Pre-work 3k PB, and fast! ๐Ÿƒ: Morning fellow... - Bridge to 10K

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Pre-work 3k PB, and fast! ๐Ÿƒ

โ€ข20 Replies

Morning fellow runnerites!

Just a very quick pre-work post. I haven't run since Saturday due to ... well, life really. My working hours have changed slightly which without boring you with details, means that I have an hour less after work in which to run, should I wish to. So, itching to run after my 10k triumph on Saturday, I decided that given that I don't have much time to run before work, I'd use this midweek running time to work on speed, then at least if that goes well, I can run more distance in the limited time, right? :)

So this morning I did my little route round Buckshaw Village, exactly 3k, but decided that I would use a 165bpm running track. Well that was certainly pushing it for me, particularly with the gentle hills I've mentioned before, but boy it was fun! I didn't really have a toxic 10 this morning, more of a toxic 5 I think, for the first 5 minutes I just didn't feel like it, and I think I've noticed this happening every time I up my pace a bit, it's not that I can't do the run, it's that my body needs to get used to the rhythm of the new pace.

Anyway the beauty of the way I run this route is that the uphill half is first which I can do whilst I'm still fresh, and then recover a bit on the downhill section. It was good, I wasn't even breaking a sweat at half way, but there came a point where suddenly it was hard and I had a choice of slowing down or pushing to maintain pace. Well you can guess which one I chose, it's only a short run after all. Short? Since when has 3k been short? Anyway...

There was less than 1k to go so I decided to push it, of course I did. My breathing became a little less controlled than it usually is, not managable, but I had to consciously think about getting more oxygen to my lungs, and of course the last little bit of the run has an incline, but... I did it! Rather red-faced probably, and definitely a little on the sweaty side now (sorry!) but I do now have a new PB overall average pace, and of course a 3K PB of 6:05/km and a total time of 18:18. Not entirely sure the maths works out there, but the app must be right!!

The next mid-week quest: break the magic 6 min/km barrier! I was so close today but I just didn't have it in me, yet.

Back at work now, did my 5 minute warm down walk after the run, did some stretches whilst waiting for the kettle to boil, about to go and use Sadie-runs' fantastic babywipe technique to make it look like I'm not an unfit 43 year old :P

Have a lovely day, run safe!

Neil

20 Replies
โ€ข
misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate10

Aha! Well done. The 3k is great innit! Not done one for a while Mind you ๐Ÿ˜ƒ

โ€ข in reply tomisswobble

Thanks! Yeah, it is great actually :) I used to think of 3k as one of those annoying distances that's not long enough to qualify as a decent run, and something I would just use to make sure I didn't lose fitness, but now I think I'm starting to realise its potential for being the perfect distance for working on speed.

Wait, who said 3k was a short run? ;)

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate10โ€ข in reply to

Short, so easy to fit in, but do get your speed up So, another good distance in the running tool box ๐Ÿƒโ€โ™‚๏ธ๐Ÿ‘

โ€ข in reply tomisswobble

Thanks, I think I could learn a lot from you! I'm learning to appreciate that not everything has to be a 5k, or a 10k fixed-pace run. It's OK to throw in some intervals, try that fartlek thing people rave about, shorter distances, hills etc, plus trying different cross-training options.

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate10โ€ข in reply to

Mixing it up keeps it interesting Trail runs are ace ! The earth under your feet is never flat so youโ€™re up and down all the time. Great workout ๐Ÿ™‚.

โ€ข in reply tomisswobble

Yes indeed, not sure if you saw my post on Saturday but I have a lovely new 10k route to play with, and I love it :) I'm so excited I may even treat myself to some new running shoes this weekend to celebrate!!

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate10โ€ข in reply to

Good for you! Itโ€™s proper fun ๐Ÿ˜ƒ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ˜. Trails shoes! Absolutely! I have ones with a crash pad in as my trail is hellishly stony ๐Ÿ˜ซ. A stone under your big toe is agony without the right protection. ๐Ÿ˜

โ€ข in reply tomisswobble

Yes, I certainly had my eye on trail shoes. Not so much needed for the pre-work 3k on roads, but definitely would be good for the 10k canal and trail route! Hey if I could get waterproof ones I could even make it an actual canal run :P And yes, I am aware that OnRunning make some very lovely waterproof trail shoes!! I keep reminding myself that the budget won't stretch :)

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate10โ€ข in reply to

Nah me neither but there are some good cheaper options. Folk do swear by the more mile trail shoes. They get good reviews

If your trail is not too bad you might just get away with Road shoes My Nike Pegasus and my Sauconyโ€™s are ok on easy trails

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate10

Well done Hidden , you just get better & better!! ๐Ÿ˜‰

โ€ข in reply toMummycav

Oh I don't know about that Mummycav , but I am determined to keep enjoying my running. For me the 6 min/km barrier is a big thing. I've still not done a 5k in under 30 minutes, and if I can crack that I will consider myself a "proper" C25K graduate at long last. Not essential, certainly not something to get hung up on, but I really really want to achieve that!

