So today was the day. I was a little nervous. Would I know what to do? Where to go? Would it hurt?
So many questions.
Park run prep began yesterday:
Print barcode.
Print map and write down post code for sat nav.
Epilation of legs for maximum speed.
Big hearty dinner - chilli beef pasta yum
Relaxing evening watching Avengers Assemble
Now at that point I should have gone to bed but..
I watched the season final of Marvels Agents of Shield, I may have shed a tear or two.
Bed time to sleep, big day tomorrow. Erm brain shhh.
Sleep didn't go so well as I started to worry about the morning. Would I get lost? Will I get there in time?
5am er little early.
Snooze
6am er nope we are going out a little later today.
7am oh I give up I may as well get up and have some tea and toast.
8:15 zoo fed and a bemused Ferdinand I was in Lycra wonder outfit and heading out of the door without him.
Ok.
Garmin tel me how to get there please.
Erm garmin would have been helpful to have given me notice that I need that turn. Erm garmin I am sure you've just told me to take the 3rd exit only I know I need the first and the little map thingy on your screen agrees with me.
Get nearer the location and despite *cough* my little detour - it was garmins fault honest - I am in plenty of time.
Oh god look at all these super fit tiny people, I should just turn around and drive home now, I'm a hideous big fat blob in lyrca who am I kidding.
No you can do this, you know a friend is coming and there are new people to meet who have been lovely online.
Get out the car and follow Lycra and then I spot my friend. I happy smiling face and a lovely lovely lady yay. I can do this.
Newbie briefing done, everyone very welcoming and I make my way to the back of the crowd, I know I will be slow.
And we are off.
I am missing Ferdinand, I am missing runkeeper (my dumb phone is broken) I am missing tunes. But it's ok.
Puddles. Oh I can do these, as others choose to run round or leap over. Not me I've had extensive puddle training (will my trainers ever dry out?). Ooops that one was a bit deeper than I thought, I now have a wet bum.
Onwards. Head towards the River Trent, I've cycled round here before, a long time ago. I am not the last, wow. A lady and her dog over take me. Wait is her dog wearing a onesie? Awesome. Ummm wonder of Ferd would like one.
Onwards.
How long have I been I have no idea. Just keep going.
The volunteer lady keeping an eye on us end runners, jogs along side we chat for a bit - yes I managed to speak words - I am pleased to hear her say I have a lovely steady rhythm. Big smile.
Onwards. Huff and puff.
Oh god a man with a camera. Don't point it at me. Oh no. Smile, just smile. And I did. And that there is another achievement of the day, I do behind camera not in front, in fact I have been known to get very angry at people trying to take photos of me without permission.
On wards. How much further? I want to stop.
Onwards. Huff and puff.
Bridge, this I walk up, it's too steep for my knees.
Onwards. Huff and puff.
There is the finish, only it's not the finish, I have to run further down the path and switch back. Can't I just stop now.
But then my friend spots me, and despite having already finished she comes along for the final bit with me to cheer me on and offer much needed encouragement. In fact the last section lots of people cheer you on, which is really lovely, doesn't matter that you are slow. Really supportive.
There were another couple of small bridge related walking sections. And I can see the finish line.
I can't make it, I want to stop.
My friend much needed support, so nice to have a real person telling I can do it.
I speed up, I sprint, I then drop of pace a little as erm I could feel my leggings start to slip and I was paranoid they would fall down. They didn't.
And done.
So my official 5k time is 40.46
I am very proud of myself.
) 
Little runs
No longer a park run virgin!
Alls good but feel a little cheated
