September parkruns

In September I managed 3 out of the 4 parkruns available.  None of which were in Glasgow so I clocked up a fair amount of miles.

07/09 - First up was a trip to Girvan. My Dad has been saying for a while that he would be happy to drive me down to Girvan and this was the chosen weekend. It turns out the reason was so him and mum could have a round of golf at Girvan as the course is included as part of their season ticket. And of course to let me run the parkrun. A win, win for all.  So we headed down on Saturday morning, getting there nice and early. We went to the parkrun start initially to see where it was then headed for the golf course.  I watched them tee off then walked round to the start.

Usually at "away" parkruns I'm not that sociable, just keeping to myself.  But due to the smaller numbers at Girvan it is pretty easy to socialise.  I got talking to folk from Inverness, Girvan locals, Strathclyde, one of the prospective directors at Stranraer parkrun and even someone from my home parkrun Pollok.  31 of us took part today and the course goes out beside the coast, does a lap round the grass and comes back along the coast and you do that twice. 

I set out at a pretty good pace and it felt like there were plenty of people around me. As the first lap went on I realised I was picking people off. When folk were coming the other way I realised that there weren't that many people in front of me. I was thinking - could this be my highest place at a parkrun yet?  I kept maintaining a good pace and finished in 27.31 and to my delight got 8th place! I hadn't run that well in months so it was a good confidence booster.

14/09 - From Girvan in the south east of Scotland the previous week. This week I was up to Ellon in the North East of Scotland.  I stayed in central Aberdeen on Friday night and got the bus up to Ellon in the morning. There is a bus stop convientley placed about 5 minute walk from the start. It was quite a wild morning with wind and rain but once you got going it was fine.  The director giving the pre-run brief was from the prospective Inverurie parkun and she did a grand job along with the rest of the volunteers.  I think I started a bit too far back as it took until crossing the bridge over the river to really find my stride and placing in the pack. But after that it thinned out and it was fine.I enjoyed the bit where it goes right beside the river particuarly as it was very pictureesque.  The route does a loop round a small park before going back along the river. This works well as it means there is not too much traffic in the out and back section.  I got a time of just over 28 minutes so again pretty pleased with that.

21/09 - Today I was meant to go to Pollok as I was heading down to Newcastle for the football straight after.  But when I woke up I just felt like today was going to be a bad run. I wasnt ill but just not feeling it.  So I decided just to do a run round the block.  I had to walk after 5 minutes so I was glad I didnt go to parkrun as timings would have been tight to get my train.

28/09 -  Another Saturday, another adventure. This time it was up to St Andrews parkrun. On the Friday night I met my mum and dad at Glenrothes and stayed the night in a Travelodge. Then we drove up to St Andrews on Saturday morning.  We got to Craigton park about 9 and walked up to where the start was on the map, only to find that the start is now right next to the car park.  After the first timers briefing, the guy who did it saw my Pollok parkrun t-shirt and we had a chat. Turns out it was Andrew the Fife ambasador.  It was quite busy day due to the golf being on at St Andrews. And that is exactly why my mum and dad were there as we were heading there after.  Another win, win for both of us.  This run was a bit different to usual. it was 3 laps and the first lap I was thinking I need the toilet. Then I realised there was a toilet so went.  Then the next 2 laps I was thinking how glad I was there was a toilet on the course.  lol.  Anyway the course is fairly flat but there is a slight incline at the back of the course which I did notice but it is still quite a fast course.  I was delighted to dip in under 29.29 even with the stop!

So pretty pleased to get 3 parkruns under 30 minutes this month which will bring the total average down for the year. I have a funny feeling if I did do Pollok it would have been game over as it could have quite easily been a 40 + minute parkrun. As much as I wouldnt mind that, it was the right decision to miss it on this occasion.