Running race (Parkrun - Kingston) 22:02 [5] 5.0 km (4:24 / km)
shoes: Kayano 23
In Kingston-upon-Thames for the weekend and decided to become a Parkrun tourist and participate in the local race. Googled up parkruns in the area and found I had a choice of three within some 20 minutes jog from the house! Chose the closest one and headed down on a cool and drizzly morning, which cleared rapidly to a mild dry morning, perfect for a run. Quite a crowd at the event - 262 according to the results - with a large number of women and children.
Started conservatively and cruised along, kept company by a couple of young kids of around 12 years old who were doing a sterling job of keeping the pace up. They dropped off after 1.5-2km but finished well to go under 28 mins. Picked up the pace with each subsequent km and finished well, but no sprint from me to try and hold off a couple of guys I had passed 500m from the finish. Nice course - flat out and back on a tow path next to the Thames with a little loop at the end through some woods. Nice views of the river and good to watch rowing teams out doing their thing.
Hung around a bit and then jogged home. Nice to do this on a Sat morning while everyone in the house slept in - feeling kind of smug and virtuous!