I’ve not written about running much recently; apart from the race I ran in August, I’ve not been doing all that much of it.

But over the last few weeks, there has been a little shift in my running routines; gentle rather than seismic at the moment but making progress. The

I have some big goals brewing (more to follow I’m sure), but I wanted to get back under 30 minutes for a parkrun. A simple goal but would it be SMART? It is definitely specific, measurable and time-bound; it is relevant in terms of my running.

But achievable?

Earlier in the year, I was close, getting round East Park in Wolverhampton in 31:42 and The Wammy in 31:40. But over the summer, as my running routines were displaced by a lot of birthday celebrations, my times were getting slower and it didn’t seem likely.

But it would be good to try… and as my good running habits returned, my optimism increased.

On a hot sunny morning in Chester-Le-Street in early September, I managed 30:32 at Riverside parkrun – very promising.

Back on the hills at Hanley a week later, my time was a bit slower (31:28), but it was my fastest at Hanley parkrun in over year and almost two minutes quicker than my previous run on my home parkrun course. Another sign, I was moving in the right direction.

Another week, another run around Hanley Park, another minute quicker. Just 25 seconds from my goal. That’s definitely progress.

My next parkrun was at Bramhall Park just outside Stockport after our night out in Manchester, finding answers with Deacon Blue. It is a belter of a course with some big hills and challenging terrain, but a great cafe for post-run refreshment. I was happy to run the whole route even if my pace was a little bit slower; I think the hills would have defeated me a few weeks earlier. Still making progress.

And so to Oaklands Park in Birmingham, after another night out with Nashville Live at the Genting Arena.

Fancy gates marked the entrance of the park, and a very welcoming event team made us feel right at home. The course is a 3-lapper, with a good downhill to start each lap and a not-too-steep climb back up to complete the lap. The paths were good and the wind was gentle (not always the case according to the team). The view across to Birmingham City Centre was a good distraction too.

Was this my chance? 6 minutes per kilometre for 5 kilometres (or about 9:40 mile pace) – simple!

The downhill start of the first lap got me off at a slightly quicker pace than needed but I was running comfortably and enjoying the extra effort. I tried to maintain a strong running posture for the uphill, even though it was a particularly steep part. Then keep an even pace around the top half of the course. First lap covering the first mile done – and about 15 seconds ahead of schedule. That felt positive.

Now repeat for lap 2. And then lap 3.

Third time around, the short climb felt like a lot more effort than the first two; I definitely slowed and was breathing a little more heavily. But the timings on my watch were still encouraging.

At the end of the third lap, there was a left turn and a short straight section to the finish. About 200 metres to go. And time to spare!

Run for the line. Try not to get distracted by the table of cakes off to the side of the finish.

And breathe.

It took me a couple of seconds to catch my breath and remember to stop my watch – it was showing 29:18. Wow.

My official time came through at 29:15 – I’ll take that even more!

My first running goal in a long time achieved – sub-30 for parkrun.

Was it course? Or the super-friendly volunteers? Or the Friday afternoon swim we’d managed before going to Nashville Live? Or was it the music of Nashville? (Hypothesis – listening to country music makes you run faster).

Whatever the reason, time for a Malteser from the box of celebrations at the finish line.

I’d run my fastest parkrun since August 2022.

But….

Of course there is now a part 2 to my goal… I’m aiming for sub-30 at Hanley parkrun now. My next run there might not be for a couple of weeks, but the challenge is on. To be completed by the end of the year.

Maybe I can run a bit quicker.

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50 for 50 #10: 50 posts for my 50th birthday to be posted before I’m 51.