My Parkrun journey started on 14th November 2015 at Burnage Parkrun in S Manchester. I see that I ran it in 20 minutes 21 seconds - finishing 8th out of 83 runners. Today I celebrate my centennial parkrun at Hamilton's Confederation Park, Beachstrip Parkrun, on the shore of Lake Ontario. Appropriately this is at the end of Centennial Parkway, which runs all the way down from the Niagara escarpment, past Mike's flat, to the lakeshore. Why this isn't everyone's 100th milestone destination is a complete mystery.
We walk out of our appartment just before 7am, and I'm glad that the starting time is at 8 rather than 9am as there is still a tiny hint of coolness in the air, which will evaporate as the sun climbs. I suffer when running in the heat. Vera has volunteered to help out, and will be one of the timekeepers for the event. We arrive at the start at 7.30, just as the parkrun sign is being put up.
Compared to the UK, parkrun events in Canada are tiny. But that is made up for by their friendliness, I feel like I spoke to everyone there
There is a group photo at the start, first timers, visitors, and significant milestones are announced. And then we're off. It's 2.5km along the pathway by the side of the lake, turn round when you get to Rebecca, and 2.5km back. It's hot. I'm hot. My mouth is parched. I've barely gone 750m. Don't think about the distance…… just look out over the lake….. take in the surroundings….. let the miles take care of themselves
Rebecca eventually appears, and I turn around for the journey back, saying Hi to each runner heading the other way on their outward leg.
The return to the starting point seems to go on forever. It's so much easier running a familiar route, you just don't notice the passage of time in the same way.
Compared to the UK there's only a small group at the finish, but still lots of noise and cheering. It's a lot easier to maintain enthusiasm for 20 finishers than it is for 200!
I finish in fifth place, out of 22 runners and a time of 22:08. So in seven years and 100 parkruns, I have slowed down by about 100 seconds. I guess I should accept this with good grace - as we discussed in the post-run analysis, it's no longer about striving for a better time, we're just trying to keep ourselves going for as long as possible.
After the run a group of us go to Coffee Culture, where we chat and swap stories. Stephen regaled us about the time he went to a parkrun as a tourist in Glasgow, which was cancelled because of a light dusting of snow. At Beachstrip they've run behind the snowplough as it cleared a path through the snowdrifts
We are staying in Mike's flat tonight, Mike is staying at Nada's. So this evening we go round to Nada's where there is a bit of a Vesich reunion going on. Today was supposed to have been the famous Vesich picnic but this has been cancelled as Gina, the picnic organiser, has Covid. The good news is that it's been postponed rather than cancelled, and also means I am meeting the family more gradually which is nice.
I'm really looking forward to the rescheduled Vesich reunion picnic in three weeks time
It was great to meet all 3 of you at our Parkrun. Thank you for choosing to run with us !
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