Today, I ran at Pitshanger Park for the Junior Parkrun. I was really excited because I had been looking forward to this run all week. The weather was nice — not too hot and not too cold — and there was just a little wind. It felt like the perfect day to run. But the main reason I was so excited was because I was wearing my brand new Nike Vaporfly shoes at this distance for the first time. I had heard a lot about how fast they were with their carbon plate, and I hoped they would help me get a new personal best. I felt light on my feet during my warm-up, and deep down, I believed today could be the day I ran my fastest 2K ever.
When the run started, I sprinted from the line to get a strong start. I wanted to get into a good position early and stay ahead of the crowd. At the same time, my older brother was also at the event, but his tummy was hurting a bit. Because of that, he decided to run at my pace and stick with me. I was happy he was running with me because having someone beside me gives me that extra boost of energy and confidence. We both settled into a fast rhythm, and I could really feel the difference in my new shoes. Every step felt springy and light — almost like I was flying!
The course at Pitshanger has a few twists and turns, but I stayed focused. I kept my arms moving, looked ahead, and tried to keep my breathing steady. My legs felt strong and fast, and even though I was pushing hard, I didn’t feel tired too early. It was one of those days where everything just felt right. I knew I was running faster than usual, and I started thinking, “Maybe I really will get a new PB today.” My brother kept encouraging me, and we both pushed each other forward.
As we reached the halfway point, I looked at my watch and saw my time was much better than normal. I didn’t want to slow down, so I kept pushing. The last part of the run was tough, but I remembered all the training and other runs I had done. I told myself to keep going, even though my legs were starting to get tired. The finish line was getting closer and closer, and I gave it everything I had left. I sprinted the final stretch as fast as I could, hoping to finish strong and get a great time.
When I crossed the finish line, I quickly looked at my watch — I had finished the 2K in just 7 minutes and 48 seconds with an average pace of 4:01 per kilometre. That was a new personal best for me! I couldn’t believe it at first. I checked again to make sure, and yes — it was real. I felt so proud of myself. All the hard work, all the runs in the park, and all the early mornings were worth it. My Nike Vaporflys had definitely helped, but it was also my effort and belief in myself that made the difference.
After the run, I smiled the whole way home. I couldn’t stop thinking about how well I ran. I told my family about my new PB, and they were so happy for me. My brother said I had done really well and that I should be proud — and I truly was. It was one of my best running days ever, and now I’m even more excited to keep training and see what I can do next. My next target is 07:30!
