Spring has Sprung (hopefully) at Fletcher Moss

 Hello Spring, its' been a long time.

Ever since I got some running tights and an Under Armor long sleeve top for Christmas, I've done all my winter training, and races wearing them (have been washed a few times).  When I looked at the weather forecast for today, I realised it was time to get my little legs and armies out and get back into some normal running gear.

I've got Lostock 6 tomorrow and want to get under 45 minutes, and for the past two weeks I've ran under 22 minutes (Alexandra and Birchall Playing Fields) so the aim was to get as close to that here too.  I've ran this course 4 times but not since May 2022 where I got 22.47 and have completely forgotten the lay out/.  I thought it was more or less flat so with the training I've been doing, I had a course PB in mind if nothing else.  

I arrived about 30 minutes before the start and parked on the lane leading up to the start.  Weather forecast was right, it was lovely, sunny morning, so much warmer than last Saturday.  Perfect running conditions.  I said hello to the RD, Ben, and asked him if it was as flat as I remembered, 'there are a few bumps' he told me and reminded me of the course lay out (essentially like a weirdly shaped lollypop, straight to start with with two laps, before running back down to a home straight.)  Despite this polite warning, I thought I'd just go for it anyway and run as fast as I could as see if I could hold on.

I ran my 50th different parkrun last week but Fletcher Moss has to have decent shout for one of the prettiest starts to a parkrun.  You can see from the picture what a beautiful park this is and once again. can feel so privileged to be able to do this free event in beautiful places every Saturday morning.

I started relatively near the front and was joined by 401 other people to run, jog or walk in this gorgeous location.  It's hard to explain the elevation here, there are only 27 metres of ascent and it's probably best explained a bit like a BMX track sharp up and downs, with some sharp turns.  Not the easiest to pace but a really interesting course, with plenty of spaces to try to overtake whoever is next you.   My favourite part was the last mile or so which seemed to downhill and was my fastest lap.  

We are so blessed in this part of the country, there are so many different types of course within a couple of miles.  Alexander, flat and fast, Sale, best described as 'varied terrain' and not a PB, beautiful Bramhall etc.  What is more, despite there being just over 400 runners, the course did not seem overcrowded, even though it is two laps, the 'stick' of the lollypop stick is long enough to give time for the field to spread out.  You can tell that the core team when they were planning this put a lot of work into it.

First male finisher today was Duncan Birtwistle from Rugby and Northampton AC with 18.10 (PB of 17.13, overall of 16.21 at Alexandra).  First female being local runner Amy Weyers, from Chorlton Runner who was 9th overall with 20.30 (PB of 19.14 and overall of 18.17, also at Alexandra)  Well done both, you guys run a different sport to me.

We also had 23 people running parkrun for the first time !  Welcome everyone to the day that was formally called Saturday, now.....parkrun Day (also lower case, always one word)

Fletcher Moss is different to all of them, its relatively fast without being overcrowded due to being pancake flat, but it also has some small sharp hills which are just enough to kick you out of your pacing.  It's a lovely park, stunning start and finish and Didsbury village on it's doorstep.

I say this every week, but again, I'd be more than happy if this was my home run

Birchall, Half Cowell, Coffee and Freezing Running

Noticed a couple of weeks ago that I had a new Nendy.  Penistone had been my 'next to do' for so long, having one over in Staffs certainly made me take a second look.  I was planning on doing it a couple of weeks ago, but being the saddo that I am, I noticed on the 5k app that I was missing an '8' so waited to have a pop.

Another bonus was that running this meant that I had completed my Half Cowell today (50th different parkruns) which I had been looking to do for quite a while as I am, at heart, a very lazy tourist, 45 minutes being around my limit to tour.

I ran Alexandra parkrun last week under 22 minutes and wanted to do the same this week.  I've made the mistake before of pre judging 3 lappers as being a bit repetitive and maybe not something that would pull me in, but wanted to have a look as the video I had seen of the course looked quite flat with one slight small up bit.

It was cold when I left home this morning and when I arrived at parkrun, it was a lot colder.  Clouds had come down, it was drizzling and a proper February morning.

I parked up just by the changing rooms (toilets are open) and made my way past 'The Nags Shed' (brilliant name Rodney) coffee van and to the start.  The wonderful volunteers had invited runners to bring donations for local victims of domestic violence.  A wonderful initiative and something that epitomises  the essence of power of parkrun, when I passed it,  the table was already full of donations.

184 athletes braved the weather this morning and I was working out whether to warm up by jumping up and down with my coat or be a soldier, take it off and do a lap or two around the 400 metre all weather track.  I finally decided to put my big boy pants on and take a bit of a trot around.  By the time I got back we began to make our way over to the start for the briefing.  

Now I have done around 530 parkruns but none has been conducted so well as by today's  Run Director, Rdward he was only 12 years old but he was funny, had a great connection with the crowd, had all the info  and held our attention,  which was really hard to do considering how cold it was and we all wanted to go.   You've got a future in TV my friend !

