Parkrun #18 - Black Park
Another big Parkrun gap, another prompt from Heather to get out on a Saturday morning.
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| Robert, Heather and Reddon at the start |
I am slightly injured, but doing a Garmin coach program for 5k and it is working well. I'm also doing some strength training for my left knee - also working I think. I'm not fit yet, but getting there.
We went to a new Parkrun - not too far away in Black Park, near Slough. I'm now a Parkrun tourist I think!
Not knowing what to expect, I seeded myself badly at the beginning. There were a lot of people going slowly, and my average pace was as low as 6:30 min/km in the first 0.5km. I had to try and race past people, weaving in and out, and finally got to my target of 5 min/km after 1km.
Things went well after that. I found some space, and could run my own pace, and the leafy paths were fairly flat and even.
My HR kept steady, and my pace kept going up, settling around 4:48 min/km. I felt a twinge in my right calf at around half way, so concentrated on running form, and it went away.
With 1km to go, I felt I could push a little harder, and tried to pull away from some of the people around me who I'd been running near for a while - it's funny how even minor places are important in a race.
I did get away, and sprinted for the line, which happily took me into the top 100.
Happy with my time 24:12 - faster than last year, and on target for 22:30.
Place 96th out of 632 runners - easily the biggest Parkrun I've done.
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