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

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How did you parkrun or (not)parkrun go?

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator
146 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 profile image
damienair
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146 Replies
damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator

I have not been running as much recently. I took a break whilst I was on annual leave from work and have not really got back into it again since. But I plan to run more consistently again this week. Last week I did parkrun with my doggie Ruby and ran/walked and jogged my way around in a time of 38:09. So this morning I went to a local parkrun in Trim, beautiful setting along a river with a Norman Castle and Abbey in the background. It is a 2 lap course and I wanted to do it in under 35 minutes. I set off way too quickly and did the first kilometer in 5:45 but could not maintain that pace. I took a few walking breaks on the route but ran mostly and finished in a time of 33:14. So mission accomplished. Goal for next week is to get below 33 minutes. 😀 And get back to sub 30 again at some stage. Happy running everyone.

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate10 in reply to damienair

Setting off too quickly is something I had to stop myself doing, too. It's far too easy to get swept up with the crowd at the start and then you're running on fumes by the end.

Well done!

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate in reply to damienair

Well done in that time damienair it sounds a beautiful route.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to damienair

Sounds a beautiful place to run damienair

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Dexy5

The Norman Castle was used for the Movie Braveheart. It was York and also London Tower in the Movie.

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply to damienair

That sounds nice damienair

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to damienair

You have such lovely parkruns around you Damien!

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10

Hi Damien, I didn't get to parkrun this morning because of a change in the bus timetable due to a new company operating on the route to Drumpellier Parkrun, but the good news is that although I missed the bus today the bus times are better and back to what it was a year ago, up to last week I just got to parkrun with minutes to spare, if there were roadworks the bus would have been late and I would have missed parkrun, the new timetable gives me plenty of time to get to Drumpellier Parkrun from now on, nevertheless it's a pity I missed today as it was Drumpellier's 4th birthday.

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to AlMorr

Ah pity you missed it Alan. But delighted to hear that the new bus timetable means that you can comfortably get to parkrun with time to spare in the future.

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10 in reply to damienair

Lol Damien, I missed the cake most of all, there is a photo of it on their Facebook page. 😜

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to AlMorr

Ah no! They were teasing you. You'll have to pop out and buy a cake for yourself.

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10 in reply to damienair

There is another parkrun birthday in 4 weeks, Palacerigg parkrun celebrates it's first birthday on Saturday 26th August. I'll be there.

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply to AlMorr

A shame to miss it, but good news that the revised timetable is more parkrun friendly

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10 in reply to RunaroundSue

It is more parkrun friendly Sue, I looked at the Drumpelliier Parkrun facebook page early this afternoon, before the run, the 253 runners and some of the volunteers were led around the starting area by a lone piper who also ran, there is a short video of that short walk as well as a photo of a large birthday cake🎂 which makes me 🤣when I look at it.

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply to AlMorr

That sounds brilliant, I am off to look at the video

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate10

Good morning Damien and fellow runners. (Not often that I can write "Good morning" on these.)

On Thursday evening I received a pleading email from my local parkrun team saying they had to cancel last week's event due to a lack of volunteers, and would we consider doing some volunteering to cover the summer holidays. I apologised for being away last week, and put my name in the hat.

It was still raining when I arrived, but the rain stopped just before 9am, so I stowed my coat.

I did barcode scanning this morning. Just after the start we had an informal sweepstake as to how many runners there were this week. I guessed 62. Someone else guessed 60. They were right. There was no prize other than smugness.

One lady was volunteering because she'd just had her eyebrows "microbladed" and was avoiding running (and hence sweating) for a week whilst it healed.

We actually had more barcode scanners than we really needed. There were three of us, but we only really needed two. Whilst hanging around various topics were discussed, as usually happens.

One of the organising team decided to take the broken spring steel hoop out of the pop-up venue sign as it had broken internally, with the crimp join failing. (Probably too many failed attempts to try to fold up the devilish thing.)

And the rain held off until I was in Lidl getting my usual post-parkrun doughnuts.

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to nowster

Well done nowster and thanks for Volunteering. I need to pick a Volunteer day soon.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to nowster

The Southsea RD was talking about cancelling due to lack of volunteers this week too. It’s incredible that an event with over 450 runners has to scramble around for helpers each week. Well done you.

