As my recovery from injury is still underway, I decided that I would attend a flat course this week to avoid any potential for reaggrevation. Unfortunately this means I will need to pause my completion of the Essex events, as the remaining courses are all somewhat lumpy. Having visited all of the other Cambridge parkruns, including Storeys Field parkrun, Fulbourn Hospital parkrun, and Cambridge parkrun knowing that they are all relatively flat, I decided that this week I would complete the Cambridge set.
The area
Coldham's Common has a long history, serving as both a hospital during the 17th century smallpox outbreak, and a quarry during the 19th century, as well as a rifle range also during the 19th century.
The course
The route follows two laps of the perimeter of the common through an hour-glass shape, connecting two fields through a five-bar-gate. The course is all on grass, and is all flat.
Limited parking is available nearby, while toilets are available in the sports centre.
The run
It had been a wet but much warmer week leading up to this weekend's parkruns which meant that the previously frozen ground had thoroughly thawed, and was now somewhat muddy. I was, however, somewhat caught off guard by how humid the day was given the recent cold weather!
Thanks to all of the volunteers for a great event!
After the run
As I had deliberately chosen a flat event to protect my injured foot, coupled with the wet weather on the day, I decided not to explore Cambridge again on this occasion.