Tag: parkrun

Highbury Fields revisit for Plan C

The plan for this weekend had always been for some parkrun tourism with Branka, and originally we were going to head to Stockley Country parkrun (not Stockwell as I kept telling Andy- he was very confused when he couldn’t find it, and could find a Stockwell park elsewhere in London while I was insisting it was close to Heathrow…). Anyway, the weather was not forecast to be great, and we didn’t fancy driving around the M25 in torrential rain, so looked at a few other options. Branka mentioned Raphael, but looking at journey times it was going to be similar, so we decided to look at train options. I am happy to repeat venues, and Branka hadn’t done Highbury Fields yet, so we decided to head there. We could both get trains to Finsbury Park, and from there it was one stop on the Victoria Line to Highbury and Islington station, and the parkrun is so close to the station (just across the road) it seemed ideal.

Plus, as a bonus, the Angel branch of Bird and Blend is about half a mile along Upper Street (and the walk passes British Patagonia who make amazing vegan pastries)- parkfaff would be sorted too!

My train was due to leave at 7:55, and with the rain I decided to drive to Hatfield rather than run to WGC, so I didn’t need to leave home until 7:30. (Branka had called me as she had a slight issue with her train ticket but she had plenty of time to sort it thankfully) My train was running a few minutes late but even with that (and me having a slight panic as I got off the train that I couldn’t find my car keys and worrying that they had fallen out- they were actually just deeper into my pocket than I had felt when I first checked), a visit to the station toilets and then getting the underground, we were at H&I for 8:30 -plenty of time!

My improving selfie, a photo mid-run, token photo and our pop up picture

We took our purple pop up photos before, and Branka continued with tutoring me on my selfies- I am getting better!

The first timers welcome was very amusing- I would not be surprised if the person ended up doing stand up comedy. She was very engaging and it really made the event feel welcoming. There did seem to be a lot of tourists- of course if you hang around the sign for a bit you end up taking photos for other people and then them taking your photo. One couple had come from north Wales! We said we should look up in case it was a specific event number (but it was 609- that’s not a prime and I can’t see what the fascination would be)- maybe just the proximity to the tube means they get lots each week.

I’d packed a t-shirt, jumper and waterproof in an old race bag to leave on the tarpaulin of trust, but thankfully the torrential rain that was forecast didn’t arrive, just a few spots of rain here and there.

The main run briefing was a bit disappointing as we just could not hear a thing- people all around us were talking, and I think I heard a few milestones announced, but it was one of those briefings when you just clap when other people clap. At least in the first timers welcome they mentioned some of the course hazards such as the uneven pavement and the muddy slippery puddle.

Now, if you don’t know, Highbury Fields is 5 laps. The only other 5 lapper I’ve done is Heslington in York, around a bike track. Here, you start in the middle on the grass, head out to the perimeter of the park (and really it is the perimeter as it is on pavements outside the park- it feels very un-parkrun in that respect as you are by houses and roads and parked cars and all sorts), and then run 5 laps before heading back in to finish on the grass. I decided that to keep count, I would try and have a different song in my head for each lap. I was hoping for songs with numbers, but the first lap was to the tune of Frère Jacques (this is the first lap, this is the first lap, around we go, around we go, run around the park, run around the park, keep on going, keep on going), and I realised that I could easily change the number for each lap and then I’d get muddled. For Lap 2I wanted a song with 2 in it (not sure why I didn’t choose Song 2 by Blur) but I ended up with Bones by The Killers in my head then. Not sure why. Lap 3 was the turn of Three is a Magic Number by Embrace (good for learning that 3x table backwards), Lap 4 was All For One from High School Musical, and then lap 5 was the theme tune from Girls 5 Eva (‘what are you waiting five?’).

I felt like I was running well, and was overtaking people towards the end, but I don’t usually look at my watch. As I crossed the finish line I stopped my watch and saw that the course had measured short- 2.8 miles. I briefly panicked that I hadn’t run the full 5 laps, but I knew I had, and the people around me had finished at the same time. If I had gone for an additional lap it would have been way over. I say all the time not to rely on GPS, and particularly on twisty routes it isn’t 100% reliable. Looking on Strava later, I could see the 5 laps (and the 5 bumps for the slope in each lap), and I could also see that it had cut off the corner each time as the route takes you out of the park at the bottom.

