MG round Craigmillar

 

21st Jan

FAR too long since we had caught up with Michael. Not sure what sparked it off but a few messages back and forth confirmed MG was passing through Edinburgh and of course we should meet up on Saturday for parkrun. Last time we were in touch he was struggling with injury and couldn't run any distance without frustration. In stalker mode, scanning his Power of 10, we saw he has been getting speedier while tackling lots of parkruns.

Problem was Holyrood parkrun was cancelled on the 21st. This was due to another event - pretty much the same course - being held in the same place only a little later. I think it was very considerate of the parkrun people not holding their FREE 5k, minutes before the £25 Great Scottish Rip Off 5k the same day. If you scrutinise the 2 near identical events you'll notice the main difference is price, although to be fair you don't get a £3 medal at parkrun. Or a dick on a microphone at the finish.

We nearly opted to go do Figgy Park parkrun or Cramond. I'm so glad we didn't. We decided to meet in Holyrood, with no particular agenda and take it from there. We followed the boundary route until Duddingston steps where Mary realised if we just did a circuit we'd be finished long before we'd covered all the necessary ground. So she suggested extending things up to Craigmillar Castle. Initially it seemed a long way to go but apart from a short stretch of urbaneering up Duddingston Road West it actually proved really nearby. Excellent idea Mary! Also we were so busy blethering it flew by in minutes and shortly we were back on grass going up the hill to Craigmillar Castle.

partially frozen Duddingston Loch
(Rev. Walker not included.)

that's more like it!

It is some while since I've run round here. Last time was in the Summer months and part of a whistle stop tour round town looking for likely spots where butterflies might be found. I've never specifically run here to run here, as it were. I should remember it makes a very pleasant extension from Holyrood Park and has an abundance of pleasantly undulating trails that feels like greenspace on the city boundary, but also just a stone's throw from Holyrood and home.

Again, the chatter never stopped, which I also enjoyed. 3 favourite things: chatting with pals, taking photos and a bit of running! Ideal! Michael's news was pretty much all of a positive nature, in particular the 5 year update since his chemo treatment given a resounding ALL CLEAR. Which was the best news. Although himself and Danielle getting on to the property ladder is also excellent news. We will come and visit and do some parkruns and hill runs.

that couple just behind saw Mazza taking selfies/(groupies?)
and offered to do a proper job of it 

saved ourselves £25 (and got an extra 4 miles)

then home!

This was just the best run. Really great to catch up with Michael after quite a while of radio silence. To hear each other's news and find once again we are all on the same page and have gone through similar experiences with lockdown and covid, although MG has been moving about the country quite a bit more than we have. His one day trip to Shetland to do the parkrun sounded totally bonkers, but also inspired. Mary and I were both keen but it only makes (some) sense if you start from within shouting distance of the Aberdeen ferry. And I am not a good candidate for ferries. Maybe a project for another day. It is a place I've always had an eye on, but also could easily be doomed by bad weather. Requires a degree of planning and luck.

Meanwhile the combination of better weather than forecast, catching up with Michael and a slightly overlooked/forgotten route round some pleasant scenery made for a brilliant morning out and I returned home with my joy of running restored. Although I'm sure we would have managed, sat round a table in a cafe or bar, there is something about getting your heart working and covering some ground that allows the chat to flow freely and without self consciousness getting in the way. Let's do it again soon!

10.7miles, 2hrs20