Today, I ran 5 kilometres at the Northala Fields Parkrun. It was a challenging run because I felt a bit tired as I made my way around the track. I had a feeling it would be difficult even before I started because I could see lots of puddles along the course. The weather had been wet recently, and the water on the path made it tricky to keep my balance and pace steady. Still, I was determined to give it my best effort and see if I could improve my time.
When I started running, I tried to stay focused and keep a good rhythm. The course was busy, with plenty of other runners, and that made it exciting but also competitive. At one point during the run, a man running nearby started cheering me on and encouraging me to keep going. His words gave me a little boost when I was starting to feel tired. It was nice to have someone supporting me, even though I didn’t know him. Moments like that make Parkruns special because everyone encourages each other.
My pace for the run was 4 minutes and 21 seconds per kilometre, and the total distance I ran was exactly 5.00 kilometres. I could feel myself pushing hard all the way around the course, especially in the last stretch. I kept reminding myself to stay strong and not give up. It wasn’t easy, but I managed to keep going until I reached the finish line. Even though it was tough, I felt proud of how I kept pushing through the tiredness.
Before today, my personal best (PB) was 22 minutes and 12 seconds. I was thrilled to beat it this time with a new PB of 21 minutes and 47 seconds. That’s 25 seconds faster than my old record! It felt amazing to see my time at the end because I’ve been working hard in my training. Breaking a PB always feels like a big achievement, and it’s a reminder that all the effort is worth it.
However, I know that beating this new PB will be even harder next time. Every second gets tougher to shave off, and 21:47 is already a great time for me. But that doesn’t mean I won’t try again. Parkruns are not just about beating records – they’re also about enjoying the run, staying active, and doing your best. I’ll keep training and see what I can achieve next week, whether it’s a faster time or just another fun run.
Looking back on today’s run, I feel really happy about what I accomplished. Even though there were challenges, like the puddles and feeling tired, I didn’t give up. The support from other runners and the excitement of the event made it all worthwhile. I can’t wait for my next Parkrun to see what I can achieve! For now, I’ll celebrate this PB and keep working towards becoming an even better runner.