After I finished, I changed my top as it was still on and off raining and I didn’t want to get cold. Branka finished soon after me, and we chatted to a few tourists before walking along to our parkfaff locations. Just after we commented on how lucky we were with the weather, it rained quite hard, but thankfully we were soon in Bird and Blend, getting matcha lattes and topping up our tea collections.

Purple pop up “after” photo, the matcha wall of dreams, heavenly vegan pastries and a matcha latte.

We popped into British Patagonia on the way back, although I saved mine for when I got home as I didn’t think I could eat one of those pistachio pastries without getting in a bit of a mess! I had packed a cereal bar and water, and remembered to drink my water before I changed my t-shirt, but I really should have had the cereal bar too, as walking to B&B and back took time and so I was really hungry and tired by that point. I had it on the platform while I waited for the train home.

Once home I got the text saying it was a course pb too! Granted it was only my second time there, but I’ll take it! I was hoping for sub 30 and I ended up with 28:59 so I was pleased to squeeze in under 29. One of my few faster times this year (I’m never running that fast at Panshanger or Jersey Farm so I will make the most of tarmac).

Do you like lapped courses? Which London parkruns are good to visit by train?

Celebrating my single-ton at Panshanger on their 10th birthday!

At the start of the year, one of my parkrun goals was to achieve my single ton, which is 100 runs at the same parkrun. I was 90, so going there 10 times in a year should be achievable. In the autumn at one of the briefings they announced that the week after international parkrun day, Panshanger would be celebrating their 10th birthday, so I decided to line up my celebration so my 100th would be on their 10th birthday. It had some sort of symmetry that I liked.

Panshanger was where my love of parkrun really started. Up until it began, I was going to St Albans parkrun maybe once a month, but once Panshanger started, Dad, my brother and I had a good Saturday morning routine going, where they would drive over to me, pick me up and we’d head over there together. I celebrated my 50th parkrun (back then, the first milestone possible) on Panshanger’s first birthday (they had a fancy dress theme which explains the Minnie tutu and my friend dressed as Where’s Wally).

Panshanger parkrun itself had changed a lot since it first started as the course now starts and ends in a totally different part of the park (much closer to me). I used to occasionally cycle there (and even more rarely run there and back when half marathon training), but it was 5 miles each way, whereas now I can run there as it is now around 2 miles away, which is a good length for a warm up and cool down.

When Ellenbrook Fields started, as that was half way between where I lived and where my parents live, we’d usually meet there, and then after Jersey Farm started and EF stopped, I often head over there and run with Dad as then I can see Mum after at breakfast. Dad is still very happy to come over to Panshanger, and he was around so he picked me up, we parked by the woods and then ran there together.

So, back to the weekend. As it was their birthday, it was quite busy (even using a small field as an overflow car park), there was an amazing cake, the Scouts were serving tea and coffee (sponsored by the landowners), and they had a ‘birthday card’- a photo collage on a whiteboard with a pen so people could leave their own messages.

OH ladies selfie, cows on the course, the amazing cake, and the field where the cows usually are

We had run there and true to form I had underestimated the amount of time it would take to get there- I thought it was about a mile from where we parked but actually the distance from the gate to the actual parkrun start is nearly half a mile I think, so we arrived after ten to 9 and basically got told straight away to come and have our OH lady photo!

The RD did a great speech about how it came to fruition in the first place, but sadly it was hard to hear all of it as we were close to some really yappy dogs (with the owners making no effort to quieten them down or move away from the crowd). Anyway, they gave a round of applause to all the RD’s past and present, and mentioned that this year the landowners (Tarmac) had sponsored the scouts to provide tea and coffee for everyone at the finish. (Panshanger doesn’t have a cafe, and there used to be a coffee van when it started in Thieves Lane, but since the course change there hasn’t been anything)

I ran with Dad which was very enjoyable- he’d not been to Panshanger since the cattle grids had been installed, whereas I’ve been a few times recently. As we headed down the final stretch (and through another cattle grid) I commented that we hadn’t seen the cows yet, and as we rounded the corner they came into view! Thankfully not too many of them were there, and they had stayed away from the path as a special birthday treat!

