5k in under 40 minutes

When I set this task, I didn't really give a lot of thought to the time I wanted to run 5k in. I've done the distance a few times, and struggled to run the whole lot. The last time I can remember, I did a race for life in about 50 minutes, and had to walk the last 0.5k which was irritating.

After a few weeks of runs in the evening, I dragged Dan along to Parkrun with me. Parkrun is an interesting event, held at parks round England at 9.00am every Saturday morning with volunteers manning the route and giving you a time.

We went to the one in Hull (the nearest to where I live is an hour drive away and I'm not that committed!). I was really nervous and didn't know the route. I'd done 5k the week before one evening after work, just to check I could. I'd done it is 32 minutes and felt great, and wondered if I should be aiming for under 30 minute time.

For whatever reason, Parkrun was hard. Sometimes I find a rhythm when I run, sometimes I don't. Sometimes, it feels like I am running through treacle, and sometimes I find a natural pace. This day I couldn't get my act together. I tried to set pace with some people at the back, but got a bit overconfident and tried to keep up with runners too speedy for me. So I had to slow to a walk, so then when I began running again, I would sprint off determined to get a good time after all the course was flat so I knew I should be able to do it! Then minutes later, I'd be panting and out of breath and needing a walk.

I finished the course in an uninspiring 34 and a half minutes. For the record, Dan didn't stop and did it in 27 minutes.

So I passed the task, but I feel like I don't deserve to. I felt like I was pushing myself all the way round, and in a way I was, as every step I ran was a ridiculous battle. But in a way I can't have been pushing to limit, as I recovered my breath very quickly once I came to a stop.

So to this end I have just signed myself to do race for life, on home turf, to see if I can get a better time, plus cancer is still not cured. Given my genes, my preference is that this happens sooner rather than later...

Heres a link, in case you fancy sponsoring:
http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/stephstevens0503

Its a stepping stone on the way to a 10k!