Tag: parkrun

Broke my streak of weekly improvement at Town Moor today, but given the high winds I’m not too fussed. Keeping a consistent effort week on week.

Expecting to be back on the Moor next week to celebrate the big 700th event!

All of these parkrunday posts are going to look the same for a little while. I usually rotate my parkruns even when staying local, but I’m finding that the temporary Town Moor two-lap course is really useful for measuring my progress while I’m coming back from injury, so I’ll be doing it for the foreseeable.

It was my 300th parkrun, so it was nice to celebrate one of those interim unofficial milestones! It was also nice to run in short sleeves – spring has been good to us so far.

Another week, another Town Moor parkrun, because I am enjoying the temp course so much. Still a very long way from full fitness but I was about 40 seconds faster than last week for the same perceived effort. Gradually pulling it back. Gradually.

It’ll be my 300th parkrun next week. I may well be on the Moor again!

Town Moor was on the first week of a temporary course today (due to drainage works on the Moor) so I went along to check it out. I really enjoyed the route, which actually felt a bit easier than the usual one!

I’m still not doing much forward planning in parkrun terms (just enjoying a nice quiet spring) so no idea about next week yet.

Bit of a catchup as I’ve not had time to post about parkrun the last couple of weeks.

On the 7th we headed to Blyth Links as Geth fancied a faster one. I’d been avoiding speed while rehabbing my hamstring so was delighted to be able to pick it up a little and finish in 28ish mins. Nice to visit the coast too!

Due to weeks of rain followed by overnight subzero temps on the Friday night, Valentine’s Day was one of those parkrun roulette days where it’s a matter of ‘what’s not cancelled round here?’. Rising Sun was the one not cancelled round here so off we went, along with a few friends. One of those fabulous mornings where you’re just grateful to be parkrunning. And it wouldn’t be a winter Rising Sun without the enormous puddle (now upgraded to ‘canal’ apparently)!

Yesterday we went to Town Moor. Temperatures have much improved and it would be starting to feel almost springlike if not for the harsh cold wind! My run felt a bit difficult as a result but still pleased with how my leg is holding up.

Some volunteering for a special milestone next week.

Last Saturday, Geth and I went to the Moor for a change. He fancied a faster effort and I was still taking it really easy due to my hamstring niggle. It’s strange how slow parkrun feels when you’re taking it properly easy. I was a little faster than the previous week at Jesmond Dene… but not much.

No picture as there was no photographer (I did take a selfie for logging purposes but it’s not particularly blogworthy).

I’ll still be taking it easy this weekend (yet to decide where) but the hamstring is much improved following a sports massage so hopefully I’ll be able to get a bit of speed up again soon!

I’ve felt a bit ‘deep in the winter slump’ this week. The winter running slump was what used to happen before I started my daily run streak (and, indeed, was one of the main reasons why I started my daily run streak). Every winter without fail, I just wouldn’t run at all for a couple of months. The streak put an end to that, thankfully, but there are other ways in which it shows up:

• The ‘strength and conditioning’ winter slump (I am making an effort to mitigate it and am back doing my prehab and gentle S&C again)
• General fatigue and stiffness (my hamstring has been tight and uncomfortable this week so I’ve been protecting it via less running and more cycling)
• Taking a break from race training plans (HIGHLY NECESSARY after the last couple of years but not great for motivation)
• Not making any more effort to get to a parkrun than I have to (I do make sure to attend parkrun every week, but in the winter it’s preferable to take the easy option, which most weeks is just walking to and from Jesmond Dene)

There’s something a bit ‘hygge’ and cosy about just going to your home parkrun all the time in January. Even if the infamous puddle is back and so you walk home with wet feet.

No plans for next week other than ‘attend parkrun’. Taking it a day at a time!

Another week taking it easy at Jesmond Dene!

It wasn’t as damp as forecast, which was a bonus.

Next week is unplanned again (because January) but it may very well be another run round the Dene.

One of those winter Saturdays where you don’t know where you’re going until 8am!

By that point, Newbiggin was one of three realistic options locally who had announced they were still on following the course check. We went with it because it sounded the safest bet in terms of staying upright. Quite a few friends had the same idea so it was a nice morning out!

No idea where we’re going next week either (January parkrunning is generally more relaxing if you DON’T plan it), but at least it should be better weather! (I hope.)