Dynamically warmed-up and foam-rollered to the edge of physical oblivion (me), and reinforced by the required wake-up espresso (M), we set off just after 9.30. Parakeets had been audible since I got up, and on the way to the park a small flock alighted in an already blossoming cherry tree. Only 2 were left by the time I’d got out the phone (see bad pic).🦜🦜They had transferred to a golden-leaved tree on our return.
Counterclockwise won the day, but the high fog sitting above the tree canopy was solid. The best morning light effects are to be had in this direction, but we were denied those today; we chatted a bit about that. All remaining autumn colours were muted. Nonetheless, there is still something beautiful about this flat light, we agreed. We also spoke about the relative difficulties felt on this run (‘seems harder today’, ‘breathing is more laboured’), but also that we were enjoying ourselves. (The air quality today is ‘poor’). Reflecting on our longer-term goal, I gestured in the direction of a known 5k circular route that goes through the park and on to another green space well beyond. How lucky we are / will be. M flinched and offered the opinion that all we need is to add another circuit of the current location. I mused that there was going to be plenty of time to work on this particular mental block.
Lots of runners were out and about, including one older guy struggling to maintain his jog with his wife strolling alongside. This reminded us of how far we’d come in just 3 months. We gave both of them a cheery and encouraging (and welcomed) thumbs-up when we crossed paths again on the second circuit.
Parakeets were being very shouty in the park too. I’ve now recruited all birds to cheerlead us along: see them as your avatars, c25k buddies! The crow is a regular and guaranteed to get close. Just speaking back to them tangibly eases any physical discomfort. I also said hello to some other runners to produce the same good feeling; if they didn’t respond, I smiled yet more broadly or laughed - so I’m on to a win-win either way. Tbh these little activities seemed to absorb most of the 30 minutes. Again, it went by in a jiffy.
In the final leg, M decided to kick up his pace, leaving me behind in his dust clod. When Runkeeper notified we’d completed our 30 minutes (‘3.95k’, advised the digital voice), I decided it would be interesting to see what the time would be to get to 4k. Obv, being so far ahead, M didn’t know about this tiny adaptation. Dirty trick that! 😈🥵 Took longer than I’d imagined, too.
30 minutes = 3.95 km (I forget the pace).
4km = 30.29s = 7.37 average pace.
Splits (I have learned what these are!): 7.34, 7.31, 7.37, 7.43, 7.25 (the last signalling my extra finishing effort over <100 meters while M crumpled).
Over breakfast, M declared his love of running, confirmed major improvements to a chronic hip problem, and asked for my view (?) on running belts.
CR3
Penultimate run...W9R3 here I come on Wednesday
Great park run 
