Last Monday pathetic performance then my first park run! Photos, times and personal glory! Public warning-long rambling blog...

[H123]

Did a really bad run last Monday (walked 20 mins of it) and then didnt get out again until Saturday for what should have been my family birthday present of all my family running with me. As normal, situations change and only 2 of my teenagers managed to come with me. It was a lovely sunny morning-wonderful been waiting for good weather for ages..but whynow when I needed to run? I knew I would be much slower than everyone and my goal was to run continuosly and hopefully make it in under 40. The gun went off and everyone bolted, within what seemed seconds the pack (cos it was the olympics!) had broken away and I was plodding along at the back by myself and the lovely chap who makes sure the stragglers dont die on the course! We did chat briefly and I managed to explain my goal before I had to stop speaking in order to breathe. A 1/4 of the way round my 14 yr old daughter had given up due to 'a really bad pain in her side' that she assured me wasnt a stitch but something far more serious. I gasped for she to take deep breadths,slow down and come with me, so she managed another quarter and then had to stop. So I left her. Selfish I know-but this was MY run. She walked round to the finish and sat and enjoyed the sun. I carried on and managed to overtake a lady-I wasnt last anymore, although I still applaud that lady for completing the course. I carried on and on and it was warm, thinking tortoise and the hare fable. I had a bit of a cat and mouse moment with a young girl where we both kept overtaking each other.There were words of encouragement from late starters as they ran past. Then near the end my 18yr old son came round the corner (he had done it in 22 mins) with some water.....I desperately wanted to walk even for a couple of steps but knew that I wouldnt be able to get started again. Two sips of water later and feeling a little sick, my son kindly asked if I was going to sprint the last bit! Ha ha ha-I just deperately wanted to have enough dignity to get to the 'finishing line' without collapsing. My son ran alongside me to the end. Also there was a photographer there capturing everyones smiles/grimaces, I did try to gasp dont print unless I look 21-but I dont think he heard! It was lovely that everyone clapped me (and obviously everyone else) to the end. Guess what under 34 mins, Im amazed. Have now added NHS C25K as my running club and look forward to next Park run with husband and hopefully all 4 kids!

[happierswimming Graduate]

I think this is a lovely, real blog and it made me smile! Congratulations on your time. That's good and I bet you now want to get it to 30 don't you ? Amazing how motivating c25k is. Hope your daughter recovered from her "not stitch" (how can they dare, these teens- do they think we were born under a cabbage patch! I really hope you got a great present for your birthday and that you asked for something more than your family running with you- you're worth it!

[toonfan71]

well done u i am struggling to

get motivated defo need to find my mojo as i got an idea what iw ant to do in the furture

[Moley01 Graduate]

Great Blog and a brilliant time - well done

[AliB1 Graduate]

fab time, well done i think it's great that you are all getting out there as a family. i love seeing the youngsters / families at my local park run...setting good examples for the next genearation! keep up the good work