Park Run Glory

There’s something magical about Trentham Gardens on a Saturday morning. The early start, the chill in the air, and the eager vibe of runners gearing up to chase their goals. Today, I was one of them, waking up feeling good and ready to take on my personal best challenge of 30 minutes flat. Could I do it? I was fired up and determined to find out!

Pre-Race Social Hour (aka, My Favourite Part of Park Run)

One of the joys of Park Run is the people, and today I got to catch up with some wonderful club friends! A bit of a chinwag with the team, some laughs, and that classic “are we actually doing this?” grin exchanged all around—it’s the ultimate boost. And knowing Mandy would be cheering from her spot on the Ford gave me that extra nudge of encouragement I needed to go for it.

The Fast Start and the Rescue Mission

Fuelled by excitement, I set off like I’d been fired from a cannon. I had dreams of gliding to my PB in record time… and promptly discovered that I might be a bit too enthusiastic for my own good. Just as I felt the warning bells of “too fast, too soon,” Anne, my club hero, came to the rescue. She got me to ease back, with the sage advice to tuck in behind her and let her pace guide me.

Anne talked me through it, reminding me to breathe—always useful advice when you’re running like an asthmatic camel carrying rusty spanners! My breathing found a rhythm (of sorts), and with Anne’s steady encouragement, I began to settle into a pace that was less sprint-and-gasp and more sustainable trot.

Conquering the Hills and the Final Push

I tackled the hills with all the energy I could muster. “Bounce up!” I told myself, though it was probably more like a heavy trudge. On the downhills, I reined it in, conserving energy for what I hoped would be a glorious finish.

And when that finish line came into sight, I dug deep for a final sprint. I was exhausted, exhilarated, and maybe a bit delirious, but when I crossed that line and saw my time… 28:23! I could’ve cried right there. I’d smashed my PB by a full 1 minute and 37 seconds!

Over the Moon

There’s something unbelievably satisfying about hitting a goal you’ve worked hard for. Running may be a solo journey sometimes, but the support of friends like Anne and the camaraderie of Park Run make each success feel like a shared victory.

Until next time, Trentham Gardens. Today, we made magic.