13th July

I have not been taking the Alphabet challenge very seriously.I have been attending Park run for almost 2 years now and I have completed just 12 letters of the Park run alphabet,which ,in case you don’t know,has only 25 letters instead of 26-you collect the initial letter of the course name excluding ‘X’.The letter ‘J’ seemed a good place  to start ticking off my alphabet simply because there are just 2 events to choose from and one of them is local(ish).So Jersey Farm it was.

It was warm and muggy when we left at 7.10.It took us an hour to get there and then a short walk(about 20 minutes) from the free! carpark at the Spencer recreation ground on the High street.The Facebook page was very informative so we knew the nearest toilets to the course were here.When we arrived,we could see that there were several other tourists and we soon got chatting to Geoff from Reigate and another guy from Rickmansworth. We took the obligatory photos and then  it was time for the first timers briefing . There were 55 first timers,1/3 of the 177 runners in total.Tracey,who gave the briefing was very engaging and funny.The description of the course sounded complicated as it has two different laps,it has recently been changed to accommodate the nesting skylarks.

“Hands up who is here to collect their ‘J’?” Tracey asked.There were a few of us.

The course is 2 undulating,laps on grass and trail.You start on the open field and its a varied course, twisting and turning in and out of the woods.The laps were slightly different  but it was well signposted and marshals directing where you should go for the second lap.On the second lap,you are running through tall grass on a very narrow path.and then it goes uphill.You have time to get your breath back  before a sharp turn right and then back on the short grass towards the finish funnel.

This course reminded me a little of Wanstead flats.I loved the feeling of wilderness and I particularly loved running through the tall grass with the wind in my hair,i was in my element.The uphill section was just enough to test me so I was pleased about that too. No PBs here for either of us,but Bill is gaining fitness again after being injured for several weeks where I am struggling with the heat and getting slower.Even so,I really enjoyed this course.

There was a pop up coffee bar for refreshments.You could leave your belongings on the blue tarpaulin near the finish funnel.We stayed for coffee after and walked back with Geoff to the car park.

29th June

Just a quick mention about last week-I  visited my home course and clocked up my 54th run there and my 81st park run.I had read on Facebook that the author of the Stay frosty podcast was planning to visit so I hastily listened to a couple of episodes in case I should spot her in the crowd.I didn’t see her and haven’t caught up with all  the podcasts yet so don’t know if she did visit after all.It was nice to see some regulars there though-Deborah,Morag and Dini.I came away with inspiration for future events.

Its official!I am now a fully fledged Park run tourist!Yay! Haha.The idea to visit Lowestoft came about because the weather forecast for the weekend in London, predicted sunshine and temperatures could  reach low 30s  so  we thought  it would be nice to go to the coast for the day.We haven’t been to Lowestoft before and it ticked ‘L’ and ‘West'(although it is actually in the  East)  and it has a uphill section so it seemed ideal. And it was.

We left at 5.45 to drive there and arrived at 8.20.When we arrived ,I could see some volunteers and the run director by the pier.He asked us where we were visiting from as he likes to make a list.He directed us to the start line which was about 300 metres back along the prom next to the pavilion.First timers brief and then we lined up.

The course is 2 and a bit laps on tarmac.It starts on the lower  promenade with the beach on your left.You pass the pier and  continue until you  pass some beach huts on your right before going up again  via a winding narrow slope.There was a marshal here asking you to walk on the left and run on the right.I was surprised that most people were walking,even the speedy runners.I managed to get up there without walking on both laps,which I was pleased about,  although I did feel a bit lightheaded the second time round.I had been running with a lady from Kesgrave who left me behind at this point.Perhaps it wasn’t my best idea to start running uphill on the hottest day of the year. There was another marshal at the top of the slope.You now have the beach on your right as you go back along the upper prom  towards the pier again.You turn left in the gardens opposite and complete a circuit here before turning left onto the prom and right to start  your  second lap from this point.You finish back in the gardens.

