I chose Park Run as my October running challenge for JCWI, thinking it would be easy after my Ultra marathon indulgence of September. The lesson I learnt: underestimate Park Run at your peril!
I am running monthly challenges in 2021 to fundraise for the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants (JCWI)
I have written blogs about this journey. You can find links in my blogpost Monthly trail running challenges.
The run
It was a perfect morning for a run as I set off. The Swansea Park run is fast and flat. It is run along the seafront promenade and a popular location for all sorts of runners: park runners, club runners, marathon runners, triathletes and so forth. However, it is less popular with trail runners and it was a long time since I have run on the promenade.
I was excited to discover what 5km on fast flat tarmac would feel like. My curiosity was also about whether there would be any speed in my stride after spending so much time traversing mountainous terrain.
The first kilometre felt exhilirating. My pace was just under 4 minutes for the kilometre. I felt comfortable. This felt sustainable and I focussed on my form. Kilometre 2 and 3 proceeded at the same pace and with relative ease. I was starting to think about a sub 20 minute 5 km and about staying in the lead for female runners. It was a long time since I had come first in any run. My last event was a DNF by two whole days!
Kilometre four saw the beginnings of trouble. There was no pain, just a strange feeling around my right knee. I kept going, but felt annoyed.
At the start of kilometre 5 I had to stop. I tried a few stretches but nothing felt tight. Shaking my leg also didn’t help. After the stop no smooth running was possible anymore. I managed a hobbly shuffle to the finish, still just ahead of the second female runner. It was not the sub 20 minute sprint finish I had imagined!
Underestimate Park Run at your peril!
There is always a price to pay for over reaching. My price has been no running for an entire three weeks! Running is my drug and without it I can feel lost and even low.
There is also the worry of duration. How long will this last? Additionally, there is the risk of compounding the problem with further stupidity. Desperate people do desperate things!
Moving forward
Focus is key. Keep things simple. Here are a few things I did to make it through those three run depleted weeks.
Get up in the morning. Get out of the house. The dog still needs walking. Have a project. Creativity keeps the soul nourished. So I started redecorating my house. I painted a few walls, moved some furniture, made trips to the skip, tidied and did and autumn clean!
Autumn is also a beautiful time of year here on Gower. It was great to get out for some colourful walks. I always enjoy taking pictures, here are a few.
Moving forward to enjoying the extra time: I made more phone calls and met with more friends. I was more available for my son and we had some fun on our mountain bikes. The timing of rest was great with a half term, Halloween and Bonfire night.
Running again
An injury that stops us me in my tracks is a humbling experience and an opportunity for learning. ‘Underestimate Park Run at your peril’ has been no different.
I realised that I probably need to consider signing up with a coach. My own reading to inform self-coaching has taken be pretty far, but now I have reached my limit! I am happy to report that I have found a coach that I am excited about signing up with. More on that later, once the journey is underway.
It is with great relief that I could start to move my legs in a running motion again this last weekend. I think the way forward will involve more strength and conditioning work, as well as careful attention to running form. Building fitness is relatively easy in comparison with these other aspects. At least that is true for me. Much as I love yoga, the outdoors and the elements is what pulls at my soul the most!
November Challenge
November’s running challenge might be a challenge and upside down challenge. I have an entry for Gower Marathon next weekend. The temptation is immense. The challenge is not to do anything stupid and definitely not to do any harm. I might have to go far away for the weekend…. is there a support group for people like me somewhere?
