ParkRun #10

[E27M14]

Today I did my 10th ParkRun. I did a 5 mile race last weekend which left me with a sore calf, not the big fatty calf muscle but the smaller bit on the inside near the ankle. Because of this I haven’t run all week but I have been cycling with my son a fair bit. I was a little worried about the ParkRun because the calf is still a little sore to walk on, but once I started it was fine. Wow, it was hot out there, most of the course is very exposed and the sun was beating down.

At the end of the first lap I stopped. Actually stopped, fully intending to just give up and go home. It was hot and both my legs really hurt. But I was on the wrong side of the track, and had to wait for a gap in the traffic to be able to cross.... then I saw a few ladies that I regularly see there, and thought if they were behind me maybe I’m not doing so badly. So off I went. I rejoined the flow of traffic and headed back out for the second lap. About half way round the second lap I was overtaken by the 40 minute pacer which was very depressing and so I started to walk.... but then my stubborn self took over and I was not going to let him get away from me. There is a big junction of paths near the end and there stands the world’s best volunteer Marshall/cheerleader. I could hear her shouting as I approached as she encouraged two young ladies that they were doing well and that they were ahead of the pacer. As I reached her she spotted me and loudly announced that I was only just behind the pacer and I could take him if I pushed just a little harder. This just gave me that kick up the backside to get past him and turn up the speed a little for the final straight.

Thank you to all the ParkRun volunteers everywhere who make it possible and also help us drag ourselves round the course even when it’s really hard going!

Also thank you to snapchat for providing amazing filters that make us look fresh as a daisy instead of looking like a beetroot!!

[Debston Graduate10]

Well done you! Can't believe you went from being about to give up to outrunning the pacer, that's fantastic! Great pic too, a look of triumph!

[Stephen_UK Graduate10]

Great story and very inspiring. The chilled-out photo looks like you took it beforehand!

[ktsok]

Well done E! That’s awesome, particularly the turnabout from giving up to overtaking the pacer. Showing grit there. Great pic too - you look cool as a cucumber!

[Equi-geek Graduate10]

Well done E! I arrived late, just as everyone was setting off - it’s Jo at Jo’s Junction that’s just so amazing! Wasn’t so long ago you were wondering whether you’d ever break 40 min and now you have a ‘bad’ run and still smash it! Great running - and hope you recover from your calf muscle soreness very soon!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done for volunteering. It sounds like it may be your soleus muscle that is giving you problems. I’ve had the same by trying to go too fast too soon at parkrun post grad. If you do some heel raise exercises on your rest days , that should help strengthen he muscles.

[Couchpotato2]

Oh I’ll have to reinstall snapchat!! That’s great, well done you! I also had pain in the same place but a weeks rest seems to have done the trick. Great running from you today

[Dowat Graduate10]

That’s excellent. What a run! Very well done.