Yesterday I drove past the Fryern Arcade, and could see lots of people outside Costa Coffee.
At the Central Precinct, I also saw a tent outside Up & Running running shop. I was quite pleased, so went to check if my trainers had arrived. I had ordered a pair of trainers a week before lockdown, so have been waiting for the shop to reopen.
The roads were getting busier, and people will be out and about more from now on. Shopping centres reopen tomorrow.
I hope we are able to continue support local businesses, especially independent businesses.
I went for a run this afternoon with my new trainers. They are fab! Up & Running really is a specialist shop. Before you buy the trainers, you get to run on the treadmail for a few minutes, and they film how you run. Later they give you an analysis, and help you choose the right trainers.
I may not run as fast as Chippy Minton, who has continued his own parkrun journeys during lockdown, but my trainers certainly look prettier.
The other week, I shopped at Bay Leaves Larder and had a great experience. Sarah Guilder has done a great job.
The shop has a pop-up fruit and veg stall and many basic essentials and supplies.
If you practise zero waste and want to reduce plastic waste, you can bring containers for refills of fabric softener, washing up liquid, and hand soaps. The ‘Refill & Reduce station’ is linked with Lemon & Jinja in Romsey, which runs a zero waste shop.
If you are self isolating, volunteers can collect and deliver your shopping for you.
Sarah is really taking extra precautions in cleanliness to protect staff and customers’ health and safety. Only 2 people at a time are allowed in her community store. At the entrance, there is a pack of disposable gloves for customers to use.
I’m grateful we have this amazing store in our community. I’m grateful as Sarah has served the community for 12 years, and has continued to source high quality produce for the community.
How do you support the local businesses? Share your experiences with us.
Lovely trainers! Frustrating I know, but so worth the wait! They’re wonderful.
How extraordinary that there are specific trainers for correcting issues with running postures/ styles that do not require you to have medical orthotics made instead! I’m fascinated about this!
Chippy Minton, are you gonna show us yours?
Hi Deeyon,
It’s the first time I have a ‘proper’ pair of trainers. I’m not sure how they do their analysis, but they seem to be looking at the way you walk / run, and the shape of your feet, your knees, your thigh….. everything! 🙂
Inside the shoe box, there is a word ‘science’!
Now I feel my feet are ‘cushioned’ – the middle section of the trainers is narrower so the shoes grip better.
I told them I’m a parkrunner and I get a 10% discount.
They sell all sorts of running-related stuff!
I may have to visit Up and Running. I desparatley need a new pair of running shoes. My toe is beginning to poke out of the pair I’ve got, and after 6 or 7 km I can begin the bumps on the ground dig into my soles.
Chippy,
Tell us your ‘parkrun’ madness during lockdown. Love your creativity!
I may well do. And some of the other lovely local walks I’ve found.
There is definitely a science to it and it seems all trainers are not equal.
I must admit ignorance – the term parkrunner keeps coming up here….does it refer to running only in parks? This seems unlikely… is it “movement” or ethos in approach to running??? Or perhaps in runner speak it equates to a running distance?
A piece on these places would be most welcomed if Chippy was feeling his keyboard fingers twitching… though I confess my interest in the piece I imagine him writing does not come from a need for places to run in.
Essential Non Essentials;
I hope that Fryern shopping arcade and indeed all of our little parades of shops, will be gently buzzing tomorrow & onward as shoppers start to venture out….Those non essential items will have been sorely missed. To my mind this gives them a unique & essential role to play in making us feel normalised again.
Stay safe neighbours,
parkrun is a organised 5km ‘run’ that takes place up and down the country and across the world. There are about 1000 events in the UK, and a similar number across another 21 countries in the rest of the world. It’s free of charge and welcome to everyone, of any ability. You can run, jog, walk – even skip if you want to. And by Welcome I really do mean welcome – it’s not a race, everyone is super friendly, and the last finishers get as much encouragement and praise as the first finishers.
Eastleigh regularly gets 300-400 attendees, and nearby Southampton gets over 1000! The events have been suspended because of the COVID-19 restrictions, buy once they restart, pop down to Fleming Park (outside the Blackbird Cafe) at 09:00 am on a Saturday morning to see what’s going on. You don’t have to take part in the running/walking bit. There are volunteer roles that are just as important and just as praised.
It’s become so much more than a run. It’s a community event, a health event (mental and physical health) and loads of fun.
Deeyon66 This should give you link to some of my previous posts about parkrun
https://chandlersfordtoday.co.uk/tag/eastleigh-park-run/
Aha!!! Thank you for the info & the arrival link tootooo (;-D) Id no idea! What a fab thing that anyone & everyone can do it and that it’s free to take part.
It would take me a very long while with my current Zimmer-hopping mode of movement, but when I can (eventually) get out AND about I may well come along & take a look. Does the Eastleigh route always follow same circuit or does it change from event to event I wonder? I imagine eager runners poised with their fit-bits clicking start as they set off, using them to monitor their pace so as to reach their personal performance targets… and the less eager then getting underway at a slower pace after the rush has disappeared on the horizon. I can imagine that several charities are supported too so there’s lots of good being done while doing good for those who are “athletic” enough & willing to give it a go even as a walker!
When I see people out running either on a frozen icy winter morning or a sticky summer evening water bottle in hand I’m awestruck as the motivation & stamina involved. So hats off to you all!
Thank you as always lovely people of CFT
Ha ha how you imagine it is pretty accurate! It is always the same course (with a few tweaks in winter months to avoid the mud). Maybe we could get you to sign up as a regular volunteer when you are out and about.
I prefer a bike, or better still, an electric cycle. What should I wear when walking up and down behind the mower?
They do look a lovely pair of shoes, made in China I guess.
I would suggest the best footwear for walking behind a mower would be a stout pair of shoes or boots, with reinforced toe caps. Strong enough to provide protection from anything that may be unearthed or ejected by the mower.
THAT thought made my toes curl rather sharply inward.