Bedford Parkrun Saturday 7th February
This weekend I wasn't planning any big races but popped along to Bedford Parkrun.
For those that haven't run one, Parkrun is a free, weekly timed 5k run walk or jog, it's based in parks all over the UK and further afield and usually begins at
9am. It's for everyone, seasoned runners, people just starting out, children, parents with buggies. It really is pretty much all inclusive. It's where I started
running three years ago and I'm still fond of the crowd and support given there.
Bedfords parkrun is 2.5 laps of the very lovely park after a short safety briefing and a welcome to those who were new to the Bedford run, a rousing round of applause
for the lovely volunteers, we set off just after 9am and it was attempting to rain and also a little nippy. Legs still a bit heavy from last weeks excesses I forged
on thinking 'it's only 3.2 miles' happily plodding on and encouraging others in the way round.
You know you are nearly finished as you pass the bandstand for the third time, I upped the effort a bit after that and finished with nothing left in the tank. I
was a bit surprised to get 64th place of over 230 runners, 1st lady in my age category and 7th lady overall. (And I was overtaken by a chap pushing a buggy chatting
to his child!)
I can honestly say I get as much pleasure from a well run 5k as I do a longer race.
If you have never park runned do give it a go, it's inspiring watching the new runners smiles as they complete the course, and the amazing times some of the faster
runners do too.
Happy running
Sarah :)
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