tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-314147812024-03-17T23:10:03.768+00:00Adam Bird - My Personal BlogThe life and times of a football crazy husband and father, web developer and digital evangalist. Tales of travels, childhood memories and the occasional book review. This is my blog...adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.comBlogger326125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-39394954496481746132024-03-17T23:09:00.000+00:002024-03-17T23:09:30.114+00:00Beckton parkrun - event 548<img alt="Beckton parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-beckton.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 16th March 2024 I ran the Beckton parkrun which was the 548th event held at the venue, my 174th parkrun and 98th different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>The beauty of parkrun tourism is seeing places that you'd never normally see by any other means. By visiting and trying to visit all of the parkruns inside the M25 you are guaranteed to see parts of London you'd never normally visit outside of the key tourist areas. Like Beckton for example, just a stones throw from the London ExCel centre.</p><p>London has a rich variety of parkrun events, some vastly more popular than others.The two closest events to Beckton are Victoria Dock and Thames Path Woolwich which average 200 and 250 participants each week respectively where as Beckton is a much smaller event with and average of only 64.</p><p>It's nice to visit a smaller event as there is much more of an intimate, community feel about it. The first timers meeting and race brief at Beckton were taken at the same time for example, and the run director can make eye contact with all participants as she was talking. There was also tea and coffee made available at the end of the run which was another nice community based touch.</p><p>We were advised during the pre-event formalities that we were to run a slightly alternative course due to work being carried out on a part of the course. The original course took a route around the lower field of the recreation ground, but the local authorities are trying to bring it back to a more wild state and therefore preventing access to let nature do it's thing.</p><p>The course starts from the Will Thorne pavillion on the corner of an urban green space where children were at football training and locals using the play park and the apparatus. The green space is split into two by what's known as the Beckton Corridor, a former railway line that is now a public football. The stretch of path that bisects the playing fields is lined on both sides with trees and I'd imagine in the spring, summer and autumn it looking all rather pretty. But in winter with the trees empty of any leaves it still looked aesthetically pleasing.</p><p>From the start line, beside the play park participants head east, over the Beckton Corridor footpath and down onto the playing fields.</p><p>I wore trail shoes thinking we'd be in for a lot of mud due to another week of rain. But it was reasonably okay underfoot and I think road shoes would have been fine. </p><p>Following the outer perimeter of the field in an anti-clockwise direction participants head around the back of goalposts and football pitch markings, reminiscent of Hackney Marshes. As we were on the alternative course we kept to the outside of the first field and ignored the footpaths leading you into the second field which lay beyond a copse of treea.</p><p>The field was flat and a little squishy in places, but eventually you reached the perimeter path and turned left heading back towards the middle of the park and the Beckton Corridor. The pathway was tarmac, but not in great condition. Originally built with a camber the path had rutted and warped with roots making the ground quite bumpy and challenging in places to run on.</p><p>Turning right, the course reaches the Beckton Corridor and you head out along it on an out-and-back stretch which is slightly better underfoot. This area was quite atmospheric with people running in both directions and I was able to high-five Foordy on both my visits. </p><p>I'm not great when it comes to estimating distances so you'll have to take these figures with a pinch of salt. But after 250 metres or so there's a lampost and a concrete roundabout structure on the floor which signifies the turnaround point, where we swung around and head back the way we came.</p><p>Once back at the edge of the field is a marshall directing the flow of participants depending upon where they are on the course. For the first two laps you are directed right where you zigzag through some gardens and come out on the far side of the park. On the third lap you are directed westward down the Beckton Corridor instead of east. The finish is on the right hand behind the avenue of trees just short of the start line.</p><p>I finished in 33rd place out of a field of 61 participants in a time of 27:57. It felt like a slightly trickier parkrun than what I was expecting. With virtually no elevation at all I was expecting a quicker course. But the changing surface from grass to tarmac always needs a little adjustment time, especially as the pathways weren't in the best of conditions.</p><p>But it's definitely a parkrun that more people need to visit. Even if like me, it's to visit a place you'd never normally go to. </p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-35416355727015395702024-03-10T19:38:00.000+00:002024-03-10T19:38:01.719+00:00Tilgate parkrun - event 550<img alt="Tilgate parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-tilgate.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 9th March 2024 I ran the Tilgate parkrun which was the 550th event held at the venue, my 173rd parkrun and 97th different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>There are two parkruns in Crawley, Tilgate and <a href="https://adamdbird.blogspot.com/2023/04/ifield-mill-pond-parkrun-event-111.html">Ifield Mill Pond</a>. Like many alphabet chasers I visited the latter in search for a rare 'I' event and would have missed out on Tilgate had it not been for geography and the fact that Crawley isn't that far and quite accessible from home.</p><p>I also had another reason for wanting to visit the event, which was to say hello and catch up with a former James Villa Holidays colleague who like me has taken up running since our time ended at the company. He is a regular runner at Tilgate and ahead of my visit I slid into his DMs to get the lowdown on what to expect.</p><p>He reiterated advice which I'd already learnt in that the course was a beautiful one around a lake, but he warned me of 'chevron' hill, a short sharp beast that was somewhat of a nemesis to him.</p><p>Tilgate parkrun gets an average of over 500 runners each week and I was slightly concerned that I'd not bump into my former colleague, so it was somewhat a surprise when the first person I bumped into the carpark on arrival was he himself. He'd also just arrived and so we had a short chat in the carpark. I was looking for where to pay and he was heading around to the start to meet some friends. </p><p>The carparking was actually free before 11 which is always good news to any parkrunner. But as we were slightly early Foordy who was travelling with me again wanted to wait in the warmth of the car whilst I'm always keen to get to the start and take a few pictures along the way. It was also a five minute walk around the lake to the meeting point and I always worry about being late.</p><p>With the number of participants and a starting area smaller than the space is comfortable for, the organisers of the event have implemented a smart solution - a split start. One starting area is right next to the lake and the other is slightly up on the hill beside it facing downwards towards a higher raised path.</p><p>The two paths follow parallel with one another, but are at different elevations. This isn't immediately obvious as there are a number of bushes and trees in the way, but once you turn the bend by the lake the path opens up and your can see two lines of participants running alongside the lake, three metres above one another. It's certainly one of the more unique views I've encountered on a parkrun course.</p><p>Even with a split start, the pathways are still fairly narrow and congested to begin with. I attempted to overtake on the grass, but with the weather we'd had this week it was muddy and slippery and I inevitably fell over, managing to catch my fall with my hands. It might have helped lesson the dirt and mud, but the embarrassment was a very real thing!</p><p>It took me a while to shake my embarrassment off, but running directly next to the water and seeing people running above me was ample distraction.</p><p>The two paths eventually converge with the lower path dipping upwards to join the at the top. The convergence point was wide and on a bend and easily managed with no further mishaps. The path here turns south and starts following the eastern end of the lake in a waving bendy path that is primarily flat.</p><p>I find that during winter we never see the parks or venues I've visited at their best. Trees are often bare, skies are grey and the weather miserable, bit Tilgate had lots to admire and I'm sure that in spring and summer months the course is even more beautiful.</p><p>After the lake has been successfully circumnavigated the route turns left to start the top lap part of the course. The Tilgate course can be compared to a number 8, with the bottom of the number the lake, which is done twice and the top lap done once. The top lap is where the challenge kicks in and the fun starts!</p><p>Turning left, the path continues to wiggle it's way around the grounds before heading up hill. The path zig zags it's way to the top, reaching the Smith and Western cafe where there's another zig-zag. A wooden path that crosses its way from the park and into the carpark beyond.</p><p>The route then takes in part of the parks access road which is marshalled for traffic. There were two cars coming up the road as I was running down towards the crossing point. The marshalls stopped the runners to let the cars by but fortunately I didn't need to stop and kept my momentum going.</p><p>Once over the road the route joins a short trail section. The whole course is on form tarmac paths, except for this small section. I was advised to wear road shoes by my former colleague and I'd completely agree. Although this part of the course was slightly muddy, it wasn't at all slippery and was firm underfoot.</p><p>After the short trail section the path turned left again and started to head uphill. I found the path here a little odd, half of the path was flat tarmac and the other was carved concrete. It wasn't until later that I realised that the carvings were chevron shaped and that this was the hill that I'd been warned about! Chevron Hill! My friend was correct, it was a bit of evil one!</p><p>I managed to make it to the top without stopping but there were plenty of people ahead of me who had been beaten by my friends Nemesis. I too would have been beaten by it not so long ago, but I've beaten some hills recently and my mental strength is definitely getting stronger.</p><p>What goes up, must come down and the down hill section after Chevron Hill was great fun! It was quite a sustained descent and not too steep so you could run down it comfortably fast without worrying about falling over. At the bottom you rejoin the path at the side of the lake and it's a case of following it around again for another lap. The finish sits in the middle of the two starting points on the corner of the lake by the shore. There's quite a nice approach path towards the finish which combines a mixture of people who are completing the course with those who still have a lap left to go and feels very sociable with lots of words of encouragement floating about.</p><p>I finished in 245th place out of a field of 623 participants in a time of 28:58. I really enjoyed this event and can imagine the course changing throughout the seasons and looking especially spectacular during the spring and autumn months. And I can certainly see why it's so popular.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-60989471932811979492024-03-03T23:25:00.000+00:002024-03-03T23:25:07.856+00:00Heaton Park parkrun - event 624<img alt="Heaton Park parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-heaton-park.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 2nd March 2024 I ran the Heaton Park parkrun which was the 624th event held at the venue, my 172nd parkrun and 96th different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>This parkrun touristing lark is hard work. Planning where to run each week and what number event is exhausting. Adding the challenge of combining it with football adds a whole new level of complexity, and budget!</p><p>Stephanie had planned a trip to Portugal this weekend with my sister, my nieces and some of my female cousins to celebrate my cousin Bethany turning 30. I was due to pick up all Stephanie's parenting commitments on Saturday morning and so my usual parkrun trip was due to take a back seat.</p><p>I'm very lucky to have Stephanie do the Saturday routine. Hayden and Phoebe have football and performing arts clubs that are reasonably close to one another and timings currently work quite nicely. I'm aware that if the situation was different or changes then my parkrunning ambitions will need to be scaled back accordingly.</p><p>When I found out the dates that Stephanie was away I joked with Phoebe. Why didn't she come to Manchester with me and Hayden to watch football and maybe do parkrun too? She wasn't impressed! Said it was activities all for boys and she wouldn't enjoy it. But after the Swindon game where Hayden was mascot again for the Gills she came home so much more positive about the football and how much she'd enjoyed it. I saw an opportunity, and swung the situation around again to my advantage. So, Phoebe. Now you like football now, how about that trip to Manchester?</p><p>And so that's how we found ourselves heading up the M6 on a cold Friday night at the beginning of March. To do another parkrun/football double with Heaton Park parkrun and Salford City Vs Gillingham.</p><p>We stayed in a cheap hotel in Salford, a stones throw away from the Moor Lane stadium, home of Salford City FC. We had a choice of parkruns at our disposal as apart from Woodbank I've not ran at any other parkrun in the area. Having looked up the options,the closest parkrun to the ground was Heaton Park and so that seemed to be as good a place as any.</p><p>In fact, I'm part of a parkrun group on Facebook made up of people like me who do parkrun and combine it with football. There's a surprising number of us. But part of the group talks about achieving a 'grail' which is combing a visit to a football ground and it's nearest parkrun on the same day. So the choice of Heaton Park wasn't that random after all.</p><p>Hayden and Phoebe are not natural sports people and getting them to participate in parkrun is hard work. Even before we arrived at the carpark Phoebe was asking if she could stay in the car. And just like our last visit to Manchester and Woodbank parkrun it was raining, which seemed to bring back bad memories for Hayden who was also trying his best to convince me to turn the car around and go back to the hotel.</p><p>Nevertheless, I've become battle hardened now to the moaning and complaining, just as the kids are at me ignoring them. But it's a battle of wills neither of us will back down from.</p><p>So we joined the back of a near 800 people strong crowd at the start line, next to the lake under a cold, grey Mancunian sky. It had been raining on and off, and we were a little damp, but the event eventually got started around 9:10, which must be the latest I've ever known an event to start.</p><p>The course is made up of two laps, one small and one large and is taken in an anti-clockwise direction. Starting by the northern edge of the lake, situated at the southern end of the vast Heaton Park participants head east alongside the parks railway line before turning left and heading up Angina Hill.</p><p>The first lap only takes you part way up the hill before turning left again and completing the smaller lap which circles around and rejoins the start/finish straight which is just over 1km in distance.