parkrun #246 event #59
Reason for visit: Scottish Dancing at the local group’s annual Highland Ball, invited by my fellow teaching candidate Irene.
Access:
The parkrun takes place at Lodmoor Park, down near the beautiful seafront. How many places have a town beach! We arrived in style in Irene’s MX5, and parked for 50p an hour. Free car parking is available a little further away in the College.
I’d travelled from Ggeorge Best Belfast City airport to Southampton, and bumped into local sleb Julian Simmonds doing his bit for Red Nose Day.
Crowd:
There were over 300 runners this visit, and a great range of ages and abilities. It was the final of the 6 nations, and there was some good natured rugby banter with some runners from England and Wales. And plenty of cow cowls to be seen. I was the runniest female.
I admired one guy in his vest with tags from all the parkruns he’d visited. Some very fine looking doggies were also participating.
Facilities:
There are toilets at the car park (though I coudn’t work out how to open the door), and all the equipment is stored in a little shed, where runners can also leave coats etc.
Volunteers:
I have to give a special mention to the volunteers, who included one Gregory Bailey, the first person to run 250 parkruns with no repeated events., as well as a “Friendship” and a “Dance”.
Today he was sporting a boot on his injured foot, poor thing, but his sister posed for photos with me. There was a lead bike, and a new role to me – a buddy runner.
For newbies or anyone who might struggle and need a bit of support, running around the 35-40 minute pace. What a super idea!
Course:
The surface is a bit of tarmac with a lot of compacted gravel, and can get muddy. Having said that, Storm Hannah was causing havoc for parkruns up and down the country, and Weymouth got away lightly with just a stiff breezze to contend with. It didn’t seem too bunchy at the start, a lap and a bit round the miniature train track, and then it’s out and back to the pineapple statue by the park and ride, which has its own dedicated marshall.
There’s a section here where runners are going in both directions, so keep left. No real hills to worry about, and I tried a hop skip and jump to get a flying feet photo.
Wooden km markers.
Time:
I was happy enough to knock 3 minutes off last week’s time though I still have lots of room for improvement.
Unexpectedly Appropriate Song on Shuffle:
An all time favourite – Some Days You Gotta Dance by the Dixie Chicks.
Gear:
My Garmin had a flat battery so I didn’t know my pace, but I’m learning how to guage that without the use of a watch. Headphones worked well. Apricot T and cow leggings make it easy to find myself in photos ( for which many thanks to Ken Hewitt).
And the rest….:
I think this might be my most southerly run to date. I was absolutely charmed by Weymouth, with its bascule bridge, and even found a pub selling Muff gin, which I needed for a photo competition. Muff is a little village on the Irish border, before you ask. The dancing on Saturday evening was lots of fun, and it was wonderful to meet up with old and new friends. I dare say I’ll be back!
All my parkruns:
NI (and other) parkruns: summary list
Filed under: Parkrun, running, Scottish Country Dance, travel | Tagged: parkrun tourist, Weymouth | 3 Comments »
Dancing At Lunacy 