Thetford Parkrun - a good run: When I got up at... - Couch to 5K

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Thetford Parkrun - a good run

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate
38 Replies

When I got up at 7am, the village was shrouded in a golden mist, and the air felt deliciously cool. How lovely to run in this, I thought. However, I am familiar enough with British weather to know that at this time of year, the mist and cool would give way to hot sun. I was not wrong.

By the time we were warming up, the sun was beating down on us. To make matters worse, I had the beginning of a cold, which resulted in a slightly elevated temperature and sore throat. Not ideal on a warm day! Anyway, off I went with my two buddies, and we soon found our respective paces. Strangely, the Toxic Ten wasn’t very apparent this morning, for which I was truly grateful. I was just tired from not having slept well last night, due to aforementioned sore throat. Even more strangely, my mouth-breathing didn’t seem to exacerbate the throat. Still, I wasn’t about to complain!

The minutes passed, as did the kms. The meadow laps in the middle of the run were difficult as usual, with damp, slightly long grass, with undulations. One of our group dropped out at this point, with a pulled thigh muscle. That left me and the other buddy.

We flogged round the course, getting hotter by the minute. At times I felt quite tired, but I am not one to surrender. It was a relief to run alongside the river, in the shade of the trees. The swans looked at us disdainfully, as only swans can, as if wondering why these clumsy bipeds should disturb their peace by thundering past.

About 30 metres from the finish, I went into my fastest sprint, and left my buddy behind. She never caught up with me, which is amazing, as she is consistently faster than me. I was a full 10 seconds in front of her. I achieved a PB again, skimming 20 seconds off last week’s time. I was very satisfied, particularly as the sprint hadn’t left me gasping for air. I must be getting fitter!

I am becoming addicted to this phenomenon that is Parkrun. My buddy and I have even decided that when we run on Monday, we are going to do 5k, instead of however far we can get in 30 minutes, which is usually about 3.4k. I think I need help! Not really. I quite like this new me! 😁

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MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardener
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38 Replies
backintime profile image
backintimeGraduate

go you MG!! Brilliant stuff, you are doing really well

That is how I did my first 5K, just decided to go for it one day

Let us know how it goes on Monday

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply tobackintime

Thank you so much. 😁

Slothgoesrunning profile image
SlothgoesrunningGraduate

Go you! Well done beating the sun and your pb 👏

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply toSlothgoesrunning

Thank you! 😁

There are a few exceptional writers on this forum MG, and you're one of them. Very enjoyable read.

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply to

Wow! Thank you! 😱

Stephen_UK profile image
Stephen_UKGraduate

Well done on that PB, MG, and it’s especially impressive if you have a cold. Hope you can recovery swiftly.

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply toStephen_UK

Thank you! 😊

Bluebirdrunner profile image
BluebirdrunnerGraduate

Lovely report MG!😊

Hot work, you did so well with that sprint finish, especially when feeling under par...

I hope that cold clears up quickly... the new you wants to go running!😊xx

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply toBluebirdrunner

Thank you! It’s all I can think about! 😱

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate

Amazing especially with a cold and a pb too I always love your descriptive posts, running is wonderful

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply toSueAppleRun

Thank you so much! 😊

Looeylooders profile image
LooeyloodersGraduate

Well done! Lovely post again. 5k is the way forward ....... how do you know when you have hit 5K or are you running the Parkrun all the time? I’m going to try the same ..... 🤔

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply toLooeylooders

I am doing Parkrun each Saturday, but I use the app MapMyRun on my phone. 😊

Oldgirlruns profile image
OldgirlrunsGraduate

Another lovely post MG! Your Pr sounds very picturesque! I know what you mean about swans - running (well, you know what I mean!) round our local boating lake, they just have a way of looking at you that makes you feel very ungainly! Happy running!

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply toOldgirlruns

Thank you! 😁

carter09s profile image
carter09s

Sounds beautiful! The description gives atmosphere, much like poetry! Almost ( almost) wish I’d been there! I love swans.

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply tocarter09s

They are very beautiful, but rather fierce if you get too close without food for them! 😁

Puppy-love profile image
Puppy-loveGraduate

Lovely to read your report of a very British run from a long way from home. Made me quite homesick. Well done and thanks for inspiring us newbies.

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply toPuppy-love

Sorry for making you homesick! Your photos of where you are look wonderful! 😊

Fatgirlslim19 profile image
Fatgirlslim19Graduate

Go you MG! What a lovely run despite the heat and your cold... Super job on your PB too, 20 seconds off is very impressive! Feel better soon. X

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply toFatgirlslim19

Thank you! How’s your running coming along? Xx

Fatgirlslim19 profile image
Fatgirlslim19Graduate in reply toMuddledGardener

Pretty good thanks! Am working on extending my distance too. But haven't been out all week. Planning on a quick run or two while we're away x

Run46 profile image
Run46Graduate

Well done MG, sounds like it went wonderfully despite the cold and heat. Good luck on your next 5k on Monday 👍😊

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply toRun46

Thank you! I’ve just driven the route to check the distance, and there are some wicked inclines! 😱

Run46 profile image
Run46Graduate in reply toMuddledGardener

Haha, in that case an extra well done👏👏...you've inspired me, I have a cold too and was thinking of putting off my run but don't feel too bad and can have a nice laze and watch a film later if I need to recoup 🏃‍♀️😊

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply toRun46

Thankfully, the cold never really got a grip, ie, no serious snottiness 🤧! 😁 I still have a slightly sore throat, but I can live with that. 😊 Just take it easy today, and keep your fluids up. 👩‍⚕️

Elisabeth3 profile image
Elisabeth3Graduate

Great stuff! Get a pb is so exciting!

So glad you decided to explore parkruns. Next step re parkrun is parkrun tourism. 🏃🕺

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply toElisabeth3

Just waiting to travel! 😁

Elisabeth3 profile image
Elisabeth3Graduate in reply toMuddledGardener

Whereabout?

Couchpotato2 profile image
Couchpotato2Graduate

Well done Mg! Sounds like a good run for you :-)

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply toCouchpotato2

Thank you! It was good! 😊

Primmy24 profile image
Primmy24Graduate

Wow!! That is truly inspiring. I’m looking forward to my first parkrun x

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply toPrimmy24

Thank you! Good luck with your first Parkrun! I hope it’s not too hot. 😊

Pianism profile image
PianismGraduate

Well done for your PB - I was only marshalling and it felt very warm to me!! Yes, parkrun is truly amazing.

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply toPianism

Thank you! 😁

Murielbez profile image
MurielbezGraduate

lovely read and so true about the weather and the sun!

MuddledGardener profile image
MuddledGardenerGraduate in reply toMurielbez

Thank you! 😊

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