I had the advantage of knowing the course as I had watched someone's Youtube capture of it   Birchall Playing Fields parkrun #2, so I knew that you had about 400 metres on the track to get yourself in a decent spot as the 3 laps of the paths after that looked like it could be tricky to pass.....Let's see

Starting where I did, near the front, was a good idea, there wasn't that many people there but nonetheless it gave you a great opportunity to try to position yourself with runners of a similar pace as you.  That way when you get to the narrow paths you have less people to get past.

This is a deceptively fast course, the cinder type track is easily runnable and the paths and are either flat or have gentle gradients.  There's one hairpin turn and a short section on the grass, but on days like this, when it's not muddy, it's very runnable which means that there is no problem is passing people, same pace or slower than you.  I lapped some folk and all it took was a quick detour onto the grass and then back onto the path again.  

When you complete your third lap you finish as you started with another lap of the track.  This was my favourite part of the course as you can put on a sprint and try to drop (or not be dropped by) the people next to you.  

I somehow managed to finish in 19th place in 21.56.  Now bearing in mind I ran a very flat Alexandra Park last  week in 21.49, shows  how fast the course is.

Taking into account, the team are in the very early stages of their event and are learning on the job, it ran like clockwork.  The first timers briefing was very personable, I've already mentioned Edward as RD and all the marshals were stereotypically helpful and enthusiastic.  Wherever I've been in parkrun land these brilliant people always make my favourite running event what it is.  Thank you.

Now coffee is an integral part of any parkrunning tourism experience.  Luckily my coffee addiction was satisfied by the great coffee in their own van in the car park.  The Nags Shed, a local company, already has seemingly developed a great partnership and as I was driving away I could already see a queue forming.  

I drove home in the post parkrun high.  I really do love my Saturday morning fix and  Birchall is
a very welcome addition to the field.  

Looking forward to a return in the summer to break my PB.

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

Take Me Home Mumbles Road To The Place That I Love

 I was born in Neath, moved away in 1997 when I went to Uni but have come back to see mam and dad who live in Neath.  Regular readers of this blog will know that I am taking dad up to live by us up North at the end of the week so this is very likely to be the last time that I run a South Wales parkrun. 

I thought long and hard about which one to do, there a quite a few near Neath that I haven't done and would get me my 50th different location but it only really came down to two options, both of which I have ran before.  One of my favourites places in the world, 'Up the Gnoll' or Swansea Bay.  In the end, it came down to the Gower, which was the first place in the UK to be named an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.  Much like the Gnoll, I had some great memories of my childhood spending many a long summer exploring Bracelet,  Caswell and Oxwich Bays and that's without the glorious days watching Viv Richards, Matthew Maynard and Waqur Younis torment all before them at St Helens but  when I asked dad which one would prefer he had no hesitation in saying Swansea.  

We last came down here in February 2023 when I wasn't particularly fit and I ran 23.19, before this month I had got back into training specifically for parkrun, that has gone to pot somewhat since I came down but I am still in better run shape than I was 18 months ago so figured I would give it a go.  (Not helped by my forgetting to look my time up before I ran) 

Now, this may be down to me, but for some reason when I put the post code for the parkrun or the Secret Cafe (best coffee and breakfast in parkrun land) into my Sat Nav, it did not come up, but weirdly, St Helens cricket did !   Quick heads up in case same thing happens to others.

There's plentiful parking around the start, if you get there early head to the wonderful Secret Bar and Grill The Secret Beach Bar & Kitchen (thesecretswansea.co.uk) if not there are several other car parks nearby. 

This is an out and back course in a similar vein to Ystylafera two weeks ago.  Completely different but equally as stunning views.  With all due respect to Ysty, this is even more beautiful than that.  To have a parkrun running alongside the sea , the sound of the waves lapping on a more or less flat course (with a slight slope at the turn around point) and the beauty of Swansea bay keeping you company is the coup de gras for a farewell to South Wales' parkruns

This is the type of parkrun where you will need to position yourself quite carefully at the start as there is some congestion when you begin.  We had 580 runners today and it took me about a minute or so to get into my running pace, I'd imagine if you started further back you could be held up quite a bit so you really need to place yourself according to your pace.

Once you set off though, it is very flat (joint 7th in the UK) you start off opposite St Helen's cricket ground (new home of the Ospreys) and head off down the sea front before heading off slighty right onto the coastal path.  What is really helpful though, is that there are kilometre markers throughout the course which helps you to pace yourself and gives you a great target when your starting to fade, especially on the way back.

Today we were very lucky in that Tri Hard Harriers were pacing us, I kept an eye on the 23 minute chap pulling ahead of him in the last kilometre and really surprisingly came home in 22.09 which is the 20th fastest time out of 508 runs, pretty happy with that.

After that we all went to the Secret Bar for breakfast.  I cannot recommend this place enough, the range of the food (including cockles) is very impressive, the portions large and the coffee delicious, even though my American nephew put the milk in his tea before he added the water (have a look at the picture before which shows my horror !)  

After spending a good 40 minutes or so pigging ourselves out, we headed on down towards Mumbles to have a look at the lighthouse before finishing off in Bracelet Bay near Cresci's for ice-cream.

