Today found us back up north again for a family BBQ. I hadn’t originally thought there would be enough time to sneak in a parkrun but had thrown my kit in, just in case! Fortunately for me, once we’d worked out timings for the day, a window opened up. Perfect!
The next question was where to head. A couple of weeks ago I’d run a quick poll on Twitter but then been unable to run. Huddersfield had won that poll but that was cancelled today and Dewsbury was more of a push for time, so Barnsley it was!
Looks like I’ll be on the @parkrunUK tourism trail again this weekend. Have narrowed down to @Huddsparkrun, @barnsleyparkrun or #Dewsburyparkrun but where should I try out? @UKRunChat #ukrunchat #parkruntourism
— Mike Heywood (@Mike_Heywood) August 7, 2019
Now, I had always known that Barnsley was hilly but the walk from the car park to the start area was undulating to say the least. Maybe it’s flat the other side of the park I wished hopefully!
After a first timers briefing that included a parkrun song (!) it was time to get going. Unfortunately my hope of a flat course was not met, I actually don’t think there was a single point on the 3 lap course where you weren’t either going up or down a hill! With a half marathon tomorrow, I should have probably been taking it a little easier. Thankfully though, the hills, the wind and the fact my watch was measuring short, meant I didn’t push too hard. My time was 22.39 so not too bad and nice to tick another Yorkshire parkrun off. Now to eat burgers and rest for tomorrow!
Some random stats:
- 30th parkrun in total (1st at Barnsley)
- 11th different parkrun run
Oh I shall keep this in mind about the hills. I am planning on doing Huddersfield as I have family there and it is good to know about surrounding ones in case they are cancelled
I do find it easier when at the in-laws as so many options in Yorkshire so always one to find