Despite registering for parkrun back in January 2011, I had not yet actually run at any parkrun event. Mrs Dan goes to an aerobics class on a Saturday morning and I would not have time to run, take Mrs Dan to her class, and then get across to karate in time for the training. Karate has taken precedence until today but with Juneathon in full swing I decided to keep the momentum rolling on my running so this morning I ran at Gunnersbury parkrun.
I arrived a little early and was initially worried about the lack of other runners, although there were plenty of marshals grouped at the meeting point, but there was no need for alarm as waves of people started arriving from every direction across the park.
My legs are a tad sore from the 11k loops I have been running the past 3 days so I decided to try and pace myself for a sub-25 minute 5k, which I thought would be achievable given my current 10k time. The great thing about running in a large group is the ability to latch onto others running at your desired pace and then let the small group pace itself around the course. At the 4k marker I decided to up my pace a little so detached myself from the small group that I had been part of and I started to reel in the runners ahead of me. I didn’t really go flat out so I know that I have a better time in me but I really enjoyed the run today and I offer my thanks to all those that gave up their time to organise and marshal the event today.
I will probably head back next Saturday if I can somehow squeeze a Sunday karate session into my diary tomorrow.
parkrun result:
- parkrun time: 0:24:19
- Garmin time: 0:24:18
- Gun position: 44 / 125
- Gender position: 39 / 72
- Age category: SM35-39
- Age grade: 55.31 %
Juneathon so far:
- Exercise completed today: running
- Distance run today: 3.08 miles
- Distance run so far: 44.65 miles
- Distance cycled so far: 7.26 miles
- Weight change so far: -0.3kg
4 comments
So jealous you did a Parkrun! I want to do one when I’m in England! (just told abradypus last night that I might do the Hyde Park Leeds route, even tho my flight/train won’t get me there in time for the race) In my opinion, your time of 24-ish was quite speedy yes indeedy :-) Good job!
You should definitely schedule it in. A nice distance to run and I am sure they will have some sort of coffee break afterwards where you can socialise with a fun group of runners.
Woo hoo! Welcome to the parkrun family.
Thanks :-) I really enjoyed it although it was a shame that I had to rush straight home so could not stay for the coffee shop social afterwards. I may even drag my son along to parkrun a few times as well.