Pre-pandemic parkrun project progressing predictably
6 July - alphabetical post #16
I knew chemotherapy would be no picnic and by February, the punishing regime of pernicious drugs was limiting me to one run per week. In the first week of February, my health plight was precarious. I seemed to be permanently exhausted and my persistent neuropathy had progressed to the point where I could no longer write properly. I was probably also paying the penalty for pushing too hard at Ocean Grove, my previous parkrun, where I had ended up prone on the pavement, providing sadistic pleasure to another Midday Miler pal, Andrew “Pins” Pintar.
The next planned alphabetical run was at Princes Park, just three kilometres from home. Princes Park is in the suburb of Parkville, which is why I would be participating in the Parkville parkrun. The park, with its beautiful trees and playing fields close to the city, is much praised. The parkrun makes use of the pedestrian path around the park’s perimeter.
Candice and pal “Pins” were prepared to partner me during the run, a pleasant prospect that helped me to stay positive despite feeling particularly poorly. 354 people lined up at the start, a phenomenal number proving the event’s popularity. We took off at a prudent pace, but passing the pond the first time, I was already feeling the pinch. We proceeded purposefully along Royal Parade and past the playing fields. I would have liked to pick up the pace, but my fatigue precluded that, and we continued to plod around painfully slowly.
I was proud not to have walked in any of my parkruns and my priority was to maintain this perfect record. The last part of my run was not pretty, but I persevered to pass the finish line in 31:31, my slowest parkrun ever. Candice and Andrew stayed patiently with me, for which I was profoundly grateful.
We looked for the parkrun’s picture frame for the usual post-run photo, but were perplexed to find that the Parkville event does not have one, unlike every other parkrun we had attended. So I posed next to the Princes Park sign instead.
Back in our Prius, we pulled out of our parking spot and headed for Carlton, a great place for porridge, pancakes, pastries, pies or pizza if you are feeling at all peckish.
Last time, I put forward the possibility of three oxymorons in my O post. They were as follows: “oddly familiar”, “once again” and “unbiased opinion”. Perhaps a pedantic person might also argue for the word “outcome”.
Thus endeth my prolix prose for now. It’s time to publish.
Course ratings - Parkville:
Course - one and half laps of Princes Park, slightly undulating ****
Surface - gravel and bitumen ****
Setting - picturesque Princes Park *****
Social index - proficient, passionate volunteers ****
This post’s P count: 126 (a PB, putting paid to my previous best of 107).
The next post will be brought to you by the letter Q (so may be quite short!).
