September 28th

We were in town for the weekend to see the Porthcawl Elvis festival.I won’t go on much about that,only to say that it has to be one of  the most surreal experiences I’ve ever had,and that if you are a fan of The King, you must go and see it.This isn’t my first visit  to  Porthcawl -that was before I started Park running ,but with an Elvis themed event this week ,we just had to go along.

We were staying in Cardiff so we left at 7.20 to allow plenty of time to  get our bearings when we arrived.The Welsh weather made the journey hair raising -pouring rain and high winds and juggernaults speeding  past us, spraying the car.Thankfully the heavy rain stopped enroute.I knew that it wasn’t the usual course and there was road closures,but we needn’t have worried,it was clearly signposted and we arrived in one piece.The carpark was very cheap- £3 for the day which I was pleasantly surprised about.I didn’t ask about toilets  but you are near the town centre so daresay could find them there if not along the promenade.There are a couple of cafes on the seafront.

As we arrived,there were other runners so we followed them towards the course.Before the run,there was an Elvis fancy dress contest on the steps of The Pavillion.The strong wind was causing wigs and sideburns to flap about,which I found quite amusing.Then it was onto the start.This alternative course consists of part of the route of the Porthcawl 10k race.It was an out and back along the promenade.It started on the road just along from the Pavillion- straight ahead and you turn right onto the lower  promenade.The path here is paved or tarmac all the way.Looking out to sea at  this point.On the way out,you were running on a gradual uphill slope with the wind blowing against you.As you go up, it becomes narrower and you need to keep left so the returning runners can pass .There was a small grassy section that was very uneven just before you turn back,it was mentioned in the brief and there was a marshal there to remind you.Then it was downhill all the way with the wind behind you.The finish funnel was straight on past where you came off the road earlier,near the lifeboats station.

What a brilliant morning!I really enjoyed my run here and feel i’m getting fitter.My time was 32.52 which I’m really pleased about.We spent some time chatting to Stuart,the run director and all the volunteers were so friendly.They put on a few themed events each year.We then got caught in a heavy downpour  so dashed off to get changed but we shall be back soon to run their usual course.

21st September

We wanted to get home to watch the rugby World Cup today so needed to stay local.Bill hadn’t been here before(and would get a ‘M’).I have visited the course once before, last year ,before I started this blog so now I could include it.Mile End was the 5th different course I visited,last September.

Bright ,sunny morning for it. The carpark is small and charges £1 for a couple of hours.Its a short walk past the leisure centre and athletics track to the start.I don’t remember the park looking quite so unloved last time I was here-it was overgrown and had a lot of litter.However,it has good facilities for the parkrunner-toilets and lockers in the yellow athletics centre and a van selling coffee and snacks,and all next to the start/finish.

The course is an out and back loop on two tarmac paths that you run twice.You follow the path uphill towards the bridge and down towards the canal.A short distance alongside Regents canal and turn right, back up towards the bridge again.Theres a good view of Canary Wharf from here.Back down towards the start where the run director and volunteers were cheering and you went round again.You finish alongside the athletics centre.

I GOT A NEW PB!-33.10,11 seconds faster than last time.I like this course a lot,although it was nothing like I remembered!I have just 3 courses now that I visited before this blog-Walthamstow, Valentines and Barking and I plan to go back to them all before the end of the year.

14th September

I chose this because the course description sounded nice and would tick ‘D’ for the alphabet challenge.Another park that we wouldn’t have visited if not for park run.We left at 7am and arrived with a couple of minutes to spare,missed the first time brief so joined the runners on the grass by the finish funnel for the last of the announcements before having a short walk to the start.

Beautiful day and beautiful setting .Flat with 2 different laps on trail and gravel paths round the lakes returning back past the start to the finish funnel.Km markers on the way round.So relaxing and I felt very well after my run.

