Alice's Adventures in Running Land
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact

'Tis The Season To parkrun

1/1/2018

2 Comments

 
This seasonal period has offered me the chance to take part in some extra parkrun opportunities on both Christmas Day and New Year's Day. I find it mad to think that a couple of years ago I would not have completed either, and yet now parkrun is a predominant feature in my plans. I think if there was any doubt about the impact parkrun is having on peoples’ lives and their physical activity habits, then this time of year demonstrates it more so than ever. Over 62,000 people took part in a parkrun on Christmas Day, and at the Clumber parkrun event I attended on New Year’s Day the attendance on the 1st January 2018 had almost doubled from that of 2017. They are quite simply crazy figures!

In somewhat shocking news it was not even my idea to go to parkrun on Christmas Day - my sister actually suggested it first! I took my sister to her first ever parkrun, and a few years ago she would have seen no point in driving for half an hour, to run for 20 odd minutes, to then drive half an hour home again. She has got the parkrun bug now though! Christmas morning came and I was pleased it was unseasonably quite mild, meaning I could wear my apricot Lincoln parkrun vest with pride (see first image). I was back in my childhood hometown of Stowmarket in Suffolk for Christmas so we headed to the nearby Bury St Edmunds parkrun set in Nowton Park. I had ran here before in the summer when back in Suffolk for a wedding, so knew the course, however had somehow not thought about the change of season and that I may now need trail shoes to combat the winter mud...! The course is clearly set off road and has a few longer gradual climbs set across the two loops. On the first lap I felt I ran round quickly, my Dad had come to watch us (I haven’t quite got my parents running... yet!) and he nearly missed me as was not expecting me to complete the lap so quick - I think after standing for hours waiting to glimpse me in a marathon this was a shock to him! By the second lap the mud had thickened from the hundreds of footsteps and I was slipping all over the place at times! I managed to keep upright, keep going and keep my Santa hat on my head though. I battled through to the finish in some seriously sticky mud, which zapped any form of sprint effort, to a pleasing 22:21 time. I loved the run; it was great to have my sister there running too and also my Dad watching, it felt like a real family morning which was perfect for Christmas, and looking around it seemed we were not alone in embracing the parkrun festive joy as a family/group. 
Picture
Picture
On New Year’s Day I knew I wanted to go to a parkrun, it was just the question of which one! In the end I opted for Clumber parkrun (see second image), I had ran here last New Year’s Day and the event also started at 9am still, which just seemed right to me! Clumber parkrun is another off road route, so this time I remembered to take my trail shoes with me! These clearly helped, as did my memory of the course from last year. It was crazy how the two laps seemed to speed by, I barley remember completing the first - although I am sure I did! It was sticky and slippery underfoot at times but I coped better, although I noticed I did lose a bit of ground on a few other runners during a steeper climb on the route; my confidence pushing up a slippy hill at speed was not quite up there! A gravel path finish was much preferred though, and I injected my sprint kick to stop the clock at 21:27. I was really happy with my time as last year I finished in 22:09 - so this showed some large improvement. Although I didn’t quite place first female as I did last year - a new course PB is something I will gladly take going into 2018, and it felt a good way to mark the first official day of my London Marathon training. 

My parkrun aims for 2018 are to hit 100 runs (currently on 72) and edge closer to my 25th volunteering milestone (currently on 15). I would also love to sneak a sub 21 minute time again, which would probably be at my home parkrun in Lincoln. Whatever happens I am sure my Saturday mornings during 2018 will continue to be dominated by barcodes! 
2 Comments

A parkrun of Double Success

8/9/2017

0 Comments

 
parkrun is not a race. When I go each week I do not race anyone other than myself. I might be spurred on to try catch up with fellow runners, I might push myself to see if I can keep up with certain runners, or I might simply just try to finish (even remotely!) close to some runners – but I don’t wake up on a Saturday morning with the intention of beating anyone. I wanted to clarify this as it does then seem a little odd that one of the goals I had set myself was to finish as First Female at my home Lincoln parkrun event. I have managed one First Female place before, earlier this year at the New Year’s Day Clumber parkrun, but I have always wanted to have that accolade at Lincoln.

