Congleton Parkrun

Those on the Good Run Wall know that I've been laid low with flu for the last couple of weeks - I did manage to get out a few times (including my birthday with the Jog Scotland lot) but not been blogging or seriously training.  

Now down south in Englandshire (well North Englandshire) with Parentals for New Year and doing the parkrun challenge with my Dad: I can't say I particularly wanted to go out into the pouring rain at 8am this morning (especially as my throat had a massive lump in making it a tad sore to swallow), however I said to Grandad that I would go in the car and see what the weather was like when we reached Congleton.

Actually, when we arrived the rain had gone off a bit, and we jogged from the carpark (typical Grandad chose the one that was further away) to the start just to see if my lungs were up to it, and as they weren't exploding I decided to potter my way round and just try and get round without having to walk.

Was a little dubious about the idea of a 3 lap run, but the locals were very friendly (I have to say more friendly than the Edinburgh lot!) and we were all chatting at the start line. Headed off nice and slowly (at least I felt I was going nice and slowly) and plodded my way round. It was actually quite nice having the three laps as it seemed to be a lot shorter back to the beginning each time. I'd covered my Garmin up with my coat/shirt sleeve but took a sneaky look at my pace at the end of the first mile, only to see my 'nice slow pootle' was actually about a 10 min/mile.  

Kept on plodding onward - knew my second mile had been a wee bit faster, but I thought that I was slowing down for the last lap (not according to the stats!).  Watch time says 10:59 - but I do know I started it early and stopped it late (someone behind me was told they got 10:54). But whichever way it's still a PB! (Previous best was 32:24).  Also got best paced run (average 9:45) AND my best age grade (48.2%). TRIPLE PB :D Hopefully on Tuesday when my chest is a couple more days better, I MIGHT be able to break the 30 minutes ... fingers crossed. Will update when the text comes through with confirmed time.

[Update 1: Stats from Garmin site ... oops]

[Update 2: Final PR text time - 30:50 :-D]