Everyone here was so friendly.Massive thank you to the volunteers!You could leave your belongings on a tarpaulin sheet near the finish.There was a cafe and toilets near the car park.Parking £1.50 per hour or £6 for 4 hours or longer.Beware,the traffic warden was hovering!

This is one of my favourite courses and hope to visit again.

7th September

Monday 2nd September was my 2nd Park run anniversary!I still recall that random comment from a friend in the gym ,as I was running C25K on the treadmill ,that would lead me to travel to various places most Saturday mornings and change my life.

“Why don’t you join that running group over the flats”Jenny said.

I had no idea what she was talking about but I googled and registered,printed out my barcode and went along the very next day.

Here we are,2 years later…

Last minute change of plan had us heading east to my 6th NENDY course,Harrow Lodge for Lon-Done 21/56 and hub’s ‘H’.Nice cool morning-perfect for running.Short drive-took about 40 mins.No parking restrictions on the road alongside the park,also there is a free car park near the start/finish further along Warren road.

Harrow Lodge park is large open fields,with wooded areas.It reminded me of Wanstead flats and Wanstead park but more undulating.There were several tourists at the first time brief,most of them quite local like us.There was a runner celebrating his 200th run.

The course is a single lap around the park keeping right with km markers as you go round.It is on grass to start with a tarmac path and trail at times.It was deceptively undulating.You keep left as you head back past the lake,onto the finish funnel alongside the start.

I liked the challenge of this course, I was pleased with my time too-32.46.There was a cafe and toilets by the lake.I didn’t see if there was somewhere you could leave your belongings.The volunteers here were brilliant,especially the lady who was very particular about us not cutting corners and running ‘Round the tree’.A lovely relaxed event.

31st August

We’ve had fun discovering Saaaf London this summer,Peckham Rye was our next stop.

A fresh morning as we left but it soon warmed up.The journey was the most scenic one,at one point we were at the top of Westwood Hill looking at a clear view across London.It took us an hour to get there.There was a free car park and toilets just inside the park.

Peckham Rye park was surprisingly large and pretty with tarmac paths dividing the different areas.

The course is 3 anti-clockwise laps along the tarmac paths with marshals directing at junctions on the path.The start is by the picnic area and then round past the new toilet block and back of the children’s playground.The path is narrow now and slightly uphill.You go across a bridge over the river Peck and then right past the bowling green and pond.The path gets wider when you are back alongside the large picnic area again and turn left for your next lap.You can see the Crystal Palace mast in the distance.On your third lap you turn right towards the finish funnel on the grass.

We went for a walk in the park afterwards. On our way home,we found Only fools and horses’ Del boy’s yellow three wheeler parked outside the Great Western hotel but couldn’t stop for a photo because it’s on a red route.One for next time!

24th August

Decided to visit Burgess because it’s my NENDY and it’s on tarmac which appealed after a few weeks running on grass and trail.

Another hot one.Got there in 50 minutes,the car park on Albany Road is free for 4 hours-it’s a 15 minute walk from there through the park to the start.

The course is out and back on tarmac and is flat except for when you go through the underpass.It starts on the straight path,through the underpass,past the ‘Bridge to Nowhere’ and a couple of left turns towards the lake.You keep left and the faster runners are coming back on your right.

This is one of my favourite events.It was quirky and had a relaxed vibe.We went for a walk round after.

You pass the lake on your left and continue round to your right past some fishermen.Then left again towards the cones.Then back towards the bridge and underpass and turn left on the grass through the finish funnel.The Bridge to Nowhere

My NENDY is now Hilly Fields.

17th August

I chose Nonsuch park for my ‘N’ for the alphabet challenge just because I love the name.It was a large event with over 700 runners.

Well organised event with 2 first time briefs and a double finish funnel.Toilets and cafe next to the mansion.There were 2 car parks.

I had a nice visit here.My time was 33.37.We spent some time in the mansion gardens afterwards.It took us 3!!! hours to get home.