The title of finishing First Female on one Saturday morning, out of the hundreds of Lincoln parkrun events that have, and will, be held, in reality does not mean much. Every single person who completes a parkrun is equally as deserving of any form of congratulation. However, I had just set this target for a little bit of personal pride, to show how much I had developed as a runner, and to add my name to the First Finishers list on the parkrun website (yes, I am a little addicted to parkrun stats!) When I first went to parkrun I could never have imagined being First Female, and even once I set myself that goal, I had put no time constraint on it; but this Saturday it happened.

Saturday morning was in my opinion perfect running conditions. It was warm enough to be stood happily chatting to my friend pre-run in vest and shorts, but not so hot that the sun felt like it was burning my skin. Physically I did not feel as perfect, and I seemed a little tired after a long week at work, but taking my place along the ever growing Lincoln start line I hoped my body would respond. It did. I bolted off the start line with real purpose and the first lap of the three loop course literally flew by with somewhat ease. I thought to myself I must be running a bit steadier than normal, but when my watch ticked over the first mile it read 6.46 min/mile pace – that was quick! In that moment I knew I was on for a good time, my pace was fast but I felt totally at ease and my legs seemed effortless beneath me; I just had to keep going.
Picture
As I made my way around the second lap the volunteer Tail Walker happily cheered me and congratulated me on being in First Female place – I had not been fully aware of this until that moment, and suddenly I had even more motivation to keep up my running rhythm. On the third and final loop I entered into the form of friendly competition I mentioned at the start; along with a couple of other (thankfully male!) runners we jostled back and forth through the final few hundred metres, each keeping one another going. I did not even think to look at my watch in these final stretches, but I know the course at Lincoln so well that I knew when I really had to kick – the final bridge. From here I ran as hard as possible, my legs still not letting me down, and crossed into the finish funnel neck and neck with one of my lap three buddies. We smiled and shook hands with each other, then I looked down at my watch. It read 21:16 – a new PB - and I had managed to maintain my First Female placing; double success.

As I did when I finished First Female at Clumber parkrun, I felt a little unsporting for being so happy at finishing in this place. I could not hide my happiness though as I met my friend at the funnel and told her the news. Personal pride is not always a bad thing though, and sometimes we do struggle to shout about our own achievements even if they do mean something to us, but I know when I see my name listed as First Female on this week’s Lincoln parkrun Run Report I will be very proud of myself.
0 Comments

My 50th parkrun

6/26/2017

2 Comments

 
‘It is good seeing you in your happy place’

My friend sent me the above message recently; the happy place she was referring to was Lincoln parkrun. I had never really thought of parkrun in that way before, which is quite strange considering it does bring me no end of happiness. I realised she was very right though. No matter what is going on in my life parkrun is always there. If I am having a good week, parkrun makes it better; if things are not so great, then the thought of parkrun motivates me to keep going. I can run well at parkrun with things feeling effortless, or I can feel like I am forcing my legs around in a bit of a struggle, and yet I am still happy. I do not even need to run at parkrun to feel good, since volunteering brings me equal levels of joy.

This Saturday morning I ran my 50th parkrun. It has been a long time coming, however having completed the vast majority of my parkruns at my home event in Lincoln, I wanted my 50th to be here. I also wanted to be able to share reaching this milestone with my friend and running buddy. Careful planning for months in advance had therefore led to this particular Saturday morning, which shows just how important it was to us both.

When parkrun first started in Lincoln I could not make most Saturday mornings. When I did get to go it was a treat, something I really looked forward to and an enjoyable morning with friends. Now I get this boost of happiness on weekly basis. I never imagined reaching 50 parkruns; the first time I ever visited a parkrun, Lincoln on Valentines Day 2015, I was too scared to even print a barcode and had to be heavily encouraged by my friends to join them. I definitely do not need encouraging now! My 50 parkruns have created a lot of memories, there are too many to even begin to list, and I equally love seeing the pleasure and reward it brings to so many others.

