The perfect 10 (k)

Photo credits to Jon-Paul Kearns

Today I ran the Daffodil 10k.  My first proper race (ignoring parkrun) since before COVID.

I have been training properly, getting in some decent runs, speed sessions, longer run and base runs.  I've been on the weights, and peloton, and eating healthily with my primary aim in the first part of the year to do well at Wilmslow Half. 

Aim for this race was sub 50 minutes, which is 8 minute miles.  It was with this in mind that I tried to run at this pace in one of my early morning base runs this week.  Annoyingly, I really struggled, could not get anywhere near what I needed.  I tried again at Woodbank parkrun's alternative course yesterday and averaged around 7.20 which confirmed I was more or less where I needed to be.

This was supposed to be my third race since COVID (too ill to run Stockport 10 and Hit the Trail fell victim to a storm) and was excited to wake up this morning to find that the latest winter storm hadn't yet hit and it was perfect running conditions.  Cold and dry.

I've ran hundreds of races over the years from 5ks to marathons but this, without doubt was the best organised and one of the friendliest races I've ever ran.  When you were walking to the start there were marshals out pointing you in the right direction to get to registration, there were plentiful toilets by the baggage drop and you were able to pick up your numbers and t-shirt from the Sports Feet shop on the A6 all of this week.   Another added touch to a brilliantly organised race.  

I did just that, so cannot comment on the number pick up today, but I know that they were there bright and early this morning.  (Woodbank's Sarah Russell once again showing how much she does for the local running community was on duty)

I arrived at around 9am, 30 minutes before the start and made my way to the baggage drop.  I delayed handing my bag in till about 20 minutes before the start as it was really cold and I didn't fancy being without my hoody for too long.  

Again, this was like clockwork, they had two sheds, with the numbers divided (I think it was below and above 700)  between the two.  Quick hand over of my bag and a very short walk to the start.

I am not sure how many people were running, but as we started on the main road, it was wide and not congested.  

I did have a plan to run 8 minute miling but that was my worst case scenario and I did not want to go slower than that.  I figured that I would try to run as much as I could under that and try to hang on.  

Race kicked off and the masses headed up Jackson's Lane and turned right onto Chester Road.  It is immediately undulating for the 1st 1.5 k or so before you turn left towards the bypass.  You go slightly off road, before dropping down and then up over the bridge, 180 degree turn and down to the bypass.

It is then a nice flat run down the bypass where you get a chance to see the front runners coming back the other way.  Now this is where you realise that these ladies and gents are taking part in a different sport.  The first male, Joe Monk from Preston Harriers came past like he was skating.  Such a smooth running style and well clear of the field.  (Finished in 32.59, 1.19 ahead of T9m Sullivan from Chorlton Runners in second )

You then turn round at the top of the bypass before (just before 5k) and head back up again.   Great thing about this part is that it is slightly uphill, especially going over the bridge before the final turn round at the top of the bypass.  (Perfect place for water break too at around 6k )

As you enter the last 2k you can see the runners in front of you climbing up the hill to head to the finish.  You know, at this stage, that the lovely hill that you ran down at the start lies between you and the finish.  You can get a bit of speed on as you come to that and then go for broke in the last 50 metres or so and smash the final hill to get to the end.

As soon as you finish, there are so many marshals , as there were all the way round (hello Paul Plumber and Jacqui Evans) with water, foil blankets, and your race socks.

Normally I am not a fan of medals, they're quite the same, mass produced metal things which end up hanging on the back of a radiator or lost in a drawer.  Not so the Daffodil 10k, it is beautifully crafted wooden, rectangular memento.  You can tell, as with everything in this race, a lot of thought has gone into it.

If I thought the baggage pick up at the start was good, at the end (perhaps more importantly) was even better.  They had laid out all the bags and  a chap was looking for us coming round the corner, called out your number and you were handed your bag as soon as you get round !  

After the race,  Norbury Farm where the race HQ was and a couple of minutes walk from the  end, fed all the  hungry runners.  I had a lovely egg and sausage sandwich supplied by the butchers opposite.  Just added to the local, family feel of this brilliant 10k.

Goody bag was top notch.  Freddo, some sweets, and radox shower gel. 

Cannot recommend this race enough and am looking forward to entering next year. 

