A long wait, but gremlins did NOT win the day!!!

[linda9389]

My first ever Parkrun was at Penticton, BC, Canada on 8th September 2018. Despite several attempts, it has taken me almost three and a half years to get the opportunity to run it again; between stress fractures, covid, not being in the right place on a Saturday morning ... well let's say a lot of things have gotten in the way.

I arrived here on Tuesday, knowing that this particular parkrun was restarting after yet another Covid break, on my first Saturday here. Surely this was meant to be!

Last night we checked the forecast for 8am (is there ANY other parkrun that starts at this ridiculous hour?): -3C, winds 20 kph gusting to 40kph, wind chill -8C. Whaaaattttt? Could I run in that? Add the fact that I've had a bad stomach and not eaten properly since I arrived but was still managing to drink glasses of Aperol Spritz in quantities not conducive to running 🤔. No. The decision was made before bed last night. I would not run it this weekend. Next weekend may be better.

But then I woke at 6:40. Hmmm. Could I really pass up this opportunity after such a long wait? Did it matter one jot if I couldn't beat my 2018 time?

Decision reversed. Some quick preparation and I found myself driven to the lakeshore. Yes the pavement was clear of snow and ice, but oh my ... there were hardly any runners to be seen! Maybe I shouldn't bother. There would be nowhere to hide. I didn't need to come last this morning!!! But hang on, I had waited so long to redo this course. Big girl pants on please. You can surely do this? If not, you know the day will be full of regret.

So, big girl pants on I opened the door, took a sharp intake of breath, gloves on ... and went and announced myself as a parkrun tourist from the UK, to the small - very small - assembled group! Of course everyone was lovely. I loved it. I was very happy and it was the best start to a beautiful day. I came lower middle of the pack as always, in a field of just 17 runners (and walkers).

I guess I will never totally outrun the gremlins, but I do have slightly more confidence in my chances of beating them into submission.

Oh ... and I beat my previous attempt on this course by just over a minute. Result!!!

(photo is actually Peachland rather than Penticton, but same lake, same mountains)

[RunWillie Marathon]

Well done linda9389

Our park run starts at that ridiculous hour which is too late in the Summer due to heat.

Glad you got your big girl pants on 🤣

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

I guess that is also a consideration here in the summer ... but not just now!!!!!😍

[Irish-John Marathon]

I am genuinely in awe! It takes true grit to do a run like that - quite frankly, no way would I! Hard core Run, AWESOME Runner 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

I'm pretty sure it wasn't as cold as forecast IJ. The wind was from the side which helped too 😀

[Irish-John Marathon in reply to linda9389]

It got to minus 2 here - I'm moving to Florida lol

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irish-John]

🤣🤣🤣

[Kevin41 Half Marathon]

Brilliant linda9389

Genuinely pleased for you and this is a great reminder for when I think it’s a little too chilly or windy to run, it’s probably not!!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Kevin41]

It wasn't as bad as forecast I'm sure, but my layers were enough and I even had to ditch the buff for the second lap 😀. We can tolerate more than we imagine!

[Frenc Half Marathon]

Fantastic! That is some gremlin beating, and what a beautiful location. I’m not surprised it was such a fantastic start to the day, well done you! 😊😊😊

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Frenc]

Gremlins are persistent little devils, but not quite persistent enough 😀

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Woo hoo! That’s a brilliant success Linda! Definitely a run to remember for always for all sorts of reasons but it does look spectacular 😍 Well done 💪

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I will certainly remember it. Not least for not overtaking the lady in front of me ... she led all the way and it seemed rude, in such a small field, especially as a visitor, to attempt to steal the position in the last few metres 🤣

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Blimey 😯 that’s brilliant self-control! Not sure I could have done that. Well done 😇

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I think you could 🥰. It honestly just seemed churlish (and had she had more in the tank than me, and fought back ... there was nowhere to hide that potential shame 🤣)

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

Very well done Linda. That’s put our moans about a chilly wind in Southsea into context. Now you’ve done it once, you can do it again next week too. 🏃‍♀️🇨🇦

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

The wind was.coming from the side mostly - that makes a big difference! Although rynning on the lakeshore, the wind was coming from the town direction so I reckon we were more sheltered than you Dexy. Feel free to keep moaning 😀

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

What a fabulous result Linda! Gremlins batted away, previous time beaten. Woohoo! 🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️🤸‍♀️

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Bloomin'gremlins CC! About time they just gave up I reckon 🤣

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Yes, you’d think they’d move on from us runners wouldn’t you? We’re a tough lot. 😅

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Esp runners with friends (VRBs), we're all but invincible 😀

[Over62 Half Marathon]

Fabulous so pleased for you and the gremlins sent packing!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Over62]

It's nice to feel you've won the day occasionally 😊

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

Well done Linda 🥳👏🏻 How great to be one of such a small select group, and a better time than last time too. Fabulous!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Sandie1961]

It was probably the cold that made me faster 😀 ... although it took some time getting used to breathing in that chill!

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Omg this is completely awesome!!!!!!! Well done, Linda 😍😍😍😍😍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to roseabi]

It was everything I'd hoped it would be ... but I still prefer hiding in a crowd 😀

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

You certainly were a select group!

[Bluebirdrunner]

Wonderful stuff Linda. GO YOU! 🏃‍♀️🌟👌❤xxx

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks BB. Funny, but the first three km felt like no effort at all. So flat and straight, there's very little to interrupt your rhythm. Well ... except a group of ducks that had taken over the path ... carnage as we passed (runners in each direction) and the ducks all panicked and flew up into the air amongst us 🤣

[Birdlady64]

Fantastic! One to remember for all sorts of reasons. Very well done 👏

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Birdlady64]

Yes, that will be a warm memory I'm sure.

