Discussion
I don't run in rain, hate it, but went today. A fraction of the turnout, but then I didn't warm up because of pissing down and left knee did something that it's never done and I walked from .5 to 1...thought I was gonna go home, then it felt ok and I finished running....so it was one of my slowest but I finished the course and knee is ok.
irish boy said:
Took 40 seconds off my pb today and sub 19 for the first time. Chuffed!
Tidy. Well done.Up to Whinlatter for a bit of tourism today. Expected rain, but other than a bit of light drizzle at the start, it was dry. Didn’t run particularly well, came in at 25 and a bit minutes, not quite my slowest around here, but not far off. Still managed first in my getting on a bit but not yet an old fogey age category, and twentieth overall. I’m four minutes slower here than at my home parkrun, but the scenery is better.
We got lucky in Oxford yesterday and it was only very light drizzle. When i drove home around midday the rain was starting to really come down and the standing water on the A40 was pretty treacherous.
Was looking for a sub 22:30 but got a 22:38 instead. It was much muddier than i'd imagined though, that's my excuse
Was looking for a sub 22:30 but got a 22:38 instead. It was much muddier than i'd imagined though, that's my excuse
Snubs said:
I've been running the new Cheltenham one for the last couple of weeks and it makes me wonder if there are any guidelines or restrictions on course layouts? It's run across three playing fields and whilst the fields themselves are flat, to get them level they've created short, but very sharp, grass banks between them maybe 7 / 8 feet high. It's a 3 lap course and there are 2 ups and 2 downs each lap, so 12 in total. Not a problem if you're fit and well, but if you've got any issues around dodgy joints, other disabilities or are very overweight or unfit i could see that they would be an issue you might not be able to overcome. Given the participation ethos around the Parkrun, I'm surprised by the course.
I'd be surprised if there were any major guidelines and what you describe really doesn't sound too bad. So long as it's safe for the number of participants and 5km in length then I'd have though it would be fine. There's some proper tough courses around, Woolacombe is generally considered the hardest one in the UK as a lot of it is over sand dunes which is hard work under foot. The second toughest is just up the road from me (Churchfields Farm), lots of up and down and all on trails. Looking at the photos it's been a bit of a mud bath the last few weeks as well and got called off last weekend because of it. Been meaning to give it a go 
https://www.athleticsweekly.com/athletics-news/fas...
Edited by C0ffin D0dger on Monday 28th October 10:40
C0ffin D0dger said:
Snubs said:
I've been running the new Cheltenham one for the last couple of weeks and it makes me wonder if there are any guidelines or restrictions on course layouts? It's run across three playing fields and whilst the fields themselves are flat, to get them level they've created short, but very sharp, grass banks between them maybe 7 / 8 feet high. It's a 3 lap course and there are 2 ups and 2 downs each lap, so 12 in total. Not a problem if you're fit and well, but if you've got any issues around dodgy joints, other disabilities or are very overweight or unfit i could see that they would be an issue you might not be able to overcome. Given the participation ethos around the Parkrun, I'm surprised by the course.
I'd be surprised if there were any major guidelines and what you describe really doesn't sound too bad. So long as it's safe for the number of participants and 5km in length then I'd have though it would be fine. There's some proper tough courses around, Woolacombe is generally considered the hardest one in the UK as a lot of it is over sand dunes which is hard work under foot. The second toughest is just up the road from me (Churchfields Farm), lots of up and down and all on trails. Looking at the photos it's been a bit of a mud bath the last few weeks as well and got called off last weekend because of it.https://www.athleticsweekly.com/athletics-news/fas...
The mounds would probably come under the Permanent Obstacles guideline.
Halb said:
I don't run in rain, hate it, but went today. A fraction of the turnout, but then I didn't warm up because of pissing down and left knee did something that it's never done and I walked from .5 to 1...thought I was gonna go home, then it felt ok and I finished running....so it was one of my slowest but I finished the course and knee is ok.
One of my slowest times and the highest placing for a year and half.Also, checking my results I see I was once top 20...ah those were the day.
Halb said:
absolutely pissing down today
I know - awesome wasn't it Much lower turnout at my local (Stratford-upon-Avon), but on the plus side, because of the weather we actually got away on-time - which is a rarity nowadays.
I ran with my trail shoes which made running over the sodden fields and leaf-strewn paths a lot easier and sure-footed.
Not quite PB today, but only about 20 seconds off so very happy.
KTF said:
C0ffin D0dger said:
Snubs said:
I've been running the new Cheltenham one for the last couple of weeks and it makes me wonder if there are any guidelines or restrictions on course layouts? It's run across three playing fields and whilst the fields themselves are flat, to get them level they've created short, but very sharp, grass banks between them maybe 7 / 8 feet high. It's a 3 lap course and there are 2 ups and 2 downs each lap, so 12 in total. Not a problem if you're fit and well, but if you've got any issues around dodgy joints, other disabilities or are very overweight or unfit i could see that they would be an issue you might not be able to overcome. Given the participation ethos around the Parkrun, I'm surprised by the course.
