Park Run is back….
After nearly 17 months of being put on hold due to the COVID-19 restrictions, Park Run was finally back. It was restarted on Saturday 24th July but it was pouring with rain on that morning so we waited until Saturday 31st July to return to Oak Hill Park. Having been inspired by the “Park Run Ratana Takeover” on social media, John and I decided to put on our Ratana10k top with pride to pay tribute to our fallen hero the late Sgt Matt Ratana.
Since the Oak Hill Park is less than 2 miles from home, I ran to the park while John decided to drive there. It was so good to be back. It was a glorious morning with sunny blue sky but not too hot. It was wonderful to see the Park Run coming back here in Barnet and to catch up with other runners to whom I last saw in early March 2020. The Park was not packed at all. I think it was about half of the usual number of pre-COVID.
We were so chuffed to even spot another Ratana top on the course. It was so lovely to see another runner wearing the top too. During the pre-start briefing, the Race Director repeatedly asked the runners to keep one metre apart and not to get too close with each other. He also asked us to exercise some courtesy when overtaking.
I finished in 32’04”. I think I was a little over estimating my ability by running to the start from home. I was already running out of breath and thirsty when I arrived at the park. When running the uphill, I was huffing and puffing. I was like this for 3 time due to the 3 laps. Maybe next time I should walk instead of running from home to the start and will definitely carry some water with me.
John finished in 35’44”. He suffered a left knee injury sustained during the Stroud Half Marathon in October 2019. The COVID-19 lockdown also allowed him to have a break from running and to focus on his knee recovery. He said he is still feeling the tenderness on his knee but he was so glad that he managed to run all the way without switching to walking.
After the Park Run, we took a photo with the runner also wearing the Ratana10k top. He is still a serving police officer and he completed the virtual run in April. Then John went back to his car and I went to the Park Cafe to buy a bottle of water as I was extremely thirsty. I could tell the guy at the cafe was so pleased to see the return of his post Park Run customers as his grin was wider than his face. Losing business for 16 months is really sad especially to those small businesses. Seeing the vibrant atmosphere at the cafe with seats both inside and outside fully occupied is the most beautiful scene ever. After drinking my water, I felt a lot better and slower jogged back home.
I am still hopeful one day I can be at the start line shoulder to shoulder with hundreds, or maybe thousands of other runners, chattering with each other without having to wear the facemask, then pulling away from the start line cheerfully together…….