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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Back at park run after missing last week due to a basketball event. Blue skies, no wind & pretty chilly. PB weather according to our Run Director. Sadly, not for us today.
29:03 for me, 25:59 for hubby and 20:01 for no.2 son.
Last week I was on Holidays. We camped for a couple of nights in Rostrevor in Co. Down and I ran at Rostrevor parkrun last weekend. This morning my Son was playing a football match and I drove him to the game. Whilst he was warming up and for the first half I slipped away to a local parkrun at Trim. The rain was absolutely horrendous so I walked parkrun today in full waterproof trousers and jacket. Only about 16-20 brave souls turned up this morning. I’m sitting in my car now waiting for the match to finish up. My watch died so I’m going to have to wait for the results to see what time I did.
My finish time was 42:46 , I walked as fast as I could.
Well done to you for braving the wild weather and getting out there - that’s such a low number - do you think most people decided not to go after seeing the weather or is it a small Parkrun group anyway?
Back home today and volunteering to give my legs a bit of a rest. Think I’ll be volunteering more over the coming weeks until I can fit the parkruns into the marathon training plan somehow.
Today was my first time on finish tokens. I volunteered for this as a fellow, very experienced RD was also doing it. Unfortunately she switched to barcode scanning just before we started and I was paired up with a new volunteer who had also never done finish tokens. No point getting stressed, we just got on with it. Any that were missed would just have to be accounted for later. I was reassured by our ED being RD otherwise I’d have probably been much more worried about it.
No cafe today as we’ve got loads to do for eldest kitten’s birthday and the kitten’s joint party. Thankfully, and amazingly, the roster is nearly full for next week, so as we are RDs it’ll be one less thing to worry about!
Well done TC, Great job. That is one role where chatting to runners is not necessary- giving those tokens out and moving them out of the funnel is far more important. At Bushy they have a volunteer just asking everyone to hold their hand flat, far quicker that way.
That’s not a bad idea. We didn’t do brilliantly but the results are out and everyone seems happy so that is the important thing. Thankfully it wasn’t a very busy one!
Well done for volunteering TC and have a great joint Birthday Party Celebration. Best wishes for your Marathon Training. I was planning on doing a Half Marathon at the end of August. But I was just not enjoying the training. Anymore than 1 hour running is too much for me. So I will just stick to 5K and 10K. I have the greatest of respect for you tackling that distance.
Thanks Damien, and good for you finding your distance. I think I’m a bit of a glutton for punishment doing another one but I felt unsatisfied with my time at London and I’m sure I can do better. Whether that will do me, we’ll see. I quite like a HM, it’s a nice distance if the training has gone well, otherwise it’s just a slog.
Hello damienair and runny people, our parkrun was meant to be off today for the Southsea Rowing Regatta to take place but because of the wind forecast (gale force 7-9) it was cancelled, which meant our parkrun could go ahead if safe to do so.
UpTheStanley and I were going to go to Worthing for a VRB meet up and we were watching the forecast with trepidation. We didn’t know whether Worthing parkrun would be affected by wind, rain or lightning storms. We decided to pull out because we’d have to set off at 07:00 and it could easily have been cancelled during that time. Also, once that decision was taken, as co- ED , UST felt he should support our RD in making a decision for Southsea and bolster our volunteer force.
It was certainly blustery, but still dry at 8:15, so I decided to run. It was to be my 150th run. It looked like it could rain at any time but thankfully it stayed dry. The wind was behind us all the way to the turning cone and I did 2.5 k in 16 minutes but it was tough going back and I did a jeffing return. I stopped to take a photo of a yacht stranded on the beach, and spoke to an RNLI volunteer to let him know that one of his red and yellow flags had flown further up the beach. At this point I was not thinking about finish time. I put on a spurt once I got to the pier and had 500m to go. Watch time 35:30 and parkrun time 36:41 (I have auto-pause on my watch).
Very happy with that as it was gusting 44mph. Exhilarating!
Wow, 150th? Congratulations! You’re way ahead of me now, I remember we used to be on similar numbers. Well done running in the wind, that photo is fabulous, the light on it is amazing!
