A Great Weekend of Running
This weekend we managed to tick off two special items on our running wish list - Dalby Forest Parkrun and the Asda Foundation York 10K Race for All.
The weekend looked in jeopardy at one point. We set off bright and early on Friday morning with the intention of a leisurely drive over to North Yorkshire but the car had other ideas and, with spectacular timing, began to make worrying noises. We decided it would be sensible to call at the Toyota garage en route to see if they would have a quick look at it. Unfortunately this revealed a split exhaust so we ended up spending a long and boring morning at the pub across the road from the garage before going on perhaps the dullest walk ever around Barugh Green to kill time while waiting for the car to be repaired. By 2 o clock the part still hadn't arrived so they sorted out a courtesy car for us and we eventually went on our way.
Once on the road, our spirits picked up a bit, although the journey was not plain sailing. My husband has only driven automatic cars for the last five years, so watching him struggle to re-learn how to drive a manual was interesting and at times hair-raising. It was a relief to arrive at our Airbnb in Dalby Forest, a gorgeous little shepherds' cabin on a working farm. It was quiet and scenic and wonderfuly remote. The only downside was that in the current climate the hut turned into a Native American sweat lodge during the night. I didn't sleep particularly well. In the morning though, my mood lifted when our host brought us a basket of fresh fruit, cereal and warm croissants for breakfast. We ate on the patio, feeling relaxed and happy, then headed off to do the parkrun.
Dalby Forest is certainly a lovely parkrun. It takes you along forest roads, gravel trails and footpaths with nice views along the valley. There are no significant hills, so it doesn't feel too arduous. It has all the joys of trail running without being particularly tricky or 'technical.' I imagine it could be quite a fast course if you were really going for it, but I deliberately didn't push it as I wanted my legs to be reasonably fresh for the following day's 10K. I finished in 27.10, which I was quite happy with.
With the run out of the way, the rest of the day involved walking - and lots of it. After exploring the forest a little further, we headed to Scarborough. One of the highlights for me was seeing a sign for an Elvis impersonator that said - "The Fantastic Tony Skingle on his World Tour." It summed up everything I love about northern, working class holiday resorts.
After we'd had our fill of the seaside, we travelled to York (more failed hill starts, stalled engines and Grand Prix style revving) and this time our overnight stop was on a busy campsite by the river in another Native American sweat lodge/log cabin. This one did at least have an electric fan, but another uncomfortable night followed. As I tossed and turned and stared at the clock, I thought about the race in the morning. I wasn't going to be exactly well-rested. However, I told myself that getting round a 10K race would probably seem like a doddle after struggling through a long sweltering night in a small, airless hut. When I got up in the morning (ridiculously early) I felt like I'd already run a marathon.
Pre-race nerves kicked in as usual. I just wanted to get on with it. We drove to York racecourse where the race would begin. It became obvious that even with a 9.30 start it was going to be a hot one. I decided that it wasn't the day to chase a personal best, so I made up my mind to follow the sub-60 pacer. instead of trying for sub-55, which had been my original aim. I couldn't risk going off too fast on a hot day. Memories of the Penistone 10K are still quite fresh in my mind and I know that a fast start on a hot day can lead to exhaustion, possible collapse and the disappointment of a Did Not Finish. I figured that if I started slow, I could quicken my pace after the halfway point, but it wasn't going to be a day for heroics.
It was a lovely route, the highlight being the majestic Minster at around 4K. The crowds were so encouraging at that point and made you feel a bit like a rock star. I loved the quieter section along the river where there was a bit of welcome shade. Going over the Millennium Bridge was quite spectacular (around 8K) and there was a bit of a slog past the old Terry's Factory when I just wanted it to be over. I was very conscious of people dropping out and lots of people having to walk, because the heat was so brutal, but I kept it going. I finished in 57.57. I will take that. A sub-60 may seem like a modest goal, but on a hot day it feels quite an achievement.
I am much more appreciative these days of weather conditions and how they change the 'normal' expectations you might have for a race. Anyway, in the wise words of the man I spoke to earlier in the queue for the Portaloo, it's mainly about having a good time, not getting a good time. The most important thing is to enjoy the race, to open your eyes and take in everything around you, the sights, the people, the atmosphere, to feel glad you're well enough and fit enough to be doing it at all. He's so right. York is very special to me. We've had many great family times there and it is such a beautiful city. It felt like a privilege to be running there, to still be finding new ways to explore it and experience it after so many years.