Tar and Mac, token photo, parkrun cupcakes and signing the board/birthday card

After we finished, we got a hot drink from the scouts stall (they had soya milk for my tea hooray, but no vegan options sadly- although earlier in the year when they were fundraising they usually would have a vegan option). Anyway, the event had a great atmosphere as people were hanging around and chatting rather than heading off to their cars right away.

The board and celebrating my single-ton!

After having our hot drinks, we went to get a photo with the mascots (Tar and Mac of course), and signed the card. Of course I also had to get a photo with my 100 shirt and the pop up to commemorate the single-ton at Panshanger. Then we headed back through the woods with a run/walk combo to cool down. All in all a really enjoyable way to celebrate their 10th birthday and my 100th there!

Does your local event have a cafe or coffee van? How do you celebrate parkrun birthdays?

Happy 20th birthday parkrun!

At the start of October, it was 20 years since Bushy parkrun launched, so the first Saturday was international parkrun day, where all parkruns celebrated the 20 year anniversary of parkrun.

I had planned to run Jersey Farm with Dad, as it was the first Saturday in ages that we were able to run a parkrun together, so it was the perfect way to celebrate, with running together and then Mum making us vegan pancakes for breakfast after.

All the posts made me reminise a bit. My first parkrun was in March 2013, so it’s crazy to me that it’s been a part of my life for 11 years now, but also it’s one of the best things of my life.

Dad got into it via his tennis umpiring, as some of the other officials from Wimbledon were going along to Wimbledon parkrun, so he went with them, and then a bit later found out we had a local one in St Albans. That first year we were very sporadic at going along- my brother would come along too and we tended to go about once a month. However, when Panshanger parkrun launched (and that was back in the day of inaugurals being advertised- I saw the poster in the local Sweatshop when I went along there for a run) we pretty much started going each week, and in fact my 50th was celebrated on Panshanger’s first birthday. Of course once Ellenbrook Fields started we properly found our parkrun home- I knew whenever I went there that I’d know lots of the team and lots of the participants- always friendly faces there and the most enthusiastic marshals. I love that we have regular family time together via parkrun, and although my mum doesn’t run, she does sometimes come along to watch, and is very happy to make us breakfast for when we have finished which is always amazing.

Birchwood junior volunteer team, parkrun tourist crew (Branka and Holly), the visitors at Futakotamagawa in Tokyo, and Dad and I at Jersey Farm at the birthday celebrations (collage has missed out the name though!)

The beauty of parkrun is that it can be so many different things to different people. I am not fussed about times, although every now and then I will aim for a time (usually if there are pacers I might try to keep up with a specific one). However, before my dad moved to a new age category he decided to try and be first in his age cat at various parkruns- a good challenge for him to aim for. Some weekends, like this past weekend, we will go along to our local one, but other times we will fancy touring, maybe for a specific reason but usually just the fun of visiting somewhere new, meeting a new event team, admiring new scenery and discovering a new park that you didn’t know existed. Of course you can work towards the official milestones (celebrating my 100th at Ellenbrook Fields is probably my favourite parkrun memory as my mum came along too and handed out cakes while we ran, loads of the OH ladies were there, it was fantastic), and there are all the unofficial challenges too (parkrun alphabet, pirates, Wilson Index etc).

Lots of my memories come from volunteering too- the first time I did the first timers briefing my legs were shaking as I was so nervous (I am not one for public speaking), and at the end a runner came up to me and thanked me as he remembered me from the briefing, and that little interaction really helped me develop some confidence there, and it became one of the roles that I loved doing.

