Great Denham

Time for a spot of parkrun tourism and I'm drawn to the relatively new Great Denham parkrun near Bedford.

This parkrun has been set up alongside a new build development which seems like a fantastic opportunity taken to set up somewhere with a great new catchment area.  I had seen a few of the early run results and indeed the course had been run my one of my club mates the week before and was confident that this was a quick course.

Getting there was simple thanks to trusty SatNav and I had read up so I was prepared that they would prefer people to park in a car park 10 minutes walk away than postentially annoy the local residents by parking on the street.  There is a plan for a car park right next to the event start in the near future along with a cafe for post run coffees but neither is available yet.

Course map

The start was easy to find and there was a decent sized group of runners on a lovely sunny Saturday morning.  I noticed a couple of others in MK marathon shirts to chat to before the briefing as we were all still recovering from the heat the previous week and sought solace in company.

The course was as flat as I had heard tell with only one short tiny incline near the end of each of its two laps and the surface was hard path with about 2/3 with loose top and the rest solid concrete with only the last couple of metres after a right turn off the path on grass.  As a result of all this it was fast and I was able to post my parkrun PB by a full 17 seconds over my more frequent course at Stevenage.

Course elevation

Returning to the car we passed the current post race cafe of choice, the rather delightful looking eatery which I imagine will remain a favourite for many of the runners even after a closer cafe is built.

The Eatery

Overall I found Great Denham to be a really great parkrun.  The scenery will improve over time, as will the facilities but the course is well laid out, easy to follow, is unlikely to be affected by bad weather and fast...very fast!

Luton Wardown

Waterlogged Wimpole and I'm in need of an alternative venue for the weekly parkrun.  A fortuitous WhatsApp message came suggesting Luton Wardown.

I'd been a little wary of doing this one in the past because of concerns ofver parking but the offer of a lift there was enough to get me trying another now parkrun course.  As it turns out there is no issue with parking as long as you turn up in reasonable time.

The park in which the run is held is rather beautiful with a lake in the middle and indeed the run incorporates going over one of the bridges.

Unusually for me I prepared for the run with a warm up of approximately 3km (that'll teach me to go to parkrun with someone) and then joined in near the start for the briefing.  The briefing was very well organised (if a little on the strict side - no talking at the back) with a PA system and all aspects of the run covered in good detail.

The course is a little over three laps of the park with a short incline across the grass to be done four times the rest of the course is on concrete paths (which were a little icy on the day but in good condition to run on)

Course Map

The course is relatively flat and in less icy conditions would be a pretty fast course.  There is a narrow bridge at the Southernmost part of the course which could have been a bit of a pinch point but the runners were all very aware of each other and it didn't cause any issues.

Elevation

Unfortunately after the run there was no time to hang around and try out the coffee facilities, particularly disappointing as they are great value with biccies thrown in for free.

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).

Wimpole

Parkrun 38 and it's time for a return to where I consider to be my home Parkrun at Wimpole estate in Cambridgeshire.

Wimpole estate is one of the many national trust locations in the UK which strongly support Parkrun, indeed the estate hosts a number of other events junior Parkrun, 10k, half marathon and night runs to name a few.

After a few runs in Stevenage where the course is a little more forgiving I was wary to return and post a much slower time but resolved in the car on the way that this was the week to get a PB, a common resolve but this week more forcefully than most.

Arriving at Wimpole you are guided by some of the army of volunteers (more volunteers are needed than at many parkruns) to park up. The car park has a £2 charge for non members which I very quickly determined justified buying national trust membership for the family.

Once parked it it's very easy to identify the start point as this is a very popular run regularly getting over 300 runners. Everyone congregates in front of the stakes entrance for the pre run brief which is very detailed always including updates on where the livestock are located (particularly the bull) shoutouts to the sponsors, national trust and volunteers and then to milestone runners and tourists. All of this takes a little time and I don't think any of the runs I've done at Wimpole have quite started at nine but very soon after we are all directed a short easy to the start line (assuming you're not running with a dog as they start about 100 years in front).

