A Sub-30 or (not) Sub-30 4k - That is the Question 😁

[Birdlady64]

I have lots of meetings today so my lunchbreak run was a bit later than I’d have liked. I’m doing a repeat of last Thursday’s 4k route as I don’t have time for anything more. It’s 13 degrees, sunny, but with a brisk cooling breeze so I opt for shorts and a long-sleeved top. In hindsight I should have gone with a T-shirt.

There are quite a lot of people out walking – I guess they’re enjoying the sunshine. 🌞 Without fail everyone moves out of my way. I smile and say “thank you” each time. I get a smile in return approximately 50% of the time.

Then, ahead of me I see a couple walking side by side, occupying the entire width of the pavement. Behind them is a small child on a bicycle. As I approach I notice they both seem oblivious to what I assume is their offspring, wobbling around behind them. There’s a wodge of traffic approaching so I can’t move into the road to get past them.

All of a sudden the couple move slightly closer together and I move out to take my chance to pass them. At the same time the kid on the bike moves outwards too and we almost collide. I come to a halt and the kid takes off like a rocket, and disappears down the road. Clearly they weren’t together after all.

Why is such a young child unaccompanied and riding a bicycle along the main road?

I’m warming up and my sleeves are pushed up to my elbows. I navigate the wooden gate at the entrance to the green space where I got wet feet on Thursday. I hope it has dried out a bit. Nope – still as bad! I try to avoid the puddle by running on the grass. Mistake! This is really claggy! I slow down to try and stay upright. Muddy feet again! Gah! 😡

Through the gate again and I’m definitely slowing on the uphill third 3km. I’m glad when the route flattens out a bit for the final km when I try to increase my pace a bit, but I’m not going flat out. 4k done! My legs felt a lot better than on my last couple of runs, and the niggly glute seems much better. 😁

Garmin gives me splits of 7:23,7:35,7:50,7:19. As on Thursday, it’s not quite a sub-30 minute 4k. Maybe if I hadn’t had to navigate the 2 gates, the muddy pool and the pavement-hogging couple it would have been. On the other hand, Strava has clearly worked it’s magic “move time” correction with a move time of 29.56. and splits of 7:22,7:22,7:52,7:13 Oh well! 🤷‍♀️

The photo is of some crocus in the sun in our back garden at the weekend. Dare we hope that Spring is here?

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Good run for you today Birdlady64, count that as a sub 30 minute 4K, if you had ran 5K your time would have been about 37 minutes, as for young children on bikes cycling on main roads, that is very dangerous.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks Al.

With your authority I think I will take that as a sub-30 minute 4k.I like the sound of that 37 minute 5k!😁

That child was definitely too young to be out on his own like that.

How is your leg/sciatica by the way?

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

The right leg sciatica has not yet gone, however, today when I was out a walk with my neighbours dog Holly I could walk a little faster than yesterday, so it's gradually easing, I will see if I can run slowly on Saturday morning for my 50th virtual parkrun, if not I'll walk it, thanks again for asking 😊👍

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Good to hear it's slowly improving. Sciatica can be a terrible thing.Good luck with the 50th virtual parkrun - whether you run jog or walk it will still count.

50! Blimey - that means we have been at this virtual parkrun for almost a whole year!!!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

The last official Parkrun in the UK was on the 14th March 2020.

[Peter44 Graduate10]

Sounds a nice run, out in the sun, good pace, there's always a difference with my strava, and nrc apps, for times, but i'm quite happy, going at my slow pace. 😊

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Peter44]

Yes it was nice out there despite the wind. I'm happy to take the Strava time today as those "obstacles" definitely cost me a few seconds.

It doesn't really matter at the end if the day - I enjoyed the run and that's what matters most

[Peter44 Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Your right, and having this niggly injury, will make me appreciate just being able to run, whatever the time, the kid on the bike, reminded me of my very busy, canal/park run, a while ago, was having to almost barge past people, that wouldnt move out the way! 😡

[9weeks2Run Graduate10]

Well done Birdlady I would say that is a sub 30 minute 4K Well Done You!

Glad your legs and the niggly glute seemed much better.😘

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to 9weeks2Run]

Thanks Rebecca.Maybe I might try a longer run at the weekend...

[9weeks2Run Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Enjoy Birdlady.

