Garmin Free Parkrun

From time to time it is probably a good idea to throw off the shackles of modern technology and just run to how you feel, not worrying about pace or time. Well today was one of those days but more because I wasn't sure where my Garmin is currently residing and I didn't have enough time to look before I left for Orpington Parkrun.

So with a slight cold, a naked wrist and the right amount of layers (lessons learned from Wednesday night) I lined up at the start with the other Saturday morning parkrunners ready to see what happened. It would appear that my pacing was pretty similar with or without the watch as I noticed the same runners around me as I had on previous visits to Orpington.

My cold took its toll just after half way round and I decided to walk for a short time whilst blowing my nose and spluttering along. I started to question if this was a good idea but I kept going and started to trot along again trying to make up some time. On the third and final lap I was just needing things to be over, I had no idea of time except a father and son combo who usually came in about 1-2 minutes ahead of me had already overtaken so I suspected I was heading for a little over 30 minutes.... a way off my PB but at least I am getting out on a semi regular basis if not every week.

At the finish I was delighted to grab a cuppa and a small piece of some very delicious bread pudding... yum diddle and made up for my lack of breakfast this morning!

My results text message came through later with a time of 31:30 and 3rd in my age category, okay still nowhere near a bronze in real terms but for now I will take it.
 

Hypothetical Hills

Time to belt up!

Despite contracting a mild version of the man flu currently circulating my home it seemed like a good idea to text our hill training guru Emma just hypothetically to see what time she would arrive at ‘the hill’ for tonight’s session. She advised, hypothetically of courses, that it would be around 8pm.

So, sitting on my sofa I decided I must get off my bottom and “stop watching crappy TV” (another Emma quote). Into my kit I got, with one too many layers – the downside of not running outside for a while was that I forgot how hot I get when layered up.

I drove part way and then got out to run, timing it just perfectly to meet with the 14 other hill runners approaching from Summer Hill (the fools!).

It turns out, the session was having a bit of a shake up this week and we were taking on Kenyan style hill reps which includes running up and down hard for an extended period (6 minutes) before a break rather than run up and back then alternating with a partner.

I am happy to say I managed to keep moving but my mental enthusiasm was sadly not matched by but ability and endurance which has sadly lessened since being injured. A huge plus though was how great it was to be out with old friends from the running club, encouraging each other and just to see some of my lycra-clad buddies!

Glad I made the effort, now to keep it up….. Hypothetically Emma I will be there next week x

Contains Glass

Determined that as part of my running rehabilitation programme I would go to ParkRun at least once a month I was headed back to orpington again this Saturday morning. 

In the car park I spotted some fellow PWRs - Bromley was not on this week die to the fireworks which meant there were greater numbers this morning. I palled up with Julia (Glass) as we headed over to the start point. I was momentarily disarmed when we introduced ourselves when she asked my surname and then said oh yes with a knowing lilt!! But as I said I am quite prevalent on social media so despite not being at the club for a while I am 'known'!!!

We set off together, just short of a beautiful Border Collie running with his owner. We settled into a comfortable pace with a little chat. I realised how much I missed the Tuesday night group runs, perhaps I will brave it soon despite the dark evenings. Meeting new people, sharing stories, tips and advice, this is what I loved about the club most.

Back to the race.... First my shoelace came undone, annoying, so I had to pause momentarily to toe it back up.... Not an issue for the winner when he lapped up, laces flapping in the wind. If only I lifted my knees that high I might never need worry about a lace based self tripping incident again. I caught back up with Julia and we trotted along happily for a while at a fairly even pace. As I entered lap three I had pulled ahead but felt I was running through treacle, my watch was of no use as I had managed to stop it a mere 3 minutes in so had no idea how I was doing and if I could keep under 30 minutes. 

As I approached the end I stepped it up, focussing on the next runner and catching up with her, I thought I may catch her but she saw me coming and as we sprinted neck and neck to the finish she just pipped me, I still had no idea of the time. We shook hands and headed to the refreshments. About a minute behind was Julia so we enjoyed some delicious bread pudding (only a little slice Monika!!!) and a cuppa before heading home.

The cheater! A note on the teenage lad who has clearly been dragged along by pushy parents, he walks a lot, cuts corners off the course, mopes around. I think he needs to just say no!! If he is not going to do it right then don't do it. You can't go through life cutting corners, you will get caught!! He cheats but not so he is noticed.... It's just a bit odd or teenage laziness!! 

By the time I had returned home and run my bath there was a text message on my phone, I completed in 29:59 lucky I had that sprint finish to help me scrape under the 30 minute mark!! 

Work that Hyde

So this week I am away with work, at our office on the outskirts of Manchester, I will be living like Alan Partridge, alone in my hotel room but wait, this is an opportunity to use my evening to boost my fitness. 

I ensured I had booked a hotel with a decent sized pool and a gym. This was going to be a mega fitness week. On arrival this evening, I checked in, got into my kit and went straight to the gym where I opted for a 5km treadmill run, start as I mean to go on. As expected I am slower on a treadmill as it's always too hot for me running indoors. But after 35mins I had completed my target distance and then made my way to the free weights. 

As the week progressed I swam every morning before leaving for work, had two more gym work outs, two body pump classes and one spin class. So by the end of the week I was feeling pretty darn pleased with myself. 
The spin class was tough, the first in months, and it did leave my back a little sore afterwards.... One to watch I think so I will keep trying to strengthen my spine before I tackle spin again. I did enjoy it though and as I had been chatting to the instructor beforehand he gave me three cheers at the end, odd but nice to get some positive encouragement from strangers!!! 

Return to Parkrun

It was time to man-up, it was time to get out there and run in a situation I knew I wouldn't give up, flake out or make excuses to stop. It was time to go to a race.

I opted for ParkRun, no pressure, other runners to keep me moving and local. I decided to try out Orpington ParkRun as despite being my closest and having recently hit the two year anniversary I still hadn't managed to run here. 

Much smaller turnout than Bromley but still a decent sized field I arrived feeling a little nervous. Having dusted off my Garmin, grabbed my barcode I made my way to the start. I saw the familiar face of Simon (my former run buddy for many races) and felt a wave of reel if as I could have a chat to him rather than worrying about the run ahead. We chatted and eventually set off together.

It pleased me after a while to hear Simon's voice, offering words of encouragement, to himself, others, who knew, but this is one of the comforting things about running with Simon and put me in a good headspace of remembered events run with him in the past. 

After two laps I started to lag behind him but was still running and happy enough that I could keep it up and get round eh course without walking. Entering the final lap two young lads of about age 8, both called Thomas overtook me.... Gosh darn those speedy little legs of youth!! There was a little competition hotting up between them as they neared the end. It was interesting to hear their parents differing techniques..... Thomas 1 who ran with his dad was being told to use this and beT the other little boy, Thomas 2 who ran with his mum was being told it was not a race and to not worry about the other little boy. In the end as they raced for the lead they crossed the line at the same time - both ahead of me!!! 

I came in shortly after, under 30 minutes and not having had to walk. I was happy with that, it was a good start, it was progress.