10th August

I  decided to visit Ally Pally  for a couple of reasons…it ticked ‘A’ off the park run alphabet challenge and it had been my NENDY for a while. Not much to say about this one… I was unwell and my memory is vague about the order of the course and I didn’t get many photos. But I did get  round both laps without stopping!

I do remember the steep uphill path though,onto another path,and turning left and continue ascending into the woods and then a sharp right turn. I also remember the  much steeper slope downhill,which,on the first lap, I started to run down hoping to gain some time but nearly went arse over tit, so slowed right down on the second lap.

Everything about Ally Pally park run made a good impression on me- so I shall  return soon  and fill in the gaps re toilets, facilities etc.

My new NENDY is now Burgess.

 

 

 

3rd August

RideLondon freecycle was  abandoned due to last minute issues with my bike blah blah so we decided to visit the  Bethlem Royal Hospital course and the Museum of the mind instead.

Another muggy morning when we left at 7.15.We arrived at 8.20 and it was about 5-10 minute walk from the car park to the start of the course within the hospital grounds.There were clear signs directing us where to go.The first timers briefing informed us of no photography allowed of unknown people in the grounds and no dogs unless you have permission from the hospital trust.

The course is 2 laps of 2 fields.You  follow  a trail path to where the start is,on the first field.It was slightly uphill at this point.The first field joins the second field via a narrow path,you need to stay right at this point as runners are coming back past you on the left.The course is uneven in places.The finish funnel is on the same  trail path that led you to the start.

The volunteers were lovely, there is a nice little café where I got a coffee for 80p! the toilets at the community centre were already open when we arrived,there was free parking and this weekend, the Museum of the Mind was open too.This was very interesting and we spent 2 hours in there.

I found this course challenging today,it seemed longer than 5k.I hope  to visit again when the weather is cooler.

 

 

 

20th July

We were pleased to be able to visit Crystal Palace park run today after having to postpone our planned visit for the last couple of weeks.

It was grey and drizzly this morning when we left and thankfully much cooler than of late.It took an hour and 10 to make the journey.I haven’t been to Crystal Palace or this park before.Park run has been brilliant incentive for us to discover places we wouldn’t have reason to visit otherwise.

The run director was in charge of the first timers briefing and then the announcements when we lined up at the start.There were several dogs joining us today and joined in our applause too.

 

It is an undulating,out and back course. The start is alongside the cafe on a wide,tree lined tarmac path.It turns to the right and you pass a war memorial bell on your left and then veer left again.You continue slightly uphill towards the gates and right towards the site of the old Crystal Palace terrace. The fast runners are coming back by now. The TV broadcasting transmitter is in the distance.The route loops round what remains of the  the terrace of the old Crystal Palace,past the sphinxs and steep(ish)  descent onto another  wide gravel path and back towards the gate.There is a good view across the city.

You then turn right back onto the tarmac path and through the park past,imho,a monstrosity -or as locals call it- ‘the rusty laptop’ in a algae covered pond.I I didn’t realise it was a pond at first,just as well I didn’t step any closer to take photos or else I might have fallen in.Then its across the grass passing the maze on your left.On through the woodland which reminded me of  Hollow Ponds,past the skate park and right on a grassy verge towards the bridge.The athletics stadium is on your right. Then …dinosaurs! The life size dinosaur models are fab! These have recently been restored. Then its on the  grass, between the trees to the finish.No PB for me today-i’m getting slower at 36.04 today!I’m not stressing about this yet,i’m confident I will be able to improve my times when its cooler and the air is fresher.We shall see.

There is a small free carpark and no restrictions on Thicket Road nearby.There are toilets near the start.There is also a café,we didn’t visit today as it was fairly busy.You could leave your belongings on the bench near the finish if needed.

This  is my new favourite London course,I loved it here,the park just needs a little TLC. Beckton is still my favourite for the crowd.We had a wander round after,went in the overgrown maze(and cheated-we climbed over some broken fencing)and got completely drenched in a heavy shower, under the trees next to the dinosaurs.I plan to come back.