Orpington parkrun #486 - new shoe day! - 20/05/23
- aqasanu
- May 18, 2024
- 2 min read
Orpington parkrun takes place in the 64 hectares of Goddington Park, managed by the Fields in Trust which was registered in 1923. Prior to this, the land was part of the Goddington Manor dating back to the 1200’s being owned by Simon de Godyngton owner of the manor of Great Chart in Kent. Vestiges of this history can be seen on the parkrun route.
The course starts with one lap of a rugby field, then comes out and crosses two football fields. You go out towards a large cluster of trees, before turning right, still on grass, heading down to a small path, which according to the Goddington Botanist's musings, this was probably a driveway to the Goddington House. The course continues straight, taking you off the path, off-road then taking a right coming up on a section under an impressive avenue of trees with lots of roots protruding.
Then taking a left to enter the rugby field, again going through for a lap of the second rugby field, coming out to the first rugby field and then doing it all again. Fortunately, there were lots of marshalls in their Hi-Viz to prevent anyone from getting lost. The section across the two football fields offered the best views from the park as you’re looking down into somewhat of a valley.
It was a cold and crisp day and we found ourselves chatting to a couple who had come up from Dorset to do the run. Little did we know we’d be bumping into them at Amager Faelled parkrun in Denmark later in the year!
With 54m of elevation and being predominantly on grass I wasn’t expecting the quickest run however on the second lap I found myself in 4th position with the first 3 not far ahead. Was this the new shoe effect? This is my first pair of Mizuno running shoes and I’d chosen the Wave Rider 18 following some research online. Part of this shoe is made from recycled materials in the shoelaces and lining mesh. It also has a jazzy fan-shaped wave plate in the heel to prevent overpronation. Perhaps because I was on grass and because the shoe felt heavier than my other ones I didn’t feel able to accelerate the way I’d hoped, having to settle for a happy 2nd place. I think these shoes will be more responsive on cement and come into their own over longer distances. These are not the shoes to try and catch people in the 20-24 age category 🙂
148 runners completed the event with 15 volunteers keeping us all safe. I’d run faster than at Clapham Common the previous week with no ache in my legs at the end. This proved to me that it had been the right time to change my shoes.
Next week will be my unofficial milestone of 400 parkruns, definitely a reason for a celebration. I’ll be returning to the Denbies Wine Estate to run one of the most beautiful parkrun I’ve done to date, Mole Valley parkrun.
Happy running
Interesting course.