Well done for braving it Dexy. It looks very dramatic and rather beautiful (just take away the headwind on the way home, and it would probably have felt that way too!) 😀
Good afternoon Damien, for parkrun #88 I went to Palacerigg Country Parkrun this morning, the run started at exactly 9.30, my time on this all trail course was 34:32, it marks 4 years since I began with my first parkrun at Dunfermline on the 13th July 2019, there my first parkrun time was 34.16, I met my friend Gary who lives in the same street as me, he gave me a lift home in his car, the weather was bright and dry but there were some puddles due to overnight rain.
PS Damien, I mentioned on another post to Aliboo70 that one of the volunteers, a marshall was very if not over enthusiastic when marshalling this morning at Palacerigg parkrun, I could hear her shouting loudly "well done" and ringing a bell well before I saw her, once I did see her she was also jumping up and down as the runners past, I have never seen a marshall doing that before, she must have burnt as many calories as the runners.
It's been a great 4 years, if there's been any disappointment I suppose it's never getting a sub 30 minute 5k, the nearest is 30:09 in September 2021, otherwise I have enjoyed all my parkruns. ✔️✔️👍
I did get a congratulatory email from parkrun on Thursday, I posted it on the C25K forum immediately I got it, that's now four parkruns in a row I have run, next week I'll take a short break, run a 3K maintenance run locally around the park near to where I live, in two weeks on the 29th July I will run at Drumpellier parkrun 4th birthday and the following week, 5th August I will be the tailwalker at Dunfermline parkrun. ,
PS cheekychipmunks, Dexy5 and Oldfloss, I wasn't going to go to any parkrun this Saturday, 22nd July, however, I noticed that there was no tailwalker at Springburn parkrun, so I e-mailed them saying that I was willing to take on that duty on Saturday, I have just received a e-mail saying that I wiil be the tailwalker there this Saturday. ✅👍
A volunteering stint at Eastville for me today. I’m in the middle of summer concert season for the 2 choirs I’m in, and it wasn’t a particularly early night last night so I’m happy I didn’t opt to run. Having said that, if we weren’t in rehearsals this afternoon for our next one this evening , I’d definitely have jumped in the car for the ‘quick’ round trip (🤥) to Worthing for the VRB meetup. That’s what PR does to you. Turns you into a raving bonkers lady!
So marshalling for Flossie and I. Warm and sunny turned to torrential rain and strong wind. Fun though. 😀
I hope you are enjoying your singing CC, in those two choirs, well done to you and Flossie on marshalling in that heavy rain ☔ this morning at Eastville parkrun, the photo was taken during a very heavy shower, certainly not very pleasant to marshall or run, the weather where I ran at Palacerigg parkrun this morning was dry but I do notice that there are thunderstorms about 40 miles north of where I live, although we have missed the gales that parts of England are having, enjoy your concert this evening.
Thanks Al! It took me a while to dry out, and Flossie took even longer. 💦🐕💦
The concerts have gone well this weekend. My other choir has them next weekend, then that’ll be it singing-wise until September! My voice will appreciate the break I’m sure. 😅
Thanks Damien, it was fun and we had a full house. Two more concerts with the other choir next weekend, then I’m hanging up my vocal chords until September. 😅
Thanks Dexy. The Eastville run report described the volunteers as looking like they’d been put through a washing machine! I can confirm that. 😅💦💦💦💦💦
Concert was fab! Full house and the bonus is I still have a voice. Lucky really as the other choir’s concerts are next weekend so it has to last until then. 🤞😂
well done on volunteering - I love the atmosphere as a Marshall just as much as running it. You’re so upbeat and positive even when the weather turned crazy 👏🏻
Ahh thanks Dendev. I agree wholeheartedly about marshalling, especially in adverse conditions (extreme cold or wet mainly). We were soaked to the last stitch but it was such fun. 👏👏👏
Haha, yes you’re right on both counts Jonathan! Definitely a dryer morning and I’m going for a run soon. Probably on the soaking wet spongy Common as it’s the Bristol Harbour Festival this weekend, so I’m avoiding it like the plague today. Can’t say I’m relishing it though. Boot me out the door please! 😅
Hi damienair I ran/walked Worthing Parkrun this morning in a time of 44.33 my first Parkrun and met Mudita11 and Sandie1961 we went for breakfast after 😃
Yes thanks I did, and yes I definitely will, I like that run along Worthing seafront so will do that again, my closest one I'm not so keen on the course but will give it a go sometime
whoop whoop. That’s a brilliant time for your first parkrun. I’m so glad you enjoyed it and got to meet VRBs too. You can run or volunteer at any parkrun you want. 👏🏻👏🏻
She’s very good friends with the owners of my local beauty salon! She recently opened there new store in Eastbourne and the revamped shop in Paddock Wood so have meet her several times! This is the 1st time I have seen her at park 🏃♀️ i so nearly didn’t go!