Oh don’t you just love that pop up sign? I had to find a YouTube video to help our RDs as the instructions in the bag were totally useless.

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

It's very strange Dexy that it seems to be the very large parkruns that struggle to get volunteers, Victoria Park parkrun in Glasgow has one of the biggest amount of runner's with around 350 every week but struggles to get volunteers, recently it was cancelled as their were not enough volunteers, just 5 miles away Drumchapel parkrun which on average has only got 50 runners, sometimes as few as 30 never has any problems with volunteers, sometimes it looks as if there are more volunteers at that parkrun than runners, perhaps the reason is that Drumchapel parkrun is the hilliest parkrun in Scotland.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr

It is a shame that so many want to run but don’t feel the need to contribute their own time to volunteer even once a year. But we are not allowed to make people feel guilty.

On the other hand , one of our volunteers at Southsea did her 500th volunteer today. She volunteers at both 5k and Junior parkrun. Now that is something to be proud of.

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

Congratulations to her Dexy, she should be very proud of herself. ✅✅

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

Wow! 500 volunteers? That’s incredible, even our EDs can’t put their hands up for that one and they do both. There can’t be many v500s.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser

There are 103 apparently. We presented her with the V500 badge at Junior parkrun this morning.

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply to nowster

I really feel for the team trying to get enough volunteers each week. We seemed to have plenty this morning. But I have had a taste of that this week getting the rota ready for tomorrow's junior parkrun (my first go at it). All of the regular volunteers seem to be away, unless there is a race on somewhere. But we have scraped in thanks to some helpful parents (I accosted one this morning at parkrun, although to be fair his wife had already volunteered them both)

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to RunaroundSue

This time of year it can be really tricky Sue as not only are there holidays but the DofE volunteers have finished and they very rarely come back.

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate10 in reply to TailChaser

I'd presume that they'd be off to uni soon, and would have other distractions?

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to nowster

A lot of them are Year 10 & 11 so probably other distractions. It’s just a shame that they don’t feel they want to carry on, even just running it.

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply to TailChaser

We get a few come back occasionally, but most are moving on to other things. I think it is partly because they don't seem to be runners.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to RunaroundSue

I think you’re right. The few we do keep tend to be runners.

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10

A steady 5k in the sun yesterday (36.41) but the important thing was that I felt completely normal …balance, vision …all good, just in time for the big take off on Monday. No running for a couple of weeks now, but it will be there waiting when we return to the UK. Hope everyone had a great park run today.🙂

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Beachcomber66

Well done on your steady 5K in the Sun yesterday.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

So glad that you are fit and well for your next trip Beachcomber66

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

Yes BC, that’s what we wanted to hear. Bon voyage for Monday. 🥰

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

Thanks CC. I suppose I should start packing! 🙂

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

Might be a good idea! 😅

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

🤔

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

😂

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

Excellent BC - have a great trip!

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP

Thanks JP. I hope your op gets sorted soon.🙂

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

Have a wonderful trip BC! I suspect it may do you good to have a little break from it.

Beachcomber66 profile image
Beachcomber66Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser

Thanks TC. I hope so 🙂

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66

🤞🤞🤞

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate

Good morning damienair and Parkrunners 😁 I'm so happy, I did my first Parkrun volunteer as a Marshall this morning, then ran a (not) parkrun 5k with my neighbour, I was on target for a PB but then of course we turned round and ran back against the wind.

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to SueAppleRun

Brilliant, double well done to you. Thank you for Volunteering, a high viz hero, and well done too on your (not)parkrun. You'll get the PB soon no doubt.

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate in reply to damienair

Thank you, I think I will because in general my pace is increasing, and seafront running, all that battling against the wind has to make us stronger

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun

Yep it’s our version of hill training!

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun

Congratulations on your first volunteer Sue - no doubt the first of many!

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate in reply to JonathanP

Thank you, yes I enjoyed it

beth_f profile image
beth_fGraduate10

Good afternoon damienair and all,

Gosh, it’s been a while since I’ve done Parkrun - knee injury, COVID & getting 16year old on a train at 9am every Saturday has somewhat scuppered my return…but today the stars aligned.

So we decided to head to Maidstone and to Malling Parkrun set at Leybourne Lakes which was about an hour from home.

