Speed 2 Lose Control, and a date with Liz Yelling!

At Joe's request we've swapped our Wednesday and Thursday sessions this week, and after skipping last week's Interval session in favour of the 5km race in Bournville, it was back to Swanhurst Park this evening.

I had the usual couple of miles jog plus lots of stretching on either side of the main event.

I moved up from 4 x 2 minutes off 2 minute jog recoveries to the same off 1½ minute jog recoveries. I avoided pace watching during the run, but later analysis shows the four efforts averaged 5:36, 5:43, 6:06 and 6:03 - the overall average matching the previous session's exactly! As that was off shorter recoveries I'm pretty satisfied, although consistency was reduced. I'm pleased that the last was quicker than the third too, although not by much.

I had a scary moment about 300 yards into my second effort. I was coming up behind a group of people and could tell that I'd catch them just as we were all passing a guy who'd parked himself on a bench and his bike on the path, creating a slight bottleneck. The guy at the back of the group pealed off across the grass which left me a line between the two young ladies and the bike to their right, but as I got closer, the lady nearest the bike moved over slightly. Realising that the gap I was headed for was becoming smaller than the gap between the ladies I made a last moment adjustment, however as I went between them I suddenly became aware of a little boy in my path, who I'd not been able to see until I was almost on top of him. Somehow I managed a sidestep which would have graced a Super League rugby match! I was holding what little breath I had, so was unable to speak for the moment. I resolved to offer my apologies on my next time lap, but when I rounded the lake again the whole group had disappeared. I hope they weren't as surprised and shocked as I was, but suspect they may well have been.

I learnt yesterday that Brueton parkrun are hosting a special event this Saturday - parkrun Plus. There's freebies from Lucozade, pacers (including my friend Chris with the 24 minute group), medals for all runners, goodie bags, refreshments, a photographer and 'much more'. Best of all, though, team GB double Olympic Marathon runner and Commonwealth Bronze medallist Liz Yelling will be there!

I feel like I'm cheating on Cannon Hill parkrun, but it's got to be Brueton this weekend!