Day 41

Week 6 Saturday 25th of August

 

It's finally here - Park Run Day! 

 

I didn't sleep well, partly because I was a bit too excited about running in the morning and partly because I'm still having problems with my arthritis.  It's unusual for me on a Saturday to let the alarm snooze twice before I got up but i was so stiff that it took ages to get myself together to move.

 

Anyway, I had already decided to jog to the park because that extra mile and a bit seems to do me favours when I'm running properly.  I got to the park just at the right time to be able to have a little chat and get my breath back before the run started.

 

As usual, I started off too fast and found myself run out of breath by half-way.  I was annoyed with myself but also disappointed that my lungs still haven't improved, despite all the breathing exercises.  Especially as tomorrow it is the 9th anniversary of the day I finally gave up smoking for good.  I had struggled on and off with it for a few years but eventually made it on 26th August 2003.  My lungs should have recovered better by now, I hoped.

 

Anyway, second time up the bank i could feel a stiffness in my left calf and got a little worried.  With the half-marathon only 6 weeks away; should I stop and do some stretches or should I carry on and risk injury.  I slowed right down and jogged past the steps to the bandstand where a quite a few people where cheering me on and felt myself speeding up again.  No, I really can't just give up half-way, so I will plod on.  Eventually the leg felt better anyway.

 

Kath caught up with me and I told her that I nearly gave up but I'm not sure she believed I was serious and I'm not sure myself either.  I tried to convince Kath to get past me and try to get her pb even though I probably blown it myself but she decided to stay with me.  Another girl came past us but when I saw the big down hill ahead; I got encouraged to get going again and overtook her.  I was determined not to let her past again.  Kath and I both finished with 3 seconds between us.  Kath smashed her pb by several minutes but I repeated my pb at 28.47 and didn't manage to get even a second off. Never mind, at least I didn't quit and I will try to not set off too fast to start with next time,