For our 50th parkrun my friend and I decided to make some special cakes to share our milestone celebration with our fellow parkrunners (see image). These took us many hours on Friday evening; my friend agonising over whether she had enough icing leaves on her parkrun cake, whilst I stared in disbelief as I iced the parkrun logo onto a seemingly never-ending line of 90 cupcakes. It was all worth it of course, and it was lovely to be able to stand at the finish chatting and handing cakes out to both new and familiar faces; the social and community element is equally what parkrun is about after all.
Picture
Picture
Cakes aside, running my 50th parkrun felt special too. Obviously it was still the same three loops of Boultham Park I have completed many times before, but it just felt extra meaningful. I didn’t set out for a PB in particular, but I just ran as hard as I could. Lap one was quick and lap two began to hurt, but the volunteer marshals really spurred me on and by lap three I was determined not to slow. The call of ‘there’s only half a mile to cake’ from one marshal on the third loop most definitely gave me an extra boost! By the time I made an attempted sprint for the finish funnel my legs were weary, but I stopped the clock at 21.24, my second fastest time on record - I’ll take that! Stood catching my breath I glanced back at the funnel hoping to see a familiar figure crossing the line; and there indeed was my friend. I knew it had to be a PB for her and it was - an extra success for the morning.
​
parkrun is a special thing to be a part of regardless of whether you have completed your first parkrun, 50 parkruns or 200 parkruns. I am also biased into thinking that Lincoln parkrun in particular is simply a wonderful community to belong to. Lincoln parkrun has been there when I needed it, and I am extremely thankful for the volunteers who continue to make Lincoln and other parkrun events possible, not just for me, but for the thousands of other parkrunners worldwide. Thank you for giving us all a happy place. ​
2 Comments

parkrun Tourism: Tring parkrun

6/19/2017

2 Comments

 
The sight of hundreds of lyrcra clad runners clustered around a single point at a park on a Saturday morning is now not so strange thanks to the phenomenon that is parkrun. However this Saturday morning, Tring saw a rather disproportionate number of runners descend on their local parkrun event, nearly all dressed in apricot coloured running gear. The parkrun Annual Conference was being held in nearby Berkhamsted and what parkrun conference would be complete without a parkrun visit on the agenda? I had been fortunate to be invited to the conference after recently taking on some volunteer work associated to a new project parkrun are delivering. So I too donned my apricot pakrun running vest, proudly bearing the name of my home ‘Lincoln’ event, and joined the 150 plus conference delegates to experience Tring, boosting their usual Saturday morning attendance by around 150 in the process!
 
Saturday morning was absolutely beautiful; the air had an early warmth about it which did not take an expert to forecast a hot day ahead. After a few glasses of wine Friday night I had been convinced by fellow delegates that running down to Tring from Berkhamsted before parkrun was a good idea - to be honest they did not have to try that hard to convince me. No one knew the route exactly, but there was a lot of enthusiasm. It was in fact a great idea, and as the sun was slowly rising into the clear blue sky I joined a number of runners to complete the 6.2 miles down to Tring, weaving our way through beautiful countryside, and probably surprising a few early morning drivers who were most likely not used to seeing a mass of runners out so early!
 
As we arrived at Tring park we joined the other delegates to create a sea of apricot. The park looked amazing, a green rolling landscape with the quirky addition of cows dotted around – Tring even have a 'cow marshal' volunteer role and a cow bell to ring if you set a PB! There had been much talk about the Tring course. Some had ran it before and knew what to expect, but the majority of us were Tring parkrun tourists for the first time. I knew there were hills, and the first kilometre was said to be a particularly ‘character building’ hill. The new runners briefing was possibly the largest I have ever seen, and the volunteers joyfully explained to us what to expect from the course – no shock, hills.
 
Taking my place in the starting huddle I knew this was not going to be anything like a PB run – my home Lincoln parkrun is fast and flat! – but I aimed to simply enjoy the route and push as hard as possible. The first kilometre was certainly character building. From the start we began a climb up a long grassy hill, definitely not the sprint start I am used to at Lincoln! As I reached the summit of this lengthy mound the course turned and continued to climb further, this section was even sharper now and wound through welcomed woodland shade. At this point Chrissie Wellington, British triathlete and four time Ironman Champion who now works for parkrun, overtook me – at least I was briefly in front of her for a kilometre! Finally the route stopped climbing and it soon became apparent the hills were worth the burning quads. A brief spell of flat along the top of the ridge let us experience the views below which were quite simply stunning.
 
