 minute 5K parkrun.

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