</p><p>Following the same route the course reaches Angina Hill again for the second time and heads all the way up to Heaton House which sits proudly looking out over Manchester. We were told in the first timers meeting that this is one of the highest parts of the area and on sunnier days the views are quite something. We had to make do with grey, cloudy skies with not much visibility. But what we could see gave us enough of a hint to want to return back on a better weather day in the future.</p><p>After the house is passed, the path circles around it snaking it's way through trees on the side of a hill where a golf course lay on the right. All the while I've got Hayden and mostly Phoebe moaning that they have stitches, aching limbs and a whole other manner of issues. </p><p>Phoebe is actually old enough now to run by herself, but she didn't want to and neither did Hayden want to leave her. But she was holding Hayden back as I know he would have run a little bit more had it just been the two of us.</p><p>Anyhow, after the house the course returns back around to the front and heads downhill in a slightly different direction to the way we came up. I was actually quite gutted about missing out on running this course as although there's an uphill, it wasn't an unsurmountable hurdle and the downhill.looked like great fun!</p><p>Once at the bottom of the hill you reach a 4k marker. You also reach the start/finish straight, but you have to run past it and head around the lake to make up the full course distance. The end of the lake path reaches the other end of the start/finish straight and so to complete the course you run back the way you started. </p><p>Phoebe and Hayden saw this as an opportunity to finally join the parkrun party and so the last 200m was taken at full pelt. All stitches, aching backs, swollen ankles and other such injuries were cured and off they went with me clinging on to stay in touch.</p><p>But they did it, which is all that matters, and I'm convinced that despite the grumbles that they actually do enjoy it. At least I keep telling myself that!</p><p>I finished in 782nd place out of a field of 804 participants in a time of 50.26. As I said above, it's a course I'd definitely like to run as I'd imagine it being really good fun! Maybe on a day when it's a bit warmer and not raining (does it ever not rain in Manchester?)</p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-55753813165967725732024-02-25T23:56:00.000+00:002024-02-25T23:56:26.501+00:00Dover Waterfront parkrun - event 24<img alt="Dover Waterfront parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-dover-waterfront.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 24th February 2024 I ran the Dover Waterfront parkrun which was the 24th event held at the venue, my 171st parkrun and 95th different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>In December 2022 I ran the <a href="https://adamdbird.blogspot.com/2022/12/margate-parkrun-event-439.html">Margate parkrun</a>, earning myself 'A total Kent' status which is given informally to anyone who runs all of the parkrun events in Kent. At the time this would have been a full set of 24, but on the 9th September 2023 a 25th event was added when Dover waterfront ran their inaugural event.</p><p>I could of course visited Dover sooner and reclaimed my unofficial title already. But I've been saving my visit to coincide with an event number I'd not ran at yet to try and fill gaps in my 'Wilson Index' (another phrase/unofficial challenge from the parkrun tourist lexicon). </p><p>Once again I was joined by the two Andrew's who have unwittingly become parkrun tourists recently, albeit without wanting to self-identity with that label. I'll keep calling them my running companions until they tell me otherwise.</p><p>But it was a cold morning when we arrived at the famous port town on the Kent coast. Like Southend last week I'd visited Dover plenty of times, but never quite explored beyond the port and the castle. But unlike last week the sun was shining and the skies were mostly blue, with the sun coming up brightly in the distance over the sea.</p><p>From the esplanade to the north were the white cliffs and the hill where Dover Castle has sat so prominently for so long. To the south was the marina which marked the starting point and meeting area of the parkrun.</p><p>The marina and marina pier are relatively new additions to the waterfront at Dover and part of a much wider western docks rejuvenation programme, without which I'm not sure parkrun would be able to exist in this location.</p><p>Starting at the entrance to the marina, participants head north along the esplanade in the direction of the main docks where ferries were lying in wait to transport passengers and cargo across the channel into Europe.</p><p>The esplanade is home to an assortment of commemorate statues, plaques and landmarks celebrating achievements, such as cross channel swimming as well as marking more solemn affairs in relation to the two world wars. On another day I could have walked along the same stretch to find out more about what each one was representing. But as it was Hayden's birthday the visit down to Dover was very much a flying one.</p><p>The route along the esplanade is the first out and back of the course. So after a kilometre or so you come to virtually a dead end before turning around and coming back the way you came. As it's the esplanade the surface is all on tarmac and absolutely pancake flat.</p><p>Once back at the start, the course veers around to the left and starts the second out and back which is along the entire length of the pier. This part of the course is also dead flat in both elevation and direction. It's also fairly unique I'd imagine as I don't believe that there are many piers where a parkrun course takes place.</p><p>After the pier has been successfully tackled and you've completed the second out and back it time to repeat the first one and head back out along the esplanade.</p><p>With the course being so flat and fast I found myself trying to out run myself and run faster than perhaps I could handle. It certainly felt hard work out there and it was something all three of us mentioned after we had finished.</p><p>It was certainly interesting that all three of us had similar feelings on our assessment of the course. Which I'd imagine could get trickier as we had very favourable conditions. There wasn't any wind and it was dry in cool temperatures. Foordy actually set a new parkrun PB by ten seconds,so he was gunning it and explains why he might have found it hard!</p><p>At the end of the third out and back, the start is replaced with a finish funnel where I came 86th out of a field of 86 participants. I finished in a time of 27:07.</p><p>That then gives me another full set of parkrun events in Kent again. 25/25 - until the next one comes along!</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-50740642385350930192024-02-21T23:37:00.001+00:002024-02-24T12:47:32.635+00:00Southend parkrun - event 529<img alt="Southend parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-southend.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 17th February 2024 I ran the Southend parkrun which was the 529th event held at the venue, my 170th parkrun and 94th different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>All week leading up to parkrunday I'd planned to visit Oak Hill parkrun, for what feels like the fifth attempt. Everytime I add it to the planner something crops up and I don't end up making it and run elsewhere instead. This week was no exception.</p><p>The message arrived on my phone Friday morning. 'Can we run Leigh-on-Sea or Southend?'. It was from my friend Foordy and it was too random a request to be random. I acquiesced and said that Southend wouldn't be a problem. But it wasn't until later in the day that I received a follow-up message explaining the reason behind it.</p><p>Foordy needed a new pair of swimming goggles and unlike most normal people, avoided Amazon and wanted to hit the closest swimming Google shop to home... Which happened to be in Leigh-on-Sea. It could have been a lot further I suppose!</p><p>And so that was my latest excuse why Oak Hill parkrun was missed at the expense of another!</p><p>But anyhow, we arrived at Gunners Park at the far eastern end of Southend at the appropriate time on Saturday morning. It was Foordys first visit to Southend, but it was not my own. It was the furthest I'd travelled into the city as normally I only get as far as the football ground or the pleasure area on the seafront. So it was a nice experience for a change to drive allmthe way along the coast of Southend admiring some of the large properties that dot this part of the coastline.</p><p>Gunners Park is the name of the recreational space between a reasonably new build housing estate and the sea wall defences. The other side of the wall lies the coast, but all along the path are signs warning that any usual beach activity is forbidden on the advice of the ministry of defence. In the corner of the park sits a concrete building which is a remnant of the last world war and has had all its entry points sealed up with thick steel plates and is covered in graffiti.</p><p>The meeting point of the run is in the middle of the space and the lowest point of the park. This marks the finishing leg of the route which consists of three laps and the short finish straight which veers off to the centre.</p><p>The start begins on the tarmac path next to the junction with the housing estate and is on a slight incline. As the path is reasonably narrow.the event organisers have added marker points helping participants self-seed with the intention of reducing the bottle-neck.</p><p>I started right next to the 26-30 minute marker, but the getaway was slow and busy. I'm not sure that.many others were self-seeding or whether they needed to try and extend the distance between the markers to stretch things out. Ultimately it's not a race and shouldn't matter, but all constructive feedback is useful right?</p><p>The anti-clockwise lap makes it's way around the inside of the park before taking a left hand turn. The course now heads straight all the way to the top of the sea wall on a gentle incline.</p><p>Essentially the course is flat, but there are notable changea in elevation, you just can't tell you are doing it (if that makes any sense at all).</p><p>Nevertheless, once at the sea wall the route turns left again and leads you all the way to the front of the concrete structure from the war. It's fondly referred to locally as 'the castle', but this is evidently tongue in cheek.as there isn't much about it that you would recognise from one.</p><p>Once around the front of the castle there is a very short out and back section that's on grass, and a little bit muddy/slippy in places. We'd had a fair amount of rain and there were plenty of puddles on the course but as most of it's tarmac we didn't have any issues until the short section here.</p><p>Making our way back is a marshall as the course rejoins the main path. He was wearing a foam hand and made it his job to high-five every participant on the course. On all three laps. Meaning by the end of the event he'd given out 936 high-fives which is a record anyone should be proud of.</p><p>Past the high fiber guy the course is back at its lowest part and leads back towards the centre of the park where it heads up a short incline back to the start.</p><p>After three laps, once the start line has been reached for the last time the course turns left, dips down again and there's a short 50 yard dash to the finish.</p><p>I finished in 130th place out of a field of 312 participants in a time of 27:50, which I was quite pleased about considering the slow getaway at the start.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-35911324861857870072024-02-11T23:19:00.000+00:002024-02-11T23:19:27.146+00:00Wollaton Hall parkrun - event 128<img alt="Wollaton Hall parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-wollaton-hall.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 10th February 2024 I ran the Wollaton Hall parkrun which was the 128th event held at the venue, my 169th parkrun and 93rd different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>Last week I revisited Malling parkrun on request of the two Andrew's who are enjoying the parkrun experience but haven't quite taken to touring in the same way as I have. Despite having a posse of pacers I wasn't able to get anywhere near to last year's PB, although I suspect the heavy night of alcohol the night before was partly to blame.</p><p>I didn't mind the revisit as I knew I had this weekend coming up and it's been a weekend that I've looked forward to now for some time.</p><p>Last September a colleague in my department arranged a volunteering day at Wollaton Hall which involved us spending an afternoon in the walled garden and doing chores around the place to try and maintain it's upkeep. As part of the day we had a guided tour of the house, including walking out around the rooftop and deep underground in the cellar. The house has a rich and varied history, but most people will probably recognise it as Wayne Manor from the Batman franchise.</p><p>One thing that struck me on my first visit was the grounds, which were spectacular and the views up to the house which is sat atop a hill really are impressive. I knew that I wanted to return back one day and that I was going to use the parkrun as an excuse it do it </p><p>As both Nottingham Forest and Notts County were due to play at home on the same weekend Notts County's game against Gillingham was moved to the Friday night. This provided us with the opportunity to watch the game on the Friday night, stay overnight and run the parkrun event in the morning - which is exactly what we did.</p><p>The game itself deserves a little mention at this point. The Gills put in their strongest performance of the season and we're worthy 3-1 winners against a decent Notts County outfit. The team and supporters celebrated together afterwards in what was a real show of solidarity which I've felt has been missing for much of the season. I just hope it's the start of a strong finish towards the end of the season and not the latest high before a disappointing low </p><p>As the parkrun event was on one of our football weekends I was joined by Reaso and George as well as Hayden. It wasn't going to be much of a run for me, which I don't necessarily mind as it affords me more time to enjoy and take in the surroundings.</p><p>The course wasn't the normal route as detailed on the event website. But the 'b' course, or winter route which doesn't take in a loop of the lake, which is replaced with a couple of out and back sections instead.</p><p>Starting at the northern entrance by the car park and walled gardens, the route runs south up a long tree-lined avenue. The path rises gently up towards the house with the golf course on the left hand side as you go. With nearly 500 people in attendance the start was congested and took a little which to spread out, so finding a good place at the start would be crucial if anyone was trying to set a fast time.</p><p>The path then winds around and heads steeper towards the house before passing directly in front of it. I was running with Hayden holding his hand to try and keep a steady pace going. We were running very lightly and he made a good attempt of it. But I think the hill was more of a psychological problem rather than a physical one, but it didn't stop the first of many different ailments that struck him on the way around. </p><p>From a bad neck, bad back, sore legs, sore foot, stitch and a stomach ache Hayden went through the lot! As we passed the house and made our way down the hill on the other side watching as participants spread out in all directions leading downhill and up and down both out and back sections.</p><p>At the bottom of the hill, instead of heading around the lake participants turn left and follow the path all the way up to the gate at the end. The path is laid out beneath another avenue of trees and I'd imagine looks beautiful throughout the changing seasons. Once at the end participants turn around and head back the way they came running on the mud, parallel to the tarmac path in which they just come.</p><p>The weather in the weeke leading up to the event had been pretty horrible with heavy rain and some snowfall, leading to the cancellation of two nearby events. I thought this might lead to even bigger crowds, but it wasn't quite as busy as it could have been.</p><p>Despite the weather the conditions were still fairly good underfoot. At the end of the first out-and-back, the second is immediately started. This one runs parallel to the lake which you could see, flat as a millpond on the left hand side. This part of the course was the most affected by the recent weather with areas that were slightly muddy and slippy underfoot. Hayden and I didn't really need to take it particularly careful as we were walking but I'd imagine this part of the course would have slowed some of the runners down a little bit for fear of slipping over.