Yo dudes!
I had a busy weekend (dog film commitments) and a free bar Sunday did not bode well for my planned Monday run. As a result I had to postpone it to this morning whereby my head had cleared and my limbs worked.
I had a dental appointment at 10am and seeing as the temperature today was going to climb into the high 20's, Mrs Dan suggested I go out early. Wise words indeed, so after making a juice and drinking it in the garden whilst stroking Oscar the cat (who has decided to live outside under the wheelbarrow) I set off on my run.
Just for fun today I thought I'd try and run fast, ie. attempt to beat last saturdays parkrun time of 26'36. I felt pretty good and had enough va va voom to give it a damned good go. Off I went and knocked out the first 3K without too much trouble. I started to feel the pace on K4 as I ran across Old Deer Park and turned left towards Richmond Bridge, and my entire body felt the strain. I wasn't gonna stop though (being obstinate) so pressed on and took care not to come a cropper on the wet cobbles by The White Cross Hotel. I tried to keep my running form in good shape - imagining my legs in a circular cycle motion, always keeping my feet landing underneath my body, keeping my steps as light as possible and using my glutes to push me forwards. I find when I totally flop and relax and almost "sit back" on my bum, I seem to travel faster???!!! Weird eh?
Having negotiated the cobbles with great care, I zoomed t'ward Richmond Bridge and then almost died taking the many steps to the road above. Ugh! Once I'd reached the road I set off again and crossed the bridge before turning right back along the Thames path home.
I did manage to pick up the pace a tiny bit as I raced towards my favourite lamp post (my own personal finish line!) and once I'd reached it, almost collapsed with tiredness. Loud vocal noises exuded my body "Ugghhh! Ohhhh! Aagghhh!" as I tried to regain dignity and breathe normally.
So I didn't get that close to the parkrun time. Today was 27'09, so a good 33 seconds off which doesn't sound much, but I tried reeeeeally hard today and could not have gone faster. I suppose with parkrun the adrenaline flows more freely, there's a "tow" effect and also the mental frame of mind "I'm not gonna let people pass me"!! When you're flying solo as I was this morning, there's bound to be a difference.
The dentist was only mildly torturous (I am a massive wimp though) so not too bad really - thank God!
Until we meet again, on this thing we call "the forum"!
take care out there.
Dan
