This morning, I ran the 5K Parkrun at Rickmansworth. I was really excited because I missed last week’s run. Instead, I was competing in the North West London League cross-country race at Greenford. That race was tough because the course was muddy and full of hills. Rickmansworth, on the other hand, is an off-road course with smoother paths, which I prefer. I was eager to get back to running here and hoped for a great time.
My goal for today was to beat my personal best of 21 minutes and 8 seconds. I felt ready and determined to push myself. When the run started, I set off, but I quickly realised I was going a little slower than I wanted. There were a lot of runners ahead of me, and I got stuck in some heavy traffic. It was frustrating because I knew I needed a fast start to hit my goal.
Once I finally found some space, I tried to pick up my pace. However, I wasn’t feeling as strong as I had hoped. My legs felt a little tired, and I struggled to keep up with my target speed. Despite this, I kept pushing myself, knowing that every second counted. I reminded myself that even if today wasn’t my best race, I could still give it everything I had.
As I neared the final stretch, I knew I had to make up for lost time. I picked up my speed and pushed as hard as I could. With the finish line in sight, I sprinted with everything I had left. When I crossed the line, I quickly checked my time. 21 minutes and 9 seconds. Just one second slower than my personal best! I couldn’t believe it—it was so close!
At first, I felt a little disappointed. I had really wanted to set a new personal record. But then I reminded myself that running two amazing times in the past two weeks was still a huge achievement. Not every race will be perfect, and I know I am improving. My next big goal is to run under 21 minutes by the end of March. I believe I can do it!
I will keep training, keep pushing, and keep challenging myself. Every second counts, and I know that with determination and effort, I will hit my target soon. I can’t wait for my next race!
