Parkrun #44: Silksworth

Yep, I'm still clinging onto the hope that I can make it to 30 parkruns for the year. Only now I'm also hoping to hit 10 new venues for the year; something I'd pretty much written off after missing a couple of good tourist opportunities on holiday.

So today saw me head to Sunderland for my overall 21st venue and 9th new one of 2023. Cutting to the chase, I got a time of 27:27, which I'm more than happy with. I knew the course had a hill at the end, so I wasn't expecting a fast time. But 27 minutes still represents good progress over recent runs and is especially pleasing given it wasn't a flat course.

Getting ready for the off at Silksworth, Sunderland

The weather today was pretty decent for this time of year: 11°C and sunny, with just a bit of wind too cool things down. In hindsight, running in two layers wasn't necessary and as I approached the final kilometre, I had to take off my top layer and just carry it, which was annoying.

But enough of the end; back to the start for now. Starting from the back (cos I was a bit late arriving and the fairly narrow path was already packed), it was another slow-ish first few hundred metres. The grass was available for passing, but it was a bit of a quagmire, so I used it for only a few strides.

Honestly, I was a bit surprised how slowly everyone was going at the start, even for those at the back. There's a good 3/4 of a kilometre at the start that's downhill. I really expected everyone to make the most of it , but only a few seemed to. I guess those at the front were pelting away, but not those around me.

By the time I passed 1km (in 5:27), my pre-race confidence — borne of my chest feeling pretty good — had evaporated. I was definitely finding it hard again; harder than I'd expected to, and I could see myself getting another time in the very-late 20s. I whipped the phone out and turned the sound off, but wanting to hear the rest of the announcements — or for anyone else to hear them!

By the time we got to the lake, for 2 laps there, I just felt like I was hanging on. I was barely crawling past the odd person and others were passing me. Part way into the first circuit, I was lapped by the front runner and a couple of others, but that was no surprise. When it came to the end of the second lap, I was grateful for having people around me, as the lack of signage at a key path junction — left for another lap or straight ahead to head to the finish — was a bit disappointing. They could really do with a marshall there, but I'd noticed they seemed a bit light on marshalls. Never mind, I didn't go wrong.

The run back to the bottom of the final hill (the reverse of the initial downhill) was mostly filled with thoughts of "Will I make it up without walking?" and also "Man alive, I am overheating here!". Taking off my second top was definitely the right move, even if I hate carrying stuff when I'm running.

And then the hill arrived.

Much to my surprise, the middle 3km on the flat were successively quicker

To be honest, while it slowed me down, it wasn't as hard as I was expecting. Comparisons to the hills at Chopwell Wood and Jesmond Dene flashed through my mind, but really, this was neither as steep nor as relentless. Before too long, the finish was in sight and I lifted my knees a bit. Raising I could do more, I properly started to "sprint" for the line, catching a couple who'd passed me moments earlier. Sadly, there was no actual line and, with a volunteer staffing by the side of the path, I eased off, thinking I'd finished when I passed them. Turns out I was wrong and I'd just missed the chance to pass another runner. Gutted! 🤦

So, not the best signage here, but that's really just my regret talking. I could've shaved another couple of seconds off my time, but considering I was expected a 28- or 29-minute time, I can't really complain.

And one other positive from today: it took me until 3pm to realise I'd not even thought about the toe once. Not before the run, not during, not after. Amazing. 😁 Walking around the house, it's still a bit sore now, but to run without any pain for the first time in months was, in hindsight, an absolute delight. Let's hope that continues.

So, just two more Saturdays in the year and two more parkruns to hit the goal of 30 for the year. Add to that a revived chance of hitting one of my stretch goals and in starting to feel motivated again. Not long till I need to think of more annual goals. 🙂

Silksworth is home to a load of football pitches, but is best known for its dry ski slope