</p><p>Once the second out and back section had been completed it was a case of retracing our footsteps up the hill to the house and back down the other side to the finish.</p><p>Having started off positively and then regressing into a series of aches, pains and whinges we made our way around the course mostly at walking pace. Once we had taken the final corner and had the long finishing straight ahead of us Hayden decided to finally join the parkrun party. With around 300 meters to go he started running and the closer we got to the end the faster he bagan to run. There were a load of volunteers at the end of the course next to the finish line and other people watching on cheering as people finished. Once Hayden had put the foot all the way into the gas and sprinted forward to loud cheers and claps of encouragement it gave him a huge boost and made me smile massively with gratitude.</p><p>I finished in 455th place out of a field of 478 participants in a time of 46:16, a second behind Hayden. It was by no means the fastest parkrun time in the world, but it was definitely up there with one of the most scenic and enjoyable what with the cheering and celebrations at the end. This football and parkrun tourism is a winning combination - I could definitely get used to this!</p><p><br></p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-70072459541182294202024-01-29T23:17:00.000+00:002024-01-29T23:17:53.420+00:00Brentwood parkun - event 377<img alt="Brentwood parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-brentwood.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 27th January 2024 I ran the Brentwood parkrun which was the 377th event held at the venue, my 167th parkrun and 92nd different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>It's now part of my weekly routine, rewriting my parkrun planner on the basis of my mate Foordy and his last minute decision making. I've planned my parkrun schedule out well in advance and there are routine changes depending upon cancellations or last minute things that crop up. But invariably I'll stick to a plan. Foordy doesn't and he likes to live a day at a time.</p><p>Nobody answered my weekly call to arms and so I assumed I'd be running by myself at the as planned Crystal Palace event. Foordy was due to head down to Folkestone with Will and Reaso and so I was very much looking forward to the challenge. But I got a text message on Friday morning from Foordy saying that he and Reaso were available on Saturday morning after all and would be up for a parkrun, albeit one a bit closer than Crystal Palace. </p><p>Challenge accepted.</p><p>After completing 90 odd parkruns finding a local event is getting increasingly harder. There are multiple events I can return back to, but I'm not quite ready for that yet! </p><p>As Foordy has joined me recently on various different courses and event routes, the one that we were missing was a decent cross country course. We'd also visited primarily flat courses too, so needed something more challenging. The closest event to us that met all the relevant criteria was Brentwood. Plan B was on.</p><p>I'd read a few reviews and I knew that Brentwood would provide a decent challenge. The course description made reference to Heartbreak Hill and the hill that keeps on giving. The reviews used words such as 'beast', 'brutal' and 'unforgiving', so I was genuinely looking forward to seeing what the course had to offer. It was also supposed to be really muddy in the winter which was to only add to the challenge.</p><p>However, the weather helped us out massively as upon arrival the ground was frozen and the fields of the Weald Country Park where the event takes place were covered in a white blanket of frost. What would ordinarily have been muddy tracks around the fields we're now frozen ruts and solid hard ground. Improving our chances of a better timez but increasing the likelihood of a turned ankle.</p><p>From the carpark and start line you can only really see a small proportion of the course. The park has rolling fields, with a lake at the bottom of the hill on one side and woods along another. On the side of the car park was a play area for children and an enclosure where deer were roaming around.</p><p>The course is a single lap, part out and back which starts and finishes in the field next to the carpark. From the start line which is just a short way into the field from the edge, participants head back out towards the carpark, turn left and follow the field around it's perimeter which rises up slightly to a line of trees on its southern edge.</p><p>Following the field around with the hard ground crunching satisfyingly underfoot, participants eventually reach the top of what is known as Heartbreak Hill. The first encounter is actually rather pleasant as it's the first descent which follows a series of small undulations which offer a hint of what's to come.</p><p>At the bottom of Heartbreak Hill is the first kilometer marker, which is still fairly uncommon at parkrun events. Not all parkrun courses are marked out with kilometer markers and I prefer ones that do as I find them mentally rewarding to mark of the distance as you go.</p><p>Once the bottom of the hill.has been reached the route veers off ever so slightly and transitions between two fields and turns out of the second field onto a woodland track and enters into the trees.</p><p>The second kilometer is mostly uphill through the woods on quite a decent surface. Although it was cold and the ground was hard I'd imagine it would be soft and muddy otherwise but not on the same levels as Hockley Woods was on the back end of last year - now that was muddy!</p><p>Once out of the woods at the top of the hill the route loops around and heads back into another field back the way we've just come. You can see people running the route from inside the trees and likewise when running back through the field which is the only real interaction between runners that you get on the course. </p><p>The next two kilometres are taken across a series of fields and grass paths that run along avenues between tree lines. It's actually a really pleasant two kilometres and offers the challenge of an undulating terrain as the course weaves up and down hills as it goes.</p><p>Once completed the course reaches the bottom of Heartbreak Hill which starts just beyond the last kilometer marker indicating an almost 1km ascent to the top.</p><p>I'm not good at hills, I don't have the mental strength to keep going when the going gets tough. But I'd made it around 4km of what was a challenging course. I wanted to complete the whole 5k without stopping and so I dug in deep to keep going for as long as I could. Reaso told me later that he nearly gave up towards the end, which is the first time on a 5k that he'd ever contemplated the idea and shows just how much of a challenge this was.</p><p>Once I'd made it to the top it was a case of seeing it home to the end via the perimeter of the field in which we'd started. Only the field now was a moist green, the early frost had melted away and the ground had softened making for quite a nice running surface for a quick sprint back to the finish line. It was slightly downhill as well which also helped and set up for some competitive finishes.</p><p>I finished in 68th position out of a field of 122 participants in a time of 30:40. With my times settling down and being much more consistent now, the time I set at Brentwood was representative of the challenge faced by the course. Bothe Foordy and Reaso were around three minutes slower than usual, as was I. </p><p>Reaso said he wasn't a fan of the cross-country route, which bizarrely I always really enjoy. But that for me is the reason for touring. Trying out different events, tackling different challenges and negotiating different terrains. 92 down and plenty more to go!</p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-64810064535395080522024-01-20T12:05:00.002+00:002024-01-21T23:31:09.833+00:00Cassiobury parkrun - event 404<img alt="Cassiobury parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-cassiobury.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 20th January 2024 I ran the Cassiobury parkrun which was the 404th event held at the venue, my 166th parkrun and 91st different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>Having enjoyed the last few weeks with running company having Foordy join me on my parkrun fix, it was time for me to go it alone again. Whilst Foordy is still over in the UK he wasn't able to attend this week due to issues with his knee and there's no reason to aggrivate anything further just for the sake of it.</p><p>Since Foordy has been back, the runs that we've done have tended to be flat, and mostly tarmac so this week I was going to suggest an off road course with a few hills thrown in for good measure. Ideally we'd do Lullingstone again, but with wanting to keep up this streak of new courses I pencilled in Brentwood which looks.to be a great challenge. Nevertheless it will.wait for another day as Foordy was unavailable.</p><p>My original plan was to visit Cassiobury with the goal of ticking off another of the parkrun events inside of the M25 and so that's ultimately what I decided to stick with. After a period of low temperatures and icy weather I wasn't sure whether the run would still take place so headed off a little bit earlier to give myself some extra time in case I needed a last minute change of plan.</p><p>On arrival in Watford, home of Cassiobury park the ground was frozen and the grass had a firm layer of frost which didn't look to be budging. But people were milling around and a quick check on my phone provided me with no news otherwise. It was game on and so I got out of the warmth of the car and headed into the cold to look for the start.</p><p>Cassiobury park is actually quite a large and expansive green space which is situated next to an 18 hole golf course. Meaning that there is a large area provided for recreational purposes. But the parkrun course is situated on the eastern side of the park and is squeezed into a two and a half lap route around the paths that make up the primary area of access to the park.</p><p>The meeting point is the bandstand which is situated on a fairly small area of grass opposite the park cafe. From here participants are directed to the start which is situated on the grass at the western most point of the course </p><p>The route comprises two and a half anti-clockwise laps of tarmac paths, which are joined after the start which the first 100m is taken on the grass. As there were over 500 participants the wide expanse of grass spread out the field, but there was an inevitable pinch point when you meet the paths as although not narrow, the sheer number of people made it nicely congested.</p><p>There are really only two corners on the course, but as one side of the course is a wide sweeping arc it feels nice and straight. From the start, the course picks up the path at the tip of the arc and heads all the way east to the first turning point. From here the course turns left and heads straight along a path which is lined by trees it's entire length, which when I ran in the winter was void of greenery. I'd imagine in the spring and summer months the route being quite pretty with the trees in bloom.</p><p>After the long slog back west the second turn is reached and the wide arched path is picked up again completing the first lap.</p><p>After two and a half laps the finish line is on the left three quarters of the way down the long straight path of the course next to the bandstand where the meeting area took place earlier.</p><p>I finished in 219th place out of a field of 507 participants in a time of 27.29.</p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-59067162250708339802024-01-13T12:36:00.002+00:002024-01-20T12:04:10.333+00:00Hove Promenade parkrun - event 357<img alt="Hove Promenade parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-hove-promenade.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 13th January 2024 I ran the Hove Promenade parkrun which was the 357th event held at the venue, my 165th parkrun and 90th different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>My Saturday had looked very different at the beginning of the week. I had planned to travel north to watch Gillingham Vs Accrington Stanley, as I've still got three grounds in league two I've not visited with Accrington being one of them.</p><p>The plan was to make an early start and stop off in Birmingham and run a parkrun with easy access of the M6. But Hayden received an invitation to a birthday party and accepted the better offer. I contemplated travelling north by myself, but it's a long way and there will hopefully be other opportunities.</p><p>Plan B was to tick another event off inside the M25, but when I shared the details with Foordy who is still home at the moment he suggested an alternative. He wanted to run by the sea and wondered if there was anything in Brighton that fulfilled his criteria. Indeed there was and so Hove Promenade it was to be.</p><p>Last week Hove Promenade had 748 participants, one of their highest ever attendances and they wasn't alone in seeing an increase in participant numbers. Upon arrival it was clear that last week was no flash in the pan and that it was going to be another popular turnout.</p><p>We parked at the King Alfred carpark which is west of the starting point deeper into Hove alongside the coastal path. We had a ten minute walk back east to the start and spent our time marvelling at the number of people who were in the sea for some early morning swimming. It was measuring 2.5 degrees in the car on the way down! I've every admiration for people who can do that - although I suspect that they may be slightly mad!</p><p>The course is simple, from the start which is slightly further east from The Lawn cafe. Participants head back west towards where we'd come from for around 0.75k, before reaching a turnaround point. Participants then run east for 1.25k where another turnaround point is reached and participants head all the way back again to the start to complete the 2.5k lap. It's then a simple process to repeat again for a second lap.</p><p>As we were arriving at the event I spotted a couple of people wearing pacer bibs and let Foordy know what to look out for. I decided that I'd try and stick as close as I could for as long as I could to the 26 minute pacer in order to try and achieve a good time. I hadn't gone in anticipation of a new PB, but the course is pancake flat and so there was every opportunity on pacer day.</p><p>I started out well and kept alongside the pacer for the first half of the first lap but the longer the run went on for the further behind I was getting. At the turnaround points I could see my position relative to the 27 minute pacer and I wanted to keep that distance for as long as I could. After 5k it was a big sprint to the finish line and the long winding funnel up ahead of us.</p><p>Such was the length of the funnel and the number of people within in it, it overflowed at the end. Meaning once we arrived at the end of the line the timers were still a couple of people ahead of us. So it took a couple of walking pace steps to reach them where they would have logged our time.</p><p>My Strava was indicating that I'd beaten my previous best time, but I had to wait for the official results which had me placed in 404th out of a field of 809 participants. It was the highest ever turnout at Hove Promenade parkrun and I'd been clocked at 26:35. Just one second off my parkrun PB!</p><p>I hadn't gone in anticipation of setting such a good time and would love to thank the team of pacers for their efforts today. I've been to events before where the pacers hadn't quite got it right, but they certainly did today. Foordy set a brand new PB at 23:38, which was over a minute faster than his time he set at Barking last weekend.</p><p>Running at such a big event with so many people made for a unique parkrun experience. I've ran Bushy which was a huge crowd and the sight of 1500 people starting the event lives long in the memory. But with 800 people running in both directions on an out-and-back course there were people absolutely everywhere and everyone was in great spirits cheering on other friends and family whilst having little competitions with the people that they were running alongside. A great event!