The fact that it is popping up in more countries is exciting too. Of course if we are on holiday then I’d love to do a parkrun if there is one nearby, but I’m not going to not go on holiday for fear of missing one. The more parkruns there are, the most fantastic places are just waiting to be visited!

The parkrun touring crew meeting Danny (from With Me Now pod) at Birchwood juniors launch, solo tourism in Brighton (Preston Park), Jersey Farm with Dad in the cold, and my 350th celebrated at Lee on the Solent.

More parkruns with Dad, more solo touring and volunteering fun!

Touring with Dad, being on the cover of parkrun adventurers podcast, one of the best ever photos with Branka and Holly walking at Letchworth, and finally claiming my German flag!

(I was meant to run a parkrun in Berlin in December 2018, but our Friday night flight was cancelled and we couldn’t get out there until the Sunday, so I was not there for parkrunday sadly, so a German parkrun has been on my wishlist since then. In May 2024 we went to Germany and happily were not that far from a parkrun, so I finally claimed the flag!)

More touring fun with the OH ladies (Harrow and Leavesden) and with Branka celebrating Christmas i July and the best ever tail walker at Southall.

The parkrun pause was super tough, as by then parkrun had become such a part of my routine, and such a high point of the week. I really am so grateful that it restarted, and I really cannot imagine my life without parkrun. We introduced my dad’s cousin to parkrun a few years ago, and he is now a regular at Linford Wood. He recently had his 80th birthday and he is still running and volunteering. Life goals right there.

How did you celebrate parkrun’s birthday? What does parkrun mean to you?

Osterley parkrun

Another weekend and another tourist trip with Branka and Holly! This time, we were heading to Osterley parkrun as Branka was celebrating her 200th parkrun! Arbitrary!

Holly picked us up on her way and drove us to the start- it’s a National Trust parkrun and despite it being in a residential area of London (near to Heathrow) as we drove up the driveway it felt like we could almost be at Wimpole- big fields full of cows surrounded by black railing fencing. The car park was a very short walk from the start, and the pop up sign was in the best location with the building right behind. The beautiful blue skies made it look even better!

The walk from the car park went around this lake, and this also ended up being on the parkrun course.

Branka has been teaching me how to line up selfies with the purple pop up so I had another go- I think I’m getting the hang of it!

We had plenty of time for photos, we listened to the first timers welcome and then it was suddenly really busy for the main briefing. The RD was doing that role for the first time and the tannoy system failed, so we couldn’t really tell what was being said, I could catch snippets- something about volunteers- let’s clap, something about the event number, let’s clap, some milestones being announced, let’s clap. And then we were off!

Holly and I ran together while Branka was run/walking. We chatted the whole way around (the best kind of parkrun!) and I really enjoyed the scenery- we ran past lakes, past fields, there was a small wooded section and then we were back running along next to the water heading to the house. It was two laps, and those laps flew by. Some of the paths at the start were fairly narrow, and they had warned us that it could be a bit congested at the start, but we didn’t have any trouble. I suppose you could be frustrated if you were aiming for a fast time. I don’t think we got lapped either which again surprised me. I like running past the start/finish area on a lapped course as you get some nice cheers from the volunteers and it adds to the friendly feeling of the event.

A few photos from the run, the finish area plus the token photo that I have to take!

When we finished we noticed Park Play being set up in the park (no relation to parkrun I don’t think but sounds similar as it’s 2 hours of free “play” (games) which you register for and then turn up)- nice to see the grounds being used in this way as well as for parkrun.

Of course we were also there to parkfaff! The best thing about National Trust places is their cafes, and this one had a cafe plus a little van doing takeaway hot drinks. They had lots of vegan options including vegan sausage sandwiches, brownies and flapjacks, but I opted for a scone and tea- classic. We sat outside for absolutely ages, it was wonderful.

Sitting outside the cafe, plus the picture of the three of us- Branka in her special With Me Now Arbitrary top.

After out lovely parkfaff, we headed back to the car (via the gift shop for Branka to get a stamp). I had tried to scan my membership card earlier for the parking, and the machine hadn’t worked, but as we got back to the car park someone else was using it and told us to try different buttons, so we did, and then got a ticket, so I’d try that tip again if I was somewhere else!

