Struggle but head down and press on!

[Jonno34]

Started back in November with a bit if sinusitis just as I was about to do the Aphrodite 5k in Paphos. Was a bit concerned but we had booked a weekend away for my 56th for it so I pushed on. I was concerned that it may go to my chest but it didn't thankfully. I did ok with a reasonable time, last km I was puffing and wheezing a bit. Then off to the UK. I had scheduled my first Parkrun at Framlingham the day after my arrival however due to heavy rain it was cancelled, so I trotted off round the wilds off Suffolk on slightly slippery roads. A few days later, still full of headcold, I had a little trot round Jesus Green and Midsummer Common in Cambridge when I was passing through booking in for a swim at Parkside after so I could use the shower!

UK trip was finished off last weekend at the Richmond Park 5k which I completed with my Nephew, Jack. He had not run for a ages but managed 7th overall. I was 35 out of 55 and 3rd in Vet class. Sounds impressive but 3rd was also last. I really struggled at Richmond which I have chewed over and will share for everyone.

1. Still had a cold.

2. Started off too fast up an incline.

3. Surface was different most of the way from anything I had run on. Grassy with mud and slippery. Tracks/groves in the path. Puddles. Constant variance in the surface. This meant we were stepping in and out of ruts, and bracing your legs on slippery surfaces.

It was all a new experience and I will be honest even with 5k my legs ached the next day which is not normal. I also had aching around my diaphragm which I will assume was from heavy breathing.

It does tell me I need to vary my run routes to work the muscles in a different way.

With regard to running with a cold, I was told by a wise old runner, if it effects you from the neck up run, from the neck down rest, the only thing I would add is to take tissues too!

Only other thing to say, official time was 6 seconds off PB, second best time however I stopped my fitbit as I crossed the line at 4.99km so dont have it on record!

[Couchpotato2 Marathon]

Argh that missing 0.1 so annoying. I had that with an10km. Sounds like you managed to get a fair bit of running in on your visit, well done! I wouldn’t beat yourself up about Richmond race, you came 3rd, I’d focus on that

[Jonno34 Marathon in reply to Couchpotato2]

I was 35 over all but 3 out of 3 in the age class! Am happy with the middle of the field at the mo TBH .01 which is really irritating! Thanks for the response though!

[Couchpotato2 Marathon in reply to Jonno34]

Yes I also decides to ignore 35 overall (which in my view is great) and focus on third, it’s all perspective! Well done on your nephew’s achievement too

[Jonno34 Marathon in reply to Couchpotato2]

I was more chuffed for him TBH!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Good on you for battling on! My latest 10k PB fell short according to Garmin - I could've just left it on as I strolled to the car and uit ould've still been a 10k PB - but no, I stopped it on the finish line 🙄. Uneven grass and mud is a real challenge - you should feel pretty chuffed for yourself too 😀

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

Oh Jonno, that pesky 0.01 😩 The very reason I ran 16.5k for my first 10 miler and 21.2k for my HM. Over those distances I’d never have forgiven myself! 🤦‍♀️

Nonetheless, you ran brilliantly. 35th overall, mid-pack is brilliant- and huge kudos to your nephew! Wowsers, he’s clearly some runner. 👍 Very well done, both of you. 👏👏👏