Sunny Birkenhead Parkrun - no 6

[mountaindreamer]

With lots of us doing Parkrun this morning, I thought I’d add some photos of sunny Birkenhead Park too. 12.5degC as we set off in the car to get there (ended up with my towel wrapped round my legs!) but it soon warmed up once the sun came out.

Super fast husband did yet another PB - though admitted getting a bit frustrated upon hearing a young lad complaining to someone he’d not managed to break his 16min PB this morning! (All things are relative!🤣😂)

I at least managed to break my recent run of getting progressively slightly slower each week, and came in only 4secs slower than my 28’27” PB. 😃

To those of you who loved my new aquamarine sale Brooks running shoes, I sadly returned them this morning. I’m concerned about whether my longer foot may end up hitting the end if I try to run in them. That model were also surprisingly tight at the heel. (Not something I’ve ever found with any footwear before, as I’ve pretty tiny heels...) So I’m now only guilty of keeping 2 new pairs of running shoes out of the 5 pairs ordered! 😇😇😇

[theoldfellow]

I love how FLAT it looks...

28'27" oh, how I would love to be that fast!

Well done dreamer.

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to theoldfellow]

Oh yes...it has a very gentle uphill then a gradual descent back to the finish on each lap...specifically chosen for its flatness rating! 😂

If you decide to try upping your distances at some point, then I’m spending the rest of the week deliberately running much slower now. All about distance not speed. 😊❤️

[theoldfellow in reply to mountaindreamer]

Yes, I'm think slow distance for two runs, then speed for my parkrun. But I have a psychological block stopping me running slower. I tried some music with a slow beat, but I hate the music...😢 (Thinks!)I guess I need a metronome app for the phone.

😍

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to theoldfellow]

I’ve found I’m naturally going slower the further I run. Is it worth just experimenting by adding a bit more distance and seeing what happens?

I think I heard someone mention an app that tells you the bpm of any music? Was it you sallenson ? That might help you pick music you like at the right speed? 😊❤️

[theoldfellow in reply to mountaindreamer]

Thanks, but I doubt that I will like any of the music - I'm a bit odd like that. But I have found a metronome app, and I will try that. I find whatever I start out running at, I am back to my usual cadence as soon as my attention wanders.

[wyersmith Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

Hi. I’ve been using the RockMyRun app. There’s a big selection of music mixes at different bpm so you can choose a beat to run to depending on your natural pace or if you want to try to go a bit quicker. I’m using the free version at the moment.

[sallenson Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

There's an app called Mixmeister BPM analyser (user to be free, now just a few USD):

mixmeister.com/bpm.php

You just point it at your music collection and it works out the BPM for you.

Seems pretty accurate and consistent results with things like jog.fm (a website that allows you to search for BPM for songs).

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to sallenson]

Thanks Stephen...think I might give that app a go myself! 😊❤️

[David_G]

Congratulations, lovely run and a fast time too! 👏👏

The temperature plays such a part in my running, I find it so much easier when it’s cooler! 🙂 I may live to regret that when it turns to autumn and winter! 🌧⛈☃️

I’m getting some new Brooks Ghost 10s for my birthday so hope they work out for me 👟😀

Good luck with your next run 👍

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to David_G]

Thanks - 8k next for me...😃❤️

I kept one pair of Brooks. The 2 different styles of Brooks I tried were a completely different fit. Hope yours are right for you. If not then Brooks seem to have a pretty generous 30 day returns policy. I didn’t need to invoke it, as I decided to take them back to the retailer without running in them.👟👟😎

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Gorgeous.. yet another lovely run

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Any news from MRI results yet, Oldfloss ? I was trying to remember if your appt was last Thursday? ❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

Cancelled.. again!!! No results in so the next one? 23rd August...But.....shhh I ran..on Thursday morning! Just 1K.. slow and steady x

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Bahhh...Sorry, Floss, that’s frustrating! 😩😩

(I’ll not tell anyone about Thursday...just look after yourself and take it VERY carefully...❤️❤️❤️🐌😊)

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

I won't tell anyone either Oldfloss . But well done.

[Lorijay Graduate10]

The park looks lovely MD. Well done on your run and time which I can only dream about at the moment but will keep on with my intervals and determined to get there.