Lovely venue with plenty of parking (unfortunately not free but not too expensive) and a cafe opposite a big lake. The lake is used for water sports so there were others around getting set up for paddle boarding etc .

Lots of tourists, quite a few first timers and the group “5KM your way” also representing.

A warm morning, with the sun making an appearance and 2 laps round the lake saw me in at 35.37. Very happy with that time and negative splits 🙌

Quick cuppa at the cafe then homeward bound. Now looking where to head next weekend.

Have a great week all🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to beth_f

I bet it felt good to be back today.

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to beth_f

Great running and great return to parkrun. Welcome back.

RunWillie profile image
RunWillieGraduate10

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

I’m in Sydney this weekend so I got to go to North Sydney park run. It’s a three loop course & I totally missed the finish so my park run time is off - I worked hard for that sub 30 that became 30:40🙄

Hubby & No.2 son were battling a viscous headwind back at a local park run so 27:29 & 20:15 for them.

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

Very well done on your good time despite missing the finish line. Something similar happened to me a few years ago. It was at a parkrun double on New Years Day. I'd ran at one parkrun in Dublin and did it in around 28 minutes. Then went to the next parkrun at St. Annes Park in Dublin. There was a huge crowd of over 1,000 taking park. I'd ran it in around 29 minutes and as I approached the finish line I saw a queue. I presumed it was a backup through the finish funnel and joined the queue. Took me about 2 minutes to realise that it was a queue for something else entirely. 😀 Anyway I crossed the actual finish line in a time of around 32 minutes.

RunWillie profile image
RunWillieGraduate10 in reply to damienair

I followed a runner who was probably not even doing park run 🤣 I felt more of an idiot for even caring though. 5k is 5k 👍🏻

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply to RunWillie

That's a nice parkrun. It was very hot when we did it. I was amused to see parkrunners stopping to queue at the water fountain mid run. The RD suggested that as I wasn't aiming for a pb I could leave my bottle near the start and grab a drink as I passed, which worked well.

RunWillie profile image
RunWillieGraduate10 in reply to RunaroundSue

That’s great you’ve done it RunaroundSue I wasn’t a huge fan of the loops. I was done at two 🤣

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply to RunWillie

I’m hoping to do do North Sydney at the end of October - north compass point, n for parkrun alphabet and 3rd country for international tourism. Hope I’ll be awake as we land at 11.30am the day before!

RunWillie profile image
RunWillieGraduate10 in reply to Sandie1961

That’s awesome Sandie1961 😍

I was thinking of you yesterday as I knew you were planning a visit. Watch out for the finish line 🤣

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply to Sandie1961

We were amused to have travelled so far south to bag a North for the compass :)

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to RunWillie

Does anything slow them down RW? 😅

RunWillie profile image
RunWillieGraduate10 in reply to TailChaser

I would be super happy with those times but hubby now aims for around 25mins & no 2 son thinks anything that isn’t sub 20 is slow 🤣 I’ll just keep trying to chase them. x

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to RunWillie

Such high standards! We can only dream 🤣

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

Hi damienair , well it looks like I’m the first of our VRB get together to post on here , Although that may not be be the case by the time I finish. Our trip to Queen Elizabeth parkrun has been in the planning for years. The first time it was cancelled by the forestry commission because of a named storm, the second time because of the pandemic, and the third time because of a clash with nhs anniversary celebrations which meant UpTheStanley needed to be at Southsea. Today was going to happen whatever the weather threw at us, but thankfully after all the rain this week it stayed dry. So there was us two, Oldgirlruns , mr C and Coddfish , cheekychipmunks and daughter Jenny, TailChaser and Katnap , and then Mudita11 and chief photographer on such occasions Ritchie. Unfortunately, JonathanP wasn’t able to make this one as he is on family holiday. But I’ve promised to do it again with him when he is fit and ready.

QE is popular with parkrun tourists because there are few Qs in the parkrun alphabet. It is also set on the South Downs so involves a beautiful, but hilly, run in a country park. On a good day you can see the coast.

Everyone will have their own stories to tell of the event, but it was so nice to see them all. It was only 30 mins up the road for us Southsea folk, but others travelled much further.

