parkrun PB's: Back in 2016 I recorded... - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

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parkrun PB's

benwill profile image
benwillMarathon
23 Replies

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 :)

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benwill profile image
benwill
Marathon
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23 Replies
Gabby08 profile image
Gabby08Half Marathon

I think that makes you a great parent, not a bad dad! How lovely that you can run together. And I’m completely in awe of both of you with times like those! I’m struggling to get much below 28 minutes! 😱😱😱😱😱

benwill profile image
benwillMarathon in reply to Gabby08

Yes, it is great we can run together and push each other.

Don't worry about your times they will come down, I never thought I would get under 25 minutes.

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon

Awesome!!!!!

benwill profile image
benwillMarathon in reply to roseabi

Thank you!

Tomas profile image
TomasMarathon

Wow, what brilliant times, and brilliant friendly competition. Congrats to you both. #youreagreatdad

benwill profile image
benwillMarathon in reply to Tomas

yes I just hope he doesnt want to go for PB's every week!

mcgurranhouse profile image
mcgurranhouseMarathon in reply to benwill

If he does you will have to go too! Oh lord!

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70Half Marathon

Great result Ben!!😊

benwill profile image
benwillMarathon in reply to aliboo70

Thank you, it was hard work.

PippiRuns profile image
PippiRuns

Enjoy it while it lasts :-) He's getting stronger by the day :-)

benwill profile image
benwillMarathon in reply to PippiRuns

Yes I know :(

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon

Yay! Well done you two. Good to have someone to race against 👍🏃‍♂️✔️

benwill profile image
benwillMarathon in reply to misswobble

Yes it is, especially when i am faster :)

roseabi profile image
roseabiUltramarathon in reply to benwill

:D

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Marathon

I'd take that anyday!! Wow well done, and yep boys are fast. My boys PB is 21 minutes!! Your face ( ha ha ha ha its brilliant!!)

benwill profile image
benwillMarathon in reply to ju-ju-

Sshhhh about the face! I was trying to say thank to the photographer but came out as a horrible mess she told me after

C3PO profile image
C3POMarathon

That's really great! I believe that anything to get the kids and us to speed up (within reason) is good.

benwill profile image
benwillMarathon in reply to C3PO

Yes your right, gonna take it easy for the next couple of weeks. He want's to get a faster Jnr Parkrun time now, which unfortunately i cant compete in!

Decker profile image
DeckerUltramarathon

Wow, what a great memory with your son and those are stunning times! Kudos to you both!

benwill profile image
benwillMarathon in reply to Decker

Thank you, I am only 5 minutes away from the leaders! (6 minutes when he runs on a good day)

mcgurranhouse profile image
mcgurranhouseMarathon

Competition in families - never heard of such a thing!!!!! :) Brilliant post! I am occasionally faster than my husband but always faster than my daughter. Darling son is currently on W7 of C25K so for the moment I am also still faster than him! Long may we reign! :)

benwill profile image
benwillMarathon in reply to mcgurranhouse

I have a feeling it wont be long before i wont ever be able to catch him :)

mcgurranhouse profile image
mcgurranhouseMarathon in reply to benwill

To be fair I have the same problem with my niece - she seems to think you need a pb with every Parkrun!

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