 

There was 2 large carparks and street parking available.There were toilets  by the pavillion usually 20p.There was a café by the pier.I forgot to ask if there was somewhere to leave your belongings,I daresay you could ask someone to look after them at the finish line before you make your way down to the start.There was a volunteer taking photos at this event.

I loved this course and had a nice day on the beach and walking to Ness point.We  plan to come back soon. I shall postpone  any more plans  for  hill training  until the autumn though.

 

15th June

 

 

I decided to make my Bushy Pilgrimage for my 20th different event.My tourist challenge and Bushy pilgrimage both ticked now!This is another part of London I’ve not visited,well I’ve been  to the Hampton court flower show but didn’t explore the area.It was the first time I’ve travelled by train (and 2 tubes)to a parkrun course,which I’m glad I did now because I met a lovely Aussie couple,Mary and Bruce on the train whilst waiting to depart from Waterloo.I’ve actually now  met an Australian named Bruce!,i thought it was a myth haha.They were telling me about the courses in Oz,their home course is Cooks River in Sydney.We also discussed the weather…it has improved, well,it wasn’t raining …and for a short while,it even looked as if the sun might shine.

We arrived at Bushy park at 8.25. at the gate opposite Hampton Court palace.It is a large park and there wasn’t any signs at this gate  (what I could see anyway)or any other runners to give us further information but fortunately then we met a guy who appeared to know what he was doing, it turned out he was a regular and he  told us what we needed to know and even walked with us to where it all happens.

There were huddles of people here but there still wasn’t any signs or volunteers in hi viz  in sight which surprised me.But it was still early so we waited.Just before 9.50 a lady came running  towards us waving a fluorescent orange placard saying ‘First timers briefing here’ There was 163 first timers and tourists which, is the most I’ve seen at any event. I couldn’t hear what was said but  as I knew i wouldn’t be in the lead i would always have someone else to follow anyway.As it is the  third Saturday of the month,there would be pacers-even numbers this time as its an even numbered  month then odd next month and so on.We then joined the pack of runners behind us.We kept the ’30’ pacer in sight.

The course is a flat,single  lap around one section of the park.To start,there is a very wide grassy area which becomes a tarmac and then, gravel, path.I found the grass hard going and was struggling to keep up with the pacer.The course turns left and right,or maybe even right and left-my sense of direction isn’t great at the best of times and with the sheer amount of people and green all around,i lost my bearings. I couldn’t see any landmarks. Mary went ahead and I was now behind the ’32’ pacer who was very encouraging as we ran.There was a lake on my right and I crossed a bridge on the last stretch to the finish funnel.

There was a double funnel for the queue for finish tokens.I came in 1,129 at 32.13. but according to the run report,the results after number 851 are inaccurate due to missing tokens.The queue for the tokens was very long, so although its a tad irritating,its not that surprising that some people might duck the funnel.

I enjoyed my time here but I was ever so slightly disappointed with this course. I don’t know what I was expecting.It is the largest event I’ve visited and  my first single lap course, and I’ve discovered i’m not a fan of them.I like to take in the surroundings while i’m running but  I couldn’t do this because for the entire time all  I could see were (1,421) runners  and it became boring. The run director and volunteers were all lovely though and its a nice park with the river Thames and Hampton Court palace  nearby so good for a daytrip.

There is a carpark but obviously a lot of traffic so  quickly fills up.There are toilets behind the children’s playground in the park,there was a queue before the start.There were toilets at the station and  I would advise you use  these if you can,to avoid the queue in the park.There is also a café in the park.There didn’t appear to be anywhere you could leave your belongings whilst you ran but as Bruce kindly offered to look after my bag,i didn’t actually enquire about this.

