Run on through the rain.... Parkrun done!

[AlbertRoss]

It was with some trepidation that I headed to Erddig (near Wrexham) this morning, for all sorts of reasons - first time doing a parkrun, first time even really running with others, the course meaning I was in my walking trainers rather than running shoes.... with spots of rain on the windscreen I was really wondering what I'd let myself in for.

Arrived in plenty of time, and it's fancy dress time for some - it's pretty windy, to the extent that most of the runners are hiding round a corner and the briefings are almost inaudible!

Off we go, I've tried to warm up a little beforehand and I've got Laura with me - so I set off with "You and Julie".... managing to keep a reasonable pace, not going mad, very glad I opted for the trainers as it's pretty muddy and slippery (most of the course is on forest tracks and some gravel bits). Going OK, but bum! Lace undone. I keep going to a bench, and a minute later off I trot again. Past the house, down the hill, thinking "Oh no, I've got to go up that...." round, getting a bit muddier now, this is feeling harder though. Disaster! I haven't closed the water bottle very well, and it's activated the screen on my ipod - suddenly the music is double speed, and then changes to Week 5! I pull the cord out and keep going, this is odd, first time running without the ears in..... it's getting hard as I reach just over 4K, strong wind, a bit of rain, eventually I have to slow to a walk after about 34 minutes running. A couple of minutes, and I get jogging again, get about two thirds of the way up the hill, the volunteers are great - but I have to walk again, just the bit back up to the house, there's the finish, I just about get up to a jog again to finish, and so, 5K (or the tracker thinks 5.09) and a recorded finish time of 39.47 with which I am well pleased!

So I haven't managed to run 5K non-stop... yet.... but given the conditions I'm happy enough. Now, when can I get there again......

[Hidden]

Well done in what sounds like challenging conditions. For next time you need to get some lovely new trail shoes in the sales. Glad you enjoyed the experience and want to go again, I'm an addict ! Happy Christmas.

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Great run Albert !

Happy Christmas 🎅🏼⭐️🏃🏻

[RunaroundSue]

Well done!

[Irishprincess Graduate]

Haha! Had to laugh at the bit about the double speed 😂 I bet that got the legs working overtime 😊

Good for you for doing your first park run and a Happy Christmas to you.

[Hidden]

Great photo and run. I did first park run last week. My course was good flat mostly gravelly path. But found difficult following own pace and tended to follow others especially with initial bunching up of runners on early narrow stretches .

So pace was all over the place , running faster and becoming breathless then slowing down to almost walking pace. But great experience. And I beat "Scooby Doo".

You did well especially getting up the hill. Well done.

Have a good Christmas.

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Well done Albert - first of many!

[Curlygurly2 Graduate]

Well done! Congrats on your first parkrun xx

[McFitty Graduate]

Fabulous run Albert

[poppypug Graduate]

Fantastic , Well done Albert ! xxx