Fastest Parkrun yet ahead of an enforced and unwelcome break

[RebeccaSK]

Yesterday's Parkrun (Horsham - another new one for me) was my fastest yet - 38.22 - exactly a minute faster than my previous Parkrun PB. I didn't enjoy this Parkrun for a number of reasons - mainly due to really inconsiderate fellow runners. The path is also very narrow in some places and it was pretty hazardous at times. It's a three lap circuit and as a slow runner it was just really unpleasant having two speedy runners overtaking you and almost forcing you into blackberry bushes, especially as I went to great pains to keep right to the side of the path to make overtaking easier......

My official time wasn't good but this was because I was struggling with my tech when they started - but my 38.22 is from the point I actually started moving!

I was a panther again ju-ju- although there were occasions when I felt more like a very irritated tiger!

And now, no running for a week - maybe just a little walk. Triathlon next Sunday and I need super fresh legs if I'm to stand any chance of the heinous run - only a mile but almost all uphill I've decided to volunteer at Parkrun next week instead. I may not have had the greatest Parkrun this weekend but that wasn't down to the organisers or volunteers in any way. In fact, in terms of volunteers, it was a great week. there was a member of the public with his leg in plaster sitting on a bench cheering all the runners on. I suspect he was a temporarily disabled Parkrunner. Each lap he met my eyes and urged me on, especially the second lap when I really needed it.

I've even checked for people's running routes in Sicily ahead of our holiday in a couple of weeks! My running shoes are definitely coming with me!

[rolysmate Graduate]

Sounds good even if there were a few ignoramus runners there

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to rolysmate]

It was a good run overall! I'm learning to appreciate hills. I always focused on the struggle to get up them - forgetting about the joy of coming down them afterwards!

[RunaroundSue]

Have a great time in Sicily. We went last year. I just fitted in one run, in the hotel gardens. But I enjoyed that even though we had been out all day and it was still hot in the evening

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to RunaroundSue]

I think it will mostly be swimming - a great opportunity to focus on improving my front crawl!

[Irish-John Graduate]

Kind of fun 'Twilight Zone' moment there. It was not a million miles from Horsham one afternoon when I made the conscious decision I needed to do something for my health and sanity when an old comrade told me frankly he had never seen me look so 'effing decrepit'.

I did not start the programme until a couple of months later - but every time in the early days when it felt like 'too much' I would push on because I took what he said very seriously.

I'm going to be back there sometime next year - will be over two years by then probably and cannot wait to hear what will be said when they catch sight of me now! LOL (plus - can have guilt free nosh now at 'Deep Blue'! LOL ).

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to Irish-John]

It's a lovely park and a very nice run - I'm just not a fan of multiple circuits. I prefer to find my place near the back and stay there without having runners flying past me!

[SueKen Graduate in reply to RebeccaSK]

I know what you mean. I reached another milestone at Parkrun yesterday when I managed the first lap of my 2 lap circuit without anyone overtaking me 😊

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to SueKen]

That's actually a huge milestone!

[Hidden]

Hey Rebecca

Seems (to me) like you had a great run. I would love that sort of speed! Well done and good luck for the triathlon

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you. I'm aiming to get to 35 by the end of the year. I think it's achievable!

[Idizzy1 Graduate]

Hello 👋from another Horsham first timer yesterday !!! If you ever come back that way let me know. Those fast runners are scary in their passing techniques that's for sure.

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to Idizzy1]

Oooooh! How did you find it? What other Parkruns have you done? I live in Newick near Lewes. Haywards Heath (Clair) is the closest but it has horrible hills so I've not built up the courage to do it yet! I've now done Hove Prom, Horsham and Eastbourne 3 times. I like Eastbourne - easy parking, gorgeous location (a country park) and just one lap! It's also very flat! What was your time by the way?

[Hidden]

Well done you, keeping the panther attitude despite feeling like a tiger occasionally. You are becoming a Park Run tourist... I can imagine you doing the round Britain Park Run tour. Good luck for that Triathlon!

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Yay go panther and well done 😻

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

You are amazing girl!! X