My new Aussie friends have inspired me to tackle my hatred of hill training and just start with visiting hilly parkrun courses.So that’s what I plan to do next.Who knows,i might grow to like them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8th June

No tourism planned for today,instead I had hoped to get back to Beckton but didn’t want to get out of bed and didn’t actually get out of bed until after 8am so good old Wanstead flats would be my destination today.I felt bloody knackered but didn’t want to miss out so I went along anyway.

I wasn’t going to write about this week,seeing as i didn’t visit a new course but this week went well so I want to have a record of it.

It felt like autumn had arrived-it was 12c and damp.I got there just in time for the announcements.There were a lot of tourists this week but other than that it was business as usual.

My run started well,I reminded myself not to set off too fast so had a steady pace round the first lap.My legs felt heavy on the second lap so I slowed down but it seemed harder still this way.This feeling passed so then I concentrated on overtaking the person in front.I had to slow down again but found i had the energy for a short sprint to the finish which I was pleased about.No PB for me but I did get my fastest time this year at this course of 32.26.This made my day!My PB here is 31.52 ,set last November.

My weekday running and swimming lessons are making progress again after being stuck and it’s encouraging that the run today went well too.I think I may be getting my mojo back again!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 25th MayIt wasn’t my intention to visit Hackney Marshes  so soon after the 5k last weekend,however a last minute change of plans meant I needed to stay local after all. I’ve run the Wanstead Flats course to death and Hackney Marshes is the  next nearest  event which I have visited just  once previously,in August last year.It was the third course I visited and as I like to keep things tidy, I thought perhaps I should revisit the courses in the order that I did before I started this blog.I quickly dismissed that idea  when I remembered that Walthamstow was the second course I visited.It is one of my least favourite.I shall visit Walthamstow again one day, for sake of the blog.

It was cloudy and 12c on the way. It did get warmer quite quickly though and by the time I finished, the sun was blazing. It was the 9th birthday of the course and also one of the regulars was celebrating his 250th run.He brought an impressive cake. Wonky Bear was also in town,I have no idea who he is, but apparently he  is quite a well travelled bear, down from Newcastle this week.

The course is how I remember it.The course is  flat,out and back on a tarmac path with two ‘there and back’ gravel paths.You follow the path alongside the marshes where  the Orbit in the Olympic park soon comes into view in the distance.By now you are sharing the path with runners coming back as you head onto  the first ‘there and back’ path.There was a sign and  marshal  directing you  when to turn  back and then towards a bridge crossing the River Lea.Then theres’s another gravel path with a marshal where you turn back,across the bridge again and towards the finish.

One thing has changed since I was here last-now the volunteers doing the barcode scanning are by the rusty Hackney Marshes centre.This has been moved because there are a lot of runners and there would be overcrowding near the finish funnel,with a  long queue of people alongside,waiting with their finish tokens to get scanned,  whilst other runners were still coming  through.

There is ample parking for cars and bikes.There are toilets and  a café at the centre which was already open.I forget this course is on my doorstep and really should visit more often,i like it a lot.No PB but I did tick off ’58’ on the  stopwatch bingo challenge

 

18th May

Ahead of the Hackney 5k this afternoon, i thought it may be best for me to stay local for Park run this week to save my energy for running rather than travelling. I read on Facebook that it was the birthday of my home course and the course would be run in reverse, oh and the lure of cake for breakfast tempted me back. This would be my 52nd run there.

I can’t say I was looking forward to it, I felt tired.Thankfully, my hip has fully recovered from whatever was wrong with it and I have cycled twice this week and have resumed one extra 5k run in the week.

It was a bit chilly as I walked to the course.I was glad for my jacket.Then the sun popped out and I wished I had worn my sunglasses instead and left the jacket behind.Met Morag and then it was usual Park run stuff and then it was time to run.

I started off energetically and left Morag behind. I  found the course harder going in reverse which was a bit odd.Maybe because I was tired or because I started too quickly ?I can overanalyse for England haha. By the second lap I was flagging and Morag overtook me.So did lots of other runners.It was quite muggy now and I felt  uncomfortably hot.I had forgotten how much I hate running in the warm weather.I was so glad to finish just to have a glass of water.My time this week was 34.05.

