19 – 25 August 2019 “Run in peace.”

It was as surprising as it was tragic; a runner who outwardly seemed healthy dies in the middle of a casual run. I didn’t know Russell Burns beyond more than the odd chat before and after parkruns, but he was always positive towards my performances and cheering me on when he saw me on the out-and-back sections of the course. I had planned to ask to join him on a few of his Sutton Park runs in the future, so I regret I won’t have the opportunity to get to know him more. But regardless of how well we know one another, the running community shares our highs and lows, our successes and frustrations of injury. So when it was announced that this Saturday’s Perry Hall parkrun would be held in memoriam of him, it’s no surprise that runners near and far gathered, generating this parkrun’s third highest attendance.

In his honour, we wore Russell’s favorite colour red; the sight of so many runners wearing it showed the effect he had on us. The run was preceded by a tribute from Russell’s friend, who ran that day for what would have been Russell’s 100th Perry Hall parkrun. Event Director Emma gave an emotional eulogy, sharing Russell’s selflessness in volunteering regularly and at short notice, while achieving personal milestones such as a sub-20 parkrun. A minute’s applause was given for him; aptly the clapping reminded me of runners’ footsteps.

I’d intended – unbeknownst to anyone – to run this parkrun at Russell’s regular pace in his memory. With marshalls potentially in short supply on the switchback areas though, I kept a fast-ish pace for the first couple of miles in case I needed to warn any faster runners going the wrong way. To people’s amusement, my buddy Paul and I were chatting quite casually for the first couple of miles, despite running at 10mph! I slowed down for the final mile to bring my overall time close to Russell’s PB. As a nice unexpected touch, I encouraged the runner behind me to keep pushing it, his red t-shirt of choice being the familiar Paris marathon’s.

Staying a little longer than I ordinarily would after a parkrun, it was nice to chat with the other runners and cheer on Russell’s friend as he crossed the finish line. Maybe I’ll try this “socialising” thing a bit more in future, who knows. Tomorrow isn’t promised to us, so I’ll at least keep doing that which I was born to do; run. Run for myself, run for those who can’t, run in memory of others. For any and all reasons, run.

12 – 18 August 2019 “Fastest Couple Alive”

This had been quite a positive week running-wise, with relaxed jogs on Monday and Tuesday, an easy runcommute at 1:30 half-marathon-pace despite the rain, and a very slow 10k on Friday in checking out the route of the new Babbs Mill parkrun. “Very” being the operative word there, as I’d recently read that legendary marathoner Eliud Kipchoge paces his slow runs at 9:40/mile! How often and for how long he does it for, I don’t know. But if such a pace is even on his radar, who am I to look down on it for my runs? When my marathon training kicks in again next year, I may look to resume my easy runs at 7:00/mile pace. But it would be wise to take it easy for now, lest I burn myself out.

On Saturday, I finally got to participate at the Babbs Mill parkrun! This event has been a long time in the making, with setbacks over the last couple of years, so kudos to the event team for persisting and making it happen. Having run at the park probably twice a week for years now, it’s great to not only have a parkrun virtually on my doorstep, but also a boon to encourage the small number of local runners.

Go!

Having positioned myself literally at the front of the pack – and worrying about looking arrogant – I set off with not much clue as to where I was going! I’d missed the running briefing, and the route had changed from what I’d checked out the day before. So when an over-ambitious runner took the lead after 15 or so seconds, I let him lead the way.

After a loop on the grass, we took the path and another runner took the lead. Zipping to catch up to him, we left the ambitious one behind and didn’t see him for the rest of the run (I later overheard someone chastise him, “it’s no good blaming your shoe!” ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) )

A couple of other runners joined us, and we chopped-and-changed positions regularly until about 1.5 miles in. Notably, one of the pack almost looked to be walking, hardly lifting his feet off the ground! However, the lead guy lost his position when he mistakenly took a long way around a corner. Being the sportsman-like gentleman I am, I dipped my pace slightly to allow him to regain his place.

It then became neck-and-neck between us for the following mile, as we dodged lapped runners in an enclosed wooded area. Though I’m against the banning of headphones at events, please make sure you can at least hear your surroundings; a few runners didn’t hear us, making for tricky/dangerous overtaking.

Eventually getting to clear space, we pushed on towards the finish; it seemed like my challenger had dropped his pace, so I allowed my kick to come in, even if a bit early at 2.8 miles. My gambit paid off, and I left him with no opportunity to catch up.

First place!

I now pronounce us first place!

While chatting with a few of the other finishers, I waited for my wife to finish. As she crossed the line, it was pointed out she was the first female finisher! Proud of her as I always am, it’s great to see us as the winning duo, and certainly the first at this parkrun! You might say… it runs in the family 😉

 

Well done again to the event team for their work in getting this parkrun off the ground, and adapting the course accordingly for safety.

And with that, I’m to end this post on a sour note. Russell Burns, an acquaintance from my home parkrun of Perry Hall, passed away during a run on Friday. My thoughts and prayers go to his family and friends at this tragic time.

