Serpentine Last Friday of the Month 5K

I protect the afternoon slot of my work diary to run Serpentine Running Club’s Last Friday of the Month 5k in Hyde Park. Costing less to enter than my extension from East Croydon to London Victoria, it is a good way to end the month, stay involved in the running community and use my Garmin running watch.

The May race was my first since February after I injured my ankle in the Barcelona Marathon. My first race as a V45 runner and as each year passes I start a little further back. A few years ago when I could run sub-seven minute miles, I started near the front. When the race started I thought my legs were going to snap when everyone charged off. It was like running through sand trying to keep up with them.

Now my legs feel heavy and I sometimes run past people who overtake me later. It is an inclusive race if you can run it under 35 minutes. However it does attract club runners who can get round in 15 to 16 minutes. Starting near the Serpentine Lake, the route meanders through tree-lined paths, past tranquil waters, a police van and marshals who give up their time to mark the route and cheer you on. All that considered it is the best lunch break I have every month.

There were lots of tourists around St James’s Park yesterday who saw me running towards Hyde Park with my number pinned to my t-shirt. They thought I was winning the race with no other runner close to me. I felt obliged to tell them the race hasn’t started yet. Everyone clapping as I ran under the parade of Union Jacks made me feel like an Olympian. I had flow, form, charisma, best day ever, I'm going to smash it out the park and run like it was 2009.

Unfortunately I could not maintain that form in the actual race. It might have been my hay fever or the antihistamine that made me drowsy and slower than normal. Instead of running by feel, I was running by heat, focusing on getting round and finishing, not paying attention to my watch. I made a good target for people to chase down. If I could finish 200th maybe I would win a prize.

The race was won by a 17-year-old lad and I lost a sprint finish to two women in their sixties. This has happened a few times to both genders because, regardless of their age, they are faster than I am. Their burning desire to win was stronger than mine. I always finish with a smile on my face and happy that I made the time during my working day to run it. I feel a buzz on Friday afternoon rather than depressed and wanting the day to end as soon as possible.

I don’t know where my pace and energy have gone. They have probably gone forever but if my legs work and I can make it to the finish line, I will keep running. I now run to stay fit and happy, not to achieve personal bests.