 

 

 

11th May

I was impulsive on Friday and just decided on a whim to visit Maidstone. Its been many years since I last visited the area,my mum spent her childhood here. This would be my 18th different event.

It was still chilly (for May),about 10c,cloudy and looked like rain.We arrived early and there were two marshals who were directing everyone to the carpark ahead.I have to say that I barely read the course description,just that the event was held at Kent Life,i assumed it was a museum.We walked back towards the marshals and realised that it was a farm. What a lovely surprise! Went to say Good morning to the donkeys and geese (who hissed back at me) before joining the group of volunteers  and runners for the first timers briefing. There was the mention of a hill at the end of the course-‘but its not a very big one’ and we all laughed(and groaned) and replied ‘We’ve heard that before’. Notices were held up in the crowd to remind everyone to be quiet during the announcments. It was 9.05 by the time we lined up to start.The faster runners were encouraged to go in front as the course is narrow  in parts.You can say that again. The start was congested  and I ran and  then walked and then ran again to begin with.

Its an out and back course.The course starts on a tarmac path back across the road past  the carpark and right along a narrow gravel path with a shallow drop on the right.  which became wider as you ran along the  Medway towpath.Further ahead it was very narrow where you could only run single file and it was shuffling along at this point.There was a abrupt stop and I nearly collided with the lady in front.It became a slightly wider gravel path,the runners returning at this point and then you turn left to run up a slight slope and across the blue  bridge to Whatman park.Then  onto a gravel path through the park and turn round back and head back towards the bridge and on.There was a guy taking photos on the towpath on the way back.Then there was another guy taking yet more photos near the entrance to the farm.I have seen one of the photos, the other one is out there in the ether somewhere…

You run back past the entrance to the farm ,theres a barn on your left piping cheesy music-my kind of music. When we arrived Baa Baa Baa Baa Barrbara Ann by the Beach boys was playing, for the sheep living nearby no doubt. And The carnival is over by the Seekers-you get the idea.

There were hens and sheep on the right as you approach the finish line at the top of the hill.I was pleasantly surprised,it really wasn’t a big hill,more like a slope.Bill was waiting for me there.

There are plenty of free parking spaces available.There are toilets and a café for refreshments afterwards.

This has to be the most charming  Park run event i have visited yet.It is a varied and picturesque course.I had a lovely time here and will be back.

4th May

I haven’t run at Beckton since January-wow, where did those months go!?so a visit to my favourite Park run was overdue.I have been feeling a tad despondent about my iffy hip, half stone weight gain and slower running times and it just felt like what i needed.

It was sunny but chilly when I left at 8.15 to cycle to the course.I estimated it would take me about 20 minutes to get to the course but it was more like 35 minutes by the time I arrived. So there was just enough time for quick hellos to everyone before the first timers briefing, which is held for the whole group as it is such a small one-just 57 runners and we all lined up at the start.

Feeling determined to challenge myself this week,I positioned myself in the middle  this time.I started well and noticed that the grass on the first kilometre of the course had dried completely and was smooth and even to run on.When I first ran here,it was in the autumn and this section had large cracks and could be very slippery if you didn’t have trail shoes on (which I hadn’t).Spring has sprung since i ran here last, the trees in the ‘corridor’  and towards the finish line had dense foliage now and shaded the route.Other than that, the same course, even with the discarded supermarket trolleys which i always wonder about.

After a promising start,my energy levels were fluctuating and it felt hard to run at times and at one point my legs felt like jelly.I’ve never experienced that before.There was a man behind me who kept clearing his throat and i ran as fast as i could,if only to  be out of earshot of the gross sound.Silence was golden but then he raced past me just ahead of the corridor on the second lap.At least i didn’t have to listen to him anymore.

