A return to Park Run on Saturday morning. A pesky injury has kept me away from the unforgiving hills of Castle Park in Sunny Colch for over six months. I’ve found this really frustrating. ParkRun on a Saturday morning is what anchors your weekend. It sets you up for what is to come.
I arrived relatively early for me as I cycled my way over to CO1. Relatively early for me is any time between 8:58 and 8:59 ahead of Park Run getting going at 9:00 prompt.
Castle Park looked stunning in the sun. Some of the prim and proper civic flower beds are strangely empty this year. No worries. The rest of the park looked spectacular.
I heard the buzz of pre-ParkRun as I approached the bandstand. Before you turn the corner you can hear the excitement and mutterings building up. It’s similar to the start of play for a Test match.
A friendly greeting came from the stewards. I felt fighting fit. Gosh I’ve missed this.
The numbers were a little down when compared to the winter months. One minute or so into the race that’s not a race and it became clear to me: Christ, the Sunny Colch heat was punishing.
I always get a little confused with the course. I never know if it’s twice or three times around the mill circuit. Your mind can do strange things whilst you are running your arse off. Basic memory seems to evaporate from me.
A young kid pretty much tracked me around the entire 5 km course. We played a friendly game of cat and mouse as I pressed on ahead of him down the slopes, whilst he overtook me on the climbs.
The final stretched-out climb heading back towards the castle was a little too much for me. I tried to catch his tail. I failed. Mr. Chunder came close to making a Saturday morning appearance. Oh dear.
So that’s a return to ParkRun ticked off. The injury held up well. Like a fool I’m now going to be away for another couple of months with self-imposed ink action on my legs.
Live to run, run to live. Or something.
