100 Coventry Parkruns

100 Parkruns for Coventry and Debs first!

It was so good to see the cricketers and the super hero today shame I couldn't dress up as I had to drop Debs home and then go straight to work!

Debs has done a lot of big running events and was pleasantly shocked to see how well the parkrun was managed and supported. She was surprised to see so many runners with different abilities and well they all interacted and supporting each other. I think she really felt the atmosphere we all feel. Not surprisingly she is coming back next week and looking to beat her time!

It was really good to run with Debs and a honour to introduce her to the Parkrun!

Thank You Coventry!!

Coventry 100th Parkrun 14/1/2012

Alarm set for 8am as usual on a Saturday, the sky seemed a lot lighter than it had done over the past few weeks. Makes you feel much better when the mornings get lighter. By 8.40 I was dressed and prepared for the 100^th Parkrun at Coventry, my 60^th run.

On reaching the start line my first sight was of the lads in their cricket whites bearing the slogan 100 not out! This was followed by the appearance of a superhero. Felt ashamed that I had not even put on my tradition tutu for this memorable event. Note to self must do better for the 2^nd birthday event in February. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Anyway onto to the run itself, weather was fantastic chilly to start but you soon warmed up once running. Started the race well running alongside a fellow Massey club runner, unfortunately dropped off during the 3^rd km, have always struggled on the hill beside the tennis courts. Found the energy to do a final sprint passing at least 2 runners before crossing the finish line.

Sadly no Parkrun for me next week as going away with the cubs, scouts and explorers, did look up the closest Parkrun to the youth hostel but too far away.

100 Not Out!

Coventry parkrun celebrated it's one hundredth event today in a very crisp and wintry War Memorial park.

A couple of days ago some bright spark (my brother Andy) had the idea to mark the 100th event by running in fancy dress. Thinking "100?", Andy (obviously!) came up with cricketers and of course batsmen (scoring a century) so a few us discussed turning up as cricketers. Turning up in whites would not be enough though, oh no, we had to wear full cricket whites, cap, batting gloves, "100 NOT OUT" signs and, of course, a bat! Foolishly five of us agreed!

I would have to say that running with a cricket bat is not to be advised. Cricket bats are actually quite heavy, and runners around you need their wits about them as you switch arms every few hundred yards. I'm not sure if it was the different running action, or perhaps the build up of ice on the bat itself, but the bat gradually felt heavier and heavier!

Cricketer runners have to be very careful of other runners - no one wants a cricket bat in the face when out for a parkrun. Luckily we managed to avoid almost everyone. I did manage to catch Andy at one stage, but that was just to slow him down a bit - only joking Andy!

Knowing that we wouldn't be looking at PBs this week three of us agreed to run together. Unfortunately for me that meant that I was the weak link, slowing the other two down. To be honest I think we all just enjoyed the run waving our bats at anyone willing to clap of cheer us and we weren't at all bothered by the time, finishing in a very respectable 21:29 as it turns out. Not bad given the outfits and carrying those bats!

We tried our best to pose for the cameras where possible with a few decent shots on the official photos. A bit of a mix-up, forward defensive and saluting at the same time:

Completing the run:

Hopefully we brought a few smiles to peoples faces. It was certainly a great deal of fun, but the next time someone suggests I do a parkrun carrying a lump of wood, I may have to think twice before saying yes.