March, 2022 - Maria Runs

Preston Park parkrun and Brighton Half 2022

Since I’ve been running half marathons, most years I’ve run the Brighton half. The 2021 one was postponed to October, so it felt like I had only recently run it. I always love a weekend in Brighton though, and the weather was set to be beautiful for this time of year too.

We drove down on the Friday night, parked near Preston park station, and then had to get a rail replacement bus to the centre, where we were staying for the weekend.

Pavilion in the sunshine, the end of parkrun and a person dressed as a traffic cone!

I’d decided to go to Preston Park parkrun, partly because it was away from the coast and would be a change from the half route (you run along the Hove Prom parkrun route in the half marathon) but also it would increase my p index to 6, as I’d been to 5 parkruns at least 6 times, and Preston Park 5 times. It was a beautiful day as I ran there, with blue skies and the feeling of spring on the way. I got quite warm running, although there was a chilly wind so as soon as I stopped I got quite cold. I picked up my free Caffe Nero on the way back as I really wanted a tea to warm up.

I noticed that next to our hotel, a new version of the Wolfox café had opened, so we popped there for breakfast. Going to a place to eat in still feels quite alien, but it was nice and spacious with the door open the whole time, and so it felt OK. They did vegan French toast which was delicious, but their pancakes are also vegan and looked amazing so I am sure we will be back to sample some other delights.

We then wandered around to Hove, got a drink from Bird and Blend, and generally enjoyed the sunshine.

I did have some admin that needed to be done however. I needed to renew my driving licence with a new photo, and even though it says you can do it online, I can’t, because my passport is too new (3 years old) or too old, or something ridiculous. I’d tried in half term many times, I’d tried the online chat but that was just a bot, tried calling but you just had a message saying “we’re too busy, try again later”, and had emailed but had no reply. Very frustrating, so the options left were to go to the Post Office, or do it by post. There were no post offices where I live that did it, but 2 in Brighton, so we popped to one, only to be told that their photo booths had been switched off the day before, and the tablets that had ben sent in place didn’t yet work. We tried a second one but it was the same story. So frustrating!

We ended the day with pizza from Fatto A Mano, as they do a really good vegan pizza, although I think I prefer the vegan cheese from Purezza so would probably choose that next time. I did well over 30,000 steps which probably isn’t the best prep?

Our hotel was very central, so I didn’t have to get up that early which was a bonus. I could not decide what to wear- vest, vest over long sleeved top or t-shirt. In the end I went for the t-shirt as I knew I’d heat up once I started running. As Andy walked with me to the start, he could take my long sleeved top back for me so I didn’t have to tie it around my waist while running.

It felt windier than the previous day, and I was initially worried about being cold, but really I should have worried more about how hard the wind would make it!

It didn’t take long for us to start- my pen was the 2-2.15 pen, but I couldn’t find a way to get into that one, so I ended up at the back of the 1.45-2.00 pen, which was nicely spaced out. Like last time, I ran on feel, barely checking my watch at all. I noticed a few of the mile markers but mainly just enjoyed the route, listening to other runners, reading signs in the crowds etc. I think one thing I need to remember with this is that the turnaround points are always further than you think! The first bit is uphill and isn’t usually too bad, but this time we were running into the wind so it felt tough from the outset.

After 3 miles we turned away from the wind and the relief was amazing! You can see from my splits that I got a bit quicker- downhill and with the wind behind me it’s not surprising. At this point (and for the whole loop into the town and back) I was just behind a runner in a Vegan Runners vest (I had my buff with me) who took her role very seriously. She was constantly shouting “you can’t love animals if you eat them”, over and over again. Now, while I agree with her sentiment (the weird disconnect people have that they love their dogs or cats but happily eat chickens or pigs or cows), I am not sure anyone is going to change their mind hearing someone shout it at them from a race, and probably does more to make people annoyed with people being all preachy than it will actually help anything. I’m not sure if she went past me or if I managed to speed up, but I was quite relieved when somewhere along the seafront we were not together any more.

There are a few sections where you head into a little square of streets before going back to the seafront, and each time you got a taste of the wind and the final few miles as turning back onto the main road you’d get battered by the wind. Those final 3 miles were going to be fun…

As you can see, as we turned and ran into the wind, everyone slowed. It felt as if I was barely moving, and even though that was my slowest mile it was still a pretty good speed. I like the 10 mile point as you can tell yourself that it’s just a parkrun to go, and in Brighton you reach the Hove Prom parkrun course along this section. The i360 tower just seems so small when you turn at first, but soon you get closer and the crowds get even bigger- it really does help having people cheer you on.

