Parkrun - Smashed the PB - 23:27

[Aftabs]

Hi all!

Well that was something...

Right up to the beginning of the run I was in two minds whether to run for a PB or go for a more gentle run. My ankle felt a bit stiff during my warm up and I have a 10 mile run tomorrow so I was seriously considering a slower run. However on the way to the start line I changed my mind and loaded up last weeks 5km PB on to my Garmin and decided to try and beat it.

I set off fast first km in 4:27 and half way through the second km I was behind someone who was running slightly faster than I was comfortable with. However there was no-one else behind me so I decided to try and keep up. Every time I was tiring I fell behind a bit and the stubbornness in me made me speed up a bit to stay within 10m of my pacesetter.

This meant that by the time I got to the last km my Garmin was saying I was a whole minute ahead of last weeks 4km split. However I run a very fast 5th km last week and knew that I didn't have enough energy to run at that pace. I put my all into the last km and beat my PB by 47 seconds. My pacesetter pulled away on the finishing straight but they did a great job for me.

I had my C25K graduation shirt on today and a few photo's were taken, so once they are uploaded to the Barking Parkrun FB page I will upload one here!

10 miles tomorrow and hopefully I can beat last weeks time.

Here is a link to my run:

connect.garmin.com/activity...

[Oryxx Graduate]

Wow!! Well done!! I'm aspiring to get to less than 30 minutes at some point so it's amazing to see people can actually do it in under 25!!!

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to Oryxx]

Thanks! Set yourself small and achieveable targets and you'll get there!

[alcopop Graduate]

great run, nice when you can focus and run a PB. Good luck on the 10 miles

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to alcopop]

Thanks!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Great that you were wearing your C25k shirt, Aftabs. Let's tell the world how to get running. Another brilliant PB. There is no stopping you. Congratulations.

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks Ian! I try and wear my C25K shirt every Parkrun to give credit where it is due!

[crox Graduate]

Very impressive

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to crox]

Thank you!

[sfb350 Graduate]

Fab time ! Enjoy your run tomorrow

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to sfb350]

Thanks, I'm looking forward to it.

[wilmacgh Graduate]

Wow! Fantastic time.

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to wilmacgh]

Thanks!

[runningnotwalking Graduate]

Great run Aftabs. Enjoy the 10 miler. Not sure how you do this on consecutive days ? Must be powered by Kryptonite.

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to runningnotwalking]

Thanks! I'm showing my geekiness now but one of Superman's enemies was powered by Kryptonite, he's called Metallo.

[Malcy Graduate]

I ran with my C25K shirt this morning too, and got under 24 minutes - but about 30 seconds slower than you, so nowhere near your fantastic time. There must be something in those shirts!

Yours was an exceptionally good time and I've absolutely no doubt you can leave me in your wake by getting into the 22 minute bracket. Go for it Aftab - you know you can do it!

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to Malcy]

It's good wearing the shirt, I feel like I'm representing us in the Parkrun. Well done on your time, your age grading will be much better than mine.

My initial aim was to get a sub 23 min time by year end so I'm on course for that.

Ultimately I'm looking to get down to 20 mins and think I could be thereabouts in a years time.

[notbad Graduate]

Wow! Well done on a cracking PB

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to notbad]

Thanks!

[rockchick69 Graduate]

Great going Aftabs and good luck with you 10 miles tomorrow. It's my first 10km timed run tomorrow and I'm also going to wear my C25K t-shirt

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to rockchick69]

Thanks and good luck on the run! I am running a 10km in Greenwich park in 2 weeks and I'll definitely be wearing my C25K shirt

[MotherGoose Graduate]

Wow what a fantastic time! Good luck for your 10 miles tomorrow!

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to MotherGoose]

Thanks!

[mason73 Graduate]

Wow great time and I love the photo keep up the great running maybe like juicyju you too have a inner panther that makes you run so fast !

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to mason73]

Thanks!

[Mini13 Graduate]

Great run Aftab, well done, you are soo good!!! Keep up the good work. I am trying to run my 5K under 30 minutes and the last time I ran it in 30 minutes and 1 Seconds..little more to beat!! Good luck to you for your 10K today mate!!

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to Mini13]

Thanks! Fingers crossed that the one second drops off soon!

[Mini13 Graduate in reply to Aftabs]

Thanks Aftabs...

[Malcy Graduate]

Great photo! In mine, there's a look of pain and anguish. You look really comfortable! What a man you are ... Hope your run today goes even better than we all hope.

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to Malcy]

It is definitely hiding some pain. After the run I was trying to ask some of the faster runners how they can manage sub 20 minute times but the words couldn't come out due to my lack of breath!

[danzargo Graduate]

Superb performance Aftabs. Bloomin' well done.

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to danzargo]

Thanks Dan!

[Rollertoaster Graduate]

Zoom!!! You're unstoppable, well done!

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to Rollertoaster]

Thank you!