Warning - this post involves shameless bragging for which I apologise. And which probably means there's a disaster lurking round the corner somewhere …...
I'm counting watch time not Parkrun time, as the narrow start line we're using to spread people out for the first 500m or so meant I started my watch on crossing the start line all of 34 secs after 3-2-1-Go. But I had a little cracker and came home with a watch time of 23'49", my first sub-24 since I did exactly the same time on, spookily, the equivalent weekend last year, which was then my best since, spookily, the equivalent weekend way back in 2015. Roll on 13 Sep 20!
The weather was perfect, bright and sunny but not too warm (Dexy5 may disagree about warmth), with the wind a gentle easterly to push us home for once. The first 500m included lots of sidestepping, spurts and sudden braking so I was well pleased to rack up the first k in 4'53", but wind or no wind I didn't really believe sub-24 was on after getting to halfway in 12'08", especially as I had to pause to pull my compression socks up at that point. But I did manage to wind things up on the way home, though I thought I was losing it with around a k to go, clocking an 11'41" second half. Interestingly, a year ago the wind was in the other direction, and I went out in 11'40" and came back in 12'09". Now if I could just arrange for the wind to reverse as I get to the cone …...
Hopefully equally good times were had by all Parkrunners today, and will be had by those racing not running tomorrow. Onwards and upwards!!