I was so glad when the finish gantry came into view as battling the wind for those final 30 minutes was tough, even with the beautiful sea views! I crossed the line in 2:07:37, again feeling pleased to be in front of the 2.15 pacer. I have mixed feelings about the times, because on the one hand I tried for ages to get a sub 2, I achieved it once in Brighton but then the course was short. I worked out that if I had continued at the same speed, it still would have been under 2, but it isn’t the same a actually running it. But then running at that speed is hard. I enjoy running by the sea, and love the race atmosphere, so shall I just continue to enjoy it and not worry about the times? But then if I finish sooner then it’s less of a rush to check out…

The goodie bag was terrible! Not that I do a race for the bag, but other than a can of water (love that it’s easier to recycle and that there are actually recycling bins along the seafront), look at what you got! Some energy gels, a tab filled with artificial sweeteners (bleurgh to both of those)- the only saving grace was the Bird and Blend teabag sample- chocolate digestives tea woohoo! No banana or cereal bar or anything to have- I’m not sure many people are clamouring to eat (drink?) an energy gel when they finish running.

I couldn’t hang about as we had to check out from the hotel at 12.00, and as this was around 11.15 and it takes ages to battle through the crowds (I love Brighton but they have a weird set up with the toilets in the way and it’s always so congested). I did have a selfie by the sea with the medal, of course. I made it back just in time to have a speedy shower, gulp down the tea that Andy had made for me in the room, and then head out to get some lunch.

Before the race, after, the pier and a delicious burger for lunch

We went to Leon for lunch and then headed to the station (via Bird and Blend for an amazing strawberry and nutella pancakes tea latte). This was probably a mistake, as the rail replacement buses were not frequent, and when we finally got on one, the streets around the station were gridlocked so we definitely could have walked back much quicker. Ah well. A fab weekend as always.

Also, can we appreciate how well I did with my nail varnish? I like to paint my nails before a race, and it just so happened that the colour I picked matches perfectly with the medal ribbon!

Best or worst goodie bag item?

Running in the rain and other half term bits

With our trip to DLP coming up, I knew I wouldn’t run much while I was there so I squeezed in an extra run at the start- I’d usually rest on Monday but I had 5 mile run that day and then a 4 mile run on the Tuesday before we set off for the station.

Pink skies, matcha and the best snack

One run was lovely weather with pink skies leftover from the sunrise, but one was rainy and cold- more like typical February! A matcha to warm up when I got home, plus the best snack of pb and dates.

Fast forward to the end of half term. We got back to Kings Cross on Saturday afternoon, and had tickets for a gig (Wolf Alice) in the evening so had booked a hotel rather than going home and coming back into London again.

We got a deliveroo for dinner, although that didn’t turn out so well as the poor cyclist’s bike broke, so we had to ring up and cancel and they had to send it out again, so it was a bit rushed in the end.

Pancakes from Mildred’s, Crosstown and a soggy run!

On the Sunday we headed to Mildred’s for breakfast. We were worried it would be busy but we were there fairly early so there were only a few tables at that point. I had their delicious pancakes but I was very tempted by the toasted coconut bread- we shall have to go back. On our way back to the hotel we walked to Crosstown to get some doughnuts to take home, and as we passed the Veggie Pret I popped in to get some lunch for later too. We had rushed to the station and just made the time for the train, only for that one to be cancelled, but luckily they were fairly frequent so we weren’t waiting for too long.

Once home I had to head out on my long run, as the weather was getting worse and I didn’t want to leave it until the evening. I ended up doing 9 miles as my final long run before the half. I’d prefer to go for longer but I have run longer runs recently so I figured it would be OK. It’s not as if I was aiming for a particular time, and probably the wind and rain helped make it seem harder. I had to stop mid-run as a couple stopped me and asked me where their car was- they’d taken a photo of the street sign but had no idea where it was and didn’t have maps on their phone. My hands were so cold and the screen didn’t like the rain, but eventually I found it and sent them on their way (we were on a road parallel to where they’d parked so close by at least). By the time I got home I was pretty soaked and freezing cold.

Chai latte and movie time

After a shower and a late lunch I sat under a blanket in front of the TV and that was the end of half term! We watched Last Night in Soho, and started on the doughnuts!

