I took a lot of confidence from my time in the Alloa Half Marathon. Not only was it a huge personal best but it showed me that I can run at a faster pace over a longer distance than I believed possible. Now, as regular readers will know, the ten week training programme for the half marathon was in fact a sprat to catch a mackerel. By building strength, fitness, endurance and speed I hoped it would, when transferred to a much shorter distance of 5k, give me the long held dream of running a 5k under 20 minutes. So after Alloa I had an easy run on Wednesday last week followed by interval training on Thursday. I rested on Friday, stuffed myself with carbs and told myself that I was going to have a really good effort at achieving my dream at Edinburgh parkrun last Saturday.
Saturday dawned dry and bright. There was an 8mph easterly wind so the first 2k would be into the wind but crucially it would be behind us on the way back. Having had 120+ failed attempts at running under 20 minutes I not only know the course inside out but also the times I need at each stage to achieve the goal. At 1k I was 5 seconds behind target. At 2k I was 7 seconds behind target but on the plus side I had been running into the wind and I still felt fairly strong. At 3k I was close to target and at 4k I was two seconds ahead. I mentally took stock. I needed to run the last k in 3 minutes 41 seconds. I needed to be at the trees in 18 minutes 45 seconds. I made that my target and tried to maintain a good pace. I reached the trees at 18 minutes 40 seconds – five seconds ahead. All I needed to do was keep going. I tried to kick but it wasn’t quite there. In desperation I counted breaths. Soon I could see the finish flags and dug deep one last time. As I crossed the line I looked at my watch and saw 19 minutes 55 seconds. I’m not sure I was ever so happy to see that time. Here’s a blurred photo of me almost at the finishing line. Apologies for the pink shirt. Alloa Half Marathon were clearly catering for the female runner when they chose the shirt colour this year.
My finishing time was later confirmed as 19 minutes 54 seconds. I am so happy and not a little relieved! Two running personal bests in a week seems a pretty good reason to take a break from running for a while. Doubtless in due course there will be a new challenge. I’ll let you know.
Is there life after a marathon? 
Well Done David, what a great effort and what a week for you. Please keep the blog up enjoy reading it.
Thanks Jeremy. The blog will be having a rest for a while now which will allow you time to read more interesting and informative things!
Hooray! That’s wonderful news, well done. You must be feeling great about all this. Looking forward to hearing about the next challenge in due course. I think the shirt’s rather natty, incidentally.
Thanks Lorna. We may have to agree to disagree about the shirt. I’m at a total loss as regards the next challenge. It certainly won’t be running related. Possibly walking but no firm ideas yet.
Congrats David. Shaving that last minute or seconds off of a 5K finish time is a challenge. I’m working on a 21 minute finish. I’m getting closer but still have work to do. I think that’s part of the fun in all of this.
Bright clothing seems to be in style these days. I’m still partial to black.
Andy
Thanks very much Andy. Good luck with your 5k’s. They don’t get any easier. And there’s always a new challenge or distance to go for. I like running in black too. That pink shirt is getting stowed away!
Wow, David, congratulations – that’s a great achievement! You need a well deserved rest and then up and onwards! 🙂
Well done on two pbs David. I enjoyed reading both these posts.
Thanks Chris.