Today I had the honour of being the Longrun Meadow Park Run tail runner. I got up to a beautiful morning of sunshine and a frost requiring a deicing of the car. I arrived at Longrun Meadow in plenty of time and met the other morning's volunteers. A group photo was duly taken and I was very glad to hear that Dave the run director had been sweeping away one of the puddles. Worry not, there were plenty more lakes to wade through!
Plenty of runners gathered and made there way to the start. It was good to see a good number of new Longrun runners attending and I duly made my way to the back behind all the runners. In my normal way I had time to have a panic about what I might have to do if any runners got into trouble or if I dropped my phone in the mud and then wouldn't be able to call for help, thankfully the hooter soon sounded and away we went. No sooner had we started than I was alerted to a couple of latecomers who soon caught us, got into the pace and took off and disappeared into the pack. My next panic, what if the slower runners dropped out after the first lap, would I then end up needing to catch the pack, oh heck, I certainly hoped not.
Having the opportunity the make sure I was the last runner really took the pressure off. Now, the only results that matter really are your own results, there really is no pressure and although plenty of the runners have a desire to be up the front, beating your own time is what it's all about. But today I didn't even have to beat my own time. Therefore, I enjoyed my run a whole lot more than usual. No gasping for breath, no pushing myself, no charging through the puddles, the whole run was relaxed and I had time to select a course through the water and gloop.
I was very fortunate to be running with a lovely lady, whose name I sadly didn't ask. She hadn't done a 5K for a while and although we walked a little now and then, especially through the mud, (how on earth does anybody manage to run through that?) we kept going and she even put on a bit of a sprint at the end.
I'm never going to see the run from the front but I decided whilst running that being right at the back gives a completely different perspective to the run from what I am used to. I was able to see all the runners stretched out before me. Instead of concentrating on me I was able to look up, look ahead and see all the vibrant fluorescent colours, how do they get so far so quickly? I am usually near the back of the runners but I haven't been lapped until today. A young, tall and slender teenager tore past us and I'm sure he was the eventual winner. Oh how I wish I hadn't taken the short cut and hidden in the corner of the field during school days cross country!
The best moment by far was eventually catching up with a four year old. He was having a magnificent time too, splashing through all the mud and puddles and eagerly running on to find the next lot and all with a gorgeous smile. And yes he did run a whole lap.
If you haven't done a Parkrun yet I definitely recommend that you do. If you have but you have yet to volunteer please see if you can, I recommend tail running, being at the back is a good place to be.
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