The first timers briefing was the funniest I’ve heard and as visitors out numbered regulars , there was a lot of us there.

The terrain was a mix of stoney paths, grass, chalk and a few mud patches. Very good conditions at this time of year.

Garmin managed to stop itself mid route but I’ve calculated my finish time from the start line was 38:48, or 39:18 parkrun time.

Coddfish managed to join us after having had a not very good last few days with her cancer treatment, and she fully expected to do just the first lap. But it became clear she was doing it all and we waited for her towards the end of the run and gave her a guard of honour welcome. Very well done to you!

Breakfast and coffee followed of course

Now when is the next meet up?

Queen Elizabeth badge
cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

So much fun Dexy5 ! 👏👏👏

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Dexy5

Fantastic Dexy and everyone, especially Coddfish. Wow how great to all meet up for a VRB get together and a parkrun. Well done to you all. A perfect parkrun morning.

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5

So sorry I missed it. Would have loved to have been there. Sounds like a lovely morning, if a little hilly!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961

If a lot hilly 😂

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to Sandie1961

Yep, definitely hilly!

Coddfish profile image
CoddfishGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

Thank you for a great write up Dexy5 . I think I am glad I completed it, although I haven’t been good for much else for the rest of the day. Fortunately our lovely daughter, who is visiting, made dinner. I really appreciated the guard of honour when I finished. I make a point of trying to keep going through treatment but it does get harder with every week, and being in hospital with an immunotherapy ‘adverse event’ only yesterday most definitely didn’t help. Jane the tailwalker did an outstanding job today.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish

You knew that it would take it out of you but you still made great effort to do it . You so deserved that cake at the end. We are very proud of you.

Glad to hear that your daughter made dinner for you. We heated up a pizza!

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to Coddfish

Well done Coddfish - that's what I call determination!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to Coddfish

You were incredible Coddfish . What a hero. 👏👊🥰

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to Coddfish

You truly are an inspiration Coddfish. You stopped me from whinging about my sore hip and made me just get on with it! Go girl!! 👏👏

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

Sounds like one of the classic Southsea-led VRB meet-ups Dexy! I decided not to go for a simultaneous (not) parkrun here at Center Parcs as I realised our annual table tennis session with son and son-in-law was 9.30 yesterday - will make up for it this morning

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP

We missed you JP, but you couldn’t miss your family challenge! Enjoy your run today.

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

Not long back Dexy - managed to jeff just over 6k, longest since the enforced break!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to JonathanP

How did the table tennis go JonathanP ? 💥

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

I was hoping someone would ask Cheeky! After losing to my son last year, the older generation regained the title! 😀

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to JonathanP

Oh yes! Go Jonathan, the Champ! 👊

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

🤴

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10

There were a few of us HUers Q hunting this morning and what better place to grab that elusive letter than at Queen Elizabeth Country Park. I won’t tag all the runners as I’m sure they’ll pop up on here, but Jenny and I made up our party of 10 (plus a supporting OH!) It was lovely to see them. ❤️ I also saw an Eastville friend. Small world!

What a beautiful course. The most challenging one I’ve done, although Lyme Park is supposed to pip it for elevation/difficulty, but I was running way more in 2019 when I did that one, and I found this harder. I even took a minute long walk break up one particularly long hill where I mistook the marshal for where we turned off down the lovely grassy slope we’d done on the first, shorter, lap. But no, runners were passing her by and my heart sank! The turning marshal was still another 500m further up! 😩 Funny how your mind takes over isn’t it?

Still, I managed the rest of the undulating course and finished strong. My time? Haha! Very slow at 43 minutes, but I wasn’t expecting to be any quicker. I highly recommend this epic PR!

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to cheekychipmunks

Very well done Cheeky to yourself and Jenny and so lovely that you could all be together today at a parkrun VRB meetup. And congratulations on grabbing your Q. I got my Q at Queens University parkrun in Belfast.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to damienair

When are you planning on adding to your compass challenge damienair ? I’ll be there for that! 😀

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to cheekychipmunks

I must plan it. Perhaps October. Lets see.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to damienair

Ooo that would be wonderful! Please not the 14th/15th as it’s the Great South Run weekend (she implored selfishly!) 😂

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

It was much cooler than when we did our trial run so I found that made it a bit easier. But also running with others was inspiring . I think I need to get there more often for some hill training.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

I loved it  Dexy5 and I’d do it again. So when  JonathanP is ready to tackle it, maybe I’ll make the trip again! We should also arrange an Ashton Court meetup. It’s a piece of cake compared to QECP! I’m going to run Eastville more regularly now too! 😀

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

Me too 😃

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

It's a date Cheeky!

