Back in 2016 I recorded my best time at Maidstone Parkrun of 23minutes 55 minutes and did a 23 minutes 28 seconds at Eastbourne parkrun (a bit flatter and bigger paths)
I never ever thought I would beat these times again, I thought my days have gone and I should be put out to pasture or shot. My 11 year old son also had a PB at 22minutes 57 seconds and he had great joy in telling me how much faster he was then me! But had not got near his times for ages!
On the 22nd of October a week before my next Marathon I been getting itchy feet a bit (bloody tapering) and decided to push it as hard as I can and if I blow up half way then so it. So I went for it and to my surprise and disappointment, I came in at 23minutes exactly! Great! I still have it in me I don't need to be shot just yet. But frustration was 3 seconds away from my son's PB. That's ok want to beat him isnt it? #baddad
So move forward to this weekend and I said to the son I am going to beat you this week, he told me he wasn't going to let that happen and he will run with me all the way and beat me at the end.
Saturday arrived the tension was building he was nervous I was thinking I hadn't had enough breakfast and how long was it before I could have a bacon roll.
So, sure enough, we lined up and tried to get close to the front, the course at Maidstone is quite narrow as uses a public footpath along the river, enough for 3 people in most places but does go down to 2 people in places. So we where off and as we made our way past the slower runners he managed to sneak past as the path narrowed and off he went.
For the 1st 1km I could see him 100meters or so ahead and started to close in gradually as didn't want to overdo it. At about the 2km I made my killer blow just before the footpath turns to run up to the bridge across the river I took him on the outside knowing he will struggle up the incline. I was already breathing heavily and just about made it up and over myself. We both ran around the children's play area and it was run back to the finish. But he struggled and was deflated with being overtaken as i powered (struggled) he dropped back a bit.
But he had an angel a saviour the runner that had paced him to his last pb came up from behind and asked if he needed help. So with this extra spur they slowly started to close the cap to me again. But it was all too late and I struggled up the last of hills to the finish panting and nearly dying! I had done it and I had beaten him!
although I had won he still did brilliantly and both got brand new pb's!
Me : 22minutes 25 seconds
Myles : 22minutes 42 seconds.
Think I might give PB chasing a rest for a while now 
Did I "go for it"?
My Son's first HM today!
Just a cheeky 5K race today! :-)