Do you mind running in the rain? I don’t so long as it isn’t cold. I think it’s so hard to get the temperature right as so often you can feel too hot in a rain jacket but then too cold if you actually get wet.

Disneyland Paris Feb 22

We were meant to be going to DLP for New Year’s but of course what with one thing and another, we had to re-book our trip, so on the Tuesday of half term we headed into London to get the Eurostar.

The perfect time to wear my Magic Moon “Tired of Not Being at Disney top”! Our train was after lunch time, and usually you can get there fairly soon before the departure time, but the Covid and Brexit checks meant getting there earlier. We got a Leon for lunch, and then picked up sandwiches from Pret to have for dinner once we arrived. I also got a raspberry croissant to have for breakfast the following day because I love them and who knows what I’d find for breakfast in the supermarket.

Our journey was really good- we got some of those proper filtering masks to wear on the train, and then the transfer in Paris was fine (you have to do a stop on the underground, and then get a train out to Disney), and we got to our Air BnB sooner than we thought- enough time for dinner and then to walk over to the supermarket. Our apartment was close to Val D’Europe, a huge shopping centre one stop on the train (or just over a mile walk) from Disney.

We were up bright and early on our first day and got to the parks for some of the magic hours. We managed to do lots of rides, although we queued outside the Phantom Manor for ages before giving up because it seemed it had broken down before the day had even started. Across our 3 days we did pretty much all the rides several times (I think a record on Haunted Mansion in the end, as it often has huge queues).

The work on the castle had finished, so it was completely cleared (in October it was still behind lots of screens) and we could visit the stained glass windows inside. The parades were back, as well as the little impromptu mini ones. Most excitingly, I found vegan croissants in the supermarket!

Pret sunshine pot, vegan chocolate cake and mulled apple juice, vegan burrito and the vegan kitchen menu

The vegan food options are improving all of the time. They had some food trucks (which before we’d seen as part of the Christmas market) and there was one vegan kitchen that had all options. We got some butternut squash soup from another truck one day, and I sampled the vegan sandwich (tasty), the mulled apple juice (so good on a cold evening) and the warm chocolate cake. I even tried some roasted chestnuts one day- I’d never had them before and quite liked them-more like sweet potatoes than nuts, but again good and warming. The vegan wrap was still available in the main park, and Pret was finally open in the station. One day I managed to get a sandwich in there (a baguette with avocado, sundried tomatoes, olives, rocket and pine nuts) but another day there were no vegan sandwiches, so I got the sunshine pot instead.

One day I met Olaf- at this point you had to have masks on and had to keep your distance, but now they have changed the rules again and the “proper” meets were back on. I think I prefer them at the distance though!

A little windswept from being outside all day! On the first day I didn’t tie my hair up and regretted it when it was so very tangled…

I was keen to do the drawing again, and this time we got to do Mushu from Mulan. I think we both did pretty well!

We were in the parks until closing time each day, so we tended to wander into the village in the afternoon to get a drink from Starbucks (seriously, even if you want a cup of tea, go and get one from there because the cups in the park are tiny and they just don’t make tea properly either!). Once we walked back to our apartment, we had time to watch an episode of Inventing Anna while having a cup of tea- not quite so Disney!

As well as the parades, there was a fireworks show, and it felt properly like Disney. It was a lot of projections on the castle, as well as some fireworks and other things like lasers and flames. We had to keep masks on the whole time, but they had removed the distancing markers in the queues. It felt OK- I think I am slowly getting more used to crowds, but also the fact that everyone’s vaccine status is checked before you go in makes me feel a bit more comfortable too.

On Saturday we had to head into Paris to get our train home, but we were in no rush so I went out for a run in the morning, alongside the parks and then around the buildings near to our apartment. It was a gorgeous morning ( but very cold) and of course I wore a Run Disney top. I don’t think the Paris runs are coming to 2022 but I can keep hoping for 2023!

Pink tea and an alpaca

Pink tea, tea club artwork and gorgeous hazelnut chocolate drops

Rewinding back to the week before half term, I received my tea club and just absolutely loved the artwork this month- check out how cute it is! One of the teas is called Whole Lotta Love, and is basically a fruity tea that you can add milk to. It turns a beautiful pink, and tastes a bit fruity and nutty. It was my morning tea of choice until it ran out.