The run starts down a rough road for about the first half a kilometer with the only indication of cross country bring diversions onto the verge to avoid the cattle grids, during which time you will likely catch up with some of the dog runners. Then the course takes a left turn and solid footings become a thing of the past. The rest of the first kilometer is pretty flat though. At the one kilometer mark you take a sharp right turn, soon after the dog runners all head off for an extra section to make up the distance lost at the start and when they rejoin the course starts a long steady climb to two kilometers which can take you a little by surprise and generally tends to add a few seconds to my average time.

Without any opportunity to rest you now have to turn right to tackle "the hill" it's not a long way but it's steep and can get slippery after rain, this is definitely the point which a determine to run the whole course gets abandoned.  Just to polish of the experience at the top of the rise there's a tree who's low branch enjoys giving me a thwack on the head by easy of a reward most weeks. There is also always a cheery marshal atop the hill to give you the encouragement you undoubtably need.

Once past the hill you follow down a tree lined avenue which is my favourite part of the course.  As well as the knowledge that the hardest part is behind you this section shows off the estate beautifully with the folly framed by trees in the foreground.

At around 3km in you now descend steeply towards the lake, while this is a great relief and opportunity to gather breath again there are a few small mounds in the path which need to be avoided to save ankles.  A right turn at the bottom of the hill takes you alongside the lake for a nice flat section where you can really open up your stride to prepare for the last kilometer.

For the last km you begin with the final incline of the run and then head over the iron bridge which can be quite treacherous in wet weather and then head towards the welcome sight of the house.  Following the path around the West side of the house you finally head down the gravel drive (one of the best opportunities for photographs) and then rejoin the first road for a short sprint back to the start/finish line.

Well something worked because a check of my watch on the way to get my barcode scanned showed a PB of approximately 48 seconds just one of a good number of PBs that day.

Unfortunately I had to depart promptly because the next part is another of the true benefits of running at Wimpole which is the National Trust cake in the rectory cafe.

Next week it's back to touring with a planned visit to Stonehouse parkrun in Gloucestershire.

Stevenage

October 8th for my 37th parkrun and 6th in Stevenage.

Stevenage parkrun was set up earlier this year and this was the 20th running of the event.

A slightly unprepossessing morning found me huddled with some other runners under a tree near the starting line of the run in Fairlands Valley Park Stevenage.  This afforded me the opportunity to listen in on the first timers talk despite having run here before, which was a comprehensive description of the course with guidance for bollard location and the usual warnings about other park users, running with children and dogs.

Rain subsiding I made my way to the starting line only a few metres away for the short pre-run briefing which got quickly through the important details and gave a hearty applause to the volunteers then checked the times and a quick 3-2-1 go.

Thanks to a poor decision to hang around explaining the bar-code process to another runner, I got a little caught up in the starting line melee which is my only slight niggle about this parkrun due to its popularity and starting position on a corner of a narrow path.  Once clear however I was able to enjoy what I'd a really good parkrun course.

The Course

The first kilometre takes you on a solid path around the side of the sailing and fishing lake, generally 9 a.m.on a Saturday seems to be a bit early for sailors but there was a canoeist this week and fishermen are a very hardy band so there's often a few of them around.  At the far end of the lake you pass through a short wooded area with a short steep drop and then about a hundred metres along a cycle path (we were warned to beware of cyclists-there weren't any) and then back into the park for kilometre two.

Elevation

The next section of the run is a very gentle climb starting on the path and then taking a detour through the trees (this detour has been missed before a they can't put the stores across the path and would add about 50m to your run if you didn't notice) the ground is solid enough but there are a few roots to be aware of. Once you are back on the path there is a tight left right section to go around the car park and then playground which is a really good supporting point for smaller members of the family (supervised of course).

Once past the playground the course heads gently down, over a bridge and then back round to the starting point for a second lap of the same.  Normally I try to steer clear of multi lap courses but this one doesn't feel at all repetitive.

Coming round for a second time you are guided up the grassy bank for a short steep uphill section and then the finishing straight.  This is the only part of the race which could potentially be an issue in road shoes and I would be interested to see how it holds up in the winter months.

The finish is very well organised and efficient and I enjoyed my highest parkrun placing of 5th.

The confirmation email arrived at around lunchtime and later in the day a very interesting and detailed run report was produced.