Firstly, I am quite proud to say that the training is going well.
I have been managing to take the dogs out (which they appreciate – they’re more knackered than usual !) and do a few rides on Zwift.
This morning, I walked to and from Babbs Mill parkrun as well as doing the actual parkrun (or more accurately park WALK).
I am roughly following a training plan in preparation for Aprils A Coventry Way although some of the distances look rather daunting (hopefully I’ll get stronger as the training progresses). Today called for twelve kilometres and I was going to catch an early bus out to Solihull and walk home from there. When I mentioned this to Sue, last night, she asked if I’d considered a parkrun. Normally, I have trouble remembering what day it is and with Christmas I had totally forgotten that today is a Saturday. I worked out that a walk to Babbs Mill.a walk around then a slightly longer walk back would give me my required mileage (even though I’m now working in km.)
I must have walk to the venue faster than I had planned and arrived with nearly thirty minutes to go.
Last time I did this (or any parkrun) I was given a blue vest and told that I was a park WALKER. All I had to do was walk the course and I would get another volunteer credit.
Today, I asked the race director if they needed a park walker and was asked for my parkrun number and told to grab a vest.
So for just doing what I was going to do anyway, I get Volunteer credit sixty one. Bonus.
The walk started on time AND I remembered to start my watch. I started gently from the back but was soon passing some very slow walkers.
I gradually increased my speed eventually clocking my final kilometre at 8:46 – faster than I’ve managed for quite some time.
I did the whole 5k in just over forty five minutes, averaging 9.04 per kilometre.
After a brief cool down, I did a one eighty and started a four k walk home going via Yorks Wood.
By the time I’d got home I’d managed to clock up 12.32 kilometres.
I’ve got six kilometres pencilled in for tomorrow so as the dogs have had their rest day today, I may take them on the Water Orton Loop.