Dulwich Parkrun 4.3.23

 Pre

This Parkrun had been decided the night before to allow for Scott to join us on the tour. We arrived at Scott's just before 8am and at Dulwich Park not 20 minutes afterward. We completed just under a mile warm up during which Scott remarked upon Arifs quite unbelievable pace during our first run together in December, with Arif retorting with an observation of Scott's nasal respiration on the same day.  

Once warmed up, we made our way to the start. Nothing of note here other than the very caricature of an englishman; rectangular gravestone teeth, long square chin, hair akin to an axe wound, and even a bright red, white, and blue running top, told us in a posh nasal twang that he was doing 17 Parkruns for charity that day. Coincidentally, we happened to be the only official one at 9am. 

Scott had coerced Arif into believing that they would join forces today and attempt something along the lines of a 26. This was a sensible, safe pace for the spritely Scott and a fast and achievable pace for the ever improving Arif. 

The Parkrun

The start was abrupt and we were off. Initially I had crept towards the front before we began but I quickly noticed the two accomplices very much in front of me. I made my way to them and stayed behind both. Neither noticed and I did consider taking a photo of us three stallions galloping through the wilderness but the pace did not allow me. This was strange because 5:15 pace was comfortable. However, a glance at my watch showed this was in fact 4:49 pace. Scott had no way to tell and had seemingly fallen to the deception of  adrenaline and endorphins, while Arif had a very sound way to tell in the form of the £200 quid Garmin on his wrist. 

This was much faster than I normally go out on. I had a choice to make, stay in and brave the heat, or exit the kitchen. I found it quite inspiring that the pair of them had attacked this run with such reckless abandon and as such, I had to keep with them. I was incredibly impressed that Arif maintained this pace for over 2km without faltering and that Scott's knee seemed to be in a resolute mood. Once Arif was finally done, I took him out of the oven and patted his back as I set off for what could now be, a very fast time for me. Scott's feet were loose and despite initially seeming to either relinquish the pace at the request of his knee or fall back to season Arif, he stuck on my shoulder, driven by a stubbornness to not allow a sasquatch to drop him. 

Post

I will admit, I finished on shaky legs but with a time of 23:30. My third fastest time ever. Scott finished seconds later, and Arif completed Dulwich with a strong pb of around 26. Undoubtedly due to Scott's years of PPA, his master plan had come to fruition for Arif, and also for myself. An americano for Arif, oat milk latte for Scott, and a double espresso for me later, we were off home after a very fast and wholesome morning. 




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