Race against the lock. Week 9 - Run 2.

[jellyhawk]

I was late home tonight, so I didn't get up to the woods and at em as early as I would have liked. I didn't have time to eat and let it settle before I set out. So I just got changed stuffed a banana down me mush and drove off to the woods. Set off down the same route as last time, but this time listening to a Runners World playlist I half inched off the wife.

No more of that dreaded 'Julie' tripe. Finally something with a beat with which to time yer feet!

I was about ten minutes in and a horrible thought came over me. I remembered the sign at the entrance to the car park.

'THESE GATES ARE LOCKED AT DUSK'.

I thought it was strange that mine was the only car in the car park, oh bugger!

What would the council perceive as 'Dusk' in late June? I mused, probably about half eight, nine perhaps, maybe 10 at the latest?

This is the same council that can't always get bin day right, so I was a bit worried.

What time did I set off? Not sure, And my wifes Garmin watch could only tell me how long I had been running. It was after half seven, maybe a quarter to, or eight?

So I should get back to the car at about half eight-ish. Council Dusk O'clock! Damn.

So as you can imagine I had a few visions floating about in my head.

I felt like a vampire only in reverse trying to beat sundown, or the council interpretation of it! All I could think about was my little car locked in the car park at the woods in the dark. And a bloody long run home too!

Now I am not sure if that affected my pace at all, but I had already reached the turn around point and set off on the return leg and the watch still hadn't got past 14 mins. I didn't feel like I was running faster than last time in fact it felt slower, but it was obvious my average speed was better. I kept the same pace pretty much all the way with the exception of the odd hilly bit.

I got to the 'completely unlocked and nothing to worry about after all gate' on about 27 mins......passed the point where I stopped last time on 28 mins.....one lap of the car park should get me to the 5k mark I thought...and......STOP! I made it!

And the time 30 mins and 18 seconds. .

Drove my car to the other side of the gate and then did my warm down walk.

As you can imagine I am well pleased with my new personal best. Awesome.

Looking forward to the grand finale on Saturday now. I thought it would be appropriate to finish the C25k on a Park Run.

Apologies for the 'epic' post.

Kev.

[Fletchasketch Graduate]

Well done! That's a great time - obviously a bit of 'peril' helped

[jellyhawk Graduate in reply to Fletchasketch]

Yes, it certainly distracted me for a while, I think the music also helped. A good beat and baseline helps plant the feet. I still feel really tired today though. Graduation tomorrow! eek!

[Hidden]

Well done. When you are worrying about reaching a deadline (especially if you fear being locked in) then you will feel slow - it's sod's law. Glad you got out okay though. Good luck with future runs.

[jellyhawk Graduate in reply to Hidden]

The weird thing is I had to really talk myself into going at all after such a long day. Because it was a bit later in the evening, it was cooler, everything just fell into place. The demons always strike, but this time they had a point and it did spur me on! it is the first time they have helped, bless em.