Tonight was the Supernova 5k at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, so despite three of the other four team members dropping out in the latter days of this week, I duly collected the only other remaining member this afternoon and we headed over to London.
Having reached our destination and parked, we followed the crowd of neon-garbed runners towards the big helter-skelter thing, got our numbers sorted out and pinned on, dropped our bags off and got ready to start.
The PA system was utterly ineffective, unfortunately, so we couldn't hear much of anything that was said, but copied what we could see of the warm-up from the people in front of us. Eventually it was time to head to our starting pens, and a few minutes later we were off!
Out and back and round and about we went - and I realised that I was breathing easily, keeping a comfortable pace, and actually enjoying the run for the first couple of km. I was aware of lots of people passing me (and only realised later that I was also passing quite a few people!) but kept to my own pace.
Somewhere past the 3km mark I took a very short walk (around 50m maybe) to just catch my breath a bit and get my second wind, but then carried on going. The relief of the 4km sign was huuuuge! Only 1000m to go, and I know I can do this - sheer stubbornness will get me through! I realised I'd upped my pace a little, too, but that was good and it still felt fine. I was working, and getting tired, but that's kind of the aim! 
The last 500m or so was lovely - finish line in sight, a nice clear run-in - and I'm afraid I did a very short sprint in the last few metres to pass someone else in the very last moments of the run! Within seconds my phone had a text with my time: 37:01, so I'm absolutely delighted!
My colleague had a great time too - it was her first race ever, and she's now got the bug. We'll have to see what's next...!
My first Park Run
Another great Winter run.
Done it! Graduated at supernova 5k!
Another Lakeland run
Week 7 Run 3. Parkrun