</p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-9952950409020396362024-01-06T12:33:00.005+00:002024-01-07T23:31:26.743+00:00Barking parkrun - event 533<img alt="Barking parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-barking.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 6th January 2024 I ran the Barking parkrun which was the 533rd event held at the venue, my 164th parkrun and 89th different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>At the time of writing there are 62 parkruns in the Greater London region, and by my calculations 76 inside of the M25. My aim is to try and complete both totals by the end of the year and after visiting Barking this morning I have 28 and 35 left respectively.</p><p>Once again I was joined by Foordy who is back home for an extended break from life in Canada. He said he wasn't feeling it this morning but went on to crack a new parkrun PB so I'm no longer trusting his pre-run psychology.</p><p>Barking parkun is two anti-clockwise laps around Barking park and is virtually pancake flat and entirely on tarmac paths. Starting in the centre of the park by the play area and cafe, participants meet at the finish line where there is a tarp of trust for people to leave their belongings as they run. Before the briefing takes place the run director invited everyone to walk to the start line which is just around the corner from the finish line. The briefing took place and off we went.</p><p>Heading north-wesr, around 400m to the farthest corner of the park the route swings around left and dips down hill ever so slightly to the edge of the lake which spans the northern border of the park. The route runs alongside the full length of the lake and you pass all of the unicorn pleasure boats moored up for the winter. On the left is the back of the cafe and the toilet block where the start/finish area sits on the other side.</p><p>Once the far side of the lake has been reached the path doubles back on itself 180 degrees following another path that runs parallel to the lake. This wide avenue is lined with tall trees either side of the path, typical of Victorian parks of the era. Whilst the trees were stark on this cold winters day in early January I can this part of the course looking great during the spring and autumn.</p><p>Participants follow the path to the end where they reach the side of the cafe and toilet block complex, the route turns right and heads south, deeper into the park.</p><p>From out of the trees and the formal gardens area of the park where also an impressive war memorial sits, (In fact looking at the memorial when we first arrived I noted the four 'Birds' who were listed and wondered as always whether they were distant relatives of some kind) the route reaches the wide open playing fields and follows the path that circumnavigates the south eastern perimeter.</p><p>At the farthest point on the southern corner the path turns 90 degrees left and follows the edge of the park in a north western direction. Like much of the course the path is long and straight allowing for a steady pace to be kept. At approximately half way along the edge of the park the path turns left again 90 degrees and the route follows the path that bisects the fields into two. The path here is also tree-kined either side and you can see the finish line up in the distance which is straight ahead. On the first lap you turn right just before the finish and complete the lap again for the second time. On the second approach it's full beans ahead for the glory </p><p>On my second lap I took a look at my watch to see what time I was running at. It had just turned 26 minutes and I sniffed a possibility of a PB. Except the long straight was longer than I thought it was. It felt like I was running on the spot with the finish line appearing to get no closer. Eventually of course I crossed the line and stopped my watch </p><p>I'd finished in 69th position out of a field of 197 participants in a time of 27:07. I hadn't quite managed to get close to a PB, but still managed to record my 11th fastest time and my fastest time of the year. Foordy managed an impressive 24:45, alright for someone who wasn't feeling it!</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-563176867295230922024-01-01T11:30:00.006+00:002024-01-07T16:23:18.204+00:00Catford parkrun - event 225<img alt="Catford parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-catford.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 1st January 2024 I ran the Catford parkrun which was the 225th event held at the venue, my 163rd parkrun and 88th different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>The hardest parkrun of the year is the special event held on New Year's Day. Getting up out of bed after the night before and having to moderate how much you can drink (unless your not driving) all adds to the challenge. The last thing you need after all of that is a challenging course. </p><p>Being New Years Day I was limited in which event I could attend. Not every course hosts a special event on New Year's Day and with two years worth of touristing under my belt the closest event to me that I've not completed yet is getting ever further away. I contemplated re-running Bexleyheath which was my very first tourist venue (before touristing was a thing), but I figured Catford wasn't that much further up the road so why not visit their instead.</p><p>I was joined again by Foordy who is having an extended stay at home. He and his mum were visitors at our house in the evening and 7 hours after they'd left I was around his house ready to pick him up for our run.</p><p>I've driven through Catford a number of times using the south circular and would have driven past Mountsfield Park where the event takes place on a number of occasions had I known it was there. A short right hand turn off the south circular along a street covered by terraced houses on either side opens up with Mountsfield Park on the left. Parking was plentiful and free right by the entrance so didn't have far to go in order to find the start.</p><p>There is a bandstand just inside the park next to the formal garden area. There were parkrun direction signs on the pathways, so we were evidently walking part of the course. Once we'd reached the bandstand the views opened out revealing fields that dipped down fairly steeply offering views out to London beyond - and our first clue that we wasn't going to be in for an easy run!</p><p>Mountsfield Park is quite compact and isn't a particularly large park, which meant the organisers of Catford parkrun had to be creative in the design of their route. The course is three laps, two long and one short and pretty much makes full use of the park.</p><p>Starting from the bandstand participants run north around the formal gardens and back to the bandstand on the opposite site. There is a play area on the left and the main pathway divides the park in half. After the play area is passed the route comes off of the main pathway and hits the grass. After the rain we'd had during the week the grass was wet, boggy and muddy. I was wearing trail shoes but Foordy wasn't and he was a little delicate on his feet to begin with.</p><p>The route follows the perimeter of the field right along it's western edge before cutting back in towards the parks central path where it cuts straight over and picks up another path which takes you downhil along the parks southern border.</p><p>Half way down the hill there lie cones marked out leading participants onto the grass and another circumnavigation takes place. This was my favourite part of the route as the field was marked out in cones in a wide circle so you could see and interact with participants making for quite an appealing view. The exit off of the field is next to the entrance and so everyone runs almost a perfect anti-clockwise circle on what is ultimately a clockwise route.</p><p>After rejoining the path, the course follows the route all the way south, up the western perimeter of the park all on tarmac paths which again were muddy and puddly in places. At the furthermost point of the western end the path turns right, up hill and rejoins the fork for the formal gardens/bandstand.</p><p>After the first two laps participants turn left and head back around thought the formal gardens and repeat the same lap three times. On the third visit participants turn right and continue to head up hill to the bandstand where the finish funnel.has been set up in readiness.</p><p>I finished in 74th place out of a field of 131 participants in a time of 29.03. it was a tough run across some tough terrain and undulations. The finish straight was on the evil side running uphill but another parkrun I enjoyed despite the conditions.</p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-38879540907641757872023-12-30T11:46:00.005+00:002024-01-01T22:50:12.951+00:00Basildon parkrun - event 443<img alt="Basildon parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-basildon.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 30th December 2023 I ran the Basildon parkrun which was the 443th event held at the venue, my 162nd parkrun and 87th different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>Before we get onto my trip over to Essex, there's the small matter of Christmas Day and my return visit to the Great Lines where I ran for the 16th time and has now become customary on Christmas Day. I finished in 139th position out of a field of 374 participants in a time of 28:31. My last three visits have all finished within times just 8 seconds apart - Mr Consistency!</p><p>Last year I kept to local events and paused the tourism game over Christmas, but with a long streak collected I wanted to keep up the momentum so chose to start working through my list of nearest events not done yet. Top of the pile was Basildon and so that's where I found myself on the last parkrun day of the year.</p><p>Also, seeing as it was Christmas my friend Foordy is home for the festive period and he messaged me saying he'd come along again with me wherever I was parkrunning - it's always great to have a running buddy!</p><p>I wasn't sure what to expect coming into Basildon as there isn't much content on YouTube showing off the event as there are for many of the other venues I've visited recently. It was actually quite nice coming to an event where much was unknown. Maybe I shouldn't be such a fastidious researcher...</p><p>Basildon parkrun takes place in Northland's park, which is a stones throw off of the A13 and therefore makes it easily accessible by road from Gravesend. It's a three lap course and is ran on mixed surfaces, although the majority of the course is on firm or tarmac paths.</p><p>The meeting point is next to the main carpark which was free. There is a community building which hosts a small cafeteria and toilet facilities and is where the finish line is located. On the opposite side of the pathway is a small lake which the course circumnavigates on each lap.</p><p>The start takes place on the grass behind the community building, next to the outdoor sports court and heads south in a clockwise direction. You can start on a tarmac path and follow it along if you wish. But as the path snakes it's way through the park most people took the route of least resistance and ran in a straight line as the crow flies across the grass which was wet and slippery after heavy overnight rain.</p><p>Before the event started Foordy declared he needed a bathroom visit and I was nervous that he'd left it too late. My worst fears were confirmed when we were given our marching orders and he was nowhere to be found. I pondered for a couple of minutes as to whether I should wait around for him. But I figured he was a big boy and would catch up better than I would!</p><p>Heading south, the path follows a clump of dense trees on the right hand side and the group of runners starts to thin out as the path pinches onwards. I believe that there must be another area of the park beyond this path, or a route into a housing estate but instead you hit a marshall point who directs you into a sharp right hand turn which starts to take you uphill and around to the highest part of the course.</p><p>The path here is thin and gravely, and contained a few puddles which made me regret my choice of footwear. As the path curls around to the right and takes a sharp dip downhill the course boundary is marked by cones and takes you on to the grass which was definitely better suited to trail shoes. I did regret not wearing trail shoes at this point, but at the bottom off the hill the path flattens out and rejoins the tarmac path and loops all the way back around the lake, which was perfect road shoe conditions.</p><p>I think road shoes were the better all round choice, but on days where the weather has been particularly bad you might to take trail shoes for better grip in the squishy sections just to be safe.</p><p>Once you've followed the path all the way around the northern edge of the lake and back down past the finishing line there's the small matter of doing it all.over again another two more times. Sometimes laps can feel repetitive or boring, but I didn't get that feeling at all as there was always something to keep you occupied or to look at.</p><p>After my third lap I'd still not seen Foordy at any point on the course. I crossed the finish line and after my usual post-run dramatics I looked around the lake to see if I could spot him. There he was just a few minutes behind me sprinting for the finish.</p><p>I finished in 51st place out of a field of 150 participants in a time of 28:09. I'd really enjoyed the course and despite the laps and debatable shoe choice recommend a visit if you're looking for an event in the area. </p><p><br></p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-18652745182235583972023-12-23T11:52:00.009+00:002023-12-31T17:21:38.609+00:00Chalkwell Beach - event 127<img alt="Chalkwell Beach parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-chalkwell-beach.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 23rd December 2023 I ran the Chalkwell Beach parkrun which was the 127th event held at the venue, my 160th parkrun and 86th different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>Last year I completed my last parkrun before Christmas with a trip to the seaside and ran Margate parkrun. This year I decided to follow suit and complete another coastal event in the hope that they'd be big raging winds and rain to do battle with. Strange guy aren't I?!</p><p>I chose to run at Chalkwell Beach which is just to the east of Southend pier. I'd been there plenty of times before, using part of the course for parking when on a day trip to Southend. </p><p>The start is approximately 3 kilometres further east along the coast and there is plenty of places to park up before the event. The course is a simple and straightforward one. An out and back towards the pier.</p><p>It is evidently a popular event with a growing number of people arriving before the start full of Christmas cheer with many dressed up as Santa, elf's or wearing something festive.</p><p>Due to the number of people taking part the start of the run began slowly with the crowd making use of the wide promenade path and the grass that runs alongside it. Eventually everything stretches out and you can find a space to find a bit of rhythm and overtake if necessary.</p><p>Whilst it wasn't big winter weather with a ferocious tide, it was sunny, clear skies, cold and the wind was up. There were a couple of places where water was coming up past the seawall and splashing onto the promenade but nothing dramatic or poetic. On the way out we had the wind behind us, so didn't feel it. But after we'd reached the Casino on the seafront just ahead of the pier and the turnaround point we certainly noticed it on the way back.</p><p>Being part of a bigger pool of people for the bigger events there's always people around you and you can get competitive with a complete stranger without them knowing. After battling the wind for two and a half kilometres and the end in sight a switch flicked inside me and I put the boosters on to sprint the last two hundred meters it doesn't happen often, but it did today for some reason and I don't know why. But it meant for a grandstand finish and overtaking a whole group of people I never thought I'd beat.</p><p>I finished in 152nd place out of a field of 368 participants in a time of 27:42.</p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-26291174294154724042023-12-16T11:48:00.007+00:002023-12-17T23:10:01.387+00:00Sunny Hill parkrun - event 174<img alt="Sunny Hill parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-sunny-hill.