How are you settling in to Bridge to 10k anyway? I've not had too much time for catching up with people recently, but as a fellow northerner I always feel an affinity with you :) OK i know Stockport isn't Yorkshire, but still... :)

Mummycav profile image
MummycavAdministratorGraduate10โ€ข in reply to

Itโ€™s good to have a goal Hidden ...as long as thereโ€™s not too much pressure as that can cause disappointment, as we know thereโ€™s always a bit of that along the way, whether itโ€™s on the 5k plan or beyond. You are a โ€˜proper runnerโ€™ already, donโ€™t you forget that! Youโ€™ve reminded me plenty of times. My fastest 5k is 32 mins but I have absolutely no idea how I managed that & Im convinced that something went wrong with the tech, who knows?! Iโ€™m still on the 10k plan & finished week 5 yesterday, my first tourist run that I posted about yesterday, Iโ€™m a bit behind due to weather/school hols etc but Iโ€™m plodding on & will complete the programme here in France, currently in the Dordogne, I saw it with โ€˜runners eyesโ€™ yesterday & itโ€™s even more beautiful....in 3 weeks I will be travelling further south where the temperatures will be high so itโ€™s early morning or nothing over here.

Like you say, Stockport isnโ€™t Yorkshire ๐Ÿ˜‰ but itโ€™s just over the hill so yes, we have a northern connection there....

Shame about the hours change at work, as if squeezing runs in isnโ€™t difficult enough, do they know what theyโ€™re playing at messing with your runs? You need to tell them they need to take your running into account when theyโ€™re faffing about with hour changes! ๐Ÿ˜‚๐Ÿ˜‚

Happy running Neil...& remember, not too much pressure x

Sadie-runs profile image
Sadie-runsGraduate10

Good work young man! A short, fast 3km is good for the soul! What a cracking pace you have! It is certainly good for our fitness to mix up what we do. I am rather partial to a quick 3km myself; did that on Monday in fact. I too have gotten over that 5k or nothing rule I created in my own head; I realised it was counterproductive.

Have a fab day, buddy.

Sadie-runs xxx

โ€ข in reply toSadie-runs

Thanks Sadie, have a good day yourself. 3k is a nice fun distance for "playing", isn't it? ;)

Empem profile image
EmpemGraduate10

You post is so joyful, thank you. " I wanna walk like you , talk like you"....plodding along behind somewhere but smiling....

โ€ข in reply toEmpem

Joyful? Wow, I never expected that!! But I suppose, yes :) The thing with me, having not had a lot of self confidence over the years, is that each time I achieve something new running, I am continually amazed. And running, believe it or not, actually makes me happy. NEVER thought I'd say that, but it does.

So yeah, when I post I do just want to share that with people :) Also, the psoitive impact it's had on my mental health is amazing too. I can actually feel good about something tangible now, I can see proper evidence that I've achieved something undeniable. I just want others to have that feeling too!!

Empem profile image
EmpemGraduate10โ€ข in reply to

Yes.Bravo and then some!

Richard7 profile image
Richard7Graduate10

Nicely done Neil. 3k is nothing to be sneezed at ๐Ÿ˜‰ ... great time too .. close to that magical 6!

โ€ข in reply toRichard7

Thanks Richard, yes the magical 6 :) Although the simple joy of running is enough, thereโ€™s a little, yet persistent part of me which is desperate to break through the 6min/km mark :)

Richard7 profile image
Richard7Graduate10โ€ข in reply to

Try some interval runs. At the moment I am doing 10x400m runs with about 90s rest between once a week. During the 400m you can get quite a lick on and it is a good way of improving your fitness and overall pace. Not sure if you have a GPS watch but I programmed mine to tell me when I get to 400m and then when I get back I can look at the stats to see how I am improving.

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