Lesley Pymm reports: As Cannon Hill parkrun did not take place this week owing to the Olympic Torch Relay, most of us became ‘parkrun tourists’ for the week.
I chose to go to Walsall as it is pretty close to home. I had been warned that parking was not good, so got there really early to find a virtually empty car park – the only other people around were others from Cannon Hill who were not sure where it was and who had given themselves plenty of time.
We were warmly greeted by runners who used to run at Cannon Hill but who moved to Walsall when it started. It was good to see old friends again. The route is harder than Cannon Hill – three laps which include a longish hill and then a little earthy bank that we had to run up before going onto the grassy bit of the course. There is a lot of work being done at the far end of the park, and when it is completed they hope to change the course.
I ran with a friend to encourage her round. I am really pleased to say that she ran it without stopping (apart from a quick breather at the top of the hill on one occasion). I was happy to have a jog round after the Tour this week.
I will definitely go back to Walsall as I did enjoy it. It is good to try out some different runs from time to time.
I migrated to for the week as well and found Walsall to be very kind to the old ego! I normally place between 20th and 30th at Cannon Hill and despite trotting round in a time 30 seconds slower than normal (a fact for which I hold Rachel Ward entirely responsible) was shocked to find I had strolled over the line in 5th??