Phew! My first ever trail run through wet woodland got called off today due to inclement hangover conditions. So I rerouted somewhere greener instead
“You do realise they’re going to get filthy, don’t you?”, my cousin retorted in reply to my WhatsApp photo boasting a new pair of trail running shoes.
I bought them in Sports Direct Streatham yesterday evening, about half an hour before they were about to close and less than 24 hours before said relative coaxed me into a 21-kilometre trail run with him and a few other runners from his club. The route, which would take us ploughing through the muddy, undulating woodland near Bromley common, would be a departure from my usual pavement pounding running routine.
In rising to the challenge, I felt confident that the sole traction of my new trainers would help me to navigate the uneven terrain with more certainty. So with the new footwear and a pair of knee high compression socks that would have got me sent home from school back in the day, I prepared like I always do, with carbs and an early night. I drifted off to sleep with a vivid imagination of an epic adventure, giving no thought to the possibility that plans might change.
And change they did. While enjoying a strong cup of coffee and my usual pre-run breakfast of bananas on toast, a text message from my cousin informed me that that the trail run was cancelled because the leader has a hangover and he is the only one who knows the route. Accepting this key person risk and determined to run no matter what, the plan has morphed into a park run from Beckenham sports club to Crystal Palace and Dulwich and then back again.
I arrived at the club house promptly before 10am where my cousin read my mind by claiming: “I’m really not in the mood for this.” Yesterday’s park run and tennis had worked him hard, whereas my 20-minute fast-paced run the day before gave me little to moan about. But I did anyway.
We set off through suburban terrain before getting to the first sightings of greenery: Cator Park. Here, a scattering of people was out walking across green fields which were rich in verdure. We exited the park and continued on the pavement, crossing the street before re-entering suburbia where sleepy houses soaked the morning sun and the quiet streets amplified my own heavy breathing.
A steady incline took us up towards Crystal Palace Park [i] where we dodged people who were out for a morning stroll through nature. A runner in the group temporarily interrupted our focussed ascent with the words: “I’m not sure if heard right – we’re either doing 20 kilometres or 20 miles.” The thought of continuing on for 20 miles rendered me forlorn and ready to go home but we continued with words of encouragement from other runners. People were out in force with dogs and children and the sun kissed the park with a warmth that made the run more bearable.
I felt exalted and relieved when we finally reached the top of the park. The next few miles took us on a descent towards Dulwich, where the regal backdrop of the boys’ college and its stately charm ushered us towards one of London’s largest parks[ii].
The ‘runners high’ began to kick in as we reached the entrance of Dulwich park, where we jogged mechanically and blissfully through the park with oxygenated bodies that felt lighter than they did when we had started.
Park runners taking it easy
We met a few other runners at a pit stop just outside the park café where we gladly posed for a group photo and indulged in a minute’s rest before setting off again. A road took us through the park, alongside people on-board motorised scooters, bikes, trikes and skateboards, zigzagging our way towards the exit.
On exiting the park, we crossed the road and proceeded to Sydenham Hill Wood[iii] where we climbed up the hill using the alternate route of the London Green Chain Walk. The path’s thick mud offered the resistance we needed while the interesting woodland surroundings kept us venturing further forward and took us on a path that snaked through dense forest, bringing us to the top of the hill where we joined the road again.
To complete the run, we headed back towards Beckenham on a downhill plod past Penge and New Beckenham before reaching the starting block. It wasn’t the trail run we were expecting but with 20 kilometres behind us, we managed a few kilometres of off-road running in some of the best parks London has to offer. And on the way home I thought to myself: This is the life. A park runner’s life.
[i] http://crystalpalacepark.org.uk/
[ii] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulwich_Park
[iii] https://www.wildlondon.org.uk/nature-reserves/sydenham-hill-wood-and-coxs-walk