5k Parkrun (No. 2) 24/10/09
We were unable to do last week's Parkrun (the first one) due to the cross country, but relished the prospect of becoming a part of the growing national coverage of these free local races designed (like the self transcendence series in the Meadows) to let you compete against yourself and measure your performance over the year. Same course, same time each week and its free. A great facility and one worth supporting, with very comprehensive results up same afternoon that even compare your performances for you.
What a grey day.Last weeks inaugural event got splendid weather and as a result just over 200 turned out to run. This week and the forecast was pretty grim though the rain didn't start till after we had all crossed the line and got back in our cars. The grey skies and threatening wind kept numbers down to about 130 (of the 400+ registered) however once warmed up the day wasn't so bad.
I started the day in a very bad mood. Although I had gone to bed a bit earlier than usual I still had trouble believing that they had chosen such an off beat venue combined with an early start. Although the esplanade between Cramond and Granton has space nearby for folk to park cars it is a distant corner of Edinburgh to get to for such an early start. It pretty much means if you are coming from any distance you better be eating breakfast in the middle of the night. This is the reason we had never contemplated doing the Bella Pk version through in the west. (What is the big deal about a midday or 2pm start?) However some folk must enjoy nothing more than getting out a warm bed on a dark winter morning to slither along an icy prom otherwise why would they have it that way. I predict large number drop offs mid-Nov ~ Feb.
I grumbled through a half breakfast. (If I ate more I'd be seeing it about 4k.) Favourite part of the start of the day ruined. I grumbled to the car. I think I stopped grumbling about then under orders of Mary who wasn't feeling great (we have both been subjected to Pork-Flu-like symptoms recently.) I think I tried to share some complaints with Amanda and anyone who would listen (incl. Andrew J who had had to get a bus in to town while it was still dark)(and he was volunteering not running.) My apologies – I'm not really a morning person.
However I was soon impressed by the smooth organisation of the event and we were lined up and ready to start before 9.30. Having done a couple of Sri Chinmoy 5ks along this stretch of desolate beach front I was not looking forwards to it. Although flat there is usually a stiff breeze in your face in at least one direction. Happily today it was in our faces for the first half and coaxing us home in the second – a preferable arrangement. It wasn't too strong either, though noticeably the front runners all bunched towards single file to reduce drag. Except Ray Ward who with 4.5k+ to go pulled away from the following pack. I was about 6th place and (mostly) resisted the urge to push the pace early on. I think previous 5k events have been marred by an early dash followed by Gerry and Ben going past half way then trying (and failing) to hold onto their coat tails for a gasping second half. So I reined myself in and sure enough with the wind behind us on the second leg (after a pleasant diversion round the newly tarmacked section towards the Granton end) it wasn't much worse than Wednesday night round the golf course. The positions spread out and it looked unlikely I would overtake or get overtaken so I concentrated on good form and steady pacing. Wet leaves on the smaller pathway in the last stretch made things a bit slippery. However when I saw I had managed under 18minutes I was pleased, all things considered.
There was a very jolly feel in the air and I chatted to a couple of runners I hadn't met before. When you crossed the line you were given a numbered token in pressed metal which you took to the finishers car where they programmed you into the results – either manually, or if you had printed out the barcode given upon online registration you were scanned like so much groceries and timed into the system. It all ran very efficiently and is a credit to modern technologies and the good work of the organisers. If any other Porties want their numbers laminated then send me your email or url of registration and I will print and laminate your barcode thingy.
Amanda (in the buff)Amanda was first lady in a time that maybe a pb. She is now on the front page of the Parkrun website as female course record holder. HURRAY! Also well done to Mary and Jenny who both had good runs though Mary's swine flu tummy was playing up a bit. Jenny did a pb by 2 minutes and tomorrow is off to Jedburgh for her second race of the weekend. Top effort.
Mary wasn't in best health for today's outing and suffered towards the end of the race.As the day wore on my mood improved massively. I was very impressed with the smooth running of today's event and a big thanks to all those (“heroes” mentioned on the front page of the Parkrun Website) who made it possible. Although I would have preferred the event to be held on Leith Links or the Meadows at a more convenient time, I am glad that Edinburgh has a Parkrun and will probably go along regularly (weather depending) when there aren't other races on.
Interesting to notice that none of the four Prc-ers today felt inclined to run wearing a club vest. Partly the weather but also I think the feel of the race is more informal and that of a personal time trial rather than the usual partisan gladiatorial combat. However a good mix across the abilities from elite to occasional runners. I kept forgetting not to go all out and run a time it would be nigh on impossible to match in subsequent weeks. However it was still a serious enough race and I never felt like I was just coasting. Will just have to raise my game.
Well done today and good luck tomorrow Jenny.One last thing that cheered me up: on the results they give an age grading result. “Age Grading takes your time and uses the world record time for your sex and age group to produce a score (a percentage). This score allows you to compare your personal performance against other people's performances even though they might be a different age and a different sex to you - the higher the score the better the performance.” I did quite well.
Report and photos pb.
Parkrun website - details of how to sign up, results and photos (lots by Andrew Jeske, hero)
Link to Mary's belly-achingSome of Andrew's photos below, full set on his flickr page here.
