Well that was an unexpected result. Having been up until past midnight following the wrestling at the o2, heading to bed after a rather large G&T, consuming no breakfast & a left heel that has flared up, the last thing I expected was a PB!! There was even a chance this run wouldn't have been official. I forgot to pack my regular emergency running bag that includes £10, parkrun bar codes, toilet paper etc. My wallet was also devoid of a parkrun bar code, I was in danger of breaking the mantra DFYB (don't forget your bar code). Normally an extra bar code sits with my railcard, no dice this time!!! I quickly downloaded a bar code & luckily our hotel were able to print it for me, though at a full A4 page there was no guarantee it would scan.
The Run
Yet another Saturday where I've woken up in London. At least this one was by choice as we'd been to the WWE house show at the o2 the evening before. I now seem to have two maps I consult, a map of where the hotel is & the parkrun event map to see what events are in the vicinity. Today I woke up in Stratford so the nearest event would be Mile End, a short walk & one stop on the central line.
The moment I started walking my heel was making itself known to me, I'd have to make a call when running as to whether it would be right to continue.
After a pre race brief from Mary the Race Director we were ready to line up for the 94th running of the Mile End parkrun. I say we, yet Paula was on the sidelines, readying the camera rather than her Garmin. I seem to have developed a good sense of where I line up in the field, not making the mistake of being too far forward & frustrating faster runners & likewise not placing myself behind too many obstacles.
I set off not expecting much, I suspected the tank was empty so didn't feel I was pushing myself too hard, yet the 1st km was under 5 minutes! The second & third followed & being a two lap event I knew I could return a mid 24 if I didn't fade too much.
The course has two minor hills that seem far harsher when running up them! The bigger of the two turned out to be a mere 7 metre climb!! I tend to slow in the final 2km of parkruns & today was no different, though not at all as exaggerated. Instead of powering up the hills on the 2nd lap I just stayed steady. I felt the pace was slowing, yet a glance at the GPS suggested I was doing just fine. Once the last climb was completed I pushed myself down the hill & continued to the line, realising that a PB was in grasp.
A further check woke me up to the reality, this could be sub 24:00. Suddenly it was worth every push & I crossed the line with an unofficial 23:58:44. Thankfully the world's largest parkrun bar code scanned & I collapsed myself onto a bench! Another personal best! A first PB away from Gunpowder since Cambridge in September 2011! A nervous wait then ensued as I fully expected the official time to round me up to 24:00 or 24:01 to take away that sub 24 away from me!
Luckily the text message came through confirming a 23:59, new PB & the desired sub 24:00!!
The Eat
After some tourist fun & with a PB in the hutch I treated myself to a hot dog & chips & some running kit! That's not forgetting a shared side of mac & cheese!! There might have even been a cheeky cookies & cream cupcake snuck home for good measure!!! That food is hard earned! The running kit was a pair of 3/4 compression / cycling shorts. First time I've been able to find a men's pair. it seems manufacturers presume we want normal shorts or full length!
The Conclusion
A very welcome & unexpected PB improvement today. It suggests that my speed & stamina are better than they have ever been. The only issue is a possibility of Plantar Fasciitis returning. Something is not completely right with my left foot & I need to ensure can recover this whilst hopefully still running.
The next target has to be a sub 50:00 for 10k. If I can maintain my parkrun pace into the 7th & 8th km then the 51:12 PB should be shattered, then it becomes a case of trying to break the 50 minute barrier.
The Run
Yet another Saturday where I've woken up in London. At least this one was by choice as we'd been to the WWE house show at the o2 the evening before. I now seem to have two maps I consult, a map of where the hotel is & the parkrun event map to see what events are in the vicinity. Today I woke up in Stratford so the nearest event would be Mile End, a short walk & one stop on the central line.
The moment I started walking my heel was making itself known to me, I'd have to make a call when running as to whether it would be right to continue.
After a pre race brief from Mary the Race Director we were ready to line up for the 94th running of the Mile End parkrun. I say we, yet Paula was on the sidelines, readying the camera rather than her Garmin. I seem to have developed a good sense of where I line up in the field, not making the mistake of being too far forward & frustrating faster runners & likewise not placing myself behind too many obstacles.
 | |
| Line up for the start at Mile End |
I set off not expecting much, I suspected the tank was empty so didn't feel I was pushing myself too hard, yet the 1st km was under 5 minutes! The second & third followed & being a two lap event I knew I could return a mid 24 if I didn't fade too much.
 | |
| Airborne at the end of lap 1 |
The course has two minor hills that seem far harsher when running up them! The bigger of the two turned out to be a mere 7 metre climb!! I tend to slow in the final 2km of parkruns & today was no different, though not at all as exaggerated. Instead of powering up the hills on the 2nd lap I just stayed steady. I felt the pace was slowing, yet a glance at the GPS suggested I was doing just fine. Once the last climb was completed I pushed myself down the hill & continued to the line, realising that a PB was in grasp.
 |
| Finish line in sight |
A further check woke me up to the reality, this could be sub 24:00. Suddenly it was worth every push & I crossed the line with an unofficial 23:58:44. Thankfully the world's largest parkrun bar code scanned & I collapsed myself onto a bench! Another personal best! A first PB away from Gunpowder since Cambridge in September 2011! A nervous wait then ensued as I fully expected the official time to round me up to 24:00 or 24:01 to take away that sub 24 away from me!
Luckily the text message came through confirming a 23:59, new PB & the desired sub 24:00!!
The Eat
 |
| Tourist fun on the Emirates Skyline |
After some tourist fun & with a PB in the hutch I treated myself to a hot dog & chips & some running kit! That's not forgetting a shared side of mac & cheese!! There might have even been a cheeky cookies & cream cupcake snuck home for good measure!!! That food is hard earned! The running kit was a pair of 3/4 compression / cycling shorts. First time I've been able to find a men's pair. it seems manufacturers presume we want normal shorts or full length!
 | |
| Courtesy of The Bumpkin, Westfield |
The Conclusion
A very welcome & unexpected PB improvement today. It suggests that my speed & stamina are better than they have ever been. The only issue is a possibility of Plantar Fasciitis returning. Something is not completely right with my left foot & I need to ensure can recover this whilst hopefully still running.
The next target has to be a sub 50:00 for 10k. If I can maintain my parkrun pace into the 7th & 8th km then the 51:12 PB should be shattered, then it becomes a case of trying to break the 50 minute barrier.
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