There were some visitors today but if you are visiting Swansea Bay parkrun from any decent distance, I'd highly recommend spending a weekend down here.  Especially in the summer as it is a stunning part of the world, the seaside, the cafes, the wonderful volunteers, the run location, and the flat course make this one of the overall best parkruns I've done.  

Thank you Swansea, thank you Gnoll, Ponty, Brynbach, Porthcawl and Ystralyfera.  They say that you can take the boy out of Wales but you cannot take Wales out of the boy.  I have been living away from Wales longer than I lived at home but I will always be very proud of being Welsh, I love the beauty of the country, the self depreciating and warm humour of the people and how everyone has been so much to my 2 nephews (both of whom said they want to move here)   

As Dylan Thomas said....Swansea 'An ugly, lovely town, crawling, sprawling by the side of a long and splendid curving shore.  This sea side town was my world' 

Racing parkrun, and thank you to Run For All Neath

Gnoll 20 July 

I love parkrun and I love the Gnoll grounds.  My brother and his boys (Gavin and Dylan) flew over from the States this week.  One is 19 and the other 14.  Gavin, the eldest, a couple of years ago, had an 18 minute PB, since then though, he has really got into his rugby and has put on a lot of muscle and hasn't done a lot of distance running, even though I am around 25 years older than him, I fancied racing him and seeing if I could take his American ass (have to cater to his vocabulary) down.

The two boys, Gavin and Dylan have done parkrun before last time they were down in 2017 and I have been extoling the virtues of it ever since so I was very excited that they lined up on the start line with me today.

I also was given the privilege of doing the first timers briefing today.  This is one of the best volunteers roles someone can do.  It gives you the chance of not only telling tourists about your parkrun but also welcoming 1st timers to the madness of parkrun and as I explained to Sue Rideout and Nicola Davies the gateway to the addiction.  Ladies, behold parkrun Day (also one word, always lower case) the day formally known as Saturday.  Both of you got a really good time today.  The challenge you now have is beating it next week

Today, thankfully was a break from the really hot weather.  Even though it was still very warm there was a touch of rain in the air which made for almost perfect running conditions.

One of the best things about having my American cousins over to stay is showing them how hospitable and friendly us south Walians are.  They loved and love 'Nana Wales 'Grampa Wales' but without an exception, the courtesy and kindness shown wherever we've been makes me very proud to be from the lovely part of the world, from friends of my parents who have popped in to say hello to the lovely people up Neath Rugby Club who have been so accommodating allowing them to have a kick about on the pitch to inviting Gavin to train with the team next Tuesday.  

That warm Welsh welcome was extended to my parkrun family.  Thank you to Darren,  Lauren and Andrea and everyone else for coming over to chat and being so lovely which them feel like part of the set up. (even though Dylan pinched one of the tokens...sorry...(he did give it back)) 

I could be lazy and just say have a look at my previous run report for a description of the course but it's such a good 'un, and I really liked the way in which Darren described it to me as he is spot on.

It really is like a computer game.  First level is a very pleasant jaunt around the pond , no trouble, no lives lost.  Second, getting a little bit tasty, maybe think that you possibly went out a bit too fast on the first lap as here, you go round the pond, but then head a bit off road down to the cellars before coming back for your third lap where you will face the momma and poppa bear, the Al Pacino, the Pontypool Front Row, the Big Boss Man of hills and the main baddy of the parkrun level......  The Hill of Eternal Peril !  

Here you will face, steepness of the levels for which you will not have encountered before, a hill so washed in loose gravel and sparseness of foot grips that seasoned mountain goats would probably think twice, a hill where only exceptional runners run up without taking a walk break....it is therefore here where I ran up, and flew past the exhausted Gavin, being the young scamp that he is and sprinted off like a gazelle dosed up to it's tits on E Numbers and fizzy pop to enjoy the mad dash back down the other side, a quick trip back around the cellars and the final push for home.

We all know that parkrun is not meant to be a race, it is a run, but you know what ? When  Gavin flew past me in the first 500 metres, I made a deal with myself that he was either going to leave me in the dust or he was going to blow on the hill.  I therefore ran a lot quicker than I have in a long time, to keep him in sight and finished over a minute quicker than when I last ran here, two weeks ago and only 20 seconds slower than my PB.    Many thanks also to (I think it was) Steve Williams and his dog for the nip and tuck run we had together.  Racing someone (even if they may not know you're racing) certainly makes things far more fun.

One of the things I love to do at this parkrun is to bring my dad down and wave at him (less and less vigorously with each lap) through the cafe window.  Having three generations of the Richards family at parkrun meant a lot to me, especially being at the Gnoll.

We're taking dad back up North to live near us at the end of the month and I'm not sure where we are going next week, may well be here for a return smackdown with Gavin or we may vernture over to Swansea for a flat sprint.

If this is the last time I visit this very special place, can I thank each and every one of you, especially all the runners at Run for All Neath for making me feel so welcome when I asked about going for a run many years ago when visiting mum and dad.  You are exactly what a running club should be.  

Much love to you all.