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to Lorijay]

Thanks Lorijay. To be honest, this seemed to be my natural pace for 5k when I graduated C25k. I’m working on upping to 10k by running at a slower pace now. 🐌🐢🐌😎❤️

I’ll probably explore intervals more after that (and try to embrace hills!) but I honestly don’t feel I can push to sustain going much faster at the moment. (All my pulse comes from pacemakers, though, which doesn’t always get my blood pumping round fast enough...)

[Lorijay Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

Oh you are amazing MD, you really are!! Why would you need to do intervals, your speed is brilliant.

[Sarakc Graduate10]

Well done!! 😀👍👏 It was a lovely morning for Parkrun in different parts of the country today!

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to Sarakc]

Thanks Sara! 😊 I have to admit I love the cool but also dry and sunny combination...I guess I’m probably being a bit too fussy! 😃❤️

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Hi mountaindreamer, Well done you! I have just had a read at some of your other posts and saw your C25k running top. With all the colour choices I see I chose the same blue with white print as you and wore it for my first Parkrun today. It sounds like you run your impressive time with ease! Do you perhaps feel tired at the end or does it seem like a walk in the park!? I also notice you have overcome all sorts of health issues, so even more well done to you. All the best for your next runs.

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Hi over61andstilltrying ! Just checked out your first Parkrun post! Well done - you’re barely over 30mins now, and you do hills! 😃🏃‍♀️❤️ (And I’m only 49, so your age adjusted score is higher / better than mine is!😊)

I don’t think I’d say I run any Parkrun with ease. More like dogged determination! 😂😂😂 We do 3 laps of the park, and by the 3rd lap I’m just desperately hanging on to get up the long slight incline so I can pick up speed for the long downhill to the finish! I can sprint finish fine, but daren’t increase speed before the downhill, or sprint before I’m nearly at the end. I usually gradually get slower the longer I’ve been running.

I’m hoping in time I’ll feel I have more stamina to push myself later into a run, but am honestly not sure if lack of oxygen due to my pulse / pacemaker are coming into play, so feel I need to be cautious. Having no natural pulse makes me totally dependent on technology. I’m pursuing getting to 10k at much slower speeds for now. That seems more attainable. 🐌😊❤️

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

Wow! Some technology is so very helpful to us. It sounds like you have to take note of a read out and respond accordingly. I was seriously confused on my run. My legs and brain didn't think I was running faster than usual, but the average speed on my phone and my breathing were telling a different story and that other part of me, whichever part that is, felt so confused at the discrepancy! All the best for your progress towards 10k. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

The first 0.5k of Parkrun is the only time I ever go below 5min per km. I know I can’t keep it up, as lack of oxygen soon makes my legs feel heavy! I tend to be pretty good at controlling my breathing, though (a learned response to my heart problem). I’m sure you’ll soon get the hang of listening to all feedback from your own systems. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of your first Parkrun. 😊❤️

As for noting read outs and responding to them accordingly, sadly things aren’t quite that simple for my pulse. So I have to try to listen to my body and guess! 😂

[Hidden]

Ooh, that looks lovely. I was cold this morning too, but warm enough running. Great time you did.

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Flick. It is a very flat Parkrun. 😊 Yes - plenty warm enough running! Glad I left off the jacket at the start! 😃❤️

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done mountaindreamer, another good run. You just stay there while I try to catch you up and break 30 mins - it could take some time though, I've only just broken 35!

A shame about the brooks shoes but if they don't have enough room in front they are are best back in the shop. Did you wear one of you new pairs today?

Your photos are great, I completely forgot while everyone was there - I think a photo of everyone getting stuck into fried egg sandwiches after wouldn't send the right message.

Enjoy you next week on the bridge.

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Eileen! I take all my photos before the start. Husband didn’t even bother getting one of me finishing today! 😂❤️

No - not going to do 5k in new shoes yet. Want to walk in them more first!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

You’ll have to check out the Facebook page and see if there’s any good photos of you there. I’ve yet to see one that I want to keep!

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

No one usually posts any on ours. A professional photographer did post loads on Flickerr on the 3rd birthday - there was a great one of husband, but none posted of me. Mustn’t have been looking photogenic! 😂😂❤️

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

🤣😂

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

Thank you for posting this mountaindreamer. I’ve read through the posts and it seems you are quite the warrior and truly an inspiration for anyone attempting the C25K or deciding whether to start at all. Awesome 👏👏👏👍👍

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

Aw thanks Brian...I really think we’re all out there running and being awesome! I wear my C25k T-shirt with pride during Parkrun, and try my best not to let our team down! 😊🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️❤️