Pontefract next – loop then a lap around the racecourse.
Jamie didn’t feel like running so the enclosed children’s playground right by
the finish was a blessing. Don’t worry, he wasn’t alone having a tourist
friends little girl for company!! Enjoyed this course- seems to be a lot more
downhill than uphill somehow but having run the Northern Counties Cross Country
here 20 years ago I know it is bitter and exposed in winter- still recommend it
though and I think it will get you some quick times!!
Braunstone in Leicester – nice friendly event, relatively flat
but with a sneaky hill hidden in the trees at the halfway point!! Certainly
caught me out but otherwise another great event!
After that we took the “Yorkshire Tough” challenge to Barnsley
with the guys from Roundhay, aiming to beat their pb’s and settle the toughest
parkrun question once and for all. I have to say that despite beating my
Roundhay pb Barnsley is much tougher!! Much, much tougher!! They have the same
3 laps and the same long hill on each lap but Roundhay is a consistent hill
whereas Barnsley’s alternates beween steep and not so steep, with corners! The
constant change in gradient is a killer, so much so that I could not feel my
legs and enjoy the steep downhill at the end of each lap! Definitely a great
challenge- and really friendly with a playground for the kids by the finish!
Half term week at the end of June saw us take a family
holiday in Scotland – a long drive with a 6 year old and especially with my
mother and step dad who, after a near fatal car crash a few years ago, really do
not enjoy being in the car too much! The solution- take advantage of the Travelodge
offer of £10 rooms and break up the journey- set off Friday for Glasgow, the
same the week after to Edinburgh. Result- 2 parkrun opportunities, totally
planned of course and fantastic that they all let me get away with it!!
Glasgow is a big un -353 the week we were there, and the guys gave a shout out to Jamie in the run briefing which made his day!! A great
course, couple of laps on tarmac through the woods and probably tough if you
are going for it but I ran with Jamie so I could enjoy the scenery! Definitely
another I’d like to do again in anger!! Edinburgh was a complete contrast- a
more professionally organised event I have never seen, pa, van, banners all in
evidence gave it a true race feel- and the course is perfect for it! This is
one where the weather can make or break your run- it’s a completely flat out
and back course on the esplanade so the slightest hint of wind and you are
going to get it at some point!! We had perfect conditions and I went for it-
way too fast!! At halfway I was on for a 2 minute pb and I think you can guess
what happened next…….