I'd be surprised if there were any major guidelines and what you describe really doesn't sound too bad. So long as it's safe for the number of participants and 5km in length then I'd have though it would be fine. There's some proper tough courses around, Woolacombe is generally considered the hardest one in the UK as a lot of it is over sand dunes which is hard work under foot. The second toughest is just up the road from me (Churchfields Farm), lots of up and down and all on trails. Looking at the photos it's been a bit of a mud bath the last few weeks as well and got called off last weekend because of it.https://www.athleticsweekly.com/athletics-news/fas...
The mounds would probably come under the Permanent Obstacles guideline.
I see from the link Stratford upon Avon is one of the fastest runs. I could get there fairly easily so might have to give it a go
Snubs said:
It was more just the nature of the short, sharp slippery obstacle being, in my mind, unsuitable for some.
Some events - like one at a school near me - have a note saying no dogs (school policy) and no buggies (narrow course with uneven terrain) - so whilst the aim is for everyone to take part, sometimes this is not always possible due to local restrictions. Snubs said:
I see from the link Stratford upon Avon is one of the fastest runs. I could get there fairly easily so might have to give it a go
Worcester Pitchcroft (Racecourse) also in that list and not a million miles from Cheltenham. It's my local, pancake flat and fast especially if on the usual 2 lap course. The horseshoe course would be slower with the number of turns in it. The other factor is if it's been raining a lot as the start straight can have some big puddles. At the moment though you'd need to swim part of it! Not sure it's going to be on this week, depends if the river drops, I'm secretly hoping it gets cancelled though so I don't have to make an excuse to watch the rugby instead 
Have booked a parkrun / roadtrip
Florida in November for the extra one at Thanksgiving (Clermont), plus the Saturdays either side (Depot Park and Weedon Reserve)
Would be nice to do the road bit in something more PH appropriate, but it'll be whatever standard box Alamo decide to give me.
I did scroll down to Mustang convertible, which wasn't stupidly expensive to hire but I chickened out when I thought about the mpg!
Florida in November for the extra one at Thanksgiving (Clermont), plus the Saturdays either side (Depot Park and Weedon Reserve)
Would be nice to do the road bit in something more PH appropriate, but it'll be whatever standard box Alamo decide to give me.
I did scroll down to Mustang convertible, which wasn't stupidly expensive to hire but I chickened out when I thought about the mpg!
te on long journeys...even if it is cool to burn off other cars a la cannonball run. I recall a truck who really idn't wanna let me pass on a road that went to the horizon through a desert, that was cooljohn2443 said:
Have booked a parkrun / roadtrip
Florida in November for the extra one at Thanksgiving (Clermont), plus the Saturdays either side (Depot Park and Weedon Reserve)
Would be nice to do the road bit in something more PH appropriate, but it'll be whatever standard box Alamo decide to give me.
I did scroll down to Mustang convertible, which wasn't stupidly expensive to hire but I chickened out when I thought about the mpg!
Ha, came back on Sunday from doing a West Coast US mini tour of parkruns. Took in the San Francisco event at Crissy Field, with a stunning backdrop of the Golden Gate bridge, followed by one in Portland, Oregon, at the Rock Creek Trail. I did think about renting a Mustang, but after SWMBO pointed out that I drive one everyday here anyway, it's a bit of a waste of money to hire one Florida in November for the extra one at Thanksgiving (Clermont), plus the Saturdays either side (Depot Park and Weedon Reserve)
Would be nice to do the road bit in something more PH appropriate, but it'll be whatever standard box Alamo decide to give me.
I did scroll down to Mustang convertible, which wasn't stupidly expensive to hire but I chickened out when I thought about the mpg!
Driven mine to the top of Denmark, getting a couple of parkruns along the way, obvs, so no issues with them on big drives. In fact a Mustang would have been better than the Chevy Impala that Avis provided. Oh, and mpg for the 2.3l Ecoboost would be on a par with anything else available from the big US rental agencies.C0ffin D0dger said:
Snubs said:
I see from the link Stratford upon Avon is one of the fastest runs. I could get there fairly easily so might have to give it a go
Worcester Pitchcroft (Racecourse) also in that list and not a million miles from Cheltenham. It's my local, pancake flat and fast especially if on the usual 2 lap course. The horseshoe course would be slower with the number of turns in it. The other factor is if it's been raining a lot as the start straight can have some big puddles. At the moment though you'd need to swim part of it! Not sure it's going to be on this week, depends if the river drops, I'm secretly hoping it gets cancelled though so I don't have to make an excuse to watch the rugby instead Warwick Racecourse parkrun have a cafe that are going to be showing the Rugby this Saturday, so I may switch allegiances and there instead.
Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff