Did my First Park run today at Perry Hall. I was 1 of 2 First time park runners there. The other one was from Belgium (resident here). Arrived on my bike and was amazed by crowd. There were 140 runners. young , old , Pushing Buggy's , with dogs, Blind guided runner, Some club runners. Started at 9.15 There were some speeches for someone who had done 250 regional park runs in region and couple of others. Bit like academy awards . Thanking their personal trainers etc. Anyway as we got in to the running the Sun began to shine hazy through the mist and was quite pleasant.
Thought wise to start at the back and observe. Started off really slow. Thought this was slow even for me but it started to spread out. So my tactic was to find someone and follow whom I thought might be near my pace !
You know when they say there was a race within a race well that was my race. I started off as field stretched out to follow "Buggy Man" with wife, children , buggy and dog in tow. But he proved to be too slow. Was overtaken by the "Elf" so latched on to him. He was a little person like me (logic said his little legs can't move faster than mine surely) Felt after 5 minutes this pace too fast and I had to slow down really slow. My logic went down the proverbial pan ! Was overtaken by "Rudolf Red nose" So slipped into his slip stream. Again he must have been on a special delivery and crept away from me. Half way round I had caught up with some and overtook a few and as many overtook me. So there were quite a few like me totally all over the place pace wise. It was more like Strictly come dancing Foxtrot "Quick, Quick, Slow, Quick, Quick, Slow).
I gave up looking at my watch. although there were 3 laps they weren't all quite same distance. routes catered for faster runners to come back on slower runners on the last 2 laps with little additional loops . Overall the route was good mainly on tarmac and gravelly bits and only 100 metres at most went on to bits of grass. I had almost slowed down to a walk and saw ahead "Scooby Doo" who was floundering so I overtook him. I didn't speed up really . Scooby Doo had run out of puff a bit earlier than me.
Wasn't sure how I'd done but thought I was slower than my usual best 32 to 33 minutes. Pleasantly surprised (Results next to photo) Did 34.54 Minutes , lets say 35 minutes Didn't know they could get accurate to hundredths of a second. Given that I was almost walking at start and pace all over the place was happy. Placed 113th out of 140 runners. My age related grade was 45.94%. Anyway not out to break records it was a great experience and had a laugh and a cookie at the end !
Got a photo with Scooby Doo (he wasn't bitter) ! But sorry photo not turned out !!
Pssst ! are there any "bookies runners" at these events ? If so wish I had put a Tenner on Rudolf's nose ! In my race within a race he was the winner but think overall was won by teenagers from Birchfield Harriers Club.
Anyway they said there was a "one off" New years Day run on Sunday 1st Jan 2017 So might give that a go given that I normally have to work Saturdays.
Further than I thought!!!
10k Newcastle Mo run!
telford_mike.... telford_parkrun
I CAN run slowly!!
I am a Parkrunner
