Yesterday was supposed to be Parkrun but thanks to my ITB pain returning on Friday I decided it wouldn't be a good idea. On Tuesday we are off to the boat again so unlikely to get much running done but I really wanted to do a 5k before hanging up my shoes for 2-3 weeks.
I haven't run 5k since July, but that one was so hot I walked most of it. The previous 5k was back in May, since then it's mostly been 3k or thereabouts. Given the ITB issues it seemed like a good idea to take it slow and steady so that's what I did, average pace 8'31" (for comparison my pace back in May was 7'52", pretty fast for me).
Looking at my stats this is only the 9th 5k this year. Last year 5k was my go-to distance. Hmm, food for thought while I'm away. I am seriously considering doing my local 10k in October but will have to work on increasing my distance over the next month to have a hope of completing it.
The run itself felt easy but I was conscious of the increase in distance. Running on familiar tracks helped, at least I knew how far was left to go. As we approached the river there was a choice to make: up on the sea wall and look at the boats, but negotiate the very narrow and uneven path, or run on the lower level where it's flat and even but not much of a view. The river is tidal and much prettier with water so I said I'd have run on the wall if the tide was in. I knew it wouldn't be (because I know about tides lol). I went low, my husband went high.
Half way to where the paths rejoin he called out 'come up, the tide's in and the water's really, really high'. I ignored him as I knew it was so unlikely but he insisted so up I went, scrambling up the bank to reach the upper path. I was a bit worried about adders but made so much noise they were well able to get away (if they were there).
Of course, once I reached the top I was rewarded with a glorious view of....mud. He thought it was hilarious. It was ok with me, the narrow bit of the route was behind us and I got to see the boats after all! The pick show's the 'high road' with me on the 'low road'