A couple of days ago, my partner and I had decided to try the Parkrun this week, to see what it was like.
On my last few runs I have been managing to cover about 3k in the 25 mins, and I have been pretty knackered at the end.
So today in the Parkrun I decided that I would try to run the 1st 25 mins then walk or walk/run the rest of the 5k, depending on how I felt.
There were over 400 runners there and it was a really great atmosphere. After a brief introduction by the organisers, 9am arrived and off we went.
We had decided not to stick together once we were running as my partner is currently on week 5, and so we would be out of sync.
It was odd to be running in a pack, alongside other runners, running having been a solitary experience for me up till now, but I got used to it very quickly, it was good fun and it soon thinned out.
I managed to try to stick to a comfortable pace, rather than get drawn along by the crowd and it all seemed to be going well.
At around the 2k marker I realised that I had been unknowingly keeping pace with the 32 min pacer guy.
He was about 50 yards in front of me, and (for the time being at least) I was quite comfortable with that pace.
I looked at my watch and it confirmed that I had run the 1st 2k in 13minutes.
That also confused me slightly, because I knew I had been running 3k in 25 mins and that it had always been hard work.
Anyway, I decided not to overthink it and relax and enjoy the experience.
Got to the 3k marker in 18 minutes and ploughed on. This was now my longest run.
By the 4K mark I was still feeling good and was alongside the pacer, my 25 minutes was nearly up, but I did not feel like stopping with the finish line so nearly in sight!
My breathing was really good and my legs felt fine, so slowly I overtook the pacer and pushed on, I crossed the finish line in just over 31 minutes.
To say I was elated is an understatement.
I am pretty sure that the route I normally run (a woodland track) with its ups and downs and tight corners, and the necessity of skipping over roots and through puddles, is a slower route! Duh.
To run in an open park with other people was an absolute joy, and to know that I can run 5k in 31 minutes is something of a revelation.
Up until today, running a 5k in 30 minutes had been an ambition, but (bearing in mind my 25min 3k times) one that seemed a long way off.
All of a sudden, it feels not only possible, but actually within touching difference.
So, I am going to take it steady again this week, but I shall approach the 28 mins of week 8 with a new found confidence.
I was nervous last week about the increase in time from 25 to 28 and then to 30 next week. But after today I am in a completely different mental space, it goes to show how a change of scenery and a bit of variety spurred me on and helped me to achieve more than I thought I was capable of.
So to anyone that is feeling disheartened I say, stick with it.
It’s worth it, it’s brilliant.
Maybe shake up the routine a little bit (not in terms of distance -whatever you do, stick to the program!) but a change of scenery certainly helped me today, run somewhere different, run with a friend, join a club, do a Parkrun when you feel ready.
It’s completely changed my outlook.
My partner also had a good run, and was as exhilarated as I was at the end.
We have realised how sociable running can be, for the first time.
And we love it even more now!
I think we have the bug. We have certainly fallen in love with Parkrun!
