A change of focus

[pianoteacher]

Inspired by Hidden 's beautiful photos of her run yesterday I decided to change location. I have been running pretty much exclusively along the seafront Parkrun course and really fancied something different. So this morning I got in the car and drove to Alexandra Park. I've driven past it a few times but never been in there - it's lovely! Lots of people walking dogs, pushing pushchairs and a few runners too.

It's actually really made me question what I want from running. As some of you know I started this journey as the Army required me to run 1.5miles in less than 14 mins and I couldn't run at all. I have been overly focussed on pace for the entire programme - even though I have tried to kid myself I'm not!

On Saturday it's Parkrun Pacers Day and it was my plan to officially go sub30 - this morning's run has made me question what that would actually achieve. My Parkrun PB id 30:00 and I have run sub 30 according to Strava (not entirely trustworthy in my opinion!) on both my other runs this week. Why am I so bothered about going sub30? What would it prove? Why do I have to do it now, 10 weeks after beginning running? I don't even know when I will get to Pirbright to do the Army test - if ever - as I require a Medical Waiver because I'm blind as a bat!

The most enjoyable Parkrun I have done was 2 weeks ago when I got my son round for the first time. I told him if he wanted to come this week he would have to be prepared to run on his own as he won't keep up. What message is that sending him? It was much more fun running/walking round with him having a chat than it was belting round in 30 mins anyway.

Sorry to go on but I think I may have had a bit of an epiphany this morning!

Happy running everyone - run because we can x

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10]

I wonder if we all hit this eureka moment after consolidation runs??! Exactly my thoughts today. I want to reach my end goal not each split goal for now. Only started running in April!

Beautiful pic - but where is the storm??! X

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

No storm here - yet!! It looks a bit black out there now and the winds picking up. I think you're probably right about the consolidation runs - I want to carry on doing this for as long as I can so there's really no rush to any particular goal

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to pianoteacher]

Sure the sub 30 will come naturally with time. 😊 x

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Ripcurlrana71]

It did with me (come naturally). Aaaaand, I consolidated for 6 months before starting my 10k training. Let's just say I was having too much fun pootling around, doing my own thing, and running for the joys!

[Ripcurlrana71 Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

I like the sound of that. Why run unless we enjoy it right? ☺️

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Well done, PT! And I love an epiphany. I have had a few since starting running last year. The thing with running is you never stop learning, you never stop questioning, and you do need to mix things up now and again. The park looks lovely – it is good for the soul to run in nature. And nothing wrong with aiming for a sub-30 min 5k. I set myself small achievable goals now and again to keep things fresh. Happy running to you! x

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thank you Sadie! I can definitely do a sub30 and I think my son can too, I'm just going to wait until it comes naturally rather than pushing too hard for it x

[Ang33333]

Well I'm nowhere near as fast as you. I don't really feel the need to get much faster! If I can eventually get to 5k I will be happy! Enjoy your runs- however fast you go!! 😀😀

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Ang33333]

Thanks Ang! Going to get out there and explore a bit more. I love walking and being in the countryside so going to try and get out there and substitute walking for running

[Jay66UK Graduate10]

I guess I’m a little bit at the other end of the telescope due to more general unfitness. I’ve never been able to aim for a distance or a speed, just clinging to the duration with my nails so far 🤣

You have to enjoy running or you will stop. Some people find targets motivating and enjoy that challenge. Others don’t. Both are right, for them x

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Jay66UK]

You're absolutely right about enjoying it Jay. My personality makes me a bit impatient unfortunately!

When I started playing Clarinet again I was absolutely obsessed by certain aspects of technique. I would say to my teacher "how can I practise this to get it" and he would say "it will come in time" and of course it has. I am very target driven so I won't ever get away entirely from wanting 25 min 5kms and the like but hopefully I can become a bit more chilled out about it

[Jay66UK Graduate10 in reply to pianoteacher]

Recognising the symptom is part of the cure x

[Hidden]

So pleased to have inspired you, and what a beautiful space you've found to run in. I still can't do 5k in under 40 minutes (factor in hills for me though). Apparently only 10% of people finish c25k running 5k in 30 minutes - or even running 5k at all! For myself, i got back to running because i love it. I'm not impervious to distance, speed and improvement, but if i didn't enjoy it for other reasons, I wouldn't do it at all. For me yesterday's section along the footpath across the wheat field summed it up, when everything seemed to come together, running felt effortless and I seemed to float along in a meditative state. It didn't last, but it was bliss at the time.

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

That sounds so beautiful! The runs I enjoy the most are the ones with my son and we don't focus at all on pace during those - we just run and walk and chat. Bedgebury where sallenson runs is quite near to me so I'm going to try and pop up there. Summer holidays aren't far away and the nature of my work means I only do one day a week during those so plenty of time for exploring

[sallenson Graduate10]

Alexandra Park is indeed lovely. Makes a pleasant change from the seafront. And you sound so much more relaxed now. Epiphany indeed 👍👍👍❤❤

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to sallenson]

I driven past it loads of times but running has actually got me in there - it was really nice! x

[misswobble Graduate10]

Jut take care of those running legs. Shooting for sub 30 min 5k’s is tough, and if your running legs aren’t ready for it, you could be heading for trouble

You have to get stronger before you go faster 💪👍🙂

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Definitely not going to push it. Just spoken to my son's Dad (he lives with him during the week) to get him to tell my son there's been a change of plan and we're Parkrunning together on Saturday

[misswobble Graduate10]

Have fun 👍🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️😃

[pianoteacher Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

Thank you x

[_SimonT_]

That sounds wonderful, Pianoteacher. I hope you have an enjoyable parkrun this weekend! 😀

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

Some of the best runs can be the "free" runs with no pressure of distance or time. I find I tend to get overly focussed on those things but every now and then, especially if I'm overly stressed, it's nice to leave the tech behind and "just run because you can". Nicely said pianoteacher . That park looks so nice and peaceful, just asking to be ran through enjoying the flowers and greenery.

[HeleneCorsa Graduate10]

Fabulous post. I have done quite a few free runs lately, without Garmin / Strava etc, and enjoyed them in a different way.

Also, the more I run the more I am convinced that the psychological aspect is at least as important as the physical. I barely even think of it as exercise most of the time (even though obviously it is), more like a sort of dynamic meditation (if that doesn't sound too daft...). And just as we might decide, "Today I want a 5k PB", we might also think "Today I want to calm my nerves/focus better/feel more energetic etc" and run accordingly.

I also think that running with our children can teach us a lot and is a very special experience, so dedicating your Park Run to the company of your son sounds like a great thing to aim for.

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

Well done, and great idea to find a new route, that park looks lovely 😎