For the Stattos 

Mile splits

7.36, 7.49, 7.31, 7.31, 7.45, 7.11, (7.13)

 

Flatter a tiny bit longer

 I couldn't be arsed to drive anywhere else today so went back to Woodbank to have a jaunt up their little slopes on their very well measured 5k course.  What I did have in mind was Alexandra parkrun as it is flat and allows my little legs to run round and round without the nonsense of the sharp turns, neck breaking down hills, ankle destroying cobbles and bridges that the local ASBO owners use to chuck stuff at you as you go past (on the plus side it's how I manage to finish higher up at times, £3 well spent, for an extra 50p, they stop your Garmin....for an extra pound, they don't nick it) 

I arrived at Woodbank, but once again, the people had not reserved the John Space despite the fact that it was possible that I was going to turn up. However my day was made better with the wonderful news that Alexandra parkrun had been cancelled and Woodbank (despite them not asking me) had altered their course, I would imagine as a result of my comments above, to be a flattish (well as flat as these Northerners can manage) 3 lapper.  The thought of  the little faces of people turning at Alex to be met with a 'bugger off too much ice' sign when I was running around elsewhere, made my heart glow with joy.  

Anyhoo, the dastardly duo in charge took the 277 of us through the course, basically, start when they go 'start', run, run run, till you get to the Rose Garden, up through the gates, turn left at the sign thing, on the bottom and the other at the top, run past the right slope to the Harriers ground and to it again twice.  In order to bugger up anyone's chances of getting a PB, they added around .02 of a miles on it.  Either that or they did it as they thought it was funny. 

Back to the most important thing about parkrun....  How I did.

Well  I'm planning on running the Daffodil 10k tomorrow at 8 minute miling so thought I'd have bit of a go at parkrun and see how much quicker than that I could run.  I did ok averaging 7.21 so I'm hopeful I can run under 50 minutes tomorrow. 

Tom Rogers from Traffford AC came in first today with 18.57 and the first lady was Alice Willson at Saddleworth Runners with 20.56.  Bonkers fast both.

Thank you as ever to all the marshals and the two RDs Stuart Bell and Sarah Russell, without whom, I would not be able to prattle on for the above paragraphs.  Top bananas both

 

My favourtie place in the World

 I love Lyme Park, I love parkrun,  so running my favourite event in my favourite place is always going to be special.

Lyme, along with Watergrove parkrun in Rochdale is the hardest parkrun I've ran out of 49 different events, but I keep coming back.  Maybe its the scenery, maybe its the forever varying terrain, maybe it's the run to the cage, or the deer,  or the killer start or finish...whatever it is it is my favourite parkrun in parkrun land (along with my 'home home' the Gnoll) 

Today was my 530th parkrun and my 28th at Lyme Park. My plan when I ran here on NYD was to come every Saturday to try to incorporate hills into my regular training and get back into really good running shape and try to get my overall parkrun times down and get in proper form for Wilmslow Half later in the year.  

Unfortunately, the past two weeks' cancellations due to the weather put the kibosh on that somewhat so it was with a lot of excitement that I put on my trail shoes and made the short drive up to Lyme Park this morning.

For those that haven't run here before, firstly have a look a Nicola Forewood's vlog A parkrun You Won't Forget! Running at the Stunning Lyme Park parkrun. National Trust Lyme Park.   A great representation of this spectacular run.

Don't arrive (if you are driving in) before 8.30as the gates open automatically then.  When you drive through, you are met with a beautiful drive into the grounds, seeing the cage looming high ahead of you.  I take this place for granted but for someone who hasn't been here before you are in for a treat.

Normally it costs £7 per person to get into the park but it's free for parkrunners and the parking is plentiful.  There are toilets in the grounds and the very friendly marshals and RD is on hand for the 1st timer's briefing.

In the summer, you can run in road shoes, but this time of year, trails are a must, it wasn't so bad today, but can get very muddy.  

You start off and immediately face an off road, uneven off road climb up into the woods.  This, I think, is the hardest part of the course.  (You can venture off to the left on the grass which is slightly less uneven but I find sticking to the path is shorter and enables you to run a bit quicker)  You continue the climb up through the woods before you pass the gate and turn left (where the infamous Bowstones NYE race keeps going up) onto  the moors. 

This is where the fun starts and you can get a bit of speed going.  After a bit more of a climb, you suddenly drop down, but you need to watch your footing as it is again, very uneven, but proper, proper running.  You turn left again and run down past the archery fields (again can pick up pace but very uneven).  

After you get back on the path, you begin the climb up to the iconic Cage, down the other side, (you need to know the best route) doing an 180 degree turn before the final killer ascent.

Grab you token, have a lie down on the grass bank and get scanned.

Just in time then to visit the café, fill up on lost calories and plan to do it all again next week.

Lyme Park really reaches those parts other parkruns cannot touch