Parkrun - here I come!

[Notsoslothfulnow]

Well, 3 weeks after my C-5K graduation, I have decided to run Parkrun. Following the wise advice here, I have been consolidating by running to the Week 9 podcast 3 x per week. As some of you may recall, I did try the Stepping Stones keeping to the beat' podcast initially but for now the reassurance of Laura and the Week 9 music have been fine for me ... especially the 'triumphal reggae music just before the end😊.

It will be interesting to see if I get any where near 30 minutes for 5K. I think I am still a little way off that - and icy or muddy conditions don't help! I took 43 minutes when I first tried Parkrun pre the C-25K at the end of last October ... so I hope I can improve on that!

Will report back!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Don't worry too much about time, however, probably with all the running you have done including graduating, well done, your time of 43 minutes from your last parkrun will improve, enjoy your run on Saturday irrespective of the time it will take.

[Notsoslothfulnow Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you so much ... encouragement is a very positive thing!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Have a great time tomorrow but do run for enjoyment , especially if the conditions are not great.

Yes that 30 minute 5k is a target for many of us, and if you managed 43 mins before c25k, you are sure to improve on that time. Stay safe though, it’s easy to get carried away and we don’t want you on the injury couch.

I just love parkrun but will miss it this weekend.

[Notsoslothfulnow Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you so much! Very wise advice - I fear that the conditions will be rather marsh-like.

Parkrun is extraordinary - the marshalling role I have been doing is great fun.

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Notsoslothfulnow]

Yes I enjoy volunteering too and marshal is my favourite job so far.

[Notsoslothfulnow Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Absolutely - marshalling at Parkrun is such a positive start to the weekend! I enjoy it so much that is part of the reason I have not rushed to take part as a runner!

If it all goes well, I am tempted to do a 5K charity run for the first time the following week ...

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Notsoslothfulnow]

good for you. have fun.

[jayval70 Graduate10]

Good luck - enjoy it 🏃‍♂️

[Notsoslothfulnow Graduate10 in reply to jayval70]

Thank you so much ... I am pretty sure I will!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Well done you! Take it steady and try to regulate your runs... I found this information very helpful and useful ( Not just for Park Run. womensrunninguk.co.uk/topfe...

[Notsoslothfulnow Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you so much for such wise advice😊. The article looks like an excellent resource - thank you!

[Deals1 Graduate10]

hi. just enjoy it! don't worry about the time.

I've done a few now and still not at 30 mins! but before I started C25K I'd still be in bed on a Saturday morning, so its an improvement!!

happy running

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

Good luck with that Parkrun. Remember not to get carried away at the start. Slow n easy till you’re into it.

[Notsoslothfulnow Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

Thank you - that's very helpful. I will need to rein in the instinct to set off fast just because so many others do. Especially as I have found with the training, the first 5-10 minutes are in many ways the hardest for me. The uphill part very near the beginning is another reason to be 'sensible'😊.

[RunBrianRun Graduate10 in reply to Notsoslothfulnow]

I find that if I shorten my stride and take more little steps it really helps going up hills.

[Notsoslothfulnow Graduate10]

That's a very helpful tip, thank you. And I seem to remember on the C-5K podcast, somewhere in the middle weeks, Laura mentioned that on hills, it's best to focus a short wsy ahead ... rather than the distant summit!

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Enjoy tomorrow! A word of warning - it is addictive! 😀

[Notsoslothfulnow Graduate10]

Thank you😊.

... and I can well believe it could become addictive!

Unfortunately after all the exciting build-up, my parkrun has been cancelled tomorrow as the council have closed the park to all sports due to the rain-soaked conditions .

However, I won't be beaten and may make do with another 30-minute consolidation run tomorrow.

[Equi-geek Graduate10]

Have fun this morning! You’ll definitely find it lots easier if you run at your old 43m pace, but if you push yourself a little bit you’ll probably be amazed. Whatever happens, Parkrun will be there next week, and the week after, and the week after... so don’t get stressed out or you’ll tighten up and injure yourself. Smile, trot along, take in the sights and enjoy it 👏👏👏

[Notsoslothfulnow Graduate10 in reply to Equi-geek]

Thank you so much - all wise words. As wrote above ,for reasons beyond my control, I couldn't take part in a Parkrun today ... but I did find a sort of substitute. Will post about this later...

[Wimborne]

How did it go????

[Notsoslothfulnow Graduate10 in reply to Wimborne]

... well, it didn't in the end - please see my posts above! Will post details a little later.

[Wimborne in reply to Notsoslothfulnow]

Sorry. I am rubbish. Must start to read the comments before I reply. 😂

[Notsoslothfulnow Graduate10]

Don't worry - you and me both!

I drafted a new post to explain what I did instead of the cancelled parkrun ... but it disappeared in cyberspace - will start again later!