6K Road Race and new 5K PB

[damienair]

I took part in a 6K Road Race yesterday evening. There were approx 1,000 runners. I started towards the back of the pack and the first kilometer was slower than I’d have liked as I had to move up along through the crowd. But then it opened up and I got moving at a better pace. Finished the last 5K in 25:58, my average pace was 5:16 min/km and my last kilometer was 4:47. My finishing time was 31:47. It was an amazing evening with medals, tea, coffee, sandwiches and cakes for everyone afterwards. It was such a lovely atmosphere and my 9 year old Son and Parkrun buddy came second in the kids race before the main event. Tired legs this morning, glad I was a Parkrun Volunteer today.😀

Damien

[Wimborne]

Yay!!!! Big high five 🖐 for little D. He must be super chuffed. What a fabulous race for you both and you just keep getting faster and faster. Brilliant run D. Good to hear you are volunteering. Those legs will than you for it. Well done and I have that Level 42 song in my head now... ‘Running in the family’ 😀

[damienair Administrator in reply to Wimborne]

Thank you so much. It was a super evening.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done damienair and son. That’s a brilliant time for you and just love the bright shirt. Well done for volunteering at parkrun on your rest day too. A tick towards that purple shirt.

[damienair Administrator in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you. I’m at 38 Parkruns and 10 Volunteering days. I’m going to concentrate now on getting the red T-Shirt now. I’ll volunteer on pacing days so as to get my run in too.

Damien

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Fantastic Damien, very well done! Great time and great photo! 🏃👍🏃

[damienair Administrator in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Sounds like a great fun evening event Damien. Well done on your run, in a super time with great pace!

Congratulations to your son too.. what a team.😊xxx

[damienair Administrator in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

It was really great. I didn’t do as well as my son, he came 2nd, I came 456th.😂

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

That is a gazelle like speed. Woo hoo, well done, and well done to danienair junior too 👍🏅⚡️

[damienair Administrator in reply to BaddieThePirate]

The Gazelle was 455 places ahead of me. I came somewhere in the middle. It was so great running with club runners and hobby runners.

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

At one Parkrun in Oz (in the ridiculous heat) I came mid field. I assumed I'd be able to do that in the UK. No way! Even at 5km in 30 mins I'll be well down the field at Marple. I was looking at the leaders times yesterday. One person (correction 8 people) went sub 20 mins! I'm a minute faster per km than I used to be, sometimes a min and a half. These improvements can't keep coming for ever. If I hit 5km in 30 mins and anywhere near mid field, as far as I'm concerned I've hit gold! What's your aim? Where is your personal gold?

[damienair Administrator in reply to BaddieThePirate]

From January to now I’ve managed to get my Parkrun time down from 32 minutes to 26:30. My goal is to get a sub 25 minute Parkrun time and reach 50 Parkruns by the end of September. I’d love to be running sub 25 by my 50th parkrun.

It’s amazing, by getting into the 26 minute zone I’m finishing in the top 3rd of the field at my local Parkrun. The main cluster is from 26 to 32 mins.

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Wow, go for it! Something tells me you'll do it!

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Well done father and son! Fantastic time too👍😀

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

Congrats Damien! You and your son did amazing! You’re one speedy Dad!

[damienair Administrator in reply to SaskAlliecat]

I’m definitely speedier than I was 2 years ago when I was a couch potato. There is nothing like running in an event with 1,000 participants to keep you grounded. But it’s also nice to know that my time is improving and I can move from the the back of the field up into the middle of the field. Next time I’m going to try and start mid field.

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

That’s a good idea. I’ve been starting near the back in my trail races, not wanting to hold others up in the single track but then have to contend with passing a lot of people myself. Last year I started closer to the front and it was better. This year I’m moving up in distance but will likely still start mid-pack and try to have confidence in the training I’ve put in to know I belong there. It’s a tricking thing, figuring out where to place yourself at the start line.

[grumpyoldgirl]

Sounds like a really lovely family event Damienair, and such good running experience too. 1000 runners is about 10 times more than I'm used to. And that 's a very snazzy top, you're rocking the look!

[damienair Administrator]

Thank you. The top was collected along with the number. It was an extra for the event. I love it, it was a bright colour. I’m starting to collect tops and medals now. I’ve entered for a 5K on the 7th of July which comes with a T-Shirt and buff.

Damien