I graduated C25K last Monday, on my last run in week 9 I covered 4.4k.
originally my plan was to run my first Parkrun next Saturday after 4 consolidation runs.
However the weather forecast looked gorgeous for a run this morning, I would have been going out for a run anyway, and I though what the hell, it’s only another 600 metres on top of what I know I can do.
so off I went this morning, to the Bury St Edmunds Parkrun. Slightly hillier than the terrain I’m used to running on, a mixture of grass tracks and woodland trails.
Sun was shining, temperature of 17C as I left the car at 0830 to warm up, have a last minute nervous wee, and attend a briefing for new runners.
All if a sudden it was go-time, and as the younger and fitter participants disappeared ridiculously quickly up the opening incline and around the corner, I tried to settle into the 7.00/km pace that I wanted to go for.
To be honest the first km or so was a bit chaotic with over 200 runners on a relatively narrow track. As a result I ended up going off a bit quicker than I’d wanted to, trying to find some space to run in. Soon thinned out enough to be comfortable, and I completed the first circuit of 2 in 16.50.
Knowing I would likely slow a bit on the 2nd circuit, I decided to forget about the pace and the finishing time, and just try to enjoy the run and complete it safely.
before long I was exiting the woodland trail section for the second and last time, and the finish line was just 500 metres away. Into unknown territory as far as the distance goes, but feeling ok and with a 300m downhill section before the final incline I gritted my teeth and locked my vision into the runners up ahead, managed to run the last few hundred metres with a bit of a spurt, and crossed the line in one piece.
Clicked the stop button on the Garmin at 35.19, so slightly outside the 35 min target I’d set myself, but all of a sudden that didn’t matter in the slightest.
Negotiated the barcode scan and with slightly wobbly legs made my way back to the car, stopping en route at some picnic tables to stretch a bit, before heading home for a much needed shower and some food.
So glad I went this morning, the atmosphere was great, lots of encouragement from other runners and marshalls alike.
I’ll definitely be back next week for another go
Parkrun - 27:18
Today I ran 6K with - 
W8R1/First Parkrun
Parkrun Blues
