A Week of Wild Weather and Wet Wanderings

[TailChaser]

The picture is of the cafe on our local disused railway line. It looks a very peaceful place but what it doesn’t show you is how extremely windy it is! This was Wednesday and I was out with Storm Aileen. I was only 5 minutes out of the town centre, it was the middle of the day and there was hardly a soul out, just a few intrepid dog walkers.

Interesting running in the wind, probably a bit dangerous around the trees (after last week’s ‘fun’ I just wanted to get out, I had to take an extra day’s break as it was so I wasn’t going to let a bit of wind stop me!!!) and the dust from the track kept blowing in my face (my Buff came in very handy) but very distracting trying to find the best way to tackle it, so I got 5k under my belt without too much of a struggle.

Today, after a long day yesterday at work, my legs were feeling tired for Parkrun #8. I also volunteered for the first time (officially) putting signs up and my son was timekeeping. It was a good run though, the middle lap is getting easier and I only missed my PB by 21 seconds. Bit cold though, and I got damp feet from wandering around in the grass for too long. Time for adding winter running clothes to the wardrobe I think.

As son was timekeeping we stayed until the very end and clapped a C25K group into the funnel. Watching them reminded me of what an amazing thing C25K is, they all looked so elated as they ‘crossed the line’ and the camaraderie of the group was fantastic.

Happy running everyone 😊👍 🦆🦆🦆

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Great pikkie... Well done you!

[sunshinefish Graduate]

I think I recognise this place...was there in August visiting family and always take the kids there as the playground is good for older kids and the carvings keep them amused as well as the rope playground!

What a great place to run! Although yes, I would be worried about the trees too! Bet it was fantastic in summer though.

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to sunshinefish]

I’ve yet to run there in the summer tbh sunshinefish . It always feels a bit too far out to run to and back but I made a deal with myself to explore further to make my runs more interesting and it’s not as far as I thought. I think running close to home was like a comfort blanket if something went wrong but I need to put that idea to one side now and spread my wings. It’s also part of the annual 10k route, so I’m thinking, one day...maybe... But you’re right, the whole area is great to run in, there’s loads for kids to do and I’ve only touched a tiny bit of it’s running route potential so far.

[sunshinefish Graduate in reply to TailChaser]

I appreciate your comments about a comfort blanket, I run around a running track near home and am scared of tackling pavements and hills!

I bet a 10 k around this area would have gorgeous views. When we were up in summer I did think about how it would be to run there and being only a couple of weeks in, thought it would be well out of my league.

Keep at it and hopefully the annual 10 k will include you one day!

[Katnap Graduate]

At least it wasn't wet as well

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Well done for going out on Wednesday TailChaser, we chickened out because of the wind and rain. Where is your little disused railway cafe ? 🚃 It looks a great place for after run refreshments.

How did your son get on with being timekeeper? I’m too scared to make a mess of that job.

It is great to see the c25k runners and remind ourselves of where we came from. I think I’ll have to get one of those c25k t-shirts ... but I agree we are going to need different clothes now it’s getting cold

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

It is, I felt a great sense of belonging seeing the C25Kers, like we all belong to the same club. I get the feeling a lot of those who do Parkrun (maybe of a certain age...) are ex-C25Kers.

The cafe is on the Stratford (upon Avon) Greenway. Unfortunately (but understandably) it’s only open certain times, they do a great sausage bap and hot chocolate though. There’s another a mile further down the line but it’ll be a few months before I can run to that one and back I think 😂

There are two timekeepers in case of hiccups...and my son did have a hiccup, after logging all the times he hit reset by mistake 😱. The run director was very kind and reassured him that it happens and it happened to him in the early days. He’s happy to give it another go so fingers crossed!

[Flaraflarkin Graduate]

Ooh TailChaser Autumnal windy runnng conditions 😬 So much more appealing (for me) than that hot n sweaty Summer running!! Well done you!! 21seconds of that PB 💪👊👏 Quack Quack 🦆🦆

[TailChaser Graduate in reply to Flaraflarkin]

I have to say I felt a bit put out about the weather today. We started this in cold, wet weather, got used to it, then the hot stuff hit, got used to it, now we’ve got to start all over again with the cold wet stuff... However, you’re right, once I got into my stride I remembered that (apart from the ‘warm up’ walk) it is actually much better to run in. But I am going to have to go shopping now and get some warmer leggings. Getting there Flara, getting there! 😁🦆😁