Much to my quads delight the course then treated us to a section of downhill; freewheeling on dirt track, I felt amazing. This sensation was short-lived though as the route turned back onto grassland and I was met with a visibly undulating route ahead, some mounds were steeper than others and my quads began to whimper again. I then came to what the volunteer at the run briefing had called something like ‘false hope corner’  (I cannot remember the exact wording now!), it seemed as though you were at the finish and the funnel was in sight, however a sharp left turn in the other direction told you otherwise. The heat was apparent now and my legs were getting heavy beneath me, I hadn’t been paying attention to my pace at all, but I glanced at my watch to see how far left I had to go. Less than half a mile; I could do this. But wait, there was another hill. Jokingly known as Heartbreak Hill, the hill falls just when you thought you had made it. A steep slope presented in front of me; I smiled and laughed with the marshal stood at the foot about this being some kind of torture, but I was determined to make my way to the top, and even mustered something from my weary legs for a sprint into the finish funnel. Finally, no more hills!
 
My time was 26:08, virtually five minutes slower than my usual Lincoln parkrun times, which indicates the sheer difference in terrains. Tring parkrun was challenging in a new way though, and despite the demanding course, I absolutely loved it. The volunteers at Tring were amazing too, and I took great pleasure from looking at the photos taken afterwards, which shows so many runners winding through the gorgeous landscape. I would love to run Tring parkrun again in the future and would recommend it to anyone; it is tough but as with all parkrun events, everyone is welcome and I was seriously impressed by some of the younger children, buggy pushers and more senior adults tackling the climbs. Moreover, who could resist the chance to get to ring the famous PB cow bell!
Picture
Picture
2 Comments

parkrun Tourism: Bury St Edmunds parkrun

6/6/2017

0 Comments

 
​parkrun is a phenomenon which is rapidly spreading across the UK encouraging thousands to take part in physical activity. I love the image which is used sometimes; a map of the UK with every parkrun event identified by a light green flag, flags which are steadily sweeping across the country. It means that you can be almost anywhere in the UK on a Saturday and have a parkrun within reachable distance. A weekend trip back to my childhood hometown of Stowmarket in Suffolk therefore presented me with the perfect opportunity to try a new event and become a parkrun tourist for the morning (when you take part in an event at a different location to your home parkrun).
 
I actually could have chosen between two parkruns as my nearest locations, but opted for Bury St Edmunds parkrun due it being set in the wonderful Nowton Park. I spent many times here a child with my family and friends, walking around the grounds, getting lost in the maze, playing football on the marked out pitches, and climbing the wooden structures. It would be nice to go back after many years and be able to run around the grounds.

​The course was two loops and was predominantly off road. A quick chat with one of the friendly volunteers and an attentive listen to the run brief meant I understood to expect a few inclines along the way and some uneven ground underfoot. It was a warm and still morning, and despite rarely being back in Suffolk these days, I felt at home in the surroundings and among fellow parkrunners, and even recognised a few faces from my childhood.
Picture
Proudly wearing my home Lincoln parkrun vest, I took my spot on the ‘start line’, finger poised over my Garmin start button, ready for the 3,2,1 countdown.  The start instantly climbed a gradual hill and was definitely a bit unsteady underfoot, I tried to combine my usual initial gusto with carefully pinpointing a safe running route. It certainly got my hearty racing! We then weaved through some thicker grassland before leading onto trail type pathways set on some more graduals inclines and which passed by woodlands and sculpture landmarks I recognised from my childhood. The morning soon became very muggy for running and I was grateful for the next section which saw us duck into woodland and shade, and also run downhill. Emerging from this woodland we looped around the football pitches I sent summers scoring goals past my dad on, and then headed back to the starting hill to complete lap one. One more lap to go.

