Another great week's running! 👍

[JonathanP]

For the previous 4 weeks at parkrun I had come within a few seconds of my PB twice and equalled it twice - so last Saturday I was determined to crack it! I made sure I was near the front so I didn't lose a few seconds there and set off (too fast as usual!) in my new hybrid trail shoes (and new left/right socks!) around the mixture of tarmac, gravel and the occasional large puddle! My 5 minute updates had told me I was in with a good chance, so it was just a question of waiting for the official result, which was.......27.45 (41 seconds off my previous PB) - very pleasing!😀

Monday was a fairly relaxed 5k, including some hill work (got to love those hills!⛰️), which brought me to yesterday and my 10k. My previous PB, set back at the beginning of Feb before I went down with the dreaded lurgy, was 1.00.56. My current aim is to get under 1 hour - could this be the day? My usual route starts with a long downhill run and wearing my reheeled Sauconys (and those socks), i made the most of it. At 30 mins I was at 5.2k and at 50 minutes I was still on target but that final uphill stretch is a killer! My final time was 1.00.39 - 17 seconds improved (hooray!), but my target lives to fight another day.

Happy running everyone!👍

[grumpyoldgirl]

Nice running Jonathan, there's a bit of sock theme developing 😊 just keep them on the right feet and you're bound to break the hour barrier!

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to grumpyoldgirl]

Thanks GOG - I think also because they're size 11-14 (my feet are 11s and my shoes are 12s), that's given my toes room to spread!👟👟

[Deals1 Graduate10]

Ohhh not far off for Yr 10k.

Well done with new PB for Park run 😊👍

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Deals1]

Thanks Deals - so near and yet so far!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Great run but flustrating that 39 seconds, good luck for you next hopefully sub 60 minutes 10K.

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks AlMorr - it will come!

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

Great stuff Jon - I'm hoping to get under 60 mins for 10k in the St George's run on your territory Tuesday week …..

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

Thanks UTS - I'm sure you will slay that dragon!😀

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done Jonathan, I am so pleased that you have achieved that parkrun PB; you have been so close so many times. To get a PB for 10k in the same week is fantastic. Your hill training has been great too - one day I will venture out of my flat running.

Come to think of it, there is a gentle slope on the Southampton Common parkrun tomorrow so a bit of training might have been useful.

Have a great weekend 🏃‍♂️👏👏

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy - I was chuffed! No doubt having done our little slopes at Lakeside will help you tomorrow 😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Fantastic Jonathan, what fantastic times! I see a gazelle in our midst ...... 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks Cheeky - I wouldn't go that far!😀

[Granspeed Graduate10]

It was the socks! 🎉 With new L&R socks, things are sure to be great. And they were. 👏🏼 Well done, and I hope my new socks do anything like as well for me. Good going.

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Thanks Granspeed - it must have been! May the socks be with you!👍

[Wimborne]

I am with Cheeky on this one. Definitely gazelle running. Fabulous running week Jonathan. 😀😀😀😀

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Wimborne]

Thanks Wimborne - well if you say so......!😀

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Some great running there Jonathan - well done on slicing such a chunk off your 5k PB! I don't think that sub 1hr 10k is far away either! 🙂

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra - I certainly hope so!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Now you have done it! Here was I thinking "who cares about PB's? Just stick to your long slow runs etc etc......" and you have to do something inspirational like that! Well done JP; brilliant effort. I have down loaded an intervals programme, courtesy of Dexy5....so we will see what happens. Hopefully not another injury! I am thinking snail pace, walking tortoise pace and then running tortoise pace!!🐌🐢🐢

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Sorry about that BC but thanks anyway! Hope your intervals programme goes well but take care - perhaps you could work up to sprinting tortoise pace!😀

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

I know....will take care. My 33:22 5k PB has been sitting there for months. It was a pure accident and I haven’t seriously tried to beat it...most runs have been build ups to 10ks. Maybe it doesn't matter 😀

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Brilliant! Well done to you! 🍾🥂🏅👏🏻😊🎉👍🌟 💥⚡️ 🏃🏻🤸‍♂️🏃🏻🤸‍♂️🏃🏻🤸‍♂️ Have fun working towards the sub 1hour 10k. 41 seconds off your Parkrun PB, wow!!

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks over61 - fun yes, but also sometimes feels like hard work!😀

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Speed PBs are hard work! A while back I watched a video of the USA 5k champion, I think it was, who made it abundantly clear that going for that record is seriously not pleasant! We all have to decide what our aims are don't we? Do you feel the 'agony', if was agony, was worth the achievement?

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

I do, but interspersed with something more relaxing! 😀

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Enjoy the relaxing part, the happy glow and the feeling of achievement that a new PB brings!

[CRAZYCATME Graduate10]

Wow that was quick! I have a way to go to keep up with you Gotta love a fishermans friend to run with you..sea shantys have a joy about them..I also love hard house dance music..a bit of the big O..Rolling stones ..prodigy ..andrea bochelli and many more so a really eclectic music taste for sure ... I'm sure you will beat the hour soon Mr P...Happy Saturday..a sunny one here so hurrah!!!

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to CRAZYCATME]

Thanks CCM. I agree with shanties (and other folk music), but am also a fan of a wide variety of world music, particularly African and Cuban. Yes that sun makes all the difference 😀

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

Wow, it must be the socks! Great PB for 5 and an amazing time for 10km (even if it did take 40 seconds more than target). Hills always slow you down. Try a flatter route?

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Thanks Baddie. As I live near the top of a hill, it's difficult to find one that doesn't involve a climb at the end, but I'll keep on plugging away!

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

Go on holiday somewhere flat? Go to a flat Parkrun and do it twice?

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Food for thought!😀