[Joster Half Marathon]

Fabulous, what a great parkrun story! Congratulations for everything - being there, braving it, taking part, getting cheered on and beating your time!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Joster]

Thank you. I'm not a big parkrunner, so it was very satisfying 😊

[GTFC Marathon]

How wonderful Linda and I'm so pleased for you that your bravery made permanent memories for you. Brilliant stuff, massive congratulations on the courage you have shown leading up to this 🙌

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to GTFC]

Indeed. Lack of courage can hold us back from too much if we aren't careful 😊

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon]

Well done! So glad that you got to do the parkrun again. Conquering a parkrun in the cold is an invigorating experience! You beat your previous time despite all the obstacles from the previous evening and the weather. Sometimes we have great runs when we least expect it. 👏👏

In Montreal people would arrive at winter parkruns tired, grumpy and pretty quiet. Afterwards at coffee the room would be buzzing. The participants would be excitedly discussing the course, the weather, and how they handled it. The change in energy level from before to after the run was striking. Much more so than in warmer weather. We’ve been cancelled almost two years now due to provincial Covid restrictions.

Wishing you a great trip and another great run next Saturday!! 🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Lavender1962]

I can well imagine that! I was buzzing afterwards - not in a crazy way, but in a truly energised way. I do hope yours start soon, that'ssuch a long time. It looks like Kelowna is still closed next weekend because of 'city restrictions', but I have one more Saturday after that so I won't give up just yet.

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I hope you get to do Kelowna. Have you tried any other winter sports or gone on a hike?

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Lavender1962]

We skied at Big White one Easter when my hubby and the kids came too - that was great fun compared to European skiing. But that's all. I'm staying with my 78 year old father so we tend to restrict ourselves to electric bikes and short walks 😀

[misswobble Marathon]

Brrrrrrrr 🥶. I felt the chill when you mentioned opening the car door 😁🌊💦💨

Sounds fabulous! Always a blast to run somewhere new. Looks like an amazing landscape. Well done 💪👊✊🙂👍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to misswobble]

It is very beautiful. The edge if the lake was still frozen. The ducks were everywhere too 🤣

[skysue16 Half Marathon]

Wow, wonderful- very well done! It looks very beautiful if not very chilly!! Lovely post 😀

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to skysue16]

It is a gorgeous place - and my first visit in winter 😊

[sparky66 Half Marathon]

Awe smashing Linda 😁That's brilliant you talked yourself around, sounds like you really enjoyed it too..

Well done 👏👏👏

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to sparky66]

Oh yes! I spoke to myself most sternly 🤣

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Gutsy run linda9389; one which will stick in the memory. On my only run in Canada all I could think about was the potential to run into carnivores. I was told, later, that we were way too far south for bears etc…..and the worst I was likely to come across was a coyote…typical tourist!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

🤣🤣🤣 when we go cycling we're always on a bear hunt.. occasionally we're successful (but just small very cuddly looking ones so far 😍)

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I would be looking over my shoulder for Mummy Bear! We were “bear trained” by our daughter before we were allowed to visit her for lakeside holidays in Canada ( further North than Windsor!!) for the first time; she did the field work for her PhD in Alaska so she had to know what to do. We may have been slightly overtrained……🙂

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Which parkrun were you at in Canada?

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Lavender1962]

It wasn’t a park run Lavender. I was around Windsor Ontario and took an 8k run along a green lane. It wasn’t a holiday visit; just a midweek run for a bit of light relief 🙂

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Not too many bears in Windsor! 🙂

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Lavender1962]

Exactly !

I have ventured further north as far as Algonquin, and have had holidays by the side of woodland surrounded lakes. The bears were there but didn’t appear; a couple of moose and a stray Fisher popping out of the forest was about it…,. But strange things happen to the brain when you are on strange territory by the side of deep dark woods!!

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

There are bears at Algonquin park. Yes, it’s nerve wracking. Every little noise.

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

Fantastic post Linda - well done!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to JonathanP]

Cheers! One of my better choices 😊

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Oh well done Linda! Glad you were able to hush the gremlins. Also course PR, so win-win!

I had to smile at the BC -8 windchill. That’s considered balmy here this time of year! 🙂.

I still have to try the Parkrun experience!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Decker]

I did think of you Decker!!! Figured I was being a total wimp by your standards 🙈😀

[Decker Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

Ha no not at all. It’s just acclimatization and layer choices. I’ve been avoiding the deep freeze runs this year as my fingers just get numb and white in the last year or so. You did awesome!

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

Great run for you Linda despite the cold weather, lovely photo, by the way New Zealand Parkruns start at 8am.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Oh they do? I won't feel so bad then 😀. It's odd though, because the one twenty minutes away - also on BC - starts at 9am. I guess it may be a city restriction.

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

This is brilliant well done that lady! Sounds like a real adventure and bet you are pleased you woke up early after all xxx

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

I certainly was! Really it took 'fate' to get me out there 😊

[Blackberrypie Half Marathon]

Take that, gremlins!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Blackberrypie]

They do need to be told 😀

[johnm12 Half Marathon]

Top job Linda! The parkrun we did in Franshoek, South Africa in 2019 also started at 8.00 am, but in that case because it got too hot later!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to johnm12]

Ooh that sounds nice! Avoiding the heat sounds like something you would really want to do!