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

It's on our list. Maybe in September but we haven't decided whether our tour will be south coast (ish) or East Anglia, in which case we might include Ipswich

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to RunaroundSue

Do let us know if you visit RunaroundSue. You never know…..

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

I will, thanks

UpTheStanley profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10

Yet more on QECP. The big feature is a 1.2k climb on a gravel track. You do the steepest 200m of this straight off the start, then turn down a steeper slope on grass, then along an undulating (!) chalky path which leads past the finish funnel to the start of the hill. That’s the short lap done. So then it’s 200m pretty steep back to the start point, then that really steep 200m again (here be many unintentional parkwalkers!), then 800m of (comparatively) gentle climbing to the top of the course. Then a long, lovely descent on grass again back to the undulating path (strange how the undulations are fully fledged climbs this time) and the finish. Now there’s nothing like a steady pace, and splits of 5’12, 5’43, 6’25, 4’52 and 5’38 gives nothing like a steady pace, but I’ll happily take 27’50 overall, given my bogey time for parkrun on my lovely flat prom is 25 minutes.

More importantly, a good time was had by the HU C25K VRBs on our first meet since the Curly-Wurly. I expect there will be pictures somewhere soon …..

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley

like this?

VRBs at QE parkrun
RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

Lovely photo, good to see those of you who came to Lyme Park all those years ago

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to RunaroundSue

I loved Lyme Park too RunaroundSue and the moment there’s a sniff of a return meet up I’ll be in my car! 😅

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

That would be good fun

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

We loved Lyme Park cheeky, and it’s another excuse to see family too, so very happy to do it again!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to TailChaser

Oh good! A growing cohort is forming! 😀

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

😄

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley

Knew I could rely on you for the stats UTS - very impressive time for that course!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP

😂

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to UpTheStanley

Very well done UTS. Great running. Love the picture below.

Mudita11 profile image
Mudita11Graduate10

An excellent VRB meet up this morning at Queen Elizabeth parkrun. So lovely to catch up with everyone. It was a very hilly run and I walked a fair amount. A dachshund with 3” legs overtook me at the beginning 🤣. I had run here last November and managed a slightly faster time today as the conditions were not bad at all - weather was much drier than forecast, phew. I really look forward to parkrun day and this one was all the more special for seeing VRBs!

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply to Mudita11

I know that feeling of being overtaken by a dachshund. So embarrassing 🤦🏼‍♀️

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply to Sandie1961

I couldn't keep up with a 5 year old when I was tailwalker at juniors!To make matters worse, the whole family started late and I had to wait for them to catch up with me at about ½km :)

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to Mudita11

Dachshund overtaking you - we've all been there! 😜

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to Mudita11

That made me chuckle Mudita11 😅 I was once overtaken by 2 giant inflatable chickens at Eastville, but I was wearing an elephant onesie! 😂

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Mudita11

Very well done on your parkrun and VRB meetup. A perfect parkrun morning.

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10

I did the First Timers Welcome then ran, nothing particular to report but a bit quicker than the last couple of weeks.Then we had to rush off to spend the afternoon playing (with the ukulele group) at a local well dressing festival.

Unfortunately no shower in between because there has been a serious water leak in our road and the water was turned off for repairs, so a quick wash then into the village for breakfast before walking down to the venue.

The weather forecast had not been good, but we had no rain for parkrun and one very short burst (less than one song) of a few drops of rain between the glorious sunshine. It was a lovely friendly event with a large appreciative audience as well as a Silver Band, Morris Dancers and Vikings.

We go back tomorrow afternoon to play at their monthly Afternoon Tea in the Chapel. That will be a much smaller event, possibly indoors unless the weather again defies the forecast.

Tomorrow also sees my debut as shadow RD for junior parkrun, so I will report in at some point.

I have been practising the warm-up routine, which will probably finish me off.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to RunaroundSue

Such a shame that the warm up routine doesn’t happen at 5k parkrun. I love seeing the kids doing it.

