Target set....

[AlbertRoss]

I think I may have found the race to run 10K in.... it's at Rodbaston (Staffordshire) towards the end of September, a 10K over trails with a few stiles - not big obstacles etc. It has the advantage for me of being on a Saturday - Sundays are usually busy for me! It sort of fits with the timing of my programme, and as I'm used to doing Parkrun over forest trails at Erddig..... Haven't entered yet, partly as I need to be sure I can drive myself to and from as well...

So far this week's runs were a 3.2km, then 1.6km intervals, over the roads - managed without too much trouble and Endomondo recorded my fastest 5K over them; then, yesterday, I had one of 1.6km, then 1km faster, then another 1.6km. (10 mins warmup/down as well on each). Yesterday's was unusual in that I was on holiday in Whitby, and went out first thing, thinking I'd head out along the cliff (from the Whalebone Arch towards Sandsend for those that know the area) - there's a coastal footpath and I thought that would do fine.

So off I set, all looking good, sun out, sea up, lovely. I followed the path along the top, but all was about to get harder.... as I carried on past some of the clifftop hotels, I discovered that the path was starting to go down.... and then further down.... until I discover towards the end of the first interval that I'm running along the sea wall, dodging the spray, with the sure and certain knowledge that I'm going to have to go back up it again somehow! Faster interval done, I tried to use the recovery minute to get part way up, and then found myself doing the last longer interval and the warmdown having to go fairly relentlessly uphill! Highly relieved to have finished it, the uphill interval below pace but then again I was more impressed with myself for not having to stop!

Last run for the week is supposed to be an "easy" 6.3km - it's a sign of where I'm now at that running that distance holds no fears.... instead I'm trying to work out how I can include parkrun as part of those longer runs - do I try and arrive early and run the extra first, or look to do it afterwards!

[Millsie-J]

When training for my first 10k event I used to do the extra afterwards, collect token, give in token, then run again. A short walk is not a problem.

Good luck!

[Irishprincess Graduate10]

That sounds a lovely run. I've been to Whitby only once but you've now given me the idea I should go again if only to run there!

You could do half extra slowly before Parkrun as a warm up and then you've got the speedy bit in the middle and the extra afterwards as a cool(ish 😏) cool down.

[Anniemurph Graduate10]

The 10k sounds interesting. I'm a total wimp about trail runs so anything that includes stiles etc is an obstacle course as far as I'm concerned!

For your Parkrun, I'd be inclined to do the extra afterwards, so you don't have to stop for the briefing. You can do the finish, scan you token and then just carry on.

I liked your description of your Whitby run - thank you! I'm going there in October so I now have warning about the uphill