Thetford Parkrun - a very wet affair! - Couch to 5K

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Thetford Parkrun - a very wet affair!

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate
25 Replies

I really didn’t want to go today. I hadn’t run since Monday because of the high temperatures, so felt sluggish and unfit. However, I had stupidly texted my little running group to ask if anyone was going today. Only one said yes, and she only said yes because I asked the question! D’oh! 🤦‍♀️

Thankfully, it was a lot cooler, and had started to spit with rain. Good. We got there in good time, allowing for wees and warm-ups. By this time, the heavens had opened, and it was bucketing down. I was impatient to start running, as I was starting to feel chilly.

There was a much bigger field today with quite a few serious runners. They were soon out of sight. Like last time, I set off slowly, and stayed at the back. I found some of the paths really slippery, especially the one that went over the river. I honestly thought I might have a mishap. Am I the only one to have a problem with Brooks shoes slipping on tarmac?

My running buddy was ahead of me all the way round, but actually, I was very happy just doing my own thing. I just turned my music up loud, and got on with it. The route is really quite lovely, and there was a group of alcoholics or junkies sheltering under a group of willows, shouting out occasionally, adding to the atmosphere.

This week, although I did feel tired several times around the course, I never wanted to stop, like I did last week. I am pleased to say that I ran the whole way (even though I was squelching with each step, after carelessly stepping in a deep puddle near the start), unlike my RB who walked a few times. That’s twice I’ve run 5k without stopping!

I finished 227th out of 242, an improvement on last week. I was also faster by 2:09, completing the run in 44:26. Still ridiculously slow compared with those who completed it in just over 16 minutes, but I bet they’ve been running for rather longer than me! There’s plenty of time to improve! 😁

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MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardener
Graduate
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25 Replies
Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate

Improvement is the thing, never mind concrete timings! So congratulations on a second fully-run Parkrun and a well-improved time. Keep speeding up and Team Tortoise will oust you! 🤣 👏🏼🎉👏🏼 🐢😊

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to Granspeed

Ha ha ha! Please don’t oust me! Team Tortoise is my spiritual home!

Granspeed profile image
GranspeedGraduate in reply to MuddledGardener

Hurray! With us forever! Up the tortoise and the snail. 🎉🤣

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to Granspeed

🤣🤣🤣

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate

Good run for you today MG, you were careful not to go faster because of the surface conditions, I hoped to run today but because of the distance and rain I postphoned my second parkrun until next week..

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to AlMorr

Thank you. It really was hazardous (in my opinion) in places. I wonder what it is like in wetter seasons. Maybe I should get some trail shoes?

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply to MuddledGardener

That would be a good idea to buy proper trail shoes, might get a gait analysis first.

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to AlMorr

I had one when I got my road shoes, just a couple of months ago. I can’t imagine my gait would have changed much since then?

AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate in reply to MuddledGardener

No, you don't need another gait analysis but you could go to the same place, they will advise you which shoes are best for your trail running.

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to AlMorr

Yes, just a long trip up to Norwich. 😕

HeavyFoot profile image
HeavyFootGraduate

Great performance and well told narrative!! Loved the detail of supporting derelicts.

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to HeavyFoot

Thank you! 😁

Comfortnotspeed profile image
Comfortnotspeed

Well done you! You improved and you weren’t even going to do it 👏👏👏

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to Comfortnotspeed

Ha ha ha! I know! Thank you! 😁

Well done MG! I hope you're happy/proud that you got out there. Off the top of my head, I don't think I've ever regretted going for a run! But there have many times when I didn't want to go... Great stuff.

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to

Thank you! I am very pleased with the whole thing, actually. 😊

Buddy34 profile image
Buddy34Graduate

Well done you sounds like a great day and and even better run😊

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to Buddy34

It was good, thanks, and my shower was even better! 😁

Zebadee1 profile image
Zebadee1Graduate

Sounds really good to me! Well done! .....think I might give a park run a go

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to Zebadee1

Oh, do! It’s great. 😁

Elisabeth3 profile image
Elisabeth3Graduate in reply to MuddledGardener

So glad you joined parkrun. 😀🕺

Elisabeth3 profile image
Elisabeth3Graduate in reply to Zebadee1

Try parkrun.

If you are not confident, yet, go there and try the course beforehand. Or volunteer first.

Zebadee1 profile image
Zebadee1Graduate in reply to Elisabeth3

I will give it a go. I'm going to Devon for a week on Friday, but nothing will stop me once I'm back 🏃‍♀️

Elisabeth3 profile image
Elisabeth3Graduate in reply to Zebadee1

Great! There's a website, jegmar.com

Where you can check how steep each parkrun is. I find it very useful.

Zebadee1 profile image
Zebadee1Graduate in reply to Elisabeth3

Thank you 👍

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