"Thank You" to the Park Keeper.....! - Couch to 5K

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

SBG356 profile image
SBG356Graduate
17 Replies

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!!

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SBG356
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17 Replies
jlow profile image
jlowGraduate

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

SBG356 profile image
SBG356Graduate 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 profile image
jlowGraduate 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 profile image
RollertoasterGraduate

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 profile image
SBG356Graduate 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 profile image
RollertoasterGraduate in reply to SBG356

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

Ribena profile image
Ribena in reply to SBG356

Percy the Park Keeper <3

Chewy profile image
Chewy

Well done SBG, good run.

SBG356 profile image
SBG356Graduate 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 profile image
Clare7645Graduate

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 profile image
SBG356Graduate in reply to Clare7645

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

Pearsey profile image
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 profile image
SBG356Graduate in reply to Pearsey

Thanks so much Pearsey!

janda profile image
jandaGraduate

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 profile image
SBG356Graduate in reply to janda

Thanks janda; I agree.

Good luck to you too! Sue

londongirln19 profile image
londongirln19Graduate

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 profile image
SBG356Graduate

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

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