I managed to sprint to the finish and my time was exactly 32 minutes which i am delighted with.My alltime PB at Park run is 31.24 which was set at this course.

This is by far the friendliest course i have visited.I’ve found my people here.Wanstead flats may be my home course but Beckton is my spiritual home.I won’t leave it so long next time.

 

 

 

 

27th April

I just love that name-Catford. In case you don’t already know, I adore all cats and any tenuous connection to them.I had already been thinking about visiting some more South London courses and then  when I discovered via their Facebook page that it would soon be their 1st birthday and to wear cat costume , I thought 

‘I can wear my new cat print leggings’

 

Bill is still injured from last week so he came along to cheer me on. In contrast to the warm weather of last weekend,it felt bloody freezing this morning.It was overcast and with a cold wind and a few showers, it felt colder than the 8c on the gauge. Google  took us on what seemed like the longest possible route and  then suddenly we arrived at Mountsfield Park at nearly 8.45.

The meeting place was at the bandstand.There were a few runners wearing cat masks  and one guy was wearing a  striped  pink cat suit.I had planned to go OTT and also wear ears,tail  and makeup but was glad I hadn’t when I realised I  would have been the only one.The cake looked cute.

We huddled nearby for the first timers briefing and the most exotic tourists’ destination this week was Glasgow ha ha.Then it was time to line up.The course was being run in reverse today.It was narrow at the start and  I positioned myself near the back. I took a couple of photos of the course and then my phone battery died.

It was a 2 3/4 lap course starting on a narrow tarmac path going round at a sharp left turn onto grass.And the rest is a blur.I had been running with Hayley from Bromley and  was just enjoying running and chatting about other South London courses that Hayley had visited.I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings but I  do remember  running up a slight hill and completing the lap by the bandstand where Bill and some volunteers were cheering before going round again.

The cake had been scoffed  by the time I finished (34.24)My 5k time is  getting slower.My  exercise  routine has gone a bit pearshaped since I tripped whilst running a few weeks ago. For the last three weeks,except for the Easter 10k and Park run each week,i’ve not run at all because I still get  pain in my hip afterwards. I am cycling as much as possible  instead which doesn’t appear to be aggravating the problem and helps me feel less frustrated about it. It might  also be helpful  to actually attend my swimming lesson each week, oh,and to stop eating reduced price Easter eggs on a daily basis.

This is another area of London I haven’t visited before.I did see the Catford cat but felt cold  after running so didn’t hang around.

There is ample parking alongside the park. There were two containers which housed the toilets, the lock didn’t work. There was a café nearby.I would like to visit this course again.

 

 

 

 

 

20th April

Its Easter! I love this holiday, i much prefer it to Christmas, its less commercial and pressured and has more meaning, light evenings  and warmer weather(this year anyway).I didn’t do Parkrun last weekend as I was unwell. I ran my second 10k race at Vicky park yesterday and got a PB of 1hr 9.58 which i’m very happy with.But I woke up with that niggle in my left hip from when I tripped  a few weeks ago,  playing up again, and now my left hamstring is sore too.I considered whether to volunteer instead, but I have to admit, the idea is scary and i’m not ready for it yet.

It was a sunny 17c morning as I walked/limped to Wanstead flats.I met Morag and we ran most of the course together. Same as, but you had to watch where you trod today,there was a large pothole as you went along the clearing towards the woodland and further ahead,the usually muddy trails  had now dried up and the ground was uneven. There was also a heap of flytipped building material as you came back round towards the playing field. My hip/leg seemed to improve on the soft ground.But about 3/4 of the way round, though,I was lagging  behind as it started aching again. i couldn’t have gone much slower without stopping and was irritated by the runners passing me. So,I foolishly tried to sprint for the finish .Not good. I had left the runners behind but I felt a weird sensation in my left thigh as if my leg  was going to give way just as I came through the finish funnel. Soon as I stopped though it felt better so hopefully I haven’t done any serious damage and I just need to rest.