Dull and drizzly but definitely worth it.

[DebJogsOn]

Had a rough night's sleep (not sure why - but one of those where you're brain just keeps alerting you to problems you can't possibly do anything about at 3am in the morning) and woke to dull drizzle and gusty wind outside.

Definitely too depressing to pound pavements in order to complete roseabi 's Winter Speed Challenge as I'd planned so I decided to head for University Parks instead where the paths are a bit more forgiving on the knees and the views a bit more inspiring.

I can't say I've 'enjoyed' this speed challenge but I am mighty pleased with myself all the same and amazed a what a bit of focus on speed can do over a relatively short time. Bit of a wet and windy 5k today but pace was 6.24/km and I claimed a 5k PB of 32.01 - 11 seconds faster than my previous best also set during the challenge (one day I'm determined to hit 5k in 30 mins 🙄) and a whopping 58 seconds faster than my best PB time before the challenge. So it's thanks to roseabi for organising the challenge as I've bettered my 5k PB by 58 seconds over the last 5 weeks 😁.

However I think March is going to be a month of longer more leisurely runs - when I may even try to finally run further than 10k.

Happy running everyone 😊.

[roseabi]

My pleasure!

And is that Oxford? I used to live there - miss it!!! 💗💗💗

[DebJogsOn in reply to roseabi]

Yes Oxford. I like it more now I run around it.

[roseabi in reply to DebJogsOn]

I only took up running after we left. I have done the Oxford Half since though - it's fabulous!

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Well done to you! 🏃🏻‍♀️😊

[Richard7 Graduate10]

Well done Debs sounds like a good run. I missed the Speed challenge will have to take a look and see what it was all about. At the moment my speed is right down so I am not sure whether it would have helped anyway.

[roseabi in reply to Richard7]

The Speed Challenge happens over on the Marathon forum. We will do another one in the Spring, but here is the starting post of the one Debs did, for info:

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

[DebJogsOn in reply to Richard7]

I was encouraged to have a go by Bluebirdrunner and probably would have avoided it otherwise. I mean ME on the Marathon forum 😂😱! Glad I did it now though as it did give me some focus in the doldrums of Winter running.

Hope you're doing ok - good to see you on Strava 😊.

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to DebJogsOn]

Struggling at the moment to get myself moving properly but softly softly catchee monkey 🐒

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to DebJogsOn]

I'm really pleased that you acheived such great results Deb!👍...going for PB's isn't the nicest of runs is it, but its lovely to see positive results😀

I did the last speed challenge too, along with Tbae and Oldfloss. You can only improve your own pace, so there is no direct comparison with faster runners...and Roseabi did invite Bridge members too😊

I think I will be doing something similar to you next though, longer more relaxed runs heading for 10k.

Well done for getting out today in the wind and rain...and your super PB! 😊xxx

[DebJogsOn in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks Jan. Sorry to hear elsewhere on the forum that you're suffering a bit this week - hope you get things sorted soon.

Here's the the more leisurely running awaiting us in March 🥂 (hopefully all in lovely spring sunshine)!

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Oh, I love the windy runs Debs - sounds like a great run and well done on a new PB!😀👏