Hello lovely runner friends!
Having gone on a wonderful steam railway adventure yesterday (The Cumbrian Mountain Express - Railway Touring Company), complete with on-board catering, I came back tired, and rather stuffed full of delicious food. That made getting out of bed this morning rather hard. When I did, it was raining - well, more light drizzle really. I waited. It didn't subside, so in the end I gave up waiting and went out of the door about 10:30am. I don't mind running in rain, it's actually quite cooling, it's more that I need to wear glasses, which very quickly because optically suboptimal(!) due to the increasing amount of water on the lenses.
At this point I should say I had every intention of doing 10k. When I saw the weather though, I decided maybe my 6.5k route would be good, to the end of the canal and back. Off I trotted. After the first delicate wisperings of my captive virtual running lady in my ear, it became apparent that this pace was not a 10k pace, probably not a 6.5k pace, and maybe not even a 5k pace. The tempo of the track I was using was the same as the last run, but somehow I was faster. So - I decided that I would use this run to focus on my 5k pace, as that's what my body seemed to want to do.
I passed various dog walkers, all bundled up in coats looking like it was winter. It really wasn't cold at all. That made me chuckle as I ran along. At about the 2k mark another runner passed me going in the opposite direction. We exchanged a quick "hello", and then I realised, I was no longer embarrassed for other runners to see me. I may not be the fastest, the fittest, the most handsome, or have the best technique, but I am a proper runner now, and that thought must have spurred me on because the next time virtual runnergirl whispered in my ear, my average pace had increased. I was definitely going to turn round at the 2.5k mark and make this an attempt at a fast run.
The return leg was just as fun, and I got to say "hello" again to a couple of walkers I'd overtaken minutes previously. I actually really enjoy that now. At about 4k I started to feel a little out of breath, but there was no way on this planet I was letting my pace drop, so as long as I still could breath and run, I did. I certainly had to push through on the last k a bit, but I was able to, and that amazed me.
The end result? Well I didn't smash the 30 minute barrier, and I'm nowhere near as fast as my lovely running buddy Speedy Sadie-runs, but I did it it in 32:17, giving an average pace of 6:26/km which is my personal best for a 5k, or indeed any distance. Watch out 30 minute 5k, I'm coming for ya 
I enjoyed a glorious shower, a cup of coffee, and then made some flapjack for church. So far - a good day.
Have a great day too everyone 
Fun Fun ParkRun (with cheeky PB)
A Sunny Sunday 5K 🌞😎🏃♂️
