I did have plans to do a
lot of touristing this month but as this year is going, didn't quite fulfil my
goals.
Week 1 - The first week of the
month I was back at Queen's for a volunteering stint. But got a run
credit too as I was tailwalker. The last 2 girls gave a good effort
getting round in around 42 minutes. The thing was they were running quite
a bit of the uphills then walking on the flat bits, so it was actually a bit of
a workout. The thing is the marshals were encouraging them to run up the
hills so can't blame them. In my head if you think you’re going to have
to walk bits of Queen's always do it on the uphill’s and you can make up more
time on the downs and flat bits. But I don't generally say this to people
at the back as you don't want to come across like you’re telling them what to
do, especially when you don't know them, and you don't want to put them off
coming again.
Week 2 - This week I was all
booked up to go to Aviemore then things started to happen. On the
Thursday during the day, they had closed the train line at Perth meaning all
trains cancelled up to Inverness. At this point I was thinking would it
be cleared by the next day. Later on, that day sadly the Queen
died. That night things like football were cancelling all the matches for
that weekend. But there were no signs of what parkrun would do that
night. I had a hotel booked but hadn't booked any trains. So, since
my hotel I could get a full refund if I cancelled then, that's what I
did. As it turned out parkrun sent out a communication on the Friday
lunchtime saying they would leave it to event teams to decide whether to go
ahead or not. I think about 6 in Scotland cancelled but Aviemore didn't
announce they were on till 5pm so it would have been a bit of a gamble going
there as I would have had to leave before then.
After all that I didn't even
make it to Queen's in the morning. As much as I enjoy a run there. When
you have got all set on doing a parkrun further away its more difficult to
motivate you to do a local one.
Week 3 - So to get myself back
in gear I booked up to go to Stranraer. Those that have been reading my
blog will know I have tried to get to Stranraer many times to do the parkrun
this year and last. Last year I tried, and the hotels were fully booked
up when I was trying to go. April, I had booked but was ill. May I
got to Ayr and then Scotrail cancelled all the trains to Stranraer and I had to
turn back.
and September............. I
made it! And what a trip. I stayed in North West hotel which
was right next to the station and 10 minute walk to Agnew park. I didn't
get a good sleep as per normal when I'm away but still got round the 3 lap
course in just over 30 minutes. It's one of those courses that they
really do use every inch of it and you get to see all the runners a lot due to
the out and backs. It's quite nice running up and down the pier too for
part of it.
Week 4 - I was due to go up to
Oban but I was off work sick during the week so took the decision to cancel the
trip. As it turned out I was feeling a lot better on the Saturday and went
along to Queen's. Not only that but actually did an alright time for me
for Queen's in about 33 minutes.
