Run > parkrun

Well, that was good! The power of not overthinking!

My target was low 20:00 with a view to seeing if I could ever go sub 20 again. I tried my hardest a couple of weekends ago at Lochore Meadows parkrun, my local, and couldn't do better than 21:02. So when I knew I could go anywhere this morning, I considered Kirkcaldy, which is my nearest tarmac parkrun with least hill. But it does have a hill of sorts. Anyhoo, lucky to have time, so decided to try Strathclyde as I've never done it before. 55 min drive, but that's OK, and thought I knew where I was going. Satnav said second entrance, but I took the local signs thinking I knew where I was going. Was there very early, before 9, but suspected I was on wrong side. Asked some local walking ladies and they said yes, they thought it was at boathouse on opposite side. No matter - 1.5 to 2 miles warm up would be ideal. So set off, and saw some 3km parkrun this way signs. Good sign! Gorgeous morning, blue skies, about 8C, no wind. Amazing to see rowers on the water, such a great facility. And lots of dog walkers and walkers. As I got to 1km signs, and more runners, reckoned I was at right direction for start. There as the funnel and start sign. And John and Mo from Harmeny, forgot they were RDs here, nice to see them. Got directions to loos (at the boat club house indeed), so by time I got back from there it was 2 minutes to start, just caught end of briefing. Into the start area, went forward a bit, maybe 5 rows from front so 30 ahead of me. And we're off. Narrow start, so started quite slowly, but a bit of jumping off path onto grass and got forward a bit, maybe 20th. I'd put watch on to Ave Pace, Lap Pace, Current Pace. But hadn't worked out what the pace target should be! Saw 6:16 on watch and wasn't sure if that was too fast or not. But stayed with it. Then I decided just to try and dig in with that pace. 2nd mile and had overtaken a few, and used a couple of strong looking guys, one younger, one older ahead to keep pulling me on. Told myself at the turn that keeping something for fast finish is fine for places, but not for paces! So push on in middle, even if you have to slow at the end. By 3km, I was feeling pretty ragged, but kept pushing as best I could. Last km was just hanging on! Couldn't believe time on my watch at end. Thought I must have made a mistake, but distance was right. Don't think it's just the shoes, they don't make me feel that much quicker or bouncier? After couple mins recovering, walked down to cheer on other finishers - saw Mo and John finish. Said I'd meet them in cafe, but I think they were waiting for all runners to come in, as core team. Great wee cafe in boat club house, had a flat white and a tray bake. Stood on deck watching the rowers. Really fantastic looking. Said hi and goodbye to John as he came in and I left. Needed to get back. Decided to run cool down back the other way. And it was glorious - so great views, pretty paths, past a sailing club, lots of cheery people. Back at car tried to stretch a bit before getting in car for 1h5min journey home in busier traffic.

Thanks Strathclyde parkrun, my new favourite, as that is a best 5km time for over 4 years, I think? *Update - 19:05 Livingston Apr 2016! 6.5 years. And 78.7% WAVA is highest ever, even higher than the 37:17 Grangemouth 10K in 2013! Benefit of age! G

Split Summary
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1) 1m - 6:15(6:15/m) 167/176bpm [1045b/mi] 102cal
2) 1m - 6:08(6:08/m) 175/181bpm [1074b/mi] 105cal
3) 1m - 6:10(6:10/m) 178/183bpm [1098b/mi] 105cal
4) 0.12m - 42(5:43/m) 178/180bpm [1019b/mi] 12cal