So that was event 120 for me, and my 374th parkrun. It will be my last touring for a while I think, as I might work on my single-ton at Panshanger for the next couple of weeks, and then I have a local one planned with Dad in October.

I’ll finish with the map! Not such a big area as last weekend but still satisfying to gradually fill in those gaps and join up different places.

The additional purple chunk is not that big but it all counts!

Have you heard of park play? I am pretty sure I have seen it in a local park but really assumed it was for kids or families so haven’t paid it much attention.

Bug Hunter Waters parkrun

I mean, with a name like that, who doesn’t want to go there?

Bug Hunter Waters is just outside Cambridge, so just about within driving distance. This was a fun little parkrun road trip, with me picking up Branka and meeting Holly and her friend Lou (and baby) there.

This is a relatively new parkrun, with my visit being the 12th event. That was the reason why we went that day, as Holly wanted to do event number 12, a fact she only remembered when they announced the number in the run brief!

The website directs you to park at the park and ride, although I used the postcode and got us slightly lost. I was following the park and ride signs, but they were a bit sporadic and so I turned off (where google maps told me to) and we ended up in a section of the housing estate. Thankfully we turned around and although the maps were not loading we saw a park and ride bus and followed that until we saw signs again (we were only about 2 minutes away). There was a parkrun car park marshal directing us to a section of the park and ride car park, there were toilets by the bus stop, and then it was around a km walk along a path which was part of the route, to get to the start. Very easy to find.

It reminded me a lot of Great Denham, with the parkrun course right by a new housing estate. The lake made it very scenic, and it was a very flat course too. It was narrow in places, and we were warned to slow down at certain pinch points on the course.

The start line by the water, some of the houses and of course the pop up. Branka and I were accidently twinning with our black shorts and green tops!

We took the obligatory pop up photos (Branka is teaching me how to line up the sign in my selfies too!), listened to the first timers welcome and then the main run briefing which was hilarious as the RD had managed to fit in a lot of Oasis quotes (they were off the previous Saturday for something else but he mentioned that everyone was trying to get Oasis tickets that morning instead).

Then we walked to the start. As it was narrow, they asked people to seed themselves which I always think works well but I ended up being a bit too far back- it’s always hard to tell!

A few photos taken while running, plus the token and solo pop up photo

I was going to run, Branka was run/walking intervals and Holly and Lou were walking so we spread out, and then we were off. It is two laps, with a sort of out and back section and then a lap of the lake. I really enjoyed the scenery, although at the moment there isn’t much shade so on a sunny day it would be quite tough in that respect. There were 249 parkrunners that day and it felt quite busy due to the paths being narrow in places, but it did thin out. I didn’t get lapped which surprised me, I thought I would at the end of my first lap. I did pass Holly and Lou walking towards the end of my second lap but by then there were not that many people running around me so it was fine to have people passing at that point.

Once I finished I made sure I stretched and had some water, and then not long after Branka finished. I really liked their token sorting board (see photo below)- I do love it when you visit different parkruns and they have their own way of doing things.

We walked to the cafe (of course we ended up getting lost going there too) and found a table so that Holly and Lou could join us when they finished. The cafe was really nice (Northstowe Tap & Social), with lots of outdoor seating. They had the most enormous pastries that I have ever seen, but the only vegan option was banana bread (which was tasty- I had packed an emergency cereal bar in case they didn’t do anything), and of course oat milk for tea. We sat in the sunshine for ages- I regretted leaving my sunglasses in the car as it was quite overcast during parkrun but the cloud really burned away after.

Banana bread and Earl Grey with oat milk, the token sorting board and the finish area by the water

So that was location 119 for me, and my 373rd parkrun in total. I’ve not been to many Cambridgeshire events, just Pocket and Wimpole before this one. It did get me a nice big purple chunk on the Voronoi map!

Before the after- look at that big purple chunk!

How do you choose new events to visit?