17Mar2018 - parkrun #111

Another Saturday, another parkrun. And it was snowing. I planned to run at 9:30mm, well try to. The conditions were bad - not just with the snow but the ground was really wet and in places consisted of very sloppy mud. I set off quickly, probably too quickly, but this meant that I had some time in the bag for the hillier parts. There was a man behind me pacing his friend on his first parkrun at Bracknell, Brad. I could hear him all the time calling Brad to catch up to him and keep pushing. I was determined not to let Brad pass me, and I think this pushed me on. I managed the first mile in 9:27 minutes, not bad for an aim of 9:30. The woods is always the toughest part as it is so heavy, and uphill - but this was where I pushed this week. Positive thinking helped. The muddiest part was coming out of the woods, where it was like an ice rink of slippy, wet mud. Brad was still behind me. The second mile was going well, and in fact was a little quicker than the first at 9:25 minutes. This left the last mile. It starts with the entire woods section and when I came out, my lap pace was over 11mm. I had 3/4 of a mile to bring that back, and I nearly did - finishing it in 9:40 minutes. Brad was still behind me. I finished in 29:17, 17 seconds behind my best time on the new course - and ahead of Brad. I spoke to him and he confirmed he had been chasing me. His friend told him to follow the green hat and don't under any circumstance let it get away. He didn't.

I was really pleased with the time, considering I'd done it all on my own. I don't know where I could gain time - but if I'm getting stronger each week, maybe I'll just get faster. I ran without a brace and my ankle was ok. My calves were the most painful during the run, I felt like they were doing most work. My heart rate wasn't too high, and I don't know how I will have to run for my heart rate to be higher. My legs would crumble first.

Mile Splits