Our home Albert Park run today mate to keep the miles going. It's only a mile away so we warm up run there, do it and cool down run back. A great way to get 5 miles in.
Great morning at Worthing parkrun in the sunshine and very blustery winds, thankfully not the rain and storms that were forecast. I was met at the train station by SueAppleRun and we later met up with Sandie1961 . The strong wind off the sea was a bit of hindrance for the first half but then we did a u-turn to run back along the prom and the wind helped! A lovely VRB meet up followed by a big breakfast. That’s my kind of Saturday 👌🏻
You had a wonderful morning didn’t you Mudita? Sun, run and breakfast with friends! I’m a teeny bit envious of the colour of your sky. Ours ended up black! 😅
Back to my usual venue for a 53rd visit for parkrun number 76.
No parkrun for me last weekend as I was loading the car to drive home from holiday.
This morning, I got up early enough but eating later yesterday evening meant I had to pay several visits to the loo before setting out. This meant the only option was my most local one.
It was raining when I set out in the car, and because I was a little later I had trouble finding somewhere to park. The rain stopped whilst I was walking to the start.
I greeted a few regulars before the Run Director started her speech. It was busier than usual today. And then we were off.
There was noticeable bunching where the paths narrowed, and I tagged behind one of the regulars (Dawn) who acted as my pacemaker for most of my first lap. There were too many runners to overtake.
And then the path widened and I was able to break away gradually. I did my usual silly jokes with the marshals, like on the second lap saying, "I'm sure I've seen you somewhere before."
Dawn's husband was doing his usual trick of walking the course in reverse with their two pomeranian dogs and offering encouragement.
I passed the tail walkers towards the end of lap 2 and part way through lap 4 and was lapped myself from about half way round lap 3.
Coming up towards the finish there were two runners from a club in the next town who were a few seconds ahead of me. I didn't have the inclination to put on a sprint today, and in any event they seemed to find their own little extra speed for the finish. We finished within 3 seconds of each other.
Afterwards I chatted with a few folks, including getting some joking advice from Dawn's husband who used to coach football, like doing the final lap faster, giving it all, and "Don't bother with a sprint finish: that's for the crowd." Given my HR peaked today at 180bpm during the fourth hill climb, I might give that a pass.
Anyway, after a while it seemed like it was going to rain again, and I walked back to the car and on to Lidl to get some jam doughnuts and undo all the good the run did me.
Official time: 29:04, finishing 42 out of 116.
As usual, the watch measures this course as about 6% longer than 5km.
The finish funnel of Chadderton Hall Park parkrun.
A not-parkrun for me and I’m happy to report I’ve absolutely smashed my previous pb by almost two minutes. It helped I was running on the flat, which I never usually do, but I’m taking it anyway. 25’41! Literally jumping up and down when I finished (shortly followed by collapsing on a conveniently located bench). Super pleased here.
Thank you Alan! I’m absolutely over the moon. I’ve felt faster lately-basically since I’ve had to do a lot more strength work because of my injury. It’s great to see the benefit of that in being a bit speedier as well as pain free again. Hooray!
Thank you! Was aiming for something beginning with a 28 to be back in the region of my previous best and stunned by the time. Looks like all the physio-prescribed strength work to sort out my IT band has really helped the speed too. A brilliant bonus.
My nearest park run is a hit if a tough one with 2.5km up a hill and then 2.5km back down again. I might need to do a tourist one to make that my official best time!! Will be investigating where’s flat and not too far!
Thank you so much! I definitely didn’t feel very gazelle like, especially at the end when I was a pool of sweat and lactate. I will absolutely take that compliment though! I’ve been thinking of trying out a fast 5k for a little while because I’ve noticed all the intervals I’ve been doing have been quicker and I’m at that point of the half marathon program where all of a sudden I feel fitter. It’s been so much work even getting back to running again after the stupid IT band issue so this is such a lovely surprise!
