Ainslie blogs are like buses, you get nothing for ages that
a whole bunch all at once!
Having extended the Ainslie property empire with the purchase of a
flat in Dundee, where Andrew will be at Abertay University for another 3 years, I've spent more time in Dundee in the last 4 weeks than in the previous 50
years of my life. Whilst it been great fun fitting out the flat, it has played
minor havoc with my Saturday morning long runs, with a late evening drive up on
Friday and a whole days shopping in prospect I thought I’d squeeze in a quick
ParkRun last Saturday.
Dundee parkrun takes place in Camperdown Park the largest
park in Dundee; I arrived way too early and actually did a warm up! Well I
scooted off down the path, looked at my watch showing 7:25 min/miles and slowed
right down before I broke something, I did a gentle loop of around 1.25 miles,
just enough to warm the muscles.
This was only my second parkrun, my first being the infamous
“congratulations on being first lady at Carlisle parkrun” just before Christmas
last year and each event seems to have its own character and characters. One of
the volunteers shouted for all first timers and gave a race route briefing,
very well meaning and very detailed, but unfortunately only any good if you
already knew the route, slightly self-defeating.
Looking around at several of the racing snakes I reckoned
there would be plenty of people to follow and it wasn't a looped course like
Carlisle so at least I shouldn't get lost.
There were a number of prominent boards with target times
printed on them adjacent to the start, I naively assumed people would organise
themselves close to their anticipate finish, wrong! There was a great big
huddle at the start, 3, 2 , 1 GO I was about 10 rows back with about 100 people
in front of me 10 wide on a path wide enough for 3. The three ladies in front
of me started running, well moving would be a more accurate description, I
started and immediately had to stop. A quick re-assessment told me if I didn't do something quick, I’d be miles behind the front runners before they’d gone
200m. I darted off to the left and smashed my way through the low hanging
branches to get past the bunch quite successfully. The briefing had warned us
of a downhill 1st mile “you’ll be coasting” and the “the hill”
through mile 2, I generally don’t do short races so had no idea what pace to
aim for, I settled for faster than a pacey training run but not gasping for
breath. I’d only brought my road shoes and with most of the route on ash paths or
grass I wasn't 100% comfortable. I was however steadily passing people on this
downhill and flat section
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| Dundee parkrun route |
Mile 1 6:38
Just after mile 1 the route slopes up and then at 1.5 miles
you hit the hill proper, although I slowed, I wasn't slowing as much as those
in front of me, over this mile I overtook around 10 runners, every one of whom
turned round as I approached puffing like an old steam train. Passing people is
always such a positive morale booster, the field had thinned out by now and
there were only a couple of people in view in front of me.
Mile 2 7:44
The route crosses itself for a downhill section of around
0.75m and I was steadily reeling in the guy in front just before the left turn
at 2.75 miles and the final uphill section. This was apparently the point at
which the fairies came and kidnapped my brain, having passed my #1 target I
could see #2 up ahead but neglected to see the tree root that brought me
crashing to earth!
What an embarrassment 3 years of trail running without a
fall (the 2012 7 Reservoirs ice dance doesn't count) I managed to face plant on
a parkrun. Quickly onto my feet, nothing feels broken, I’m not winded, my hands
are manky with mud, but so what but target #2 is out of sight. A quick left
turn, out of the trees a sharp right and the finish is around 150 metres away,
UPHILL.
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| Dundee parkrun - route profile |
Mile 3 7:12
The customary sprint finish evaded me; I did manage to
increase the pace slightly for a dignified but dirty finish.
22:25 16th overall and 2nd MV50-55 out
of a total field of 153 runners, pretty happy with that.
Collapsing briefly on the grass until I could see straight
again, I checked my legs for damage, knees both bleeding through the mud and a sore
left palm, I’ll swap that for 16th any day, but I think next time
I’ll try trail shoes, as there is only a short tarmac section throughout.
If I sound somewhat uncharitable towards the Dundee parkrun
I apologise unreservedly. What a fantastic bunch of volunteers giving up there
time so that Prima Donnas like me can get a free race on a Saturday. As for the
start, well that was my fault, if I want to be at the front(ish) end of the
field I should stand nearer the front, shouldn't I.
It may only be my second ever parkrun, but Saturday long
runs permitting I’ll be back for more.
Cheers
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