After jarring my foot mid-run on Thursday, a disheartening session in the pool yesterday - thanks to a fast swimmer doing tumble turns and non-stop freestyle in the medium lane (held my nerve, even though he was faster than the fast lane swimmers), and a bout of insomnia from 00:30 to 03:30ish, I didn't hold out much hope for this morning's PR 5k.
So I pulled on my Laura Hyde charity vest for the first time, and the hi-viz pink runners rain jacket to test, and tried to focus on getting the start right and getting my breathing into a rhythm as soon as possible at Park Run. I'd set up the playlist with a 160 cadence in only one ear-bud, so I could stay aware. It worked like a dream! Still concentrating on form - I smoothly breezed the first lap at what felt like a cracking pace (for me). Nothing's hurting, for once. Half-way round the second lap I start to pass more people walking on the decline as my high cadence and skateboarding legs carry me onwards. I am SO in the zone - and everything is smooth - it seems my head is hardly bobbing up and down, just like MJ says we should do in the C25k app.... bliss!
Then, passing a couple of athletic-looking ladies walking (one with a 100 Parkrun shirt), I heard a comment from one about 'today's humiliation now being complete'. That hurt. All the positivity implodes, and I'm suddenly very conscious of my day-glo jacket, grey yoga pants, and my nearly 50 year-old, obese bum wobbling past them. I was really happy and loving this run, you sour trouts.
Fine. Game on. Humiliation by hi-viz!
I engage the newly discovered medial glutes up the final incline... I can hear their steps and breathing catching up... no, no, no. I'm not taking that from you two Jeffers, you are not making yourselves feel superior at my expense. I even pass a couple more runners in a sprint to the finish (sorry guys, I do know how it feels), flicking mental V-signs behind me and the two runners I've over-taken at the two trouts. Take your 100 Park run shirt and shove it - you've been pummelled by a pink plodder! My watch says I've smashed my PB by over a minute - according to the 5k splits. I really don't know what comes over me sometimes!!!!
I walked back to the car to calm down, a slurp of squash and stretches, then back to help the volunteers pack away as the drizzle started to get heavier. Now I've got the rest of the day to be getting on with, but I shall wallow in endorphins for at least the rest of the weekend. Sorry I didn't see you, Fabulous, but I am really glad you eventually found your mojo today too.
Out this morning for first run of this week.
Run after a few days break.
Magic Plan Week 4 Run 3 
Its A Run Day, No Way (ooh! maybe after though)
