"Thank You" to the Park Keeper.....!

[SBG356]

W8R2 - I felt really positive about this run all day at work, planning my route and even planning a 5K route for W9 to see how far I could go for that 30 min run.

Anyhow, got home, did my warm up and hit the streets but for some weird reason I completely abandoned my planned route and headed straight for the park. Now, though the park was my best friend for all the interval runs, as soon as I started the longer runs I found it too boring just doing laps so why I was drawn to it heaven only knows..... I completed 5 laps of it for W8R1 so maybe my head was telling me it wasnt so bad after all but IT WAS!!

After just one lap I thought I cant keep doing this and straight away it affected my performance so much so that I actually nearly stopped and went home, feeling a tad deflated and annoyed with myself, but then...........Mr Park Keeper came along in his truck to tell me they were locking the gates so I was forced back onto the streets and instead of running straight home to nurse that subdued feeling I got back onto the route I originally planned - and did it!! When I looked at my watch it was another 31.5 min run and a bit further this time so things are gradually speeding up. Woo hoo!

So a big "Thank You" to the Park Keeper who inadvertently rescued me from myself and got me through to the final run of week 8! I will dedicate it to you!!

[jlow Graduate]

Fantastic Sue.. I am off out in a few minutes for R8... Jxx

[SBG356 Graduate in reply to jlow]

Hope it goes well Jackie......and hope it's dry in Coventry; its peeing down here in London and feels like it is 6pm rather than 3.30 as its so dull. Just glad I'm not due to run tonight! Sxx

[jlow Graduate in reply to SBG356]

Ooh Sue so pleased.. It was indeed dry in Coventry and chilly just how I like it. I decided to really go for it (not been happy with these 8 min/km). I did 3.63km with my avg speed 7.49min/km. My fastest lap was 7mins 17s so I have shaved 57 seconds of my best lap on Tuesday. It may not be much but I am chuffed to bits. Roll on W9 on Sunday xx

[Rollertoaster Graduate]

That made me smile and that image is very cute! Well done for not just going home, though i think it was down more to your determination than the park keeper's intervention!

[SBG356 Graduate in reply to Rollertoaster]

Yes, stole the pic of Percy the Park Keeper - though my one didnt look half as cute!!

Thank you! I was determined in my head I suppose but didnt think my legs were responding likewise at that point so its amazing what we can achieve when we push through that negativity isnt it? Sue

[Rollertoaster Graduate in reply to SBG356]

It absolutely is! I am constantly surprising myself with what I can achieve!

[Ribena in reply to SBG356]

Percy the Park Keeper <3

[Chewy]

Well done SBG, good run.

[SBG356 Graduate in reply to Chewy]

Awhh, thanks Chewy! It wasnt easy but its another one ticked off and getting me nearer to the end.

Hope you are doing ok? Just read your question; it's just the last push now then we will be graduates and can bask in our glory even if not the sun!! I too want to keep up the 3 runs a week but I know realistically it wont be easy during the winter unless some are done on the treadmill - not quite the same is it?! I keep reading articles about the joy of embracing winter running but think I am only going to experience this at weekends somehow....

[Clare7645 Graduate]

Well done Sue ! It must have been fate the you were rescued by the park keeper. He turned around what could quite easily become a bad run into something positive.

Good luck for your next run, you'll be graduating before you know it

[SBG356 Graduate in reply to Clare7645]

Thanks for this Clare. Onwards and upwards right and you are not far behind me!!

[Pearsey]

Amazing Sue! Same as Clare I feel it was fate-you were meant to complete the run!!! Well done and another run nearer graduation. Love the pic of the Park keeper :-).

[SBG356 Graduate in reply to Pearsey]

Thanks so much Pearsey!

[janda Graduate]

Fate? Sometimes you just need something unexpected to change your mood and shake you out of it. Well done. You're getting to the end of the programme too, like so many on this blog. I just feel it's brilliant how far we have come since starting. Good luck with the final few runs.

[SBG356 Graduate in reply to janda]

Thanks janda; I agree.

Good luck to you too! Sue

[londongirln19 Graduate]

Brilliant. Well done. I think that where you run has a huge effect on how you feel so thank goodness for your park-keepers. Strange though, I haven't seen one in years thanks to the cuts so I think yours must have been a ghost sent to inspire you - or maybe an angel - 'It's a Wonderful Life ' is one of my all time favourite films.

[SBG356 Graduate]

Thanks Londongirl. I suppose even having a green space nearby is a blessing in London so you could be right - he was my angel for the day! Sue