Midweek: birdsong serenade, to Burradon and back

So, parkrun didn't happen on Saturday. Slightly disappointing to end a streak of attendance that was getting me back on track for the "30 parkruns in a year" goal, but life (and bickering kids in particular) happens.

Anyway, looking at my work calendar last night, I realised I was unlikely to get another lunchtime run in until Thursday, which would mean I'd go over a week without a run. Couldn't let that happen, so once the kids were in bed, I got the trainers on. Heading out at 9pm, the birds were singing the dusk chorus, it was still fairly mild, and the sun had just about gone down. Lovely, actually.

This time, I ran not carrying a thing — no keys, no phone — and it was really nice to just do it for pleasure. Deciding I wanted to stay in the birdsong rather than traffic noise, I headed up the nearby wagonway in the direction of Weetslade Country Park. A quick loop into a new build housing estate to extend the distance and then back onto the wagonway to Burradon. By the time I got there, I'd counted 5 separate bunnies scampering out of my way. No foxes though, unlike one time I ran this way. Maybe those two things are connected. 😂

Aiming for a total distance of 5km, Burradon marked the turning point. Rather than retracing my steps (how boring that would be?!), I returned along Station Road, first passing Memorial Cottage and then one of my favourite local buildings: the Engineering Research Station, designed by Ryder & Yates (get my t-shirt on RedBubble). Oh, and the obligatory shipping trolley. To many runs have abandoned shopping trolleys on them somewhere. 😞


Once past the ERS, I just had to get over the railway crossing — amazingly not closed for a train for once — and I was home. It felt like I gradually picked up the pace for the last kilometre or so, but I've no way of knowing, what with the lack of phone. Total distance was 5.4km, as measured by onthegomap and let's say I did it in ...25 minutes? As if! I really wasn't fussed about my time anyway. I'd just enjoyed a run in lovely running weather and accompanied by birdsong for a good chunk of it. Nice.

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