Totoro hoodie for “express yourself day”, face mask in the evening, tiffin and a bluetit visiting our doorbell.

It was a busy week (aren’t they all?) with parents evenings and a training course after school which meant that for 3 of the days I was home much later than usual. I did manage to keep my morning runs (4 miles on Tues and Thurs, including a hint of a sunrise on the Thursday run!!), I attended the online yoga class and also managed a few more of the Yoga With Adriene January challenge- doing days 25, 26 and 27 on Monday, Friday and Sunday. Andy was out on the Wednesday, so after yoga I treated myself to a face mask and watching some TV under a blanket. I started Around the World in 80 Days (bit disappointed about the theme tune..). I also enjoyed some tiffin which I’d picked up on my long run (from the little plant based coffee trailer in Panshanger park).

On the Sunday following our trip to Bartley Park, it was of course long run time. I ran along Cole Green Way to Hertford, into Panshanger Park, then back home through the little villages. It’s nice to have a loop rather than an out and back. I bought a brownie from the coffee van for us to share later, and even saw an alpaca in a garden! I used to see it on my way back from Panshanger parkrun, but even when I’ve been that way I’ve not seen it for ages.

I then had a lot of jobs to get done, including sewing holes in socks (not too bad) and sewing on my vegan runners patch to my club vest. This was very fiddling and I am not good at this sort of thing. I was very glad when I’d finally finished!

Bartley Park parkrun for the Wilson Index

As mentioned previously, I’m looking at the Wilson Index for my parkruns at the moment. It was stuck at 8, but then I had all the numbers from 10-20. Happily a new parkrun popped up a few months ago, and event number 9 fell at the start of half term. The perfect timing so we could head down to Southampton for the night. We only booked it the day before (hooray for daily LFT’s..) but it was so nice on Friday to have a little trip to look forward to.

We drove down after dinner, and stayed in a hotel in the city centre. Bartley Park parkrun is based in Totton, on the outskirts of Southampton, a few miles (4?) from the centre. There isn’t parking nearby, and so I looked into running to the parkrun start, and maybe getting the train back, however Andy pointed out that the main roads didn’t always have pavements. The trains weren’t that often, so I “treated myself” and got an Uber.

The course page directions were great, and I was dropped off in a cul-de-sac next to an alleyway that led directly to the start. Seeing those yellow parkrun signs are always good. I was there fairly early so jogged up and down some of the paths/alleyways around the park, to warm up and enjoy the sights. It’s a built up area but with lots of greenery- it reminded me a bit of Linford Wood in Milton Keynes as you start off in a built up area but mainly run through parks and along tree lined paths.

The marshals were so friendly- as soon as they saw me with my parkrun top they were directing me to the start. There was a big group of people at the new runners briefing- both new to parkrun and of course plenty of tourists.

The course map and my royal flush splits

The course was two laps, with lots of out and backs. It was clearly signed and well marshalled, but I would have no hope of doing it as a freedom run! It passed through various parks, along little paths (I call them alleyways but they are paths not on roads if that makes sense), through woods and by some houses. At some points they asked people to be quiet so that the parkrun doesn’t disturb the local residents.

They asked us to run through the muddy puddles instead of around them, to protect the grass verges. It wasn’t too bad and I was happy to do that. At one point I was running behind a guy and his child, and the child lost their shoe in the mud. I was able to bend down and pick up the shoe as I was running, and pass it back to them. I noticed he was wearing some With Me Now merch, so I gave the “Dolly or Bev” and received the “arbitrary” response. I overtook them while he was putting his shoe back on, but later they caught up with me and we had a little chat- he understood my Wilson Index chasing, and he was aiming for all the parkruns in Hampshire.

I finished in 29:09, for event number 9 (all the 9’s) and happily now my Wilson Index is at 20. I had managed to gently speed up for each mile too – probably helped with the course being fairly flat. I had to head off fairly quickly as we had to check out. We were originally going to visit Andy’s grandma, but due to various reasons that was postponed, so we ended up spending time in the city centre (although when I first got back I decided to pop to Caffe Nero to get a tea, and ended up getting very lost and running nearly 2 miles in the end…). I was keen to go to Thrive Café (a vegan café) and we picked up some treats to have at home- Battenberg cake and a biscoff doughnut. We got some lunch and went to sit by the coast, although loads of seagulls surrounded us so we headed back away from there quite quickly!

Anyway, a lovely event and well worth a visit if you are in that area.