So let's just get this out the way - my "low" or "not high" was running Guildford parkrun 6 seconds slower than the parkrun two weeks earlier. Yes, I know, that shouldn't be a big thing. I know you can't expect a PB or improvement every week. It's just that is exactly what I have been enjoying! I have been knocking chunks off my time for weeks now. I kind of got used to it.
To put my mixed month into perspective, let me tell you about the highs.
High 1
On 7 September I took 1 minute 27 seconds off my Guildford parkrun time - completed in 30:36. This was actually faster than my Brooklands parkrun time, which you may recall I was thrilled with. Given that Brooklands is flat and Guildford is undulating, this felt pretty good.
High 2
High 3
I have run with the Fitstuff Friday group 3 times in September and enjoyed it! They are always a lovely group but I am now able to enjoy running with them rather than worry all the time about being too slow.High 4
Total weight loss to date of 12.4kg.
High 5
A beautiful Lake District run, dodging the rain, not thinking about pace, but actually running my fastest time in three years for that route.
Pretty good highs, right? In fact, as I write this I feel like a bit of a muppet for making a fuss.
So let me tell you about the not high on 21 September.
It was pacer week at Guildford parkrun. Full of optimism from my recent runs, I thought I would try to run with the sub 30 pacer. I have never run with a pacer and had no reason to think that I could run a sub 30 parkrun, so what could go wrong?! Apparently I shouldn't start off too fast (although I always do) so I started off more slowly in order to pick up the pacer, which I duly did after the first hill. I then lost the pacer on the second hill and failed to catch him again, although I could at least always see him! My legs were tired from three runs in the past six days, including the 10k and a timed mile, and two excellent PT weights sessions. The whole run was a slog as I strived to stay ahead of the 31 minute pacer (which I did manage to do). The upshot was that I finished in 30:42, 6 seconds slower than my previous time. Bear in mind that two weeks earlier, I was thrilled with 30:36, so surely 30:42 was still a good run? Well, I did tell you that I have left logic behind. For the record, I blame the 6 seconds on trying not to start too fast. I have therefore learned two things - I like starting fast and I don't like running with pacers! So not a total waste of a morning.
So, whilst it may be (and is in fact completely) illogical, picture the scene at the finish. I'm tired and a bit fed up. I just want to get my breakfast and forget about the run. Now imagine a friend calling me over for a mock interview about my run, pointing out how another friend ran so much better than me! Picture me smiling and laughing and playing along whilst feeling a bit miserable. Now I am glad my friend ran well, I truly am, I just wish I had also run well. But then I did run well really, I was just having a moment. I am over it now, well almost.
I dithered about whether to write this blog as recently I have written my blogs when I am on a high. But then social media is full of people showing off their best life so I decided to share a day when it wasn't all great, or at least it didn't all feel great at the time.
I have come across two quotes in the last couple of months which really resonated with me:
"There are people who would love to have your bad runs ... remember that."
"Don't let a time ruin your time."
Good advice for me!
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