Sherwood Pines parkrun

 

 

 

This parkrun takes place only a couple of miles from Center Parcs, so I popped along whilst the others got a few minutes exercise on hydrobikes.

Curiously, there were 390 participants on the single lap course along forest paths - the same as Wythenshawe last week. Also, curiously,  I took exactly the same time as last week - 23.54, but my position was slightly different - thanks possibly to all the fast 11 year olds at Sherwood Pines.

Full results are here.

It was a lovely clear morning - ideal for this 5 km jog.

Center Parcs 2019 (1)

 

Here we are, duly assembled for another active weekend in Sherwood Forest. 

The TGO Challenge - Vetting Days (9)

 

Here, I'm packing up near the summit of Beinn na Caillich, on 18 May 2010, after one of the best nights I've had in a tent, with the door wide open and views across Loch Leven to Glencoe.

The TGO Challenge - Vetting Days (8)

 

The route I'm currently vetting has a camping spot below the Munro summit of Creag nan Damh, on the South Glen Shiel ridge. Sue and I were there on 9 May 2008, in t-shirt weather.

 

This year's Challengers may not be so lucky - here's a panoramic view taken by Ali O on her 2019 Challenge, where a group of Challengers camped in the same (more or less - NG 986 111) spot in fine, but hardly t-shirt, weather. You'll need to click on the picture to view it properly.

 

The TGO Challenge - Vetting Days (7)

 

This one is for fellow vetter, Barbara, who asked about access to the Schiehallion path from Kinloch Rannoch (where ice creams are an essential purchase).

 

Here's Sue on 15 May 2019 at our camp (NN696554) along the track Barbara was enquiring about.

The TGO Challenge - Vetting Days (6)

 

Today I'm vetting a route that passes Ryvoan bothy, near Glenmore Lodge. I stayed outside the bothy on a lovely flat piece of grass, on my first Challenge in 2007.

 

I have a vivid memory of the ensuing sleepless night. Some might say I was disturbing the wildlife, but the troop of lekking black grouse acted as if I simply wasn't there, refusing to be shooed away from their night time mating rituals.

 

Don't camp here!

Saturday 11 January 2020 - Wythenshawe parkrun number 424

 

On a routine Saturday morning on the 5 km 'Reverse Flag and Sandcastle' course, Jan rests under the supervision of Oliver after speeding off ahead of me, despite my efforts to slow him down with inconsequential chat at around the 3 km mark.

 

Full results are here. Another good turn out of 390 people. Laura was first woman again, in another new PB, so well done to her - she's now flying ahead of her dad.

 

I was over a minute slower on today's (Sunday) faster 'Great Run Local' course, but as it was somewhat rainy, and I was wearing full waterproofs, I'll live with that.