Parkrun #5: Rising Sun (retrospective)

This was my second run at Rising Sun, just a couple of weeks after my first. In fact, it was my first time doing a second parkrun at the same place, so my goal was simple: beat my previous time at Rising Sun (28:19). I was also looking to finish in the top 55% of men, working towards the year's goal off getting into the top 50%.

On the day, the weather was pretty hot, IIRC, but I did beat my previous time (with a 26:37) and get in the top 55% of men. In fact, I smashed my way into the top 50% of men, ticking off another of my goals.


It wasn't all plain sailing, mind. Despite having been looking forward to the run the day before, on the day I truly felt like I couldn't be bothered. Halfway round, I was seriously considering dropping out and going home — it was probably the closest I've ever come to doing that. Which just goes to show that it's a mind game as well as a physical fitness thing — I would've missed out on a venue PB (by over a minute and a half!) had I given up.

I suspect part of the "not feeling it" vibe was that the last time I'd run at Rising Sun, I'd been with two friends and it had been glorious. This time, I was alone, with no-one to gee me up. Of course, that's the norm now, but experience has also brought mental resilience, I guess.

Next time in this retrospective of all my parkruns ever, I'm gonna rattle off the remaining 4 runs in one post. Let's finish this. 🙄

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