Sunderland Silksworth parkrun #4
With fell races being cancelled all around I decided to head North to Silksworth for a little race that seems to have been missed from the Fell Runners calendar. The Sunderland ‘Park’ Run is 5km long, with 135 feet of ascent, and has, well for today at least, some ‘genuine fell terrain’. I’d say that makes it a ‘CS’.
The last time I ran this event I got a PB. Today I thought I’d spend it making funny faces at the club Captain, looking at the ducks and trying not to fall over. I’d chosen road shoes and this was a mistake for this tough terrain. I started gently and gingerly and after a kilometre or so passed Kathryn, the only other Strider competing (George was at the checkout doing the Beep thing with the barcodes).
So, Down the Hill we go, then along the long boring bit, then twice round the lake. Then, and I never thought I’d be writing this, I nearly got lost! Or at least slightly mislaid. Scandalously there had been no kit checks and I hadn’t bothered bringing a map and compass. I knew underneath all this snow there was probably a path, but I wasn’t sure if it was the right path, or would join up with the path ‘over there’, which I knew I had to get on. I glanced around and saw Kathryn and hoped she wasn’t just following me. I aimed in the general direction of the guy way in front, hoped for the best and ploughed (not metaphorically), on.
I was devastated to finally finish well down on my best time but it was a slow day for everyone. But I was 10th! I don’t think I’ve ever been in the top ten for a race before. And anyway I’m already beginning my taper for next Saturday’s Festive Fun Run.
Browse full gallery on pcloud→