Not sure about tomorrow ...

[ArthurJG]

I'm sure I'm going to parkrun, that's not the issue, but I've run very little these past two weeks. Don't think I've run as far as 5k since two weeks ago and even then I walked a couple of steep slopes - but I half expected that as all my experience is on the flat. So mixed feelings - looking forward to getting a proper run under my belt: I think I've only done two very short runs since parkrun two weeks ago, which was on a hilly course at Stonehaven as my usual parkrun at Montrose was off. But also wary in case I don't manage to run all the way. If I can get round without walking (back at my usual, flat parkrun) even if it's a slow time that'll tell me I haven't regressed too much. So keen to get going but a little uncertain at the same time.

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Then just go do the run with no expectations - sometimes we can overthink a run. And if you have to walk a bit, who cares? By getting out there and participating you are off the couch and contributing to your fitness. I have been doing some ‘mindful running’ this week, and the best thing it has taught me so far is to only run the run you are running - i.e don’t think about previous runs, or runs to come, just this one. (Basically live in the moment.) Most of all, enjoy the run, don’t think about time or pace. x

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Good Morning Arthur, I know you don't like the idea of walking when taking part in a park run, in that case just run or jog as they say here on C25K 'slow and steady' park runs are for fun, apart from the elite athletes who can run them in 15 or 18 minutes, I know even running slowly you will never come in last.

How is Arbroath this weather, I went on my holidays there in the 1950's, 60's and the last time I was in Arbroath was 1999, love the walk along the cliffs towards Auchmithie, you did mention that there was a landslide somewhere along those cliffs recently.

[ArthurJG Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

The landslip was actually some years ago now. Arbroath is fine - I like to run the coastal path in the other direction where it's nice and flat. Ran all the way to Easthaven a few weeks ago, 7.25 km which is the furthest I've ever run. It's long been a favourite walk of mine and it's now becoming a favourite run - I'd love to build up to being able to run that full section regularly and having done it once I know it's possible.

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

Plenty of people just Parkrun every now and then with no other running and no problems.

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

Oops, early send- meant to add “just do it” 😀

[Hidden]

Maybe recalibrate your thinking. You have had a couple of weeks of easing up a bit, so you are now ready for the 5k

Have fun

[ArthurJG Graduate10]

I think maybe I didn’t make myself clear. I have no problem with walking at parkrun. I’ve done it myself in the past and have recommended it to other people. I’m down to tailwalk next week. Walking remains a favourite pastime of mine: I was a keen walker long before I could run. But in this case it would indicate that I’d lost a lot of the progress I’ve made, because I’d reached the point where for several weeks I never needed to walk on a flat 5k (hills are different though!) So that’s my concern - not any ideological objection to walking but a worry that I might have to go backwards a bit. Looking forward to getting a proper run again though instead of snatching a couple of k on the street in the dark!

[ArthurJG Graduate10]

Got round OK. Couple of minutes slower than usual. Felt my legs a wee bit heavy in the last couple of km, which normally only happens to me if I push beyond 5k. Similarly my pace for the second half was more like I would do in a longer run. But it was OK, I knew after ten or twelve minutes that I would runthe whole way and that was the objective. I expect my running routine should be less disrupted from the middle of next week or thereabouts so I shouldn’t accrue any more rust!

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

Don't want to say "told you so", but …….

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well Done Arthur, I’m glad all went well for you today. You’ll soon be bright and shiny again , no sign of rust from this view. 🏃‍♂️👏👏👏

[ArthurJG Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

It turned out to be just enough rust to warn me not to be lazy, but not enough to do any lasting harm. Winter is going to be a challenge for me but I'll just need to take it a wee bit at a time. It'll get easier from February because without going into too much personal stuff on the Internet, I'll have a bit more time on certain afternoons after that so running in daylight should be mnore achievable. Between now and then, the way things are looking I think I'm going to need a separate plan for each month from October to January to keep the rust at bay Entered my first proper 5k last night and it's only two weeks away so that's a short term incentive.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well good luck with your 5k race and your winter planning. The runs will always be there for you, even if you need to space them out a bit. Real life happens too.

🏃‍♂️👏👏