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 16th December 2023 I ran the Sunny Hill parkrun which was the 174th event held at the venue, my 159th parkrun and 85th different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>Having suffered a little bit with my leg at last week's parkrun I decided to take friends and family advice and have a rest. Every evening I sat with an icepack on my thigh and missed my usual Wednesday wellbeing run in the hope that I'd not suffer or make worse whatever it was that was affecting me.</p><p>I also considered my choice of venue, instead of Sunny Hill I thought I'd look to run somewhere a little flatter. I'm also borrowing Mum and Dads car whilst they are away travelling so I've got easy access to a reliable transport that I can use to travel to further away venues whilst the car is in my care. But after a couple of weeks of unplanned, last minute changes I decided to stick to the script and tackle whatever Sunny Hill had in store for me.</p><p>Last week, I bemoaned the direction instructions provided by the website after being twice directed to the wrong place. So I made sure that I read and reread the driving instructions and was clear on where I needed to go. But once again the reality proved to be slightly different to what was written on the site. It stated that there is a small carpark and to follow the directions using the postcode provided. But I never found the carpark and was instead reliant upon on road parking at a nearby street to the park.</p><p>Sadly for me it was also on top of the hill. After getting out the car and finding the entrance to the park I realised quite quickly where the name has come from, even if the weather wasn't quite matching. From the entrance there was a wide panoramic view of the surrounding area and the landscape of the park dipped down and spread out beneath me.</p><p>The start line and meeting point took place at the bottom of the hill, and the flattest part of the park at the cross roads of two pathways. On one side was a play park and multi-sports playing surface. On the other side was a tree lined avenue which led up one side of the hill.</p><p>As I made my way around the top of the park following the pathway along the perimeter admiring the views, I thought about Ally Pally and Hilly Fields parkruns wondering which of the three venues had the best view and which one was going to be the toughest course to complete.</p><p>After the formalities had been completed we made our way to the start line which is a short walk along one of the arms of the crossroads next to the play area. The course is effectively a two-lap course, but with a smaller 'pre-loop' to help make up the distance. </p><p>The pre-loop takes in the tree-lined avenue and rises gradually part way up the hill. At the end is a t-junction which forms part of the main two-lap route. From this junction participants turn left, which leads around the northern edge of the park dropping back down hill to the start line. The downhill stretch is a good warmup for what's to come, as instead of taking a left at the cross roads participants carry on going up the steepest part of the hill to the top.</p><p>I did question my life choices as I reached the top and regretted not finding that flat alternative I was thinking about. From the top, participants turn right and head straight back down hill again which is great fun, but another opportunity to recover from the uphill climb. At the bottom of the hill participants turn left and run along the south western perimeter of the park which is a long gradual drag back up hill again to perimeter pathway that I used to enter the park earlier when I arrived.</p><p>The long slog ends with a short change in elevation as the pathway steepens the closer to the top you go. First time around it was quite tough going, but second was even worse. The perimeter path is mostly flat and you can enjoy wide views off to the left. There are parts of the pathway here that undulates, including a little steep down and up section on the bend just before the path dips down to make it's final descent towards the t-junction and first pre-loop part of the course.</p><p>I was keen to complete the course without stopping after last week's debacle and I made the first lap without issue. Whilst yes the hills were a challenge and tough going they weren't of sufficient length where I felt I needed to stop. The further around I got on the second lap the more determined I was to keep going. The long drawn out hill second time around took some effort, but nothing should be easy.</p><p>On the way down hill for the last time you can really pick up pace and momentum into that final pre-loop and start line straight. At the crossroads again for the last time the finish funnel is set up just on the left. I finished in 34th place out of a field of 69 participants in a time of 28:28. Normal service had resumed and I'd put the memories of last week away for another day.</p><p>So to answer my earlier question, was it London's toughest parkrun? Time was, Sunny Hill and Hilly Fields wasn't much in it. I recorded a slower time at Ally Pally, which I think shades it in terms of it's challenge. It was a much warmer day that day back in September which always makes a difference. But I think the trail elements of that course are more challenging than the all tarmac paths of Sunny Hill. I think Hilly Fields would also be tougher in inclement weather as I ran that too in drier conditions. Either way, it's great that there's so much variety and different challenges across the capital city for us all to enjoy and take on whenever we fancy.</p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-71693184016477531902023-12-09T12:41:00.008+00:002023-12-10T23:29:53.433+00:00Hockley Woods parkrun - event 384<img alt="Hockley Woods parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-hockley-woods.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 9th December 2023 I ran the Hockley Woods parkrun which was the 384th event held at the venue, my 158th parkrun and 84th different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>These pages of tales of parkrun tourism are littered with revised plans, changes of venues, weather related disruptions and generally things not going as expected. This weekend was probably the greatest example of all of those things happening at once.</p><p>I'd originally scheduled a visit to Sunny Hill parkrun, but Stephanie said that she thought the car was making funny noises so I changed to Highbury Fields as I could visit quite easily by train. We are borrowing my mum and dad's car for a period of time whilst they go on their travels starting this week, so our car issues will temporarily go away whilst we have two cars for the duration of that period.</p><p>My niece Layla was off Saturday and wanted to come along with me, which was great - the more the merrier. However, on Thursday she asked me if she could give it a miss as she didn't have the money for the train. We then worked out an alternative course, after borrowing the in-laws car and interrogating Layla on what type of course she fancied?</p><p>Do you like hills, trees? Do you fancy laps or a single route? Out and back or lollipops? After providing definitions for all of those things and getting answers in reply I suggested a visit to Hockley Woods, which might be very muddy I warned. No problem Uncle Adam she says.</p><p>Until Saturday morning comes along and it's dark, pouring with rain. I mean, really pouring - the cats and the dogs kinda rain. And very windy. I get a test message from Layla who is in the room downstairs beneath my own. She messaged her apologies, but wasn't going to becoming after all as she was too tired </p><p>I looked at my watch to see if there was still enough time to catch the train and pick up my original plan at Highbury Fields. I may just be able to make it, but it would be tight. By the time I'd weighed up the pros and cons I'd missed the window of opportunity and so no, I'd stick to the one I'd agreed with Layla but I'd be going without her.</p><p>As plans had been hurriedly made, rearranged, maybe reverted and ignored I hadn't done my proper research and read all of the travel instructions on how to get to Hockley Woods. I simply typed Hockley Woods into Google Maps and off I went. It was a hairy drive to Essex due to the weather and there were times where it felt like I was driving a submarine rather than a car. But I blindly followed Googles instructions and arrived at my destination 50 minutes later.</p><p>Except it wasnt where I needed to be. I had been taken to the edge of a new housing estate aside a wooden fence. The other side of which was evidently Hockley Woods. No carpark, no entrance, no purple pop-up sign. Just a new estate and a row of identical houses with gardens that are far too small.</p><p>I tried again. Opened my 5k app, navigated to the Hockley Woods detail page and pressed 'launch navigation'. Again, I followed along blindly and drove another ten minutes until I was told I'd arrived at my destination. This time Google had taken me to another housing estate and another dead end road. Except this housing estate was larger, with bigger gardens. But still no parkrun.</p><p>Back to the 5k app, my anxiety levels rising and the clock getting closer to 9am. I read all of the fine print and directions for road travellers to the event which described a carpark next to The Bull pub. </p><p>So I drive again, back the way I had come and find the pub, but not the road I needed to find the car park to the event. I decided to park at The Bull and see if I had better luck on foot. Which I did, I spotted some people jogging by so followed them up a partially hidden drive way which was the road to the car park I'd been looking for!</p><p>I had finally arrived at the venue and was much, much later than I normally allowed myself time for. It was straight into the welcome.meeting and afterwards, feeling nervous about parking at The Bull I asked the volunteer who had just given the briefing whether my car would be okay where I'd parked it. He sucked his teeth a little and suggested I move it. If I ran I'd be okay and would make it back in time for the start.</p><p>So off I went, jogging back to the car, moving it back around into the right car park and making my way back again to where everyone was congregating for the end of the race-briefing. There was one last burst of applause and we started to make our way around to the start, which was a good 5 minute walk from the meeting point.</p><p>Except I was busting for a pee. All the way along to to the start I was keeping my eye out for places in the woods, off the main track where I could have a pee behind a tree. But there didn't seem to be a right moment. I was fighting with myself trying to convince myself that I could make the run without peeing. As we got closer and closer to the start line it became clear that the run would start before I could find somewhere discreet.</p><p>Hockley Woods is an almost two-lap event around the woods themselves and was described to us in the welcome meeting as 'undulating'. We were also told that the course today would be muddy. I had already clocked the mud, and as the rain bucketted down the mud and puddles were growing before our eyes. On the walk to the start line the path took a turn downhill, along with it streams of water that looked like mini white water rapids which were growing with volume and velocity.</p><p>I'd made my decision to embrace the conditions. There was no point trying to step over certain parts of the path as everywhere was wet and everywhere was muddy. It was a case of full steam ahead. Which is how I started, splashing my way through the course and being surprised at how firm some of the paths were despite the conditions.</p><p>All was going well until we got to the first marshall point. He was standing on a bend with a path that disappeared off behind him. It was the perfect place for a pee and my ever aching bladder made the call for me. He wondered why is taken a detour as everyone else veered around to the right as I turned left. 'Need a pee marshall!'.</p><p>The relief was instant and I made my way back to the main path where the back markers were still going strong. I tried to get myself going again but couldn't quite find my rhythm and was being irritated by discomfort in my left leg.</p><p>I've had some discomfort in my left leg for the past three weeks and its normally been something I've been able to ignore up until now. As I was running and trying to ignore my left leg I could feel flapping around my right foot and I checked my laces, they'd come undone. I tried to ignore them too, but the further I went the more irritating they were. So I stopped again to do the them up </p><p>My run wasn't going to plan and my head had gone. Running is much more of a mental discipline than a physical one and it's always the mental battle that I seem to be beaten by, even if the physical element had paid a small part in this week's defeat.</p><p>The description of the course couldn't have been any truer. It certainly was an undulating course, but none of the hills were particularly long or taxing. On an ordinary day I'd have run up then I think without much issue. But Saturday morning was just one of those days, summed up by the fact that half way around the second lap my other lace on the other foot came undone and I had to stop and do that one up as well. I can't remember the last time I ran and had to contend with a rogue shoelace and had two to contend with in the space of 15 minutes.</p><p>At the end of each lap is the steepest and trickiest hill of the course. Which at the end of the second lap precludes the finish. As I reached the top of it on the second lap the skies opened once more and the puddles that had formed to cover the pathway to the finish funnel resembled a small lake. I bounded through it like an excited puppy and was determined to get some enjoyment out of the event.</p><p>I finished in 49th place out of a field of 64 participants in a time of 33:48. It was my slowest parkrun effort for some time (ignoring the events I've walked around with Hayden). But despite all of the trials and tribulations I really enjoyed the course at Hockey Woods, it offers a decent challenge amidst scenic surroundings which I imagine can look pretty spectacular in spring or summer. Definitely one to take on again another day!</p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-5741805945642556072023-12-02T12:03:00.010+00:002023-12-03T23:32:06.755+00:00Valentines parkrun - event 599<img alt="Valentines parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-valentines.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 2nd December 2023 I ran the Valentines parkrun which was the 599th event held at the venue, my 157th parkrun and 83rd different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>Last week I skipped the tourist trail again. Twice in three weeks I revisited a previously attended event and twice in three weeks I set a new course PB. Last weekend was a revisit to Mote Park parkrun for event number 74. I first visited for event number three, struggled in the heat and on the hills and set a time of 30:18. In much cooler temperatures and 18 months of psrkrunning behind me I set a new time of 27:59 which greatly exceeded my expectations.</p><p>But whilst I certainly enjoyed returning to Mote park and enjoyed what is a lovely course. I also had the pleasure of sharing the experience with Reaso and Amelie who smashed her first full length parkrun. I couldn't help but miss the feeling of discovering a new course for the first time and the fulfilling sensation of adding another tick against the lost of events I'd not yet visited.</p><p>Such is the sadness of this compulsion, I found myself on Saturday morning on what was arguably the coldest morning of the year up at the crack of dawn trying to find information on whether my chosen venue was hold an event or was to be beaten by the weather. I got in the car with two pairs of shoes in case I had to take a detour onto a plan B in the event than plan A canceled whilst I was en route.</p><p>As it was, Valentines parkrun is made of stern stuff. A two lap anti-clockwise course which takes in majority of the park is all, entirely on tarmac paths. There are a couple of small bridges which are made out of wood and were a little bit slippery, but we were warned about them in the pre-run briefing and were covered by a marshall as an extra precaution.