...and today's purpose was to collect a parcel (missed delivery) from the sorting office. It closes at 10am which is a bit annoying if you're not a lark but then - reframe - perfect time and distance for a run. So off we set, me with a small backpack so we could run hands free on the way back.
The first part of the run was along the path to the marina. Beautiful sunshine on the calm waters and that bright disc in the sky which we haven't seen for far too long. First km done, pretty quick.
Through the marina and up the hill towards the sorting office. My hip started twinging so I slowed down and did a few stretches, then hobbled onwards and upwards, feeling like I was running like an old lady. We reached the sorting office and our lovely postie was there and went to look for the parcel. I took the opportunity to do a few more stretches. Mr Y took a picture. Postie came out with the parcel and said 'Take a photo of me!' so we had a picture together. It's lovely living in a small town.
Then it was back, downhill all (or most) of the way. We decided to cut through the park. NRC told me that I'd done 2km. Checked my watch, according to this I still had about 500m to go. OK. One of those mornings.
A wide path had been cut through the rough grass so we were running on what felt like a well tended lawn. Turned a corner to see a long, long downward slope. Wheeeeee!!! Spread my wings and flew.
It levelled out and of course I slowed down. Very soon it was 3k, then 4k. Decided we'd carry on to 5k. A choice - kid myself I'd done a PB and stop when NRC said it was 5k, or carry on until I knew I'd actually covered the distance. Decided on the latter, so when my run ended it gave me 5.66 km in 45 minutes. Much more realistic. I did a little bit more than 5k but not that much.
So, parcel collected, 45 minute run in the sun done, cobwebs blown away, that run definitely served its purpose