Back running!

Hey peeps, I hope you have all had a lovely weekend. After a chilled out Friday listening to the film podcast and watching a film, I was up bright and early to pick up my Dad and brother on the way to Parkrun.

I wasn’t sure how I would go seeing as the last time I had run was last Sunday- I thought I would just see how I felt. I did have a quick google to see what my pace should be to beat my pb, but when I saw it was 8 something I decided to ignore that.

It was a frosty morning- the car park was a little slippery in places, and I kept on a long sleeved top over my t-shirt, and gloves. The sun was so low and at the start we were running right towards it; the park looked beautiful in the sunshine.

The run starts off on a path, but a lot of people start on the grass as it narrows later on, past a fenced off park. My Dad and brother were ahead of me right at the start as I felt quite unsteady on the grass as the mud was thick (and the people ahead had sort of broken the light frost so it was not stiff) but I kept on overtaking people. I glanced at my watch a few times and always saw 8 something, but didn’t want to think about it too much. I felt like I was pushing hard, but seeing as I had rested pretty much all week and had no ache in my hip I kept on pushing. With the finish in sight I saw that my watch said 25 something- then I was trying to judge if I could get there in a minute so just started counting in my head and went for it. ย It was a fast finish and I felt a bit sick (but by now I know I won’t be, it is just that feeling of really pushing hard that I am starting to get used to)- my Dad and brother were waiting for me so we quickly queued up for scanning before we got too cold (especially my Dad who finished about 6 minutes ahead of me).

I remembered to stop my watch on the finish chute, so I had an inkling that I had a new pb, and was so pleased when the text came- 26.29! 20 seconds off my last pb! ย Despite being number 145 I was only the 21st female, and third in my age group- the highest ever I think!

I popped in to see my Mum when dropping my Dad and brother off (my brother also got a pb) and she made me some tea and insisted on giving me the last slice of her homemade ginger cake- a lovely breakfast.

After a shower at home I had some vanilla scented rooibos tea (more from Teaple)- to warm up again, before rushing about to get ready as we were going for lunch at The Grove with Andy’s family. I have never been before but it was amazing (and so pretty with pumpkins decorating the room)- the lunch was a buffet and we took our time- I enjoyed so much delicious food; chickpea and roasted pepper salad, gorgeous fresh hummus with crispy flatbread, char-grilled vegetables, tomato basil and mozzarella salad, sweet potatoes with chilli (not too spicy), pumpkin cake, blackberry and apple crumble and apple cinnamon popcorn. ย Late in the afternoon we headed back, the brothers picked up their dogs and we put on wellies and coats and had a lovely hours walk through some field, before heading back for hot tea and an evening of games. It felt like an early Christmas.

This morning I was not that hungry, despite not having dinner, so I had a few dates and then headed out on a run. In the end I did 6.7 miles- I didn’t look at my Garmin at all so I have no idea how long it took, but I felt good

On Friday night I soaked some fruit in brandy and spices, as I was sent some ingredients from Sainsbury’s, for Stir up Sunday. So today I have been baking some cakes using their recipe- smelling good so far.

More on that another day!

Anyone else doing a Stir up Sunday? The recipe from Sainsbury’s is the easiest one I have tried as it is brownie style- you melt the butter and sugar in a pan, and then add everything else in- so much easier than creaming the butter for ages. The recipe is here if anyone fancies having a go.

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17 thoughts on “Back running!”

  1. Congrats on your PB! That’s wonderful, and the way you describe your run it sounds lovely. That meal sounds incredible as well! I’m just looking at that recipe, I might have to try and make it when I have some time on Tuesday. Today I’m making soups and chilli!

    1. Thanks ๐Ÿ™‚ I am really enjoying running at the moment and I am sure the social side of Parkrun/ seeing my Dad and brother is a huge part of it too. Soups and chilli sound good!

  2. Congratulations on your PB! Thats Great!

    I’m currently making a Fruit Christmas Cake too(but not the same one as yours ๐Ÿ™‚ ). It’s currently baking in the oven.

  3. Great job at Parkrun! I keep considering going, but I usually don’t in favor of extra time in bed and then a longer run at home. It will be a loooong time until I get my 50 t shirt at this rate haha.
    I love the Grove buffet, so fancy!

    1. It is fancy! ๐Ÿ™‚
      I was thinking it would take me 5 years to get the 50 shirt, but I only started in March and have done 11 now, so hopefully I will get there sooner than that. I don’t go every week- sometimes I need a longer run at home, or we are busy, but I love it when I do go.

    1. Yeah I think I just have to get used to that feeling as I always get it when I push hard. The buffet was indeed delicious ๐Ÿ™‚

  4. Congrats!! That’s great news on the PB. Glad your hip feels better as well. I think sometimes running can be psychological in that you think you can’t run a certain speed and so don’t aim for it. Sometimes running on effort is more helpful, and then checking your speed later.
    The buffet sounds deeelicious. I would have trouble stopping eating!!

    1. You had to walk past the dessert table to get to anything else so it was a good reminder to save space!
      So much of running is in your mind, I agree. I like running on feel and think that is a good skill to have, plus I sometimes panic and get all nervous if I see I am going fast enough for a potential pb, so I like to not know.

  5. Well done on another new PB. You’re storming at the minute! Just heard your shoutout on Marathon Talk from last week about your 10k. ๐Ÿ™‚ What’s your next target now you’ve nailed that sub 60 and followed it up with a Parkrun PB?!

    1. How exciting! I have not listened to this weeks show yet. Gosh, I really want to get a 2 hour half, but I think that is going to take a lot more work as I need the sub 60 10k pace for twice the distance. That is more of a long term goal.

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