So, all in all, a great weekend for running.
The weekend looked in jeopardy at one point. We set off bright and early on Friday morning with the intention of a leisurely drive over to North Yorkshire but the car had other ideas and, with spectacular timing, began to make worrying noises. We decided it would be sensible to call at the Toyota garage en route to see if they would have a quick look at it. Unfortunately this revealed a split exhaust so we ended up spending a long and boring morning at the pub across the road from the garage before going on perhaps the dullest walk ever around Barugh Green to kill time while waiting for the car to be repaired. By 2 o clock the part still hadn't arrived so they sorted out a courtesy car for us and we eventually went on our way.
Once on the road, our spirits picked up a bit, although the journey was not plain sailing. My husband has only driven automatic cars for the last five years, so watching him struggle to re-learn how to drive a manual was interesting and at times hair-raising. It was a relief to arrive at our Airbnb in Dalby Forest, a gorgeous little shepherds' cabin on a working farm. It was quiet and scenic and wonderfuly remote. The only downside was that in the current climate the hut turned into a Native American sweat lodge during the night. I didn't sleep particularly well. In the morning though, my mood lifted when our host brought us a basket of fresh fruit, cereal and warm croissants for breakfast. We ate on the patio, feeling relaxed and happy, then headed off to do the parkrun.
Dalby Forest is certainly a lovely parkrun. It takes you along forest roads, gravel trails and footpaths with nice views along the valley. There are no significant hills, so it doesn't feel too arduous. It has all the joys of trail running without being particularly tricky or 'technical.' I imagine it could be quite a fast course if you were really going for it, but I deliberately didn't push it as I wanted my legs to be reasonably fresh for the following day's 10K. I finished in 27.10, which I was quite happy with.
With the run out of the way, the rest of the day involved walking - and lots of it. After exploring the forest a little further, we headed to Scarborough. One of the highlights for me was seeing a sign for an Elvis impersonator that said - "The Fantastic Tony Skingle on his World Tour." It summed up everything I love about northern, working class holiday resorts.
After we'd had our fill of the seaside, we travelled to York (more failed hill starts, stalled engines and Grand Prix style revving) and this time our overnight stop was on a busy campsite by the river in another Native American sweat lodge/log cabin. This one did at least have an electric fan, but another uncomfortable night followed. As I tossed and turned and stared at the clock, I thought about the race in the morning. I wasn't going to be exactly well-rested. However, I told myself that getting round a 10K race would probably seem like a doddle after struggling through a long sweltering night in a small, airless hut. When I got up in the morning (ridiculously early) I felt like I'd already run a marathon.
Pre-race nerves kicked in as usual. I just wanted to get on with it. We drove to York racecourse where the race would begin. It became obvious that even with a 9.30 start it was going to be a hot one. I decided that it wasn't the day to chase a personal best, so I made up my mind to follow the sub-60 pacer. instead of trying for sub-55, which had been my original aim. I couldn't risk going off too fast on a hot day. Memories of the Penistone 10K are still quite fresh in my mind and I know that a fast start on a hot day can lead to exhaustion, possible collapse and the disappointment of a Did Not Finish. I figured that if I started slow, I could quicken my pace after the halfway point, but it wasn't going to be a day for heroics.
It was a lovely route, the highlight being the majestic Minster at around 4K. The crowds were so encouraging at that point and made you feel a bit like a rock star. I loved the quieter section along the river where there was a bit of welcome shade. Going over the Millennium Bridge was quite spectacular (around 8K) and there was a bit of a slog past the old Terry's Factory when I just wanted it to be over. I was very conscious of people dropping out and lots of people having to walk, because the heat was so brutal, but I kept it going. I finished in 57.57. I will take that. A sub-60 may seem like a modest goal, but on a hot day it feels quite an achievement.
I am much more appreciative these days of weather conditions and how they change the 'normal' expectations you might have for a race. Anyway, in the wise words of the man I spoke to earlier in the queue for the Portaloo, it's mainly about having a good time, not getting a good time. The most important thing is to enjoy the race, to open your eyes and take in everything around you, the sights, the people, the atmosphere, to feel glad you're well enough and fit enough to be doing it at all. He's so right. York is very special to me. We've had many great family times there and it is such a beautiful city. It felt like a privilege to be running there, to still be finding new ways to explore it and experience it after so many years.
So, all in all, a great weekend for running.
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