I headed to St Helens park run this morning as 4 of our ‘running bugs’ from my club were celebrating milestones (one being 300)! I wouldn’t choose this Parkrun as it’s 3 1/2 laps and includes a nasty incline.
I set off way too fast (I was running alone and usually like a chat to keep my pace) by lap two I had to walk up the hill and again on lap 3. I was disappointed with myself and my time but then later thought any run is a good run and at least I got out there. ☺️
I’ve heard some horror stories on Strava from people running in terrible weather conditions today. I managed to escape the worst 🤞🏻.
You got another parkrun event on your list Dendev and you joined your buddies in their celebrations - that’s what parkrun is all about. I’m hopeless on hills as I don’t get enough practice.
Well done Dendev! Sounds quite like the Eastville course that I used to do very regularly, but less so nowadays as it’s cruel. I can run the hills but certainly not quickly! I’m in awe of the gazelles who sprint up like they’re nothing.
Back to Portsmouth Lakeside today - everybody was fearing a shower but luckily we were all mistaken. I wore my trail shoes just in case but the puddles were smaller than expected. My 'managing a hernia' run has now progressed to jeffing without any apparent effects - 4 mins slow jogging, 1 min walking. Mind you, I'm not sure that I could manage a non-stop 5k yet - it's amazing what 4+ months of not running can do! Still, all in good time, and speaking of time, it was 38.04 - not too shabby!
That’s a great time JonathanP . I’m so glad you’ve found a way of doing parkrun that suits your current health, it will be keeping you fit more than you realise.
Worthing parkrun report #3. Mr S and I spent yesterday at a rain soaked Goodwood Festival of Speed (cancelled today due to the weather forecast) and I had been watching the forecast for today with some trepidation. Sadly, the forecast plus public transport problems meant that Dexy5 UpTheStanley and David_G couldn’t make it but SueAppleRun and Mudita11 did. It was Sue’s first ever parkrun and I am so pleased I was there to cheer her on. The route is an out and back along the prom. In the event, it was very windy (hard going out, but a welcome boost on the way back) but the sun put in an appearance and it was a lovely run. I finished in 33.14 and we then went off for a yummy breakfast of poached eggs and smashed avocado on sourdough toast and waffles with bacon and maple syrup at a cafe on the seafront. Fab morning, great company and hopefully another parkrun convert 😊
So sorry we didn’t make it Sandie1961 but we virtually ran together and virtually had breakfast in a beachside cafe on the south coast. So glad you got to meet and convert SueAppleRun and see mudita11 again (AKA tourism Queen). After all the horrendous rain yesterday, I’m glad it held off until the afternoon today.
We had no rain at all yesterday as we headed east to Folkestone. Still gale force but a lovely sunny afternoon. Goodwood seems to be back on for its final day today.
I'm on hols on Anglesey so opted for Penrhyn parkrun as it seemed to have the flattest write up. Beautiful setting. First timers briefing said it was quite a long steep downhill section but that the uphill part was gentler; the fact you ran through the start 4 times (shortened loop last twice) meant you would still climb as much as you descended was not mentioned 😂😂. So no PB because of my struggles with ascents but a respectable 29.26/29.20(watch), by my standards anyway 😁The rain was a bit unpleasant but it eventually subsided. The location, volunteers and coffee were very good.
A bit embarrassing too have to own up to the race director that I broke the lid of the toilet whilst changing 😂😂
And no, I wasn't pushing the pushchair, it belonged to the nice gentleman who took my photo 😁
It started in the rain but otherwise the weather didn't really affect us 😀 Where was the festival on Anglesey RunaroundSue? we were in Beaumaris for a week, home today
I saw on Facebook that they planned a course check at 8am but with no wifi or phone signal we had no way of knowing if it would be on. So we turned off our alarms before we went to bed.
No parkrun for us on Saturday. We were at a Folk Festival on Anglesey and planned a return visit to Penrhyn but the forecast was terrible and they planned a course check at 8am. With no WiFi or phone signal we would have to set off before knowing whether it would be on so we turned off our alarms.We woke to heavy rain so it was the right decision even though the event went ahead. It wouldn't have been any fun driving there. It rained most of the day but we were well wrapped in waterproofs and the music was great.
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