On Sunday 3rd December, John and I took part in the Regents Park 10K Winter Series. After a dreadful run in the previous month finishing in 59 minutes (one of my personal worsts), this month I managed to shave off 2 minutes finishing in 57’31”. John finished in 1:01’48”.
I really hope to shave off another 2 minutes in the next race in January. I just hope that I won’t get ill again or get injured again. I just need to make sure I won’t overly indulge myself during the Christmas period on the festive diet and alcohol consumption. And I will make sure I do enough training. In the past 6 months, my training routine has gone a bit off track due to starting a new job in June, getting a nasty chest infection in September and followed by an intermittent posterior cruciate ligament pain.
But the good news is: I’ve just passed my 6-month probation in Capita. I must admit the past 6 months were pretty hectic. First of all, after being a Civil Servant for 15 years, I had to start my career all over again in the private sector. The last time I passed a job probation was more than 15 years ago when I passed my one-year probation in the Met in 2002. It was a very distance memory now. I’m so pleased I survive in the private sector particularly I am now working for the supplier. I used to be at the customer side and now I have switched to the solution provider’s side. It is very nerve wrecking experience as I am constantly worried I might have said somethin
g or done something which are not to our customers’ liking. It is definitely a huge career change for me – and, in my 50’s !. I even earn more than I used to as private sector usually pays more money with less annual leave and public sector pays less wages with more annual leave (the pension scheme between the 2 is getting very close now due to the reduction of pension benefits in the public sector). But, in some way, I can also prove that age is just a number. I can start my career all over again in my 50’s and I hope to keep running and to take part in running events in my 50’s and even in my 60’s. Let’s see !!
Anyway, back to the run. It was a very ideal day for running. It was not as cold as the previous week when we did the Hereward Relay. After the Hereward Relay where we were crossing over bridleways, fields, bridges and muddy tracks in almost sub-zero temperature, it was such a nice change to run on a fully tarmac surface with nice scenery (although artificial) and a quick glimpse at the back of the London Zoo. Sometimes I was so tempted to stop and take a selfie with the 2-hump camels as they just look so chilled and cute. But it would mean that my time would be distorted if I ever stop. Being a slow runner, I can’t afford to lose even a few seconds. I remember there was a time I even spotted the giraffes. Ahhhh….
No more running race for the rest of December. Our next race is on the New Year’s Day when we will take part in the Hyde Park New Year’s Day 10K organised by the Serpentine Running Club.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all. And, keeeeeeeeep….. running.!