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I’m a semi regular runner at Penrhyn Castle’s Parkrun, but for the next two weeks they’re closed due to maintenance on the site. I’d been wanting to try out Nant y Pandy parkrun in Llangefni for a while, but never seemed to get round to it (The prospect of leaving the house ten minutes earlier wasn’t working for me originally!)
They offer a buddy scheme if you’re feeling nervous, and I ummed and ahhed about it. I’m technically confident now, why would I be nervous? I’m happy going to Penrhyn on my own, so why should I have any problems attending one on Anglesey (which I would expect would be “quieter” due to location)
I’ve read the reports that happen from various runners and visitors every parkrun, and was eager to volunteer to write one eventually… they even have a regular photographer, and I’ve loved seeing the various happy runners over the weeks too.
Saturday 11th November, it was time. My 26th parkrun, but my first time at Nant y Pandy.
One of my piano student’s mums attends this one regularly, and she said previously about the mud and hills, which made me a little apprehensive initially. Hills are not my friend. Although I can powerwalk up one no problem these days, running up them is a whole other league.
I arrived a bit earlier and chatted to the two tail walkers before the run director, Josie, got started with her information. Everything was clear and there was a bit of humour about leaping over red squirrels if you came across them! (I do netwalks in this neck of the woods sometimes, so I knew what kind of terrain to expect, just not “at speed”!)
The countdown was on, my headphones were in, off we went. I usually do a quicker jog at the start and then slow down to a powerwalk. I tried my best to jog up the hill, but my legs got heavy very quickly, and I slowed down by the top. I told myself to remember what I’m like for hills, and made the decision to powerwalk up the hills, and try and jog down them. After the first “lump” I got into a sort of pattern of doing exactly that. I wanted to push myself, but I also know my limits (I track every run on my fitness watch), so for a first run, anything below 40 minutes and I was happy.
The marshals along the route were friendly, and I tried to thank each one of them as I went past, although a couple of places I was too out of breath so just nodded an acknowledgement instead. The cowbells are always welcoming, I’m used to that on the last straight at Penrhyn! It was slightly slippery in places, but I was able to find less slippery bits of path and not get in anyone’s way. It was a bit disconcerting initially because the course is a route that doubles back on itself, so rather than being lapped, people were running in the opposite direction towards the turnaround point! As usual, I didn’t fail to spot the super fast guy who passed me first, aiming for the best time. (I think he came in at just over 16′ )
The last marshal was on the final “lump” and he actually said “Come on, you can do it, the finish line is just there!” – I looked ahead and realised the finish line was indeed “just there” and I was able to do a quicker jog to the finish line.
For me to push myself, I have to find a focus. By a focus I usually mean a person with specific “features” I noticed a lady ahead of me on the last stretch, who had some equally colourful leggings on (I had blue lava, she had autumnal/fire colours), and decided to beat her to the finish line.
I hit 38’12” (bang on average for me this year)
When we both finished, I said “well done, love your leggings!” She looked at me and said “thanks” then I said “You’re the hot to my cool” just as she said “Lucy Lockets?” She was the first person I’ve met in real life who also collects Lucy Locket Loves Leggings. (I have over 40 pairs in my collection!)
I mentioned in passing to Josie, that I fancied one day writing the report but hadn’t volunteered because I wasn’t 100% I’d make it over. That was handy she said. Today’s report writer hadn’t been able to make it over, so if I wanted to do it for today, go for it!
It was great to chat to some of the more regular runners, and some of the volunteers. Usually I’ll just turn up, do my run, do my Instagram live, then leave again. This run was different, and the sun stayed out for the duration of the run. It only rained before and afterwards. I did my live in the car due to the rain. All in all, it was perfect!
Here are the official statistics for Run #182 on Saturday 11th November at Nant y Pandy, Llangefni.
This week 71 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 18 were first timers and 12 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 11 different clubs took part.
The event was made possible by 19 volunteers:
Andrea CORBET • Felicity HAYES • Corinne RICCIARDI • Steffan EVANS • Angharad RHISIART • Josie RHISIART • Glyn RHISIART • Aron RHISIART • Richard COUPE • William PRITCHARD • Robert EVANS • Janice DAVIES • Vito RICCIARDI • Gwenda HUGHES • Jen GRIFFITHS • Keith DAVIS • Elois DAVIS • Chris COPELAND • Julie EVANS
Today’s full results and a complete event history can be found on the Nant y Pandy parkrun Results Page.
The male record is held by Ben LEAMAN who recorded a time of 16:13 on 22nd April 2023 (event number 155).
The female record is held by Martha TIBBOT who recorded a time of 18:17 on 26th August 2023 (event number 172).
The Age Grade course record is held by Val NAYLOR who recorded 88.39% (30:09) on 22nd April 2023 (event number 155).
Nant y Pandy parkrun started on 25th August 2018. Since then 5,350 participants have completed 13,430 parkruns covering a total distance of 67,150 km, including 1,955 new Personal Bests. A total of 328 individuals have volunteered 3,065 times.
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