After a long post work nap I decided I was still to tired from the weekend to run with PWR tonight... then I changed my mind... then I changed it again. Finally a message from Emma spurred me into action and I threw on my running kit and ran out the door.
I arrived a little giddy but undecided as to which group to run with, I didn't want to risk group 4 as I wasn't sure the toll of 48hours of drinking, dancing and karaoke may have had on me. I pondered group 2 but ultimately, like a magnet I returned to my safety blanket Group 3. Tonight, mark was unwell so Dave (as deputy) was leading the group with me as the Sweep (bring up the rear).
It was nice to run with some new faces to the group, some first timers and a couple at only their second week. The group was well paced until the end when a few eager beavers sprinted off to the meeting point... bit naughty but once they are off they are off!
Really pleased I dragged my sorry self out tonight, a good run which help stretch me out after a weekend that made the whole of me ache - but who knows why!!
Also, good news on my Thunder Run 24 2012 recruitment drive as I have a 4th member for my relay team... hooray, one more to go and with time to spare before entries open!
Back from the hen weekend and still up t'north preparing for the drive home again I went out for a run this morning. I was accompanied by my good friend Beau (pictured right), who whilst new to running stayed with me on my heels for just over two miles before she got a little distracted and started sniffing in the bushes for rabbits and pheasants.
A lovely run and just what I needed to get my body working again and clear some of the aching I was feeling after two days of drinking, dancing, singing and much merriness.
I am home now, tired and contemplating which group I should run with tomorrow night... at this stage it could go any way!
On Thursday evening I arrived at my friends house in Sheffield, we were preparing ourselves for her hen weekend in Spain. It seemed the most sensible to pre-burn off some of the excesses of the forthcoming weekend with a gentle run on the hills of Sheffield!
So after 2 and a half years with the club, many musings about my capabilities of running faster whilst chatting and maintaining the pace I slipped semi-unnoticed (at first at least) into Group 4 this week.
I remained at the rear with group 4 sweeper and Mrs Motivator (Emma) for the majority of the run keeping quiet initially while my legs found their rhythm then getting more chatty before once again quietening down towards the end. Was nice to run with a few of the club regulars that I normally wouldn't run with and also some more familiar Group 3 runners who have moved up recently.
I was concerned about the pace and with the front runners trying to push James to a higher pace I worried a little about how much the group might speed up and I may be left behind. I need not have feared, James kept them in check keeping the pace just below the publicised 9min/mile.
After 5 miles and keeping up fairly well I could feel the group pulling away from me and as we rounded the corner onto my nemesis (Southborough Lane) the group seemed to by gliding effortlessly whereas I was just about managing to maintain pace with Emma encouraging me. I made it up the hill and then realised that with Group 3 we often have a breather and a drink at the halfway point, no such luck with Group 4 they just keep ploughing ever onwards!
The final half mile Emma pushed me to catch the group and I think overall we came in about 1 minute behind the rest of the group... not a bad run for my first outing with Group 4.
We are closing in on the infamous Petts Wood 10k race with only 3 weeks away so it was time to run the route, every year the club members and marshalls are invited to run the route so we know what all the racers are in for and make sure its all safe for the big day.
We broke into three groups based on Tuesday night sessions, me running with Group 3/4 at supposedly a Group 3 pace. Alas that was not to be, with Phil as our leader who naturally slipped into a faster pace leaving me trailing behind after a big roast dinner last night followed by lots of lovely home-made tiramisu! Johnny Gill kept with me chatting at the back and using me as his own personal pack horse as he got too hot in his layers and I tied them to my running belt!
The miles felt too fast and hard yet seemed to pass slowly and we got back to the rec with my garmin reading 5 miles but on asking Phil where we went wrong he showed me his watch and it was spot on 10k..... hmmm then I remembered a funny thing on my watch saying I was running out of memory which I ignored....hmmm best not do that again! (Note to self - clear the memory on my garmin before I run again!)
p.s. for anyone reading this blog who is not a member of PWR and wants to enter the race it is a sell out every year so get online and enter now, its a great medal, we have lots of friendly marshalls and even a gorilla giving out banana's! There is also a kids race this year.
