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Wife (to Shaun), Mother (to Danni), Dog walker of Archie the JRX, improving cyclist, reformed gym bunny, broken runner Collector of exercise DVDs & equipment. Cake is my weakness together with cider (Westons only thanks)and brandy. Noisy spectator of running & cycling events. Owner of Tribby the campervan

Saturday 22 September 2012

I Did It On The First Day of Autumn! Or Don't Forget Your Barcode ..... And Your Running Shoes!

I ran my first ever Park Run today at Eastbourne.

I probably wouldn't haven't taken the plunge if it hadn't been for Park Run Tourist Steve who during September has been trying a different Park Run each week.

I was initially awake at about 5.30am but it was pitch black outside, I've recently found out that the street lights in the street are turned off sometime between 10.30pm and 1am which makes the street very dark.  Anyway, I properly woke up just before the alarm went off at 7am and got up, got dressed into my running kit and had some breakfast.  I gathered my paraphernalia together, including my barcode which I've been reminded about all week from various parties, and set off for Shinewater Park at Eastbourne.   It was a lovely sunny morning, and I felt quite excited to be heading out so early.   After I'd been driving for about 15 minutes I suddenly remembered I'd forgotten to pick up my running shoes - disaster!  So I had a choice, go back and get them and risk arriving late, or keep driving and just run in my clunky Adidas dog walking/general wear trainers.  I decided to carry on and run in what I had.

I found the school they use for parking quite easily and then pounced upon approached a young girl who looked like she might be heading to Park Run, which luckily she was!   We walked through to the start line to find quite a lot of people who had already arrived.   I was approached by a few people who obviously spotted the over excited newcomer.  Steve arrived just in time for a quick briefing on the course and then we were off.   Steve stayed with me for about half a kilometre and then whizzed off to get himself a decent time.

It's a lovely course, starting on grass and then onto mainly gravel and concrete path.   Shinewater Park is a well used park by people walking their dogs, runners and cyclists.  I got to about 4k and spotted Steve waiting for me at the crossover just before the end, and he ran back to the finish line with me, peeling off at the last minute having already finished his own run.  I was quite pleased to see my Garmin said 34 mins.

My official Park Run time is 34 mins 31 secs - happy with that for a first.

The only complaint I have about the location is there are no public toilets - not that it was a problem, there are quite a few bushes one could utilise if needed!

So, I've actually done it and I now wish I'd done it sooner.   I will definitely go back and do it again, not next week as I will be walking the dog next Saturday morning as Shaun is going in for his knee op on Tuesday and probably won't be mobile enough for dog walking for a few days, and probably not the following week as it will be the day before the 8k Undercliff - but I will be doing it again.


8 comments:

  1. Well done on getting the parkrun bug. And that is a really good time for a first-time. As you get to know the course that will come down really quickly. Eastbourne is my local one too and I would have been there to meet you and Steve had I not been on an enforced parkrun rest!! I am sure to see you one day. It will always be there (hopefully!!).

    As for toilets, it's a bit of a bind isn't it, but because I come by train I stop off at Hampden Park High Street and then the walk through to the bottom end of the park is a nice warm-up for me. Not sure what they can do about it mind and I appreciate a bush is often easier for a bloke than a lady!

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    1. Thanks Martin - might have been a bit quicker with the right flipping shoes too! Felt like I was running with clods of mud on my feet! Shame you couldn't have been there, would've been great to meet you! The loo situation isn't a massive problem - well not today!

      Hopefully be back there in a couple of weeks once family stuff sorted - see you there

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    1. Thanks Louise - I've always said it would happen, just lucky that Steve said he was doing it & I had my window of opportunity. I think what was stopping me was not knowing anyone but everyone was lovely so it was a stupid excuse. Hopefully be back there in a couple of weeks

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  3. Welcome to the parkrun world :-) You'll have an eye on that 50 shirt before you know it.

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  4. Yay - great time for your first one especially in the wrong shoes - well done!

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    1. Cheers Carla - can't believe I forgot them, what a div!

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