Parkrun 22: 32.07. Age-graded: 48.26%

Having two weeks off is really not a good idea.

I was feeling OK, but knew that I'd lost fitness. I took off quite fast, but felt that it was too fast even before the first bend, and slowed down again. I kept up a steady pace until the back of the weir, when I felt a little ill, but got over it quickly.

I didn't push myself for a while, and only felt that I had more to give on the back of the Rye around the 4km mark. I gave a bit more, but still didn't move as well as I wanted to. Jamie overtook me after the 4km mark.

Oh well, had to start back somewhere.

Parkrun 21: 30.26. Age-graded: 50.55%

Now we're getting somewhere. :-) 42 seconds faster than last week.

I took off reasonably fast, but slowed a little on the far side of the Rye, then kept up a steady pace. At the steps I strode up with a spring, and only walked a few steps at the top. I found a bit more behind the weir, and kept it up downhill onto the Rye.

Then on the far side, my shoelace came undone, and I had to stop and tie it. Would only have taken five seconds, but goes to show that my time could have been quicker.

At the finish, I found some strength to push for the line, but regretted it, as I felt a bit ill afterwards.

Strangely, I was quite aware of my breathing on this run, so maybe it was just working harder and needing more oxygen as fuel. Legs felt fine.

I was wearing my new running pants - maybe they are go-faster stripes.

Yay PB, and I'm finally into the 30s. :-)

Parkrun 20: 31.08. Age-graded: 49.41%

And it's all change again. A minute and a half faster than last week!

After a pathetic performance last week, I was prepared for a plodding consolidation run. So I took off not particularly fast. But I never really tired. I just kept going. I think it was an example of just pacing myself perfectly (and not being tired and jetlagged). I had drunk plenty of water, and I was mostly well rested.

I was sensible on the hills (though I did a couple of leaping overtakes), and managed to stride up the steps and avoid walking afterwards. I didn't have much left at the end to push, but it turns out I didn't need it.

New PB!