First Park Run - but what a hill - aaaaahhhhhhhh

[magster]

In the spirit of the Olympics I decided to do my first 5k park run this morning in Ashton Court in Bristol. Everyone was really friendly and when I asked one chap what the run was like he calmly told me it was a good run apart from the 2.5k uphill section at the start! He followed this up by saying that this was one of the most difficult courses around! Well having never run up a slope never mind a hill for 2.5k I was very tempted to go for a walk instead and find a nice café and sit down and watch the world go by. However I was running with my daughter so decided to give it a go. Started off ok running up a fairly gently slope and then oh my goodness the road just seemed to go straight up. It was so steep that I had to walk part of it before running on again. The course then became a gentle slope again before – yes you have guessed – it went straight up again. My poor old body just went into shock – lactic acid filled my very wobbly legs and my lungs felt as if they were going to burst. I gave up with timing the run and just concentrated on finishing as at this stage I wasn’t quite sure if I could. I carried on and tried to smile at the runners running past me (they were on their way back!) and eventually made it to the half-way point explaining to the marshal that I was probably the last but he said that there were more people behind me. That can’t be right I thought but sure enough there were at least 4 people behind which made me feel slightly better. The run back was fabulous though, as it was all downhill and the views across Bristol were worth all the pain. My daughter and I finished with a sprint and were clapped through the finish by the other runners which gave me a huge sense of achievement. I think we finished in just under 50mins which is slowest run we have done. But I don’t care as I am still alive after having survived the tortuous 2.5k hill:). Would I do it again? You bet

[AliB1 Graduate]

Fantastic!!! I think that sounds like a pretty good time if half of it is up hill so well done!

[Deryn61 Graduate]

Wow respect! That is brilliant, well done! You have put me to shame, me and my easy peasy flat courses!

[AliB1 Graduate in reply to Deryn61]

mine's flat too and i'm sticking with it

[magster Graduate]

Sat watching the Olympics now - full recovery position - cup of tea in one hand slice of toast in the other -

[Greg_M Graduate]

That must have been lovely. I like Ashton Court, used to go there a bit when I lived in Bristol, great venue.

[KANdoit]

YAY!! Well done to both of you

[ladybugw Graduate]

Ashton court is my local park run to, and having walked around it a few times and knowing how hilly it is i have been put off trying the park run. Well done you, you have my total respect for finishing it. I think i may keep an eye out for a slightly easier one to start with though.

[magster Graduate in reply to ladybugw]

Thank you - if you come across an easier one please let me know

[cimer Graduate]

What a hill! Well done!

[wilmacgh Graduate]

Have passed that area on my way to Bristol airport. That's a challenging course. well done you.

[magster Graduate]

Just had an update on my time 39m 55s and not the 50 mins which I thought - go me

[mrqwest Graduate in reply to magster]

Wow, excellent time!

[magster Graduate in reply to mrqwest]

Thank you

[AliB1 Graduate in reply to magster]

That's a great time

[magster Graduate in reply to AliB1]

Thank you

[wilmacgh Graduate in reply to magster]

Brilliant time well done

[magster Graduate in reply to wilmacgh]

Thank you