Date of Visit 6/05/2023

Introduction

We’re actively trying to kick off Julie and our sons labor. Our little guy is getting big inside Julie’s tummy. Julie has Braxton-Hicks or false contractions of the Uterus which also manifests as tight core muscles which are very uncomfortable. I patted Julie’s bump when the Braxton-Hicks is in play it feels like the kind of abdominal cramps you get at the end of marathon. Minutes later it’s a soft belly and I can feel the outline of our son. Braxton-Hicks may only last a few minutes for Julie but the repetitions have lasted for weeks now. At least with a marathon you can hydrate, sleep and do less running for a few weeks to recover. Julie won’t have that recovery at the end. She’ll have our son to look after. Most importantly this is where I will come into help more. But as much as I can help a childs mother plays the more significant care role in the first few weeks according to most of my reading. I’ll be be there in huge support. Like I look forward to walking our son around his first parkrun. I am looking forward to the part where Julie and I get to take care of him together. Since we started dating in 2016 we’ve always looked at challenges as something we do. Inducing labor is the challenge right now so when Julie suggested going to Shanganagh parkrun to see if we could kick things off I couldn’t say no.

Course

This parkrun is fast, flat and you will run 95% of the route on a tarmac surface. You’ll start by tearing across the grass or a few hundred meters like a kid. I love this kind of start makes me feel a bit younger. I accidentally elbowed someone as we tore across the green and spent the first 500 meters apologising perfusely. From there it’s tarmac for one short (1km) loop around Shanaganagh paceball park and two long (2km) loops encompassing the soccer pitches. On the second and third lap as you run towards the Dublin road you’ll be on one of the longest straightest downhills you’ll find at a parkrun. You’ll likely feel like you’re in PB form on this course but hold back a little on the downhill on the first long loop (second lap).

You cut the corner at the bottom of the park by the Dublin road which is a short stint on some muc and there is a mole hill just passed the soccer pitches as you come around by the cafe to the finish area. All in all this is a great parkrun for a PB. No matter what your mood might be I’d let rip for at least one long loop on this course. Whilst on the downhill you should be cautious even if you’ve jumped into light speed out of sheer enthusiasm for being alive and parkrunning you’ll still be on the flat and running straight for the most part. You’ll have less to worry about than some other places where a monstrous hill might suddenly sprout up in front of you sap your legs and lash your lungs.

Live A Little

At the start line look at the baseball field you won’t see that everywhere especially in Ireland. In general Shanganagh was a hive of activity the morning we visited. There were 4 fierce games of kids 5 a side going on the morning we were running. You’ll be surrounded by trees the whole time so you leave the bustle of Dublin city behind you and if the day is clear the Wicklow mountains are right next to you. It’s not often you’ll run with a view of a mountain top without the course being extremely hilly. This is one of those rare parkruns with a flat course and a mountain adjacent.

Finally, the marshalls had lovely dogs just in case you need a little in run motivation. I found myself finished my parkrun walking with my wife on her second lap petting the dogs when my wife reminded me that she needed to finish parkrun. I also got beaten by a man who kept his four legged friend on a short leash and still finished under 22 mins. I finished the 5k and clocked my second fastest 5k of the year. To improve maybe I need a dog? Haring after this lad was great training.

Me behind the guys with the dog who finished in under 22 mins

Volunteers

PJ the RD gave us a rousing welcome and RD brief. He had that booming Churchillian voice that you associate with an inspirational leader. No wonder we all tore across the green like we’d just landed on a D-Day beach. If you want to volunteer contact the team by email on shanganagh@parkrun.com. Or if you want to be a regular they had a sign up board.

The First Timers briefing was so laid back I almost forgot we were about to go off and test our mettle for 5k PB. The chart was a nice touch but the guys put the new comers at ease. It felt very relaxed exactly the kind of welcome that would make you go back over and over again.