There'll be no more bad days..

 This week has been probably my favourite one for running, and here is why...

Friday night tapas night

Sophie was unfortunately leaving me this weekend as she was at a wedding on Saturday and it was her birthday on a Sunday, so we went out for a lovely tapas meal on Friday night. Perfect Friday fuel for a Parkrun some would say.. I do wonder if Sauvignon Blanc is a the nectar I need on a Friday night..

Parkrun 🌳

Beautiful River Ribble views at 8.30am

Being a lone ranger this week was quite nice. I could arrive whenever I wanted and just take in the atmosphere of a sunny spring morning at Avenham Park. Its quite strange really. Here I am, the most anxious person in the world who won't even walk into a pub or a cafe on her own, wandering through the park, saying 'good morning' to a dog owner whose dog was intrigued as to why there was a girl on her own wandering through the park. But, I've been doing this so long now (38 times) I actually feel comfortable turning up on my own, because there is always that familiarity.
I nipped to the loos and then saw who I could scout out. I could see my new friend George in his high viz doing his volunteering bit, sorting out all the volunteers, so I left him to his very busy and important role.
But then another familiar face arrived that I have not seen for a few weeks. My good friend Mike.

I'm so grateful for this photo. 💕

I met Mike on the 1st January this year, we struck up conversation as we didn't realise but we were pacing each other round on New Years Day! Week on week, we have exchanged hellos and good mornings, and got to know each other, purely through taking part in Parkrun. And I got to meet his lovely wife this week too. They have been absent for a couple of weeks so it was lovely to see them both, and they'd been checking my times! 
This had already set me up for a good morning. Catching up with what I'd now like to call, friends.

Then, my running friend Jess was making her awaited return to Parkrun this week too! It was good to see her again after a few weeks. We knew Lions (Shelby & Stuart) would be here too, and it wasn't hard to miss them with their yellow lions tops on. It just felt so familiar. And just made me appreciate everything Parkrun has done for me mentally and socially.
George nipped over to say hello, and said he was going to pace me round - this was never going to happen, he's a speed machine! 

It was a lovely run. The park looked stunning with the sun coming out. And it was the first outing of the shorts! Which we won't actually talk about, because I spent half my time pulling my shorts up because they were falling down! Not the most attractive run I've completed but I finished in a respectable time.

Coming into the finish funnel, 

a respectable 32.05.

I hung around the park until about 10ish, because at the end of the run it is much easier to catch up with people. I met Esther, finally, whom I follow on Instagram. I have seen her a few times at Parkrun but never spoke to her. She was marshalling this week at the bottom of the hill, with her little companion, Larry. 🐶

I didn't manage to speak to Stuart at the start of the run, but I managed to speak to him at the end.. and of course that meant selfie time! & leads me on to the next part of my weekend... 

Team Lions 🦁

Long run Sundays are back! 🦁

Lions had posted on Facebook this week, that it was an 8 miler on Sunday. I was tempted. 

(Words I never thought I'd type or say!) But I have my reports due in for tomorrow, (Monday) so I was a little up in the air. Stuart asked if I was coming back, I explained about my reports. 

"C'mon! You'll be back by 10, its only an hour..."

I found myself getting up at 6am, eating porridge and necking water to be out of the house for 8am. I took my camelbak out with me, because one thing I need to practise is fuelling myself (adding electrolytes to water seems to be my preferred method) but not when I decide to fill it up, and then drop half a litre of water on the kitchen floor at half past 7 in the morning..

I didn't know it at the time, especially when that alarm went off, but, this was exactly what I needed. It was so nice to rock back up and see some familiar faces.
I admit, when I failed at my solo 11k the other week I think it knocked my confidence of longer runs, but there was absolutely nothing to be worried about. We chatted, we supported each other. We walked a little, we enjoyed the sun, and the views. It was the most perfect run to date. If you think in your head of what a perfect run is, one you'd see in the movies, that was it. Yes, I had niggles but, for once, I was positive. I didn't moan about undulations, I didn't keep checking my watch.
(apart from the fact my signal kept buzzing in and out - and we all know, if it's not on Strava!) I loved it. 
I never thought, I'd be enjoying an 8 mile run, when at the start of the year that distance terrified me. 

Perfect running conditions from smiling happy people.

The group I was out with are completing the Manchester Marathon on the 3rd April, and these are their tapering runs. I haven't been out with them since January, but I was welcomed back with open arms. I even stayed for coffee and cake after. I'm not doing the marathon, by any means. But I am going to head over to Manchester on the 3rd of April to cheer them on & throw jelly babies to them for that extra energy boost!

Mentally, this weekend I've been in a much happier place. And this is all down to one tiny thing. Running. It gives me space, it gives me clarity. It gives me a sense of achievement.  We finish this week on 18k. 

I think the love affair continues...

I am now 80% of my way to my target of £400 for my GNR place, which I am so grateful for.
If you wish to sponsor me, to get those extra miles in, and to work on my speed so I can get round in under 2hr30, you can do so by clicking here

Thank you!