BiGPoPPa's gonna work it out! by BiGPoPPa

Will try to keep it brief today as i'm due in the kitchen!

Krim couldn't get out of his bed so missed... but Chris Billinghurst made it for his debut at Black Park Parkrun today. Tom North, Vinnie & Johnny also in attendance - the usual suspects :o)

Weather was nice, a little bit perky but no real ice about so all was good.

Vinnie was obscured by some bloke in his finishing pic, and cos he made the effort to dress up i thought i'd put his pic up for you all to see :o)

Vinnie warming up ^^

He wasn't alone with the costumes today...

Good Effort Black Park!

Time for the usual 'Elf' and safety announcements and a sunny hello to the first timers then it's....

3...2...1...

Gooo...

.....oooooo!

Started off pretty quick... by half a mile or so Johnny came by, and we were averaging 6:05mm... i chilled out for a bit as 1. That was too fast & 2.I was feeling pretty cr@p... Not sure what it is but normally i come here straight off the back of a night shift and feel a lot better than i did today lol... sleep... far too over-rated :oP

Anyways i had a pretty rubbish race all in all... maybe it was the 15 miler i did last Sunday took it out of me... still increasing gradually. Anyway i decided halfway round to save myself for the Aylesbury 5k on Boxing Day... If anyone fancies that, the details are HERE. The splts for today were 6:40, 7:24 & 6:52.

Far up ahead the 1st of the Gade Valley Harriers were about to cross the line....

Tom smashes home for an 18:51pb!! 14th of a record 357runners. Great stuff Tom... I think you should do these more often!!

Vinnie gets beaten by 2 girls for the first time (so he says hehe) but still manages a pretty awesome 19:03 for 18th place.

Almost a minute later the Johnny arrives, just dipping below the much coveted 20 minute barrier (by me at least haha) with a 19:58, which was only good for 29th!! Good run Johnny, hope to see you on Boxing Day!

Next up was me... the usual sprint finish, winding up from about 400m (who am i trying to kid haha), but had a lot left in the tank today so the 2 places i took actually stuck; which was nice. Good awareness of the guy just ahead kept his place... i say good awareness; not many could have missed me thundering over the line in 21:11 for 53rd. Shabba!

Last Harrier home today was the Black Park virgin, Mr.Chris Billinghurst. Coming home with a good time to build on, steadily crossing the line in 25:15pb. Top half of the field Chris. Good to see ya there today. See you Monday!

Spot prize today was a hamper.... looked nice...

Thanks to all the volunteers down there today. Without you it's not possible :o) Once Again special thanks to the man behind the camera; Mr.George Mardall, without whom this blog is just a load of hot air :o)

Merry Christmas everyone!!

Right where did i leave that potato peeler?