40s faster for a PR PB and advantages of going up an age category!!

[Equi-geek]

Sorry for the picture - it made me laugh anyway....

After Thursday’s long run I ached in my muscles yesterday, but felt ok this morning. So, harbouring no expectations went along to Parkrun for another kit-test in the wind and rain, just in case. While I was at it, I thought it would be good to try to maintain my better posture all the way round if I could. But I really expected to be running on empty and jogging round. Great to see a local friend there again - her second Park run and I’ve encouraged her to join us here 😁👍

It was total shock to find I was feeling rather good as we set off. I tried to resist going out too fast, though, and lined up with the 40min pacer, who I knew would set off a bit faster than 8min/km.

Well, it lasted for the first km, then I flicked past a couple of runners that had spread across the path and, Woweee, I didn’t know it could feel so easy to kick up a gear! So I upped the pace - and I was lapped just before the end of the first lap uphill against the wind and rain - the furthest round I’d gotten before being lapped 😁👍.

2nd lap. I wasnt feeling too shabby but I was feeling the result of Thursday. Downhill again and breath back - long incline, kept the cadence up - top straight, felt good - decline again, legs were back to full operation but my Bluetooth earpiece fell out twice and I decided to go without music to try to keep the cadence together...

Up that last incline again, against the wind, and really felt empty this time 😰 I didn’t think there was anything left in the legs and someone came past me. I couldn’t catch them, but I clenched my backside and found a sprint right at the end! I was 3 seconds ahead of the runner behind me 👊

So, a PB of 36:30 (only 90s more and I’m under 35 min 🤨) and because I’ve gone up an age group I am about 10% better this week - for my age! 🤣🤣👏 My friend got a PB too 🙌🤛😊

Happy running everyone!

[Ang33333]

Well done! No park run here today because of the Mop Fair. 😀

[linda9389 Graduate10]

Wow, that's a great time, especially considering the weather

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Well done to you! PBs always feel soooo good! 😊

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Always being laped by what they call here a 'gazell', those sub 18 minute 5K runners that try to go faster every week. Great time for you 'Equi-geek' well done 😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Well done Equi! Great PB too, especially in the wild weather! I’ll be going up an age category in January too! At least that’s one benefit of getting older, being the youngest in the category for a while! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[telford_mike Graduate10]

Yay! Amazing how sometimes you deliver a great time when your expectations are low 😀👍

[mountaindreamer Graduate10]

Well done, EG! And love that T-shirt! I want one now...😂😂❤️

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Well done Equi- geek! Getting a little older...maybe, but faster too!!!😀💪👍

[Flyingred Graduate10]

Congratulations on your PR. A well-earned reward for all the hard miles you put in! Great t-shirt too, btw!

[Crawlhome Graduate10]

Well done Equ-geek and a new PB😁

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done Equi, there’s lots of chatter about the Great South Run at our parkrun today. Excitement in the air. I hope you don’t get today’s wind though 🌬🏃‍♀️🌊🌊🌊

[Jogunlikely]

Great job 👍

Our bodies are funny things, giving us good days when we least expect it!

🤞you get good weather for GSR x

[Irish-John Graduate10]

You're running that 10k faster than my 5k ☺

Well done still-young lady ☺☺☺☺☺

[Equi-geek Graduate10 in reply to Irish-John]

Thanks John 😁

[runswithdogs Graduate10]

Fantastic. Our parkrun isn't a complete two laps, it's more like a loop-de-loop in the middle. My secret goal each week is to not be passed by people already doing the second loop. Some days you win, some days you don't.

Congrats on the PB and the high percent age grading!

[Equi-geek Graduate10 in reply to runswithdogs]

Yes, we can't control what everyone else does can we, I agree👍 When I was using Parkrun as part of C25k and walking/running with the app, the fastest runners came past on their second lap when I was only half-way round the first lap! Bit of a shock! Both the 20 minute and 22 minute pacers came past me too. Next time, I wondered whether I would get past the second corner. Then at graduation I noticed the 22 minute pacer wasn't lapping me, and finally the 20 minute pacer during B210k. I only started keeping track so I knew roughly when I had start looking over my shoulder 😅. I've now got my eye on staying with the 35 minute pacer in a couple of weeks - he was just in sight towards the end on Saturday 😉

[runswithdogs Graduate10 in reply to Equi-geek]

Oh man, I'd love if our parkrun was large enough for pacers. I'll be watching for your report on pacer 35.