Parkrun no 2

[SquishyBean]

I finished my second parkrun this morning with a time of 36.39 (down 1.08 on last week), and I'm feeling very mixed about it. I was definitely pushing myself harder this week because I wanted to beat my previous time, but it was extremely tough and I'm left thinking that if I want to keep improving my time I'm going to have to keep pushing harder and harder. I'm frustrated that I still feel so unfit and unable to run faster, especially as I used to be able to run 5k in under 29 mins easily back when I was underweight & anorexic and it never took me over 31 mins. I have to keep telling myself that being heavier now (BMI 20.5 as opposed to 17.5) is not the reason it's harder. Logically I know that it will get easier the more I do it, I guess I'm just impatient and also have a habit of pushing myself too hard. Someone please talk some sense into me!

[Grannyhugs Graduate]

Calm please you are doing well.. How are you training for this? Have a look on bridge to 10k for advice on improving timing. I'm sure it's to do with mixing up distances and speeds, long and short, fast and slow not just keeping pushing for 5k race speed if that's what you are doing. Please be kind to yourself. You've done so well so far, dont beat yourself up over a race speed.

[SquishyBean Graduate in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thanks for your reply. I'm doing a 30 min run at the beginning of the week and two sets of 5 reps - 30 sec as fast as I can and 90 sec slow jogging - midweek, then the parkrun on a Saturday. I absolutely think I over did it today as I'm now completely drained and aching

[Grannyhugs Graduate in reply to SquishyBean]

Hot bath, bar of chocolate, big pat on the back, here's a granny hug () Now go and rest rest rest then start again with the aim to enjoy each run for what it is for a while rather than putting on the pressure all the time. You are doing great

[Buddy34 Graduate]

You are doing great. You are out and running getting fitter all the time. It's ok to push yourself a bit , just not to the extreme to injure yourself. Be so pleased and proud. Well done you 😊

[RunningMigster Graduate]

I understand where you're coming from.

I was never a runner, but played badminton at a league / competition level until 10 years ago. Then I stopped all sports and fitness activities.

Now I've started C25k, I feel like I should be able to run at a pace that I would have done 10yrs ago. It's a real shock that I've become so unfit.

But we'll both get to where we want to be. We just need to learn to have faith and not push ourselves so much that we break!

[Annieapple Administrator Graduate]

Lots of great advice given!! Just adding a hug 🤗