​I felt I had completed the first lap well; without knowing the route I had just ran as hard as possible. It was certainly more challenging than my home Lincoln parkrun route, but a challenge I was enjoying. With the route now locked into my brain a little better, I tried to maintain my pace as much as possible on lap two, and push through the inclines. I did not really concern myself with my exact pace too much as I was running, but with half a mile to go I did glance down at my Garmin to see what time I was closing in on. It was here I began a zig zag battle with a fellow male parkunner, each of us pushing each other to get to the funnel. I pipped him to the post and turned to give a friendly smile. I finished in 22:16 and as fourth female, which I was happy with considering the course. If I went back I think I may be able to push to dip below 22 minutes, but it certainly would be a big test!

 
Strolling back through Nowton Park it was lovely to see the place again, and also appreciate how it too had been brought to life on a Saturday morning by parkrun.  A spot of parkrun tourism was a great way to start my weekend and still allowed me lots of time to get ready for my friend’s wedding for which I had travelled to Suffolk for. If you do find yourself somewhere different on a Saturday morning then I encourage you to seek out your nearest parkrun event; the idea of setting an early alarm on a weekend away or whilst on holiday may seem a bit mad at first, but you will definitely not regret a bit of parkrun tourism. ​
0 Comments

    Alice's Adventures In Running Land

    Read about my adventures in running land...


    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014

    Categories

    All
    2015
    2016
    2017
    2018
    2019
    2020
    2021
    Ashby 20 2019
    Bassingham Bash 2015
    Bassingham Bash 2016
    Bassingham Bash 2017
    Bassingham Bash 2020
    Berlin Marathon 2016
    Berlin Marathon 2017
    Boston Marathon 2017
    Brighton 10k 2015
    Brighton Marathon 2019
    Cambridge Half Marathon 2018
    Cambridge Half Marathon 2019
    Cambridge Half Marathon 2020
    Chicago Marathon 2019
    Clumber Park Half Marathon
    Doncaster 10k 2017
    Doncaster 10k 2018
    Doncaster 10k 2019
    Doncaster 10k 2021
    Finsbury Park 10k 2015
    General Running
    Great Newham Run 10k 2016
    Great North Run 2015
    Harewood House Half Marathon 2017
    Hedgehog Half Marathon 2018
    I Am Team GB
    Leicestershire Half Marathon 2018
    Leicestershire Half Marathon 2019
    Lincoln 10k 2015
    Lincoln 10k 2016
    Lincoln 10k 2017
    Lincoln 10k 2018
    Lincoln 10k 2019
    Lincoln 10k 2021
    Lincoln Colour Dash 2015
    Lincoln Half Marathon 2016
    Lincoln Half Marathon 2017
    Liverpool Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon 2015
    Liverpool Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon 2016
    Liverpool Rock 'n' Roll Half Marathon 2017
    Liverpool Rock 'n' Roll Marathon 2018
    Lockdown 2021
    London Marathon 2015
    London Marathon 2016
    London Marathon 2017
    London Marathon 2018
    London Marathon 2020
    Manchester Marathon 2016
    Milton Keynes 20 Mile Race 2018
    Newark Half Marathon 2017
    Newark Half Marathon 2018
    Newark Half Marathon 2019
    Newton's Fraction Half Marathon 2019
    Normanby 10k 2020
    North Lincolnshire Half Marathon 2018
    North Lincolnshire Half Marathon 2019
    Nottingham 10k 2016
    Oxford Half Marathon 2015
    Parkrun
    Park Run
    Peterborough Marathon 2021
    Robin Hood Trail 10k
    Round Sheffield Run 2016
    Round Sheffield Run 2017
    Round Sheffield Run 2018
    Round Sheffield Run 2019
    Round Sheffield Run 2021
    Royal Parks Half 2016
    Santa Run 2014
    Santa Run 2015
    Santa Run 2018
    Santa Run 2019
    Sleaford 10k 2019
    Stamford 30k
    Sydney Marathon 2018
    The 401 Challenge
    The Royal Parks Half Marathon 2016
    Thoresby Half Marathon
    Winter Run 10k Liverpool
    Woodhall Spa 10k 2018
    Woodhall Spa 10k 2019
    X Runner 2015

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photo used under Creative Commons from marksteelenz