The “Forest Rec parkrun“ right?
By Michael Sennett
It’s odd starting a run when your fellow runners have already completed anything between 15km and 21km (a half marathon!). But this was the case for me at the Forest Way out and back run on Sunday 12 March 2023. My run was the return leg between Groombridge (which I’d never heard of) and East Grinstead, (a really lovely location). Everyone else had lots of water and energy gels, was there for marathon training, I was there by mistake.
When I was initially contacted about the event, I’d mistakenly assumed it was something to do with the AGM weekend, I’m running the Forest Rec parkrun on the Saturday and I’ve signed up to something else on the Sunday, and I thought the group were discussing “the something else”. This perhaps explains some of the confusion I felt in the lead up to the Forest Way run. Not marathon training and having just returning from 6 weeks of illness (COVID-19 followed by flu), I certainly didn’t have 30km in my legs, but 15km, potentially.
The run itself was a lovely comfortable paced chatty jog, with a great group of Vegan Runners. We talked about visiting exotic places, strange animals and insects, wild food, running and a host of different things to pass the time. We saw lots of dogs, from the big energetic type to the older plodders; long drainage areas with frogs, frog spawn and insects buzzing around; fields with cattle, lambs, and rabbits, an array of birds; and plants including wild garlic and mushrooms. The weather was also kind with coolish temperatures and sunshine.
For some in the group it would be their longest run ever, and so it was interesting to watch them as they fatigued towards the end and showing some great determination to get it done.
The post run meal was excellent, and just what everyone needed. Cathy Genovese very kindly gave me a lift back to my car, thank you.
Thank you to this Vegan Running Group for their great company. This was a beautiful tree lined route, I certainly intend to repeat the experience, perhaps doing the out and back route next time.