RunaroundSue profile image
RunaroundSueGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

I like watching other people doing it :)

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to RunaroundSue

Well done on your parkrun and enjoy the festival.

GTFC profile image
GTFCGraduate10

Hi Damien,

Tasha, her friend Steph and I ran Sunderland Parkrun this morning. A beautiful and really friendly Parkrun. We are here for the World Triathlon which we both love 😊

Dean, Tasha and Steph
Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to GTFC

Happy touring! Hope you had a great day at the triathlons. We saw it on TV.

GTFC profile image
GTFCGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

It was absolutely fantastic Dexy5 We are looking forward to tomorrow 😀

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to GTFC

Looks lovely there. Great photo and well done to the 3 of you for your parkrun and parkrun tourism.

Oldgirlruns profile image
OldgirlrunsGraduate10

I’m keeping it short this week damienair because my lovely running buddies have already written cracking posts giving all the details of our meet-up at Queen Elizabeth Country Park this morning! A slow 52:05 for me but there were a lot of uphills! My 2 highlights were definitely meeting up again with such lovely running buddies who were all there to cheer me on at the finish and then we all formed a ‘guard of honour’ for Coddfish as she reached the finish after what has been a very tough week for her. And of course breakfast and chat afterwards to finish an excellent morning (ok, that’s 3 highlights!).

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns

I was sad to miss out OGR but there'll be another time!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to Oldgirlruns

You came home strong OGR! Wasn’t that a blast? I do love our meet-ups, and it was awe inspiring seeing Coddfish come in. ❤️

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Oldgirlruns

Amazing, very well done to you and Coddfish and all the VRB's for a guard of honour. Great way to spend a Saturday morning and I'm sure it was a lovely lift in spirits for Coddfish.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10

I don’t really know what to add to all those wonderful QECP posts Damien! It was a great excuse to do some family visiting and go back to the town we used to live in which isn’t that far away. I also truly love the South Downs so I really don’t need much persuasion to do anything there, it’s reminded me how much I miss it.

I haven’t been feeling the love with my running the last few weeks and this was just the fillip that I needed. It was so nice to have a meet up again. I was a bit intimidated by the course as I’ve not been putting many hills into my marathon training, taking advantage of the grotty weather to use our pan flat park. Strava has been telling me I’ve been losing fitness, which isn’t really what you want to hear. However, I only walked on the really steep bits and I managed to come in at around 33 minutes which I am happy with.

It is a truly beautiful course, marred only by the roar of the A3 beside it. Katnap and I had our knobbly trail shoes on and they were fine for the most part but some of the impacted chalk was a little slippy. The brilliant first timer brief did remind us that flint is very sharp to land on and ‘you will bleed everywhere!’, so I was a little more cautious than usual. Thankfully the downhills had a nice mat of grass to run on.

After our natter over breakfast, Dexy handed out badges, a tradition started by Runningroni way back in 2019 when we did our first meet-up at Isabel Trail! I’d forgotten all about the badges, definitely one to re-start, thanks Dexy5 !

I think we were the last to leave. We got changed and drove down our beloved A272 (I have a book all about it 🤣) to our old hometown to continue our day. On the way home I cuddled a big plant we’d bought in my favourite garden centre after a lovely second meet-up with friends and family. A wonderful day.

Considering I didn’t know what to add, I’ve done my usual essay 🤣. Have a great runny week everybody! 👏👏👏

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser

I bought those badges so long ago., and the original planned meet up was for fewer people so I’m afraid not everyone got one. This can be rectified though.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

Thanks for remembering them Dexy, they were a lovely surprise!

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to TailChaser

Very well done TC. Honestly I have the upmost respect for you and anyone who attempts a Marathon. The training and sacrifice you make is incredible. I was training for a Half Marathon and I'll be honest, I hated it, running for one hour for me is more than enough. I got up as far as 16K and said that's it, I'm done. I actually started to hate running, so I'm back to just 5K now and I'll work my way back to 10K and there I shall remain. My happy place.

Sounds like you had a perfect day yesterday.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to damienair

I think we all have our distances Damien. I like a HM, not so sure about the Marathon, but once a year, I’ll give it a go for now while I still can. I can totally understand how you felt but I try to treat it as an adventure, though I love the structure more than the running tbh.

