Well gor blimey guv'nor! I gave my new Ascics GT2000's their first run out today at Richmond Parkrun and ended up with a PB of 26'00. These shoes clearly have turbo boosters built into their design because I thought I was going to drop with exhaustion between K3 and K4. MAN that course is hard! The first 2K are always a breeze because 80% of it is downhill - but we all know that where there's a down, there HAS to be an UP!
Felt very comfortable for 3K and then felt totally WHACKED by the 4th K. This was my first parkrun since May and I'd forgotten about the "tow" effect of fellow runners. It really does spur you on and there were many occasions where my competitive streak kicked in and forced me forwards, refusing to allow heavy breathers to pass me. The 5th was also tough, but I didn't ever stop. I slowed down here and there to recover, but managed to keep moving the entire course. Must bring water next time though.....got terribly thirsty don't you know.
I did enjoy it though, despite how bloomin' hard it was. The shoes kept me level and upright and I don't seem to have any leg or knee pain as a result. So THANK YOU to all those who told me to buy new shoes.
So people who don't know - if you start getting leg and knee niggles then it's most likely your shoes are worn out and you need new ones.
I'm going with the parkrun result of 26' even though my watch told me I clocked in at 25'52 - what's 8 seconds between friends eh? Oh! And I found a 20p coin on my way back to the scooter! That's £10.20 I've found whilst out running over the past 18 months. Bizarre?
Hope all your parkruns and races went well today, and if you didn't run today - good luck on your next outing!
Time for homemade veg soup now. Toodle pip!
Dan
Parkrun - Smashed the PB - 23:27
New Parkrun PB. Looking very relaxed.