</p><p>From the start, which is alongside the boating lake on the southern end of the park next to the cafe. Participants head west for a couple of hundred meters before turning left and running past an ornate clocktower which looks out over the lake. The path on the main starting stretch is wide and flat which helps provide a quick and smooth get away, so by the time you reach the clock tower everyone should be well seeded and positioned to finish in formation.</p><p>As the weather was dull, grey and slightly misty the park wasn't looking at it's best. It was however still showing signs of autumn with trees multiple hues of red and orange and blankets of leaves, frosty and crispy underfoot.</p><p>There is also plenty of water around, with the aforementioned lake prominent at the southern end of the park with ponds and ornamental fountains in the north. The route winds its way up to the northern part of the park and there's a particular section here which was most impressive. A long, straight avenue lined both sides with tall tree carrying the colours of autumn. </p><p>On the way back around to complete the lap the route takes in more of the recreational areas of the park, passing tennis courts and play areas. I'd imagine in warmer, sunnier months the whole park being full of activity.</p><p>After the second lap participants turn left back onto the starting straight and complete the 200 meter sprint to the finish funnel.</p><p>Despite still having some discomfort in my left thigh I ran well and finishes strongly. I came home in 81st place out of a field of 211 participants in a time of 27:15, which keeps up a consistent run of strong results.</p><p><br></p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-59286655955732881032023-11-18T13:24:00.007+00:002023-11-19T19:54:00.863+00:00Finsbury Park parkrun - event 611<img alt="Finsbury Park parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-finsbury-park.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 18th November 2023 I ran the Finsbury Park parkrun which was the 611th event held at the venue, my 155th parkrun and 82nd different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>Once again my parkrun plans this weekend were reconfigured at the last minute by issues with our car. Ideally our Meriva would visit the scrap man and call it a day, but finances dictate otherwise.</p><p>Friday night whilst driving home from Gillingham Football Club to visit the new club shop I noticed strange sounds coming from the vehicle. Once home it was confirmed to be an issue with the exhaust. So Friday night, right at the last minute I screwed up my plans to head over to Essex for Markshall Estates 98th event and trawled the map to find an alternative event that I could complete by public transport.</p><p>Adding further complication to my last minute planning was the realisation that engineering works at Gravesend would mean an extra challenge to my morning travel plans.</p><p>I asked Stephanie if she was able to get me to Ebbsfleet International in the morning instead, and with a few grumbles she agreed. Game on!</p><p>The capital always offers an abundance of choice when it comes to parkrun events, but I wanted to do another new one and they are all relatively easy to get to via public transport. I opted for one of the more straightforward ones; Finsbury Park, which was only a short tube ride away from Kings Cross/St Pancras.</p><p>I have been to Finsbury park before. I thought it was in the 90s, but in writing this I thought I'd have a look on YouTube and it was actually 2002. Oasis were playing a number of gigs at the park and I went to one of them. I don't remember much about the park, or the gig itself really apart from the fact it was absolute carnage with people bouncing up and down everywhere and plastic cups raining down all night filled with beer and piss! Great times!</p><p>On arrival, as I was really early I took a walk around the park and didn't recognise any of it from my previous visit. When I got to the cafe there was a pictorial history of the park written on a sign board next to the lake which detailed lots of recent improvements to the park. After the series of gigs at the turn of the century the park fell into disrepair and it wasn't until the last decade where the investment has been made to improve the facilities in the grounds, with new paving, play areas and tennis courts installed.</p><p>The start and finish are in different places either side of the cafe, which is used as a gathering place pre-run. The start itself is to the west on the main carriageway that runs around majority of the perimeter of the park.</p><p>Two laps, in an anti-clockwise direction participants start downhill following the main carriageway until the bottom of the hill where it turns almost 180 degrees back upon itself and heads north in almost straight line back to the northern edge of the park.</p><p>The carriageway is wide and formed of tarmac, similar if you will to the carriageway at <a href="https://adamdbird.blogspot.com/2023/10/dulwich-parkrun-event-541.html">Dulwich</a> a few weeks back. The approach back north heads gently upwards and dips back again where the route turns off the carriageway onto a smaller path leading up to the back of the lake via a short, but fairly steep change of elevation.</p><p>Reaching the highest part of the course at the lake, the route turns left and joins a smaller path which leads around the lake, twisting and turning as it goes. Part of the route here is through a small ceremonial style garden, which whilst not looking it's best due to the season. I'd imagine it looking much brighter and formal in the spring and summer months.</p><p>On the first lap, the path continues until the cafe before reaching the main carriageway where participants turn left and follow the lap around for lap two. At the end of the second a fork after the ceremonial garden takes participants a very short way down a small path which leads directly into the finish funnel.</p><p>I finished in 237th place out of a field of 478 participants in a time 27:41. I also finished remaining dry, which was a relief considering all the rain we had! Once I got back to Ebbsfleet International Stephanie was still running errands with kids and so I walked home, which is just under 3 miles. I was back home by 11am, just shy of 18,000 steps for the day!</p><p><br></p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-73536610020767411072023-11-11T23:45:00.005+00:002023-11-12T23:05:05.598+00:00Erdigg parkrun - event 277<img alt="Erdigg parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-erdigg.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 11th November 2023 I ran the Erdigg parkrun which was the 277th event held at the venue, my 154th parkrun and 81st different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>Last weekend my touristing plans came to an abrupt halt. It was my friend Marks birthday and he'd arranged to run Shorne Woods parkrun and was being joined by Reaso and George. Weather in the lead up to the weekend has been horrific and wasn't much better on the Saturday morning. I didn't have a car and so wasn't relishing a train trip to North London and Oak Hill as I had planned. Instead I decided to remain local and joined the others at Shorne Woods where I ran for the fifth time and proceeded to set a new PB of 27:52 which was just shy of three minutes better than my previous best.</p><p>This week was a return to new experiences and for me my first parkrun in Wales as we head to Wrexham to watch Gillingham and complete another weekend double.</p><p>If I could and if my budget was able to stretch that far I'd visit every away Gillingham match and would travel up Friday after work, stay overnight and get up in the morning to run a local parkrun event before the game on the Saturday afternoon. It's what Hayden and I did in August on the first game of the season with Stockport County and <a href="https://adamdbird.blogspot.com/2023/08/woodbank-parkrun-event-649.html">Woodbank</a> and despite the awful rain was a great weekend.</p><p>I've been to Wrexham twice previously and if it hadn't been for the Hollywood takeover I'd have not been too fussed about going again, but as Ryan Reynolds and co had put Wrexham truly on the global map it was a ground Hayden was desperate to visit. Not only he, but Reaso, George and my brother in law Richard who has recently joined us as a season ticket holder wanted to make the visit to Wales as his first away game of the season. He's also been a frequent visitor of Cyclopark parkun this year and so was well up for following my format of a footballing weekend.</p><p>Heading up Friday, we picked Hayden up from school and drove up the M1/M6 and arrived on the outskirts of Wrexham at our Travelodge for the night. Cheap, comfortable and easy aƧcess for parkrun in the morning but short on amenities. I wrongly assumed that the budget chains were attached to some form of pub chain, but it wasn't the case for this particular hotel. Upon arrival, instead of enjoying a couple of late night beers we all retired to our rooms and caught up on sleep instead!</p><p>Erdigg parkrun takes place in the grounds and estate of an old 18th century mansion. It was a short ten minute drive in the morning and we arrived in good time. The car park is a good five minute walk from the start and the entrance roads are at the mercy of being blocked by flocks of sheep, so always good to give yourself some extra time!</p><p>The start takes place in front of the main house which was impressive to stand outside of. It's an imposing property with views for miles around which you can see the appeal of why the house was chosen to be built there.</p><p>An out and back route, it's slightly more convuluted than a straightforward out leg and a subsequent return. Starting from the house participants run a short loop at the same level of the house through woodland which was wonderfully squelchy and muddy underfoot. There was also a fair amount of groundwater, but the skies were clear and perfectly blue making for perfect weather to enjoy the views and scenery.</p><p>Part way around the woodland route is a short out and back section which is taken strictly in single file with no overtaking permitted. This was a little bit of a challenge with Hayden as he clearly wanted to stop and walk but I told him he wasn't allowed to and used it as an excuse to push him into running!</p><p>Once the loop is complete, participants run back past the house before turning right down a sharp hill and turn back on yourselfs below the level of the house which you can barely see the top of as you look up towards it.</p><p>This path continues deeper into the Erdigg estate and you get to enjoy the changing scenery as the path crosses over a meandering river and weaves around a mixture of woodland and open fields.</p><p>At this point Hayden had been busting for a pee and was no longer able to run despite my continued encouragement. I tried to get him to pee into a bush besides the path we were running on, but he got stage fright and nothing happened. I wasn't too bothered if I'm honest as it gave me more time to enjoy my surroundings and admire what was a truly spectacular place to run, walk or jog a 5k course. Richard, George and Reaso were all ahead of us running their own events and so there was no competition for places this week.</p><p>At the end of the pathway, you met a bridge which humped over the river which was full and flowing coldly beneath. Other faster runners were heading towards us on their way back, but we had to turn left and stay on the southern bank of the river and take the large loop which would eventually bring us back around to the bridge in which we'd just passed.</p><p>We made our way along the river and towards the end of the Erdigg estate dodging puddles and potholes, where a single file wooden bridge took us over to the other side and into the woods. We'd lost all of the running pack and were enjoying the peace and solitude of our surroundings. I managed to convince Hayden to try and have a pee again, which was more successful this time. But had less joy convincing him to pick up the pace.</p><p>We made our way out of the woods, across a wet and very squelchy field to the humped-backes bridge where our ascent back to the house began.</p><p>Known fondly as 'vomit hill' the route back, following the way that we came was generally fine for the most part. The real severe gradient came right towards the last 100m, but as you knew it was going to be short and sharp well within the realms of being runnable. Although I had the benefit of walking most of the course and had I ran around I'd be cursing the hill as much as the next man!</p><p>Once vomit hill in conquered, participants turn left and follow the short route back to the start where the finishing funnel is now set up and in place.</p><p>I finished in a time of 47:39 and was 128th out of a field of 136 participants. It was of course not an event for speed, but another event where I ran with Hayden encouraging him to be outdoors and enjoy his surroundings. I had absolutely no interest in running at 8 years old and don't expect him to either. But we can all enjoy and admire a beautiful location with incredible scenery can't we?</p><p><br></p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-87546690777713749132023-10-28T18:11:00.001+01:002023-10-29T23:15:26.118+00:00Rendlesham Forest parkrun - event 89<img alt="Rendlesham Forest parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-rendlesham-forest.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 28th October 2023 I ran the Rendlesham Forest parkrun which was the 89th event held at the venue, my 152nd parkrun and 80th different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>The first rule as a parkrun tourist is to have a plan B. If you have a plan C it will likely come in handy, particularly during this time of year when the rainy season adds jeopardy to the best laid parkrun plans.</p><p>I had pencilled in Rendlesham Forest for this weekend, but last week's cancellations meant that Thornham Woods wasn't able to run, and that their event 20 wasn't going to run for another week. Perfect for me, I was still looking to attend an event 20 for my Wilson index and rejigged me diary accordingly.</p><p>As the kids were on half term and their weekend clubs cancelled it offered us as a family an opportunity. I suggested to Stephanie that we head out for the day on Friday, stay over night somewhere in the evening and attend Thornham Woods on the Saturday morning.</p><p>After much faff and discussion that's what we almost did. Instead of going out as a family, we spent the Friday doing various things separately. Steph and I head to Medway looking for gifts for Phoebe's birthday, whilst Phoebe and Hayden spent the day with Layla and my sister at Bluewater. Oliver is too old and too cool to do anything with us now so Oliver did what Oliver does. But after all that was done and we reconvened in the early evening we hit the road and drove to our overnight stop, a Premier Inn just outside of Ipswich.</p><p>Whilst we were waiting for our evening meal I checked out the Thornham Woods Facebook page to see what the latest news was with regards to the course conditions and as suspected the event had been cancelled again for a second week. Rather than panic and have a wasted weekend plan B was put into action.</p><p>From where we were staying Ipswich parkrun was just 5km away, which would have been great to collect another 'i' towards a second parkrun alphabet, as would nearby Kesgrave. But as we were looking to participate as a family the original plan of Rendlesham Forest was the best bet as it was probably the most scenic of all the other nearby options (that I am aware of).</p><p>So up we woke on the Saturday morning, nice and early and hit the road to Rendlesham Forest which was the scene of one of the most famous UFO encounter which took place in December 1980. If the scenery and parkrun wasn't appealing to the children beforehand, tales of aliens and flying saucers certainly made things more interesting.</p><p>There is something special about parkrun events held in the forest and this was no exception. Immediately upon arrival you are surrounded by tall pine trees and greenery within every direction. As we were running in autumn the colours of the season were in full bloom and the smells of damp vegetation filled the air.</p><p>The course on first view looks fairly convoluted and even after it was explained to us during the first timers meeting it didn't really make a huge amount of sense. But as a veteran of 80 different events I've come to realise that however complex a course might look it all makes sense in the end.