Coddfish profile image
CoddfishGraduate10

I am (I think) the last one of the team to report on the Queen Elizabeth parkrun VRB meet-up. The idea was spawned back in 2019 by those of us based at Southsea. It’s only a few miles up the road for us, but vey different to Southsea. Hilly versus flat, trees versus sea, trail versus prom. At the time I was running relatively well. I remember going for a recce, running the route, finding a lot of forestry commission work, and not being wholly surprised when our target weekend got cancelled following a lot of storm damage to the course. Then came lockdown, but we eventually got this Saturday meet up into the schedule

A lot has happened to me since 2019. Hip replacement. Surgery, chemo and radiotherapy for breast cancer. The discovery that my cancer is metastatic and has spread to my liver. More surgery, and now, immunotherapy and more chemo. I returned to running after the hip. I returned to running after last year’s treatment. I currently find the treatment depletes my ability to carry oxygen effectively so running isn’t possible and walking up hills is a challenge. Queen Elizabeth was quite likely to be on the edge of my current capability. It’s an area I know well, so I know exactly how steep the hills are.

On Friday, I woke up with an extensive rash, which turned out to be an immunotherapy adverse event. Essentially my immune system delivering a bit of friendly fire. So I spent most of Friday in my hospital’s acute oncology assessment unit, until I was discharged with a collection of pills and potions. Not the best preparation for what was going to be a difficult endeavour.

I considered not going as I was feeling fairly rough. But I know fresh air and exercise always helps. I knew it was a 2 lap course with the 1st course easier than the second, so I could always bail out. I also knew that was not going to be allowed to happen if I could help it. I am not competitive about finishing times - that would be ridiculous given what I am going through. But this would be the 45th unique parkrun location for Mr C and I, and I didn’t want him getting ahead of me. I am also chasing down my 250 parkruns (this made 233), and with the possibility of advancing disease, didn’t want to throw an opportunity away.

It was great to meet up with the group. We walked together from the visitor centre to the bottom of the hill where the event takes place. Obligatory photo by the Queen Elizabeth parkrun sign (posted earlier by  Dexy5 ). I am the one hiding at the back with the black cap (chemo hair loss) and shades (chemo affected eyes). We enjoyed the most humorous first timer’s brief I have ever heard. Then walked up to the steepest section of the hill for the start. I let the pack go ahead so I could find Jane the tailwalker and explain my predicament. As ever, she was delighted to support me and also delighted someone would choose to manage the effects of treatment in this way. I always say I am not ill, just being treated.

I have to say the hills were indeed tough, particularly on the longer second lap, where the first 1.2km is all up hill. The gentler slopes down and the undulating bits offered a good opportunity to talk with Jane about our various parkrun experiences. Jane did a superb job keeping me going and taking my mind off how hard it was.

Towards the end of the second lap, my phone rang and it was Mr C. He was checking whether I was still on the course or whether I had bailed out after lap 1 and gone back to the cafe. He then set off towards me to walk me in. To my delight (in fact it brought me to tears), the others were waiting for me just before the finish line to form a guard of honour. So  Dexy5 ,  Oldgirlruns ,  UpTheStanley ,  cheekychipmunks ,  Katnap ,  TailChaser ,  Mudita11 , a big thank you. You cannot imagine how much that helped.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish

I remember being quite relieved that the first attempt was cancelled as those timber trucks had churned up the paths so much. I had contemplated doing it in hiking boots and forgetting running altogether.

The timing was not good for you this time but you are one determined lady, and if anyone was going to do it, it was you. Well done on number 44 tourist run. I’m really pleased that you had the perfect tailwalker to accompany you.

Coddfish profile image
CoddfishGraduate10 in reply to Dexy5

Actually the 45th different place, I have corrected my write up. Makes me wonder if I should try to get to 50 within the 250. There are several near us I have not yet done, plus daughter’s new house will be right next to Tooting Common, which we haven’t done.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish

If you can do QE, you can do any of our local runs.

Curlygurly2 profile image
Curlygurly2Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish

What a whole heap of rubbish you've had thrown at you, and how well you're coping with it all, and what a great write up. That must have been super seeing them all there at the finish, made me a bit watery eyed.

