I last ran on Thursday and almost didn't run at all this weekend what with the rain and all. I've spent most of the weekend reading on here about everybody else's fantastic achievements and feeling ever so slightly lazy.
Around 3pm I decided enough was enough, got kitted up, warmed up and forced myself out just as it was getting dark this afternoon. The rain had turned to a drizzle by then so I didn't mind at all.
I used my new wireless earbuds for the first time. The sound was good and it was nice not have a wire stuffed down through my top. π
I ran mainly through the residential back streets, with a short section along the main road. I haven't run this route before so I wasn't really sure where the kilometre markers were, but I had I decided I wasn't going to look at my watch for most of the run, but that I would check the time at around 4k and try to push on for the last km if a PB was a possibility.
This feels like a nice, comfy run. Breathing good, legs feeling good. Reaching what I thought the 4k point was I check my watch. It reads only 3.6k. π¨ Oh no! Not as far as I thought. But I notice the average pace is 8.01. So a sub-40 minute 5k is clearly on the cards - it will only be my second! π€π
I increase my pace. Glancing at my watch again a little later I see my average pace is now 7.59 and I've run almost 4k. I step it up another gear over the last km - it feels like I'm working hard. I don't check my watch again until it buzzes to signal I've reached 5k.
Yes! Sub-40 minutes and a new PB! π It's either 38.48 or 38.45 depending on whether you believe Mr Garmin or Strava, but lets stick with Garmin. Strava also gives me a personal record for 1 mile and my 2nd fastest 2 miles on this run.
The stats also show this was a nice steady run, until I decided to step things up a gear and the last km is clearly obvious on the map.
My splits were 7.57, 8:02, 8:02, 7:58,6:47.
As a bonus I also managed 2 ticks on my festive bingo card - a (very bad) selfie with festive Christmas lights in the background at the end of my run, and a post run festive treat of coffee and a mince pie! I missed the chance of a third by shouting "hello" to the only other runner I saw instead of wishing him "Merry Christmas". Oh well - next time then.
I really enjoyed this run and I'm so glad I made the effort to get out there π
Enjoy your Sunday evening everyone!