I went for a lovely walk around the park yesterday was so lovely. Did my C25K there and my first 10k’’s. I am so looking forward to being able to start C25K again.

Take care and enjoy your next run 😘🐻

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to 9weeks2Run]

Glad you are getting out even if just walking at the moment. It must have been great to be out in the warm weather.Looking forward to your next run post 😁

[9weeks2Run Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Thank you, yes so lovely to be back out walking. Take care 🐻

[dijep Graduate10]

Great run Birdlady64, It's go worth the Strava times.I was nearly knocked over by a kid on the pavement on an electic scooter a few weeks ago and thought the same about the parents.

More shoes you dry again.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to dijep]

Yep! Hopefully the mud will mostly brush off once it is dry

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Oh kids on bikes are such a nuisance but it’s adults on bikes whizzing along the paths that make me cross and make me jump when they whiz past A good run and I’m sure it will dry out eventually. Crocuses so beautiful

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Yes. I always have to be on the alert for grown men, often in groups, on mountain bikes in the woods when I run there. They never slow down and never call out to let you know if they are coming up behind you.

And it is inevitably grown men. 🤷

[Indielass00]

Aww spring is my favourite season, lovely photo of the crocus . We have seen a few on our walks, spring is just round the corner! Here’s to the longer lighter days too! 😀Poor you with the mud, so frustrating !! Well done with carrying on though.

As for child, it is worrying he or she hasn’t got a parent/legal guardian with him/her.

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Indielass00]

I like Spring too. The crocus are so cheerful. I realize now we have lots of fallen leaves to clear up too!😁The mud has to dry out soon surely?....

[Indielass00 in reply to Birdlady64]

I hope so. We have got plastered and nearly fallen on some of our walks. You are having similar temperatures to us. That’s why I’m trying to get out early on my runs as I heat up too quick! 🥵

[skysue16 Graduate10]

Lovely photo 😊 It was very warm here on Monday - Spring, mmmm just maybe!

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to skysue16]

Fingers crossed 🤞🤞🤞

[Thelyde]

What a lovely read

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Thelyde]

Thank you!

[Littleoyellow Graduate10]

It sounds like you're getting back into your stride BL 😁👍

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Littleoyellow]

Thanks! 🤞🤫

[Beatlesforever Graduate10]

A fab run, very well done! I very much think spring is on its way 🌷although we always seem to get a cold spell in March. I remember last year, our last trip before the madness, we were in Edinburgh for a wedding at the beginning of March and we even had some sleet. Blimey, who would've guessed what was to come 😩 but it does feel like the end is in sight now 🤞

[Littleoyellow Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

That being said B4ever we often have often had a spell of beautiful weather in March in recent years 🌞😎 hubby and I have been known to bbq in the March sunshine as we like to make the most of it 🌞😁

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Littleoyellow]

We did BBQ the turkey once on Christmas Day!

[Beatlesforever Graduate10 in reply to Littleoyellow]

Nice! Keeping my fingers crossed for a March barbie 😃

[Littleoyellow Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

Me too 😁🌞🕶

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

Thanks Beatles - I did think I had replied to you but clearly didnt click on the blue button.

I was going to say I'm sure I can remember snow here down south in late May/early June from my childhood.

Fingers crossed things are on the up!

[Beatlesforever Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Wow, BBQ Christmas turkey, I thought that only happened in Oz! I remember last June we had the fire on in the evening, there was a very cold spell here in Kent but not quite cold enough for snow 😲 ❄️

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Beatlesforever]

It was raining. Mr B stood under a golf umbrella in the garden tending it. He was kept supplied with appropriate refreshments! 😁

[Beatlesforever Graduate10 in reply to Birdlady64]

Brilliant! 😁😁

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

What a lovely photo reminding us that spring is almost here. Great description of your run, I was there with you, even getting annoyed about the unaccompanied child on the bike!

I would certainly take your run as a sub 30 minute 4K 😊. Well done 👏👏👏👍

[Birdlady64 Graduate10 in reply to Jools2020]

Sub-30 it is then! Thanks! 😁

It has felt like Spring the last few days - definitely shorts weather for running, although we are back to grey murk and threatening drizzle again here today.

At the time I just didn't understand why that kid blocked me like that, until he sped off into the distance. The couple only had eyes for each other 🤩