Parkrun #52: Carlisle Park, run 4

Wow. Well... that was a break. Two full weeks without a single run. 😮

Just about made it in time for the run director's welcome

And straight back into it with a parkrun. It's maybe not that surprising then that the following text greeted me later that morning:

28:15 is one of my slowest ever parkrun times. And I was actually trying!

Even as I was running, I tried to guess my time and felt it would be just over 28 minutes. That's not to say I wasn't disappointed when it was confirmed, mind. Last time out, I thought I'd gone slowly at Denton Dene only to find out I'd smashed my previous best there by over a minute. But not this time. 😞

Views looking upriver (along the parkrun route) and downriver past the weir

So, other than the lack of practice, what might've contributed to the slow time? It's not my fastest course — a best of 26:02 — and while it has 3 short hills on it, it's no Chopwell Wood or Jesmond Dene. And there was probably about 15-20 seconds to be gained, as I started at the back and was held up on the first hill by a family running together. But if I'm honest with myself, it really is just down to a lack of practice. For the most part, I was pushing. Well, not pushing really hard, but certainly not out for a gentle jog. And I just couldn't get a good time.

Nice to actually see a bowling green that's still being used as a bowling green

But... that didn't stop it being a lovely, enjoyable run. As often seems to be the case with my trips to Morpeth, I'd chosen a sunny day and the park and riverside were just lovely. I don't think I'll ever tire of running here; it's just great. Nice location, nice town, nice people and a nice sized field; today was pretty busy for Morpeth, with nearly 100 runners. Usually, it's around 60-70. So yeah, would recommend 10/10.

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