</p><p>Essentially the route consists of three loops which are linked by a central spine. It feels like a single lap course, which is what it's classified as, but there are parts of the course that are run more than once.</p><p>I had spoken to the kids beforehand and suggested that we walked for two minutes and run for two minutes and repeat those intervals. But they weren't especially keen, and so to keep the peace I decided to walk around with Steph and the kids and let them enjoy to course at their own pace and enjoy a relaxing walk through what was a beautiful forest.</p><p>From the start the course heads east for a couple of hundred meters before turning left where the first small loop begins. The path is initially wide and is sandy in places with vast areas of trees to the left and a smaller area to the right where the first loop routes around. </p><p>As we were almost back around the end of the first loop and had come back out of the trees onto the main pathway Hayden decided he'd done with walking and wanted to run. So off we went leaving Stephanie and Phoebe to enjoy the rest of the event at a more leisurely pace.</p><p>Despite me trying to encourage Hayden to slow down, run slower but for longer he kept running at full speed. Which meant that he had to stop and walk for longer to catch his breath again, but he kept going </p><p>The second loop takes place on the opposite side of the start/finish path and felt like the deepest section of the forest. The path wiggled and weaved it's way through the trees by a section of cones and was well marked out. There was also a short out and back section which enabled us to high five Steph and Phoebe on our way back as we increased the distance between us.</p><p>The third loop is the biggest, taken again off the sandy path, but this time on the left hand side. This loop was the most scenic, with a single width pathway carved out with short fern like bushes either side of the path.</p><p>Despite how much rain we've had this month the ground was still firm and only squishy in a few places. There was also very little in the way of standing water and where the was it was easily avoided.</p><p>After we'd made our way around the largest loop we rejoined the back leg of the first small loop which brought us back out onto the sandy path and around the corner where the finish funnel was situated after a quick sprint finish.</p><p>Hayden and I finished 81st and 82nd out of a field of 90 participants in a time of 44.26. Which for Hayden gave him a new 5k PB. All the more impressive when you consider that for the first kilometer we'd walked the whole way around. I'd like to have seen his time had we takenit seriously from the get go. More importantly though was that he did it, along with Steph and Phoebe it wasn't about 'doing parkrun'. It was about being outdoors, in the forest and enjoying being somewhere and enjoying nature for what it is - beautiful.</p><p><br></p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-6682805237715704502023-10-21T12:00:00.006+01:002023-10-22T14:40:12.775+01:00Dulwich parkrun - event 541<img alt="Dulwich parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-dulwich.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 21st October 2023 I ran the Dulwich parkrun which was the 541st event held at the venue, my 151st parkrun and 79th different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>After three weeks of parkrun events that featured hills, hills and more hills it was time to put that grueling effort to good use with a parkrun PB attempt at everyone's favourite PB attempt parkrun location - Dulwich parkrun.</p><p>The course record here is an astonishing 13:57 which was set five years ago but consistently people come close as a whole range of athletes, including Olympians use the event as part of their training programmes.</p><p>I'm not an athlete and far, far, far from being an Olympian, but if it's good enough for them it's good enough for me and well, everything's relative right?</p><p>Dulwich parkrun was also the next stop on my long running ambition to run all of the parkrun events inside of the M25, so a chance to kill two birds with one stone. If I failed in one goal, I'll have definitely achieved the other.</p><p>Yesterday saw the last remnants of the first big winter storm, storm Babet. And so when I arrived I spent much longer than normal hiding in the car trying to stay out of the rain. It wasn't quite as biblical as my visit to <a href="https://adamdbird.blogspot.com/2023/08/woodbank-parkrun-event-649.html">Woodbank</a> with Hayden, but the weather wasn't looking much fun.</p><p>Fortunately there was a short lull in the weather which allowed me to scout the park briefly, which I did by entering the park at the northernmost entrance and walking around the main path to where the start was on the southern side.</p><p>The course takes part on the main route around the park, three laps in an anti-clockwise direction. Such is the simplicity of the course there are no marshalls on the route and runners simply stay on the main, wide road that circles the park until they reach the start/finish area on the third pass and enter the finish funnel, which due to the number of participants is of the double variety.</p><p>At <a href="https://adamdbird.blogspot.com/2022/10/bushy-parkrun-event-899.html">Bushy parkrun</a>, my first experience of the double funnel I lost out due to the savvy woman in front of me who pushed in and made her way 50 places up the finishing order. I decided early on that I'd be keeping my wits about me, but I never had to in the end as the standard single funnel seemed to cope with the number and the double one wasn't needed.</p><p>Knowing that I was attempting to set a new personal parkrun best time I was determined to give it my all. I started in the right place in the middle of the crowd and the crowd set off without much delay. On some courses, the tight start means that it can be slow to get away. But there was no such worries at Duwich where the wide paths allows people to get going quite quickly.</p><p>My pace felt good and I enjoyed the run, although there were a few parts of the lap which weren't strictly flat. I felt like I'd overtaken more people than had overtaken me and so when I crossed the finish line I crossed it feeling really pleased with myself.</p><p>I was handed the number 277 token and my Strava finished at 26:52. It wasn't quite a new PB, but quite often the official time comes up a little quicker, which a couple of hours later it did, I had finished in 26:49, which was ten seconds slower than my best parkrun time and joined third which I was chuffed about.</p><p>However, a few hours later whilst looking at my parkrun app I noticed that there was a difference in my finishing time and place. I was now showing as finishing 275th out of a field of 467 participants in a time of 26:34. So according to the new set of results I'd beaten my previous fastest parkrun time by 5 seconds which was exactly what I was hoping for, but not entirely convinced on its accuracy.</p><p>It just means that I've got to beat it again now though doesn't it?</p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-54403023549503573002023-10-14T20:58:00.007+01:002023-10-15T22:17:58.226+01:00Hilly Fields parkrun - event 517<img alt="Hilly Fields parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-hilly-fields.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 14th October 2023 I ran the Hilly Fields parkrun which was the 517th event held at the venue, my 150th parkrun and 78th different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>The last two parkrun events I've been to have involved hills. It's no surprise then that Hilly Fields parkrun also contains them, and was deliberately chosen for that fact. I can only get better at running uphill if I practice doing so. It should also help me when I finally do another flat one, even it's psychological.</p><p>Upon arrival it was clear why the park had been given its name. A green space in the middle of a built up area in south east London centered around a field that was made up of a hill. Various paths ran across the space and I headed upwards to the top where the parkrun starts and finishes.</p><p>At the summit of the hill is a tarmac path and along its route is a cafe, a play area and a couple of tennis courts. Running from west to east participants start from the western end next to the cafe and head east to the end where the route leaves the tarmac path onto the grass and drops down to the northern half of the hill.</p><p>Running clockwise, the route skirts the northern circumference of the park which rises back up to the central tarmac path by the cafe and start line. This first hill is fairly steep towards the top, but short so felt manageble. As it brings you back out to a flat stretch there's plenty of opportunities for recovery.</p><p>After a short while, just beyond the tennis courts the route turns left onto the southern part of the park where it drops down a steeper descent and loops back around onto the grass before coming up the second hill of the lap which is the longer, steeper version of the two.</p><p>As this is a three lap course each hill has to be completed three times, with six ascents in total making the whole course feel very much like a hill reps session.</p><p>After the second hill is taken for the third time, participants turn right at the top instead of left and head back towards the start line but with the finish arriving a hundred yards closer on the left hand side.</p><p>I really enjoyed this event, as I seem to for most of the events I've been to. But certainly with this one there's an element of challenge to it and it felt massively rewarding once I'd crossed the finish line. I don't normally like hills, but these felt short enough to be able to tackle them knowing there was a nice downhill to come straight after.</p><p>I finished 135th out of a field of 223 participants in a time of 28:13.</p><p>I wrote on Facebook afterwards when I shared my Strava post that 150 parkruns was a great achievement for someone who doesn't like running and I meant every word of it. Finishing an event like that yesterday provides the body and the mind with such positivity and feel good feelings that keeps me going back. All week I ask myself why I'd do this and that finish line is exactly why.</p><p><br></p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-24774251847130113022023-10-07T12:30:00.006+01:002023-10-08T23:07:57.115+01:00Church Mead parkrun - event 78<img alt="Church Mead parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-church-mead.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 7th October 2023 I ran the Church Mead parkrun which was the 78th event held at the venue, my 149th parkrun and 77th different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>All week long I'd been preparing myself for the Wendover Woods parkrun and tackling everything that event would likely entail, including the tough uphill climbs. However, a rare last minute discovery changed my mind and I found myself tackling a different hilly challenge in nearby Amersham instead.</p><p>Looking through the 5k challenge app on Thursday evening I discovered that Church Mead parkrun would be running it's 78th event on Saturday morning and as that event number is one of those below 100 I'm still to tick off I decided to change my plans. </p><p>I'd known that the Church Mead parkrun was going to be a challenge as I'd seen videos on YouTube profiling the event. As my niece Layla had already agreed to come with me I had another decision to make. Do I show her the video and put her off, or do I take her along oblivious to it and for her to hate me and never go again?</p><p>I decided to do the right thing and asked her if she wanted to watch the <a href="https://youtu.be/vVw_VUpUqTc?si=phM_Y5vag9_Y2Qgn">video on YouTube</a>, which she did. And although she laughed and joked through watching it she came along anyway and knew exactly what to expect.</p><p>Two laps in an anti-clockwise direction around a field and through a section of woodland that was on the side of a hill, sounda simple but it was so much more than that.</p><p>Starting at a small municipal garden next to a stream behind a church, the beginning of the Church Mead parkrun couldn't have been any more idyllic. </p><p>The first timers briefing was called and three youngsters came over and introduced themselves and proceeded with a synchronised routine that ran through all of the component parts of the standard brief. Except it was interactive, humerous and evidently very well rehearsed. It definitely gave all those watching a smile and I'd suggest aside from the Queen Elizabeth parkrun that it's up there with the best first timers meeting I've attended - one to look out for anyone looking to attend in the future.</p><p>From the start, participants wind their way around the gardens for a short spell, before taking a footpath that leads to a wide open field where the path continues uphill towards the trees in the distance. However, the course turns right just as the field comes into view and instead participants have to run alongside the bottom.of the field which undulates gently over rough and bumpy soil.</p><p>To the right is a stream and the gardens where the run began and to the left is the imposing hill of dirt that had recently been ploughed and harvested of whatever would have been growing there earlier this summer. But before long the end of the field is reached and the path turns left where the first ascent awaits.</p><p>As with most things, watching on TV is a very different experience to the reality and the truth was that this hill was tough! Steep and seemingly ongoing for the longest time I managed to make my way up without stopping which was exactly what I'd set out to do. After the initial steep ascent, the path flattens out somewhat, but is still heading upwards. The path then winds through the woods and continues to rise until there's a point where the path comes out alongside a road. </p><p>This marks the highest point of the course and only runs alongside the road for the shortest time before heading back into the woods and starts it descent. Slowly at first, the path winds through the trees before it starts to dip quite steeply. The long uphill slog is soon forgotten as the downhill.pace increases and before long the exit of the woods is reached and the tarmac path heading downhill is met.</p><p>This path is the eastern perimeter of the main field and is actually quite a steep drop down to the bottom where on the first lap you rejoin the undulating path back around the field for the second crack of the hill. On the second lap you continue downhill a little further where the finish line appears.</p><p>My second attempt to run up the hill was by no means as successful as my first. I only made it up half-day before I called it quits and ended up leisurely walking the rest and enjoying the views. I was in no rush as Layla was a way behind me and so I could enjoy the views across Amersham and the surrounding countryside with pleasure.</p><p>I did enjoy the second descent though and made up quite a lot of lost time. Although running down the main hill does offer a couple of dangers. The first was a few off-lead dogs out for their Saturday morning stroll and the second was the right left hand turn at the bottom for which.a brick wall runs alongside. I felt like I was going to head straight into it, but managed to put the brakes on sufficiently to make it around without doing myself any damage.</p><p>Once that last bend is successfully navigated it's a steady 100 meter sprint to the finish. But with the downhill momentum behind me I'd say that was possibly one of the fastest finishes I've ever done on any parkrun anywhere.</p><p>I finished in 41st place out of a field of 83 participants in a time of 30:25. Church Mead parkrun was up there in terms of the toughest that I've ever done, but it's also up there as one of my favourites. The views from the top were beautiful and the downhills so much fun! Yes the uphills were challenging, but the payback through to woods and back down again more than worth it!</p><p><br></p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-37482933131420424642023-09-30T12:21:00.004+01:002023-10-01T22:44:47.111+01:00Ally Pally parkrun - event 516<img alt="Ally Pally parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-ally-pally.