Face the sunshine

I haven't run a Parkrun on a Saturday for a couple of months now and that's not entirely as bad as it sounds. I've found that Parkrun was a springboard to other running adventures and at the moment I'm not too concerned with getting a new PB on the 5k distance but looking at increasing the distance I can comfortably run.  Without a doubt I would not have discovered a love for running without hearing about and getting involved with Parkrun and it was a great introduction for someone who had never run before. I will return to it and hopefully go to some other locations as a 'tourist'.  I've now done part of both the White Peak trail (10.5k) setting off from Ashbourne and the Dark Peak trail (12k) setting off from Hayfield. Both were organised events by a company that runs events throughout the scenic Peak District. These were the first proper events I had entered and I was really pleased with my times for both, although it was more about completing the...

I've recently completed my first 10K run (jog/plod) and I was thrilled that I didn't crawl up the hill to the finish but managed to maintain a steady pace the whole way round. The course was off-road a mixture of fields, woodland and tracks - a very scenic course and I'm keen to do more trail running as I enjoy being out in the countryside and running by wildlife/surroundings like lakes or reservoirs.  I went on to complete another 10K that was more road based (not on the same day obviously!) I did this by doing a 5K Parkrun and then doing the same course again - making 4 laps in total. I knew I was never going to get a new PB for the Parkrun but I surprised myself at getting a time that wasn't too far off what I usually run it in, considering I was actively conserving energy knowing I needed to do twice what I usually do. I expected a few more people to be doing this however I was the only one and it did make a big difference, Parkrun is great as you're r...