He was found by an Sutton Coldfield runner who afterwards reminded his club – which seems wise to repeat here – to carry emergency contact details when out. Coincidentally or not, another runner recently recommended the website http://www.what3words.com which can provide an easy way for others to find your location.

There’ll be a tribute to Russell at this Saturday’s Perry Hall parkrun, and I’ll run it in memory of him.

5 – 11 August 2019 “Welsh week”

With my church’s annual conference being held at the picturesque seaside town of Llandudno, North Wales, a regular highlight for me is getting to run along the Promenade and The Great Orme. Needless to say, the first things I packed were running t-shirts and shorts! My running seems to be somewhat renowned there, with one guy even referring to me as “Brother Marathon!”

The Great Orme; ironically, easier than the Little Orme!

I remember a couple of years back when I first tackled The Great Orme, a 600-foot hill which stretches out to scenic views of the sea; it felt relentless, punishing and an all-day ordeal. Now I’ve ran it quite a few times it’s no longer as scary, but the scenery still looks amazing (particularly the stylish houses!). Unfortunately, the first run I had planned for it this year was kiboshed due to a rockslide, so I improvised by running to – and attempting – the Little Orme. Double unfortunately, I either took the wrong route or found the insane incline unsuitable for running (I managed 130ft in 0.2 miles before giving up!)

Even better than a pot of gold; my wife at the end of the rainbow!

The runs on subsequent days went well however, with smiling and bemused walkers watching as I tackled the Great Orme with ease. Welsh (and British, generally) weather being what it is, rain hammered down intermittently but my wife and I pressed on, undeterred. We were then treated to an amazing sight; a rainbow not in the sky, but on the sea’s surface!

The final run of the week was at Conwy parkrun. I deliberately held off from an announcing where I was from as I knew what the response would be; however, my Nottingham-accented wife stated we were from Birmingham, to which came the expected reaction, “Buh-ming-hum” (cue eye-roll)

Positioned right on the start line for an anticipated top-5 finish, one runner nonetheless felt the need to plonk himself right in front of me! Was he fast, or over-ambitious? The latter, as I left him at Go!

Though my energy felt high, I couldn’t convert it to where I wanted speed-wise; I’m unsure whether that was the gravel terrain or just lack of practice, but before long I ended up in 7th place. Then 8th, when a lady passed me. Swallow your pride, let it go.

Less sexist than I’ve been in times past, I wasn’t threatened by her ability and was content to let her drift off. However, I tackled with ease the one incline of the course – a steep railway bridge – whereas she faded. Before long, I picked off a couple of the fading male runners while also taking in the great sights of Conwy Castle, the hills and harbour. Just before the out-and-back brought us back to the bridge, I picked off one more runner and comfortably managed fourth place in 18:50. Frustratingly, first place was only 32 seconds ahead of me, so had I been on more average form, I could have claimed it.

Ah well, it was an enjoyable run anyway, with yet another downpour starting just as we got to the car (which we’d left the keys in! #facepalm). It was a fun week of running, and great to venture away from the city for the first time in a while. I’m already looking forward to next year!

 

29 July – 4 August 2019 “Running back to where I came from.”

Making a conscious effort to get longer runs in this week, I had a welcome return to runcommutes and Sunday long runs; only 9 and 13.1 miles respectively, but better than what I’ve done of late. Also, a return to parkrun! Though I recently haven’t had much of a racing spirit, someone’s impressive 3,000m race this week gave me the incentive to get back into the game.

Visiting Perry Hall parkrun as the closest and most convenient venue for me (though unbeknownst to me, a new one had started just a mile from my house just that morning!), it occurred to me I hadn’t been there for absolutely ages. Greeting some familiar faces with many more cheering for me on the course, it was as though I hadn’t been away. That’s one of the beauties of parkrun; getting to dip in and out with no loss of relationship, no compulsion to stay at the same one all the time.

Doing my usual reconnaissance at the start line, there was only one I suspected might give me trouble, but it turned out he was nowhere to be seen. I wondered if the 11-year-old right on the line might be a prodigy, but despite a 5:15/mile start for the first 100m, I easily passed and lost him early on. Instead, a long-haired female took the lead about a third of a mile in. Wait, that ain’t a woman. That’s a man, man! The bloke with long hair stayed a few seconds ahead of me, but as I was already struggling I chose to hang back and do my best to maintain second place. I hoped for a last-minute kick, but my lack of sprint training and mileage had taken its toll. Nonetheless, I finished only 9 seconds behind first place in 18:16; not quite what I hoped for, but perhaps better than I deserved.

My Sunday long run was a nice outing and trip down memory lane, being one of my first running routes and even took me past my first marital home, which I lived in when I first took up running. Casually drifting by the canal at a low 7:00/mile pace (though aiming for 7:30/mile), I had a fleeting thought about how far I’d come; unable to run a mile on that stretch of canal 8 years ago, I’d ran a marathon this year at a pace I’d once consider sprinting. And for once, people I saw were nice to me, giving me “the nod!”

Hopefully with a focus on shaking up my training regime and looking for new running routes, I’ll get back into the swing of things, continuing to achieve goals along the way.