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 30th September 2023 I ran the Ally Pally parkrun which was the 516th event held at the venue, my 148th parkrun and 76th different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>When I asked my friend Reaso if he wanted me to pick up his son George for this week's parkrun he asked where I was heading. "Ally Pally", I said. And that was the end of that. The next ten minutes was spent listening at how steep the hill was up towards the Alexandra Palace and how drunken darts fans roll down it after a day on the beer watching the arrows. He explained how steep it was and how close he'd come to having a coronary and wouldn't wish running up it on his worst enemy.</p><p>I had, as always done my research. I'd also seen the Ally Pally on television enough times and so knew that grounds of the parkrun would be the hillier variety. But the graphic picture that Reaso had painted put a nervous fear into me and I drove towards north London on Saturday morning with deep regret! Hills and I don't get on, let alone long steep ones!</p><p>In some ways, I'm glad of the pre-run trepidation as it helped me prepare for the worst. Luckily the worst fears weren't realised and it ended up being a rather fun, but challenging event.</p><p>The carpark is aside the Alexandra Palace itself and so when I arrived and got out of the car I had some amazing views of London to the south and got my first view of the grounds which were on a steep incline heading down at a gradient just as Reaso had warned. On a clear day, like Saturday you can see for miles and with the position of the lowly sun both the city of London and the docklands appeared as imposing silhouettes on the horizon.</p><p>I followed the main road back down the hill and cut to the central pathway that runs through the middle of the grounds at about half way down the hill. The path is flat, wide and covered by trees and is where the start and finish line are located.</p><p>The course itself consists of two anti-clockwise laps and has a short in and out stretch at the beginning and the end of the course.</p><p>Starting from the central pathway, participants head west for approximately 400 meters. The tree cover ends and to the left playing fields appear which dip down gradually to the south. Participants also turn left and head in the same direction all the way to the bottom of the park where they turn left again onto compacted soil paths and head east enjoying the start of the trail segment of the run.</p><p>Meandering eastwards on grass the course starts to rise upwards into the trees and the path turns to trail. As it had rained during the week there were some areas of mud, but it wasn't slippy and nor was there any standing water.</p><p>Through the trees the trail path twists and turns before it starts heading north and gradually starts to get steeper before you reach a short sharp hill that brings you back out onto the main start/finish pathway.</p><p>You rejoin this path momentarily, allowing you to quickly get your breath back before turning right again and heading north onto the grass and up another short, sharp hill.</p><p>This was the hardest section of the course due to the gradient, but fortunately it wasn't too long and once you reach the top it flattens out and you turn left onto a compacted gravel path which helps aid the recovery.</p><p>Whilst this section is still not flat, it does allow for the legs to recuperate and for the lungs to stop burning. Following this path along from east to west, gently undulating as it goes takes runners all the way to the western end of the grounds with views of London to the left and views of the palace to the right. I think it was the surroundings that helped take the mind off of the running as there was plenty to keep the eyea occupied.</p><p>At the far end, participants turn left once more and pick up the tarmac path which drops you down from the top path back down to the middle one where the start/finish line lies further up ahead. On the first lap, participants turn right and head down again to the southern perimeter of the grounds and pick up the trail path again. On the second lap they continue onwards to the finish.</p><p>As it's a long, wide, slightly downwards finish the end straight is rich reward for the efforts in twice taken uphill elements. As mentioned above, I'm generally rubbish at hills but had a determination this week that meant I completed the course without stopping and consider that a massive win.</p><p>I came 159th out of a field of 283 participants in a time of 29:41, which on a course like that I'll take all day long! I'm glad Reaso painted a fearsome picture and more importantly, I'm glad I overcame those fears!</p><p><br></p><p><br></p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-86072188495850755902023-09-23T12:31:00.006+01:002023-09-24T23:05:11.634+01:00Harrow Lodge parkrun - event 469<img alt="Harrow Lodge parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-harrow-lodge.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 23rd September 2023 I ran the Harrow Lodge parkrun which was the 469th event held at the venue, my 147th parkrun and 75th different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>Harrow Lodge has been on my to-do list for some time. For over a year it had been top of my NENDY list, which if you've been paying attention means Nearest Event Not Done Yet. After I'd completed my <a href="https://adamdbird.blogspot.com/2022/08/thurrock-parkrun-event-285.html">Thurrock parkrun</a>, Harrow Lodge took the NENDY crown and has remained ever since.</p><p>This weekend was also my 75th different parkrun event milestone and so it seemed a logical place to celebrate and kill two birds with one stone. I was joined this weekend by Reaso and his son George who hadn't quite been put off by his first and last visit to a parkrun event, namely <a href="https://adamdbird.blogspot.com/2023/04/whinlatter-forest-parkrun-event-188.html">Whinlatter Forest</a> back in April.</p><p>Having had the experience of visiting multiple different parkrun events I've grown accustomed to arriving at a parkrun venue and being surprised by the contrast of the park with its nearby surroundings. Particularly in London where the area is congested and full of roads, houses and concrete and yet in the middle of a park surrounded by trees, greenery and nature you leave that world behind and inhabit a completely new one.</p><p>We parked at the carpark as directed on the <a href="https://www.parkrun.org.uk/harrowlodge/course/">course description</a> page, which is fairly small so I'd suggest arriving early. We pulled up at 8:30 and there didn't appear to be a huge amount of space left. But carpark marshalls were on hand and squeezed much more than expected in. If you don't have any luck, there is another car park at the opposite end of the park, but it will be a good ten to fifteen minute walk away from the start which was directly next to the car park we were in.</p><p>The centre of the park is dominated by a lake which had all of the things you would expect to see on a suburban park lake, with swans, ducks, paddle boats and looked quite resplendent under the late September morning sun.The course uses the lake too as it's focal point which meant that for majority of the event it was pretty much always in view. </p><p>Harrow Lodge parkrun is a single lap event, which starts from the aforementioned carpark and skirts the southern perimeter of the park eastwards in a clockwise direction. Slightly uphill the first section is a long straight slog to the first turn which helps with crowd control as the wide open expanse of space reduces any chance of a bottleneck and allows for a speedy getaway.</p><p>Running past football pitches on the right hand side the first corner comes up and the ground changes from grass to tarmac, turning right and following the eastern perimeter of the park from south to north. This change in ground underfoot becomes a common theme as the course progresses with constant transitions between grass, tarmac and trail paths. I don't think I've ran at an event before where the ground changes so often and I found it quite refreshing. I'd imagine in winter months that the course would be fairly punishing and mostly full of mud. But we didn't have that handicap, so could enjoy the hard ground whilst it lasts.</p><p>From the north, the course turns right again and starts to head west to the far opposite end of the park. This route isn't straight or direct, it's a winding, meandering, gently undulating route full of character and difference. Every corner brings a new view and/or a new surface and you almost want to stop and walk, enjoy it and take it all in. </p><p>It goes from single path tracks through trees to wide tarmac paths and open grassland in quick succession. Not just all the way out to the east, but again when you come back after reaching the far Eastern side of the park. The route heads back west after turning around and covers the northern side of the lake. </p><p>Once the end of the lake has been reached, the path follows it around anti-clockwise until it reaches the southern shore and then once back on the grass it's a case of following it back for a half a kilometre home to the finishing funnel.</p><p>After you've reached a line of trees the ground starts to dip downwards and so there's a glorious opportunity for a downward sprint finish, which I didn't quite have the energy or the competition around me to make the most of.</p><p>I finished in 54th place out of a field of 158 participants in a time of 27:44. Both George and Reaso finished 90 seconds up the road, so I was well pleased with my time considering the tricky nature of the course. Typically I started off too fast and led the way between us for the first kilometer. George soon overtook me and there was no way on earth I was catching up with him after that!</p><p>Chris and Linda Cowell were recognised as being the first people ever to record 100 different parkrun venues and so the achievement for reaching the same milestone sees people enter the 'Cowell' club. There are also sub-milestones for a quarter, half and three-quarters which I'm now a lucky member of.</p><p>Here's the full list.</p><p>1 Great Lines</p><p>2 Bexley</p><p>3 Hastings</p><p>4 Shorne Woods</p><p>5 Cyclopark</p><p>6 Maidstone</p><p>7 Dartford Heath</p><p>8 Ashford </p><p>9 Bear Creek Greenbelt</p><p>10 Malling</p><p>11 Uckfield</p><p>12 Dartford </p><p>13 Foots Cray Meadows</p><p>14 Sittingbourne </p><p>15 Orpington </p><p>16 Queen Elizabeth</p><p>17 Greenwich</p><p>18 Mote Park</p><p>19 Swanley</p><p>20 Lullingstone</p><p>21 Warszawa-Praga</p><p>22 Hoblingwell </p><p>23 Thurrock </p><p>24 Jersey Farm</p><p>25 Monsal Trail</p><p>26 Squerryes Winery</p><p>27 East Grinstead</p><p>28 Pegwell Bay </p><p>29 Nonsuch </p><p>30 Folkestone</p><p>31 Kingdom</p><p>32 The Leas</p><p>33 Walmer and Deal Seafront</p><p>34 Bushy Park</p><p>35 Charlton</p><p>36 Bedgebury Pinetum </p><p>37 Canterbury</p><p>38 Royal Tunbridge Wells</p><p>39 Whitstable</p><p>40 Tonbridge</p><p>41 Margate</p><p>42 Victoria Dock</p><p>43 Billericay </p><p>44 Sutcliffe</p><p>45 Mile End</p><p>46 Bromley</p><p>47 Peckham Rye </p><p>48 Lordship Recreation Ground</p><p>49 Southwark</p><p>50 York</p><p>51 Raphael</p><p>52 Hackney Marshes</p><p>53 Whinlatter Forest</p><p>54 South Norwood</p><p>55 Ifield Mill Pond</p><p>56 Milton Keynes </p><p>57 Roundshaw Downs</p><p>58 Dunstable Downs</p><p>59 Bedfont Lakes</p><p>60 Leavesden Country</p><p>61 Thames Path, Woolwich</p><p>62 Bethlem Royal Hospital</p><p>63 Bevendean Down</p><p>64 Canons Park</p><p>65 Riddlesdown</p><p>66 Aldenham</p><p>67 Edenbrook Country</p><p>68 Stockley Country</p><p>69 Eastbourne</p><p>70 Woodbank</p><p>71 Southall</p><p>72 Mole Valley</p><p>73 Alton Water</p><p>74 Banstead Woods</p><p>75 Harrow Lodge</p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31414781.post-79694378707928057562023-09-16T12:05:00.001+01:002023-09-17T23:48:46.443+01:00Banstead Woods parkrun - event 781<img alt="Banstead Woods parkrun" height="auto" src="http://www.adambird.co.uk/assets/images/blog/blog-banstead-woods.jpg" width="100%">
<p><strong>On the 16th September 2023 I ran the Banstead Woods parkrun which was the 781st event held at the venue, my 146th parkrun and 74th different course I'd attended.</strong></p><p>Parkrun of course started at Bushy park in 2004 and it wasn't until 2007 when it was joined by a second event at Wimbledon Common. But both events were still known as time-trials and the idea of 'parkrun' was still some way off.</p><p>Six months after Wimbledon Common started a third time trial event started at Banstead Wood before further events popped up in Leeds, Richmond and Brighton. Before much longer there were ten time-trial events dotted across the country and parkrun was born.</p><p>In my quest to complete all of the parkrun events inside of the M25, I'd pretty much completed the southern section with <a href="https://adamdbird.blogspot.com/2022/09/nonsuch-parkrun-event-501.html">Nonsuch</a>, <a href="https://adamdbird.blogspot.com/2023/06/riddlesdown-parkrun-event-577.html">Riddlesdown</a> and <a href="https://adamdbird.blogspot.com/2023/04/roundshaw-downs-parkrun-event-666.html">Roundshaw Downs</a> all being ticked off in the last twelve months or so leaving Banstead Woods and Lloyd as my only gaps. With good weather over the last few weeks it was a perfect time to visit the world's third oldest parkrun and a trip to the woods.</p><p>I had originally intended to visit Banstead Woods in time to visit event number 777 as part of the Nelson challenge, but with Parkrun asking app developers to remove the number challenges from their apps, it felt slightly wrong going along to an event and disregarding the advice which was made as a preventative step to ease overcrowding.</p><p>With events like Banstead Woods, there's not a huge amount of car parking space and it's fairly rural. So the last thing the event needs is to have to handle traffic as well as the logistics of extra finishing tokens and the like. That's not even considerong congestion on the route which along the finish would have struggled to cope with large numbers.</p><p>In any case, I arrived nice and early. It was another bright sunny morning and the September heatwave was still lingering. I parked as directed on the course page and made my way to the meeting area.</p><p>The route is an clockwise lap and three quarters of the woodland trail, with the start and finish in different places. The start line is at the top of a steep hill and the meeting place is at the bottom on the turning point onto the second lap at the bottom of the hill.</p><p>As parkrun courses go, this one is one of the more straightforward ones. Shaped like a parallelogram participants only have four corners to worry about and they are all taken left in the same direction.</p><p>From the top of the hill participants run south west following the trail path which gently undulates as woodlands tend to do. Running through the woods is great for the mind as there is something peaceful and serene running through the trees, particularly when, like Saturday beams of sunshine break through the leaves and bounce rays of light across the route.</p><p>After following the route around and taking two left hand turns as you go, the course starts to dip downhill. Whilst the initial hill you climb to reach the start is steep, the downhills are much longer and more gentle. In fact, despite the severe upward climb of the hill on the second lap, the net elevation sees more downhill than up on account of only having to run up the hill once.</p><p>It was this prior knowledge that helped me overcome this particular challenge. Normally hills and I are not good friends, but knowing I only had to face it once planted a seed of positivity in my mind and gave me the mental strength to battle my way to the top. It was actually quite satisfying overtaking three or four people along the way, even if it was through a face of serious grimace.</p><p>Once the hill has been battled, it's a case of following the lap around again all the way to the finish funnel which sits tightly on the right hand side of the trail path on the edge of a slope under a canopy of trees.</p><p>I finished in 103rd place out of a field of 191 participants in a time of 28.19. As mentioned earlier, there's something magical about running through the woods. Just like running by the sea makes me happy, running through the woods provides nourishment for the soul. </p><p><br></p>adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14837350975584243810noreply@blogger.com0