After a tricky week - running bliss!

[Equi-geek]

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.

[Ang33333]

Oh well done you! Did the Marlborough one! Was really fun! Hard running on the grass and more uphill than we hoped! But did it! 🍾🍾🍾

[Equi-geek Graduate10 in reply to Ang33333]

Yay Ang!!!! Knew you could do it - I was wondering how you got on down there 😁👏👍🏃‍♀️

[Ang33333 in reply to Equi-geek]

Just over 43 mins amazingly. 🤪🤪

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done equi, you took on the trouts and won. I've never heard an adverse comment like that at parkrun so they deserve to be beaten by the pink tornado. You are doing brilliantly in prep for the GSR🌪🐡🐡

[Equi-geek Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Pink tornado 🤣 thanks Dexy5!

[Lorijay Graduate10]

Well done Equi, so please you enjoyed your run. Nothing like smoked trout!! Enjoy the pleasure the endorphins provide

[Equi-geek Graduate10 in reply to Lorijay]

Smoked trout 👏👏👏 you’re right 😁👍

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

If I were you, Equi, I'd copy your story and re-post it on your Parkrun's Facebook page - that would deservedly complete their humiliation

[Equi-geek Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

Ah, I think lesson learned. It’s done. Stuff like that always say more about the person that dealt the harm than the receiver 😁👍

[Wizziewood Graduate10]

Brilliant! ... well done you!

... and thanks for an entertaining post.

Keep up the good work ... happy running!

[Runsome Graduate10]

Well done, good for you rising above the negative trouts and finishing with your head held high and with an impressive PB to boot. Happy days😀👍

[telford_mike Graduate10]

Yay! Lovely when that happens - great pace too!

[Equi-geek Graduate10 in reply to telford_mike]

Thanks Mike - it’s taken me a while to get that buzz again and good feeling - very welcome!

[mountaindreamer Graduate10]

Well done, EG!! Taking over a minute off your PB is MASSIVE!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😃🏃‍♀️💥❤️

Just ignore that miserable pair. Some people sadly don’t embrace the true spirit of Parkrun...😔❤️❤️

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Oh, I love this post Equi-geek - I was willing you not to get overtaken by those snooty women and you powered home in style! And over a minute off your PB is fantastic! That will keep you smiling all weekend!👍🙂

[Equi-geek Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra! I’m usually only competitive with myself 🤣👍

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Well done you...

[Equi-geek Graduate10 in reply to ju-ju-]

Thanks Ju-ju! Your plan is working really well for me and it’s so lovely to have the support here 😘

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

Some people 😡....Way to show those trouts! Great job on the PB!

[Equi-geek Graduate10]

Thanks SaskieAllieCat 🙏 Job done ✅ and I was happy they ‘inspired’ me to a new PB. They had no idea how helpful they were 🤣🤣

[happysouls Graduate10]

"pummelled by a pink plodder" brilliant! Read it with a grin and mentally cheering you on! What a great read! Thank you!

[Jell6 Graduate10]

🤣🤣 Well done, anger is such a great motivator.

I have no idea what a jeffer is, even after a quick Google, but I'm thinking that it is not friendly.

[Equi-geek Graduate10 in reply to Jell6]

It’s a genuine approach to going longer distances by walking and running, and I’ll be jeffing the GSR next month myself but I was using it in a bit of a derogatory sense there 😬