By the way, have you heard of 5KYouWay, or looked into it? I don't know if there is one near you, but I find it really helpful...we meet up at our local parkrun on the last Saturday of the month, most of us have had cancer at least once, but family and friends and carers, anyone affected by cancer, are all welcome.

Coddfish profile image
CoddfishGraduate10 in reply to Curlygurly2

The nearest one to me is at Lee on Solent parkrun which is visitable but a bit too far to be my regular location, especially when Southsea is on my doorstep and I am fairly well embedded in its volunteer group and get a lot of support from people there anyway.

Curlygurly2 profile image
Curlygurly2Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish

Psst!! You could always start one...

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator in reply to Coddfish

I love parkrun, and this is why. Some fit as a fiddle athlete probably finished in under 17 minutes, which is a fantastic achievement. However it pails into insignificance when compared to your effort and the challenges you have had in your life over the past few years. How wonderful that you had the company of a supportive tailwalker which is an important volunteer role and then to have a guard of honour at the finish to welcome you home like a warm embrace. Breakfast with friends and an uplifting morning. Exactly what parkrun is all about.

I love your saying, "I'm not ill, just being treated". Well I wish you every best wishes and good fortune on your treatment journey and every health and happiness for the future.

Coddfish profile image
CoddfishGraduate10 in reply to damienair

Yes it did make me think about the best approach to tailwalking. At Southsea, our volunteers walk in a pair and hang back from everyone. But a number of times on other courses (including when I was running but the slowest person there), the tail has stayed alongside me, and I have found it helpful.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10 in reply to Coddfish

As I’ve said before Coddfish , you’re a true inspiration and it was VERY emotional seeing you come round the final bend towards the finish line with Jane. You deserved that achievement; it’s way bigger than all the rest of ours put together! It was lovely to see you. 🥰

Coddfish profile image
CoddfishGraduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks

Lovely to see you again too, will make it to an event over your way some time!

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to Coddfish

Coddfish, how many people go into hospital the day before for what you’re going through and even think of doing a parkrun the next day? I know you will get that 250 by hook or by crook, and woe betide Mr C if he gets ahead of you whilst you are still able to have a say in the matter! You are amazing!

Coddfish profile image
CoddfishGraduate10 in reply to TailChaser

I do have a parkrun head start over Mr C as he started running after me. When I first did C25K he wanted to run with me but it was obvious he would be so much better - so he waited until I had graduated before he effortlessly started running. The period when waiting for my hip replacement, and then recovering from it, boosted my volunteer count somewhat whilst allowing him to start to catch me up. He’s now only 8 parkruns behind me on the race to 250.

TailChaser profile image
TailChaserGraduate10 in reply to Coddfish

Isn’t it annoying when they find it so easy? Katnap is the same!

Coddfish profile image
CoddfishGraduate10 in reply to TailChaser

He’s not in the same class as Katnap and UpTheStanley , but still does ok

Bruch1 profile image
Bruch1 in reply to Coddfish

You are one amazing, brave person. I am astounded by your courage and determination. I shall think of you when I'm struggling and be encouraged by your experiences. Wishing you all the very best 😊

Coddfish profile image
CoddfishGraduate10 in reply to Bruch1

Thank you

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10 in reply to Coddfish

Keep on keeping on Coddfish!

Oldgirlruns profile image
OldgirlrunsGraduate10 in reply to Coddfish

It was a great meet up wasn’t it! We’re so proud of what you’ve achieved MrsC; when we saw you coming round that last bend towards the finish, a guard of honour seemed the least we could do!

Bruch1 profile image
Bruch1

Hi damienair, park run was a struggle for me yesterday and I don't know why. It was my 10th PR so I was hoping to get a good time. However although I managed the first hill from then on I had to do a mix of running and walking and even had to stop at one point to stretch my calves and ankles. I wore my new shoes which were great and I don't think it was those slowing me down. I did wonder if my 50 minute run on Thursday might have tired me and I had been really busy on Friday as well. I met a friend this morning who is new to PR and he said he struggled too. Both of us over 4 mins slower than usual. It was quite hot. Perhaps the energy levels are a bit low at the moment. Slowest time so far but never mind at least I got out there and did it. That's a lot to be thankful for.😊

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