Panshanger

My usual parkrun venue at Wimpole Estate being cancelled it was time for my first foray into parkrun tourism.  I had narrowed down my options to Panshanger or Luton Wardown, opting for the former due to it being a single lap course.

Leaving plenty of time to get there I was relieved when I arrived as the carpark I had neglected to read would be used for the start was unavailable, an about turn at the roundabout lead me back up the hill and to s housing estate within a short walk's distance to the start.  Initially concerned I was relieved to note a number of other runners parking at the same location.

Gathering at the starting area there was a lot of friendly comments and a really good new runner briefing which explained the course well for first timers.  Once this was done we were guided to the start line for a very brief pre run briefing and then a 3-2-1 start which came as a bit of a shock after Wimpole but I was later to discover is not entirely uncommon.

Course map

The course starts by getting a significant amount of the uphill (interestingly I initially wrote uphell here which could be considered an apt typo) out of the way in the first kilometer with a fast start to be advised to avoid the perils of a narrowing of the course, followed by a short wooded section and then a climb to the higest point and sharp left turn at the 1km mark.  If you are on target at this point you are probably in line for a good time.

Course Profile

A reasonably flat 1500m almost loop around the fields follows and then a very sharp right hander takes you to a long downhill section which provides ample recovery for the final section.

By the lake at the bottom of the hill the going can start to get a little soft (I regretted not wearing trail shoes at this point) with some sections actually feeling like you are going backwards through the mud if you are not well prepared.

As seems to be a common theme in parkruns they leave a hill for the end for which it is well worth leaving a little in the tank as there can often be a coulpe of runners to pick off on the way up and then to the finish.

A coffee van is on hand for refreshments at the end of the run with the very friendly community.

Panhanger parkrun are on facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/panshangerparkrun/ and twitter: @Panshangparkrun

Stroud Half Marathon

So back in Stroud for the 35th running of the first half marathon I ever ran back in 1990 and the first time for me since 2001.

The weekend begins with a warm-up parkrun in Stonehouse (see blog entry) on the Saturday morning followed by a relaxing day with parents and kids.

Sunday morning arrives and I set off on the very familiar walk to the start. The race starts from outside my childhood school Marling, Wii have supported it since the start and offered up their changing rooms for the runners.

The start has moved down the road from the last time I ran it and my pre arranged plan to meet my parents after the run would not really work so I had to call on the generosity of one of the marshals who kindly let me use her phone to make new arrangements (marshals are unquestionably awesome) and then finally to the start line.

As usual the finish time pens are largely ignored by a number of runners and I found myself stood near people who were discussing finishing times between 85 minutes and over two hours. I never understand the thinking behind this, being alongside runners demonstrably better than you will either demoralised you or tempt you into a faster start than you can handle (and then demoralised you) but there you go.

The start was well organised with the runners being walked to the line and then set off in the direction of Ebley.

I had been advised to stick to seven minute miles for at least the first three and largely stayed with this as we pass through Stonehouse and up towards Standish. The joy of running in the countryside with clean air combined with some very friendly and chatty other runners was making me feel very good about the run and I was feeling strong too.

The next to I had been given was the long steady climb at about half way. This also coincides with a section along the dual carriageway for a double whammy but still feeling good I was able to dig in with powerful arms until the left turn at the pub signaled the section I had been warned about was over already and I was still on 90 minute pace.

Back on the country roads for a section that seemed to be entirely down hill I was able to conserve energy and have a nice chat with a local man who had run all 35 which all made this section (in my opinion the most enjoyable part of the route) pass, if anything, too quickly.

Heading back into Stonehouse and a section that is new to me, a slightly uninspiring loop around an industrial estate which smacks of 'added to make up the distance' and also includes the section all race planners seem keen to include where you get to pass runners who are a mile or so ahead of you.

Into the closing couple of miles and, while still on pace, I'm finally beginning to feel the strain. I'm aware that so far I've not been passed by a single runner all race which forces me on for nearly a mile with the sound of someone just behind me, but at 12 1/2 miles I have to concede, not to the man of been hearing but a new runner who was unreasonably fresh and glided past like he wasn't even trying.

12-13 back through Ebley was tough, really tough. The last mile marker seemed destined never to arrive but eventually there was the cainscross roundabout with mile marker and the straight section to the finish in sight. Off the roundabout and I got my first sight of the clock at around 89 minutes. I really wanted to push on but couldn't find my legs until the familiar voice off my parents' neighbour cheering me on gave me the boost I needed (I still don't understand how people cheering you on helps so much but it really does) and I was able to duck under the finishing gantry at 89:58 - mission accomplished.

A great run, great memories and a very unique finishing medal, back next year? Reckon.

Stonehouse

Parkrun 39 and I'm touring.  Sunday is the Stroud half marathon (more about that another time) and so I am back in my parent's house for the weekend so need to search out the local parkruns.

Stonehouse is a pretty new parkrun course and I am there for its 14th running.  Held at Oldends lane playing fields and driving into the carpark I couldn't help but get a little nostalgic for many visits here as a child mainly to support my brother playing six a side football tournaments and then later playing for Stonehouse Freeway FC.  Today however I'm here for my sport.

Quite a low key event there were a dozen volunteers and 63 runners completed the course.  It was however as friendly and well organised as any with a good pre run talk with the appropriate shout outs for the sponsors and mainly the volunteers and then a personal welcome to the tourists which is always nice.

Not knowing what the competition was going to be like I placed myself at the front as I generally go for the strong start and hang on as long as possible approach.  The course is a four lap affair which meant it was able to be marshalled by only three people on this occasion.  This rang slight alarm bells initially but they were superb and with the exception of having to ask the first one for help while I was unexpectedly leading the field got the runners around well.

By lap two of still being out in front on my own I was beginning to get ideas above my station of my first 'first finisher' result to the extent I was preparing in my mind how I was going to tell everyone who would still listen to me banging on about my running without punching me.  This sustained me for the best part of an entire lap before at about 2 3/4 laps in I was unceremoniously passed by a runner who didn't even look like he was at full stretch, about 50 yards of trying to hold his coat tails was fruitless and I began to wonder how many more were going to stream past me.

In the event no-one else did pass me and so I was very happy to finish with a respectable second place.

All in all it was a very enjoyable parkrun event, I was made to feel very welcome and would happily return.  Hopefully it will grow, I think it deserves to (the half marathon the following day may have had an impact).