Sorry Parkrun

[deb54]

But it is blowing a hooley and the rain is throwing it down at the moment. I know I could have volunteered but I have chosen to stay, warm and dry and have a second cup of coffee! Weather app says that this pm may have a dry window. I promise to go out then. Who else is feeling guilty out there?

[runningnearbeirut Graduate]

Sorry everyone, had my personal "parkrun" on a mountain overlooking the med and have to admit it was TOO HOT and I was grateful at one point to turn round and run into a headwind!

Have to say I can't believe what a fair weather runner I've turned into, as I've easily opted for a cuppa (tea is my preference) rather than going out in gales and downpours (which we fortunately haven't had for a couple of weeks). Very well done to anyone who managed to get out there in the weather this morning - and to those of you looking for a dry window of opportunity, do yourselves proud later!

[Beads Graduate]

You should have come to Riddlesdown, perfect conditions, temperature in the mid to late teens, not a cloud in sight, the sun was high enough in the sky so as not to restrict our view coming along the back path, no mud, no puddles and a light breeze to cool us after our efforts!!!!!!

Yeah, who am I kidding?!?!?!

Puddles and mud galore, not too much rain, I think all the water was already on the floor, the howling gale really made the final turn hard, I almost went over once in the mud but a bit of nifty footwork kept me upright. As we're told up there each week, conditions HAVE been worse and we will be so fit once it dries out from all the extra effort we need to put in at the moment. Have a go, you may enjoy it!

[deb54 Graduate in reply to Beads]

Well done you! LOL! I did do a proper muddy one on Xmas day but it wasn't pelting down with rain or in a howling gale. And I decided I have nothing to prove! I am going to run today and may even wear my new shoes... Where is riddlesdown anyway?

[Beads Graduate in reply to deb54]

We start at the Warlingham end of Riddlesdown, that's on the South London/Surrey (Croydon/Tandridge) border. On top of a hill (at least when there's howling gales they're mainly southerly, there's trees and sort of nearby houses to buffer against the northerlies but the southerlies come in straight across the valley from Kenley aerodrome), but there seems to have been so much rain that it's not draining. The strange thing is that it settles in different places each week (always a new surprise), 2 weeks ago there was a lake on the last turn to the finish, that wasn't there last Saturday or today, but today had one just before the start! I'll be the first to admit I've turned into a mud running fool!