UpTheStanley and I arrived at the car park in plenty of time and went to register. It became obvious from our bibs that this was not the chip timed race advertised and I can only imagine that they had not got the expected number of runners, due to Southampton Run Through next week, and had to reduce their expenses accordingly. Still, a run is a run. We walked to the local pub on the edge of the common which had generously offered use of their warm loo facilities, before returning to the car to pin on race numbers and leave our snuggly jackets behind.
It was 5C, feels like 1C in the NE wind chill.
I had a thin merino long sleeve half zip, my GSR 2019 T-shirt, long leggings and gloves on, and wouldn’t have liked any less.
We think there were less than 150 runners there so it was the atmosphere of parkrun with people chatting and wishing each other good luck. The jolly organiser explained the course which consisted of almost 3 laps, each consisting of 3 left turns manned by a marshal.
I started my Garmin a bit late because I was faffing with starting coach Bennett on his 10k race guided run on my phone. It was good to have some company as I was running on my own much of the time trying to keep up within 50m of a lady in bright pink top. You can see from the route map that the path on the right is uphill (for me) and the one on the left is more downhill.
I can’t say I listened to every word CB said but I took on board that I should start steady and keep control of the run , and to stay alert during the 3rd quarter. All was going well until my 8 - 9km when I started run/walking on the uphill. Those long runs missed in rainy November were beginning to show. But I kept going and then really made up for it when I got to the last downhill . UTS was waiting for me about 500m from the end and ran me in . Foolishly, I stopped running at the beginning of the funnel (parkrun indoctrination) but everyone shouted to keep going to the finish line. So I did and collected my medal and paused Garmin.
After a quick slurp I realised I was short of 10km on my watch, so I passed the water to UTS and then ran an extra 30m to get to 10k. UTS thinks I’m absolutely bonkers . Official time will arrive in a few days but Mr Garmin says 1:14:50. I’m happy with that considering my 8th km was 9:07. UTS was around 55 mins - brilliant. Whoops, I mean 53:19.
The common is lovely at this time of year and there were lots of golden leaves still hanging on to the trees, but lots scattered on the paths along with acorns and twigs. Dogs of all shapes and sizes having a good sniff.
I did my first parkrun meet up here in 2019 and this brought back lots of good memories of times with TailChaser and Kat family, cheekychipmunks and Sandie1961 . I waved to your uncle TailChaser. We headed for the same cafe for brekkie and coffee.
Thanks for all your support folks, I’m now flopped on the sofa . That’s me until I have to think about dinner.and football
xxx
Severn Bridge 10k and first VRB meeting!
1st ever organised run yesterday -Preston 10k