Second parkrun today - and what a difference a day makes! Last night as I was sorting out my clothes I was wondering whether to wear my 5x50 t-shirt or the C25K graduate one. However, when I got up it became clear that the real decision was whether or not to wear long sleeves under my rain jacket.
In the end I went for my trusty Sweatshop sale long sleeve top (lovely and soft it is too) under the rain jacket, and that was about right. It was on-off drizzling as I left home and then started raining more steadily as I approached the park. At the park there were huddles of people under umbrellas - it really looked a bit of a sorry sight.
As people gradually came out from under their brollies I could see that 1) there was nothing like the 280 people who came to the first Winchester parkrun last week and 2) they all looked a lot fitter! Eeeek!
Anyway - we eventually set off and it was soon clear that the runners were on a mission - probably all wanting to get out of the damp and be first in the coffee queue. Checking my Garmin, I knew that the pace was unsustainable for me (by about half a minute per k). So folks - yes, I remembered Greenlegs' words - Slow and Steady and slowed down to a pace that I thought I could stick with. At the end of the first lap I was in LAST place - a feeling I remember so well from school, except then it was over 200m not 5K!
As we went past the start it had stopped raining and had become decidedly muggy so I ditched my rain jacket to a helpful volunteer.
Getting into the second lap I kept going with my slow pace but gradually started to catch some of the other runners. It was still very hard going - the first 500m had really taken it out of me. I did wonder if I could manage three laps - my lungs just didn't seem big enough and I reckon I sounded like a steam train coming.
The third lap was a triumph of mind over matter and some great encouragement from the marshalls - I kept going fairly slowly and was ever so pleased to get to the line.
Statistics: 5km run in 33:00min. A new PB for me!!!!! 
That must have been the fast start, although I don't think I intend to repeat it next time. Position 116 out of 127 - and I think I was the first in my age group (although a couple from older age groups were ahead of me).
So to the title of this little blog..... Is this really me? 50 year old woman with no history of exercising apart from the odd aerobics class over the years? Last in all school sports events without exception? Finally down to size 14 jeans from something seriously unmentionable? And now I'm running a long way and don't mind being timed and actually care about my PB?? Yikes - Maybe I'm a hologram of myself - or will I wake up with a bump?
Have a happy Sunday everyone!
First Parkrun
Now this is getting personal...
Abingdon Parkrun - streak of 3!!
Is this really me?
Parkrun fun
