The magic of Park Runs

[Beachcomber66]

This is getting silly! 6 Park Runs and all PBs! Did I really once say (a few weeks ago) that running with others seemed daunting? Truth is, it's inspiring. Mr Garmin says that I am now down to 29:30. I set out to take it easy today with next week's 10k in mind. Just a comfortable long stride (average 1.11m), no puffing and blowing, yet it was a PB. Ridiculous!! I think the explanation must be that the long slow runs have done something for my underlying fitness and this is making the shorter quicker runs less of a struggle. Whatever, I am enjoying it! So, Tuesday now marks the start of the easy build up to next Sunday's 10k race debut. Maybe a pace of 7:00/km would be a sensible target; hope my legs are listening!! Happy running all 😊

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Congratulations Beachcomber66 on ANOTHER. PB, great, good luck for your 10K race next week, I also got a PB this morning, 30.55, it was not on my usual parkrun but a parkrun nearer to where I live, this one is flatter, hence the PB. 😊 🏃

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Flat or not Al, they still count 😊. Well done

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

👍 🏃

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

You are a veritable gazelle nowadays BC! 🦌 When will the PBs end? I can imagine how proud you must feel, and you’re definitely a PR addict! Awesome! Can’t wait to find out how you get on with your 10k. PB I expect! 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️💪

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Not a gazelle or feeling proud CC ; just mystified! I really did set out to run easily today. I was running alongside a more experienced runner for much of the way, so maybe I just hit a good rhythm. 10k and 5k PBs in 3 days is pushing the boundaries a bit! Even VO2 max has increased, so I have stopped ignoring it for the time being!!. The most important thing is that I am still enjoying running 16 months on...and swapping posts with lovely VRBs.....now for some focus on the 10k next week !!😊

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Ooo I’m excited for you! 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I have my number: no backing out now! This Sandie's fault!, I think that it is a fairly flat route so hopefully it is just a question of not getting carried along by the speed merchants. Couple of gentle 5ks this week: no speeding allowed!!😊

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Hehehe can’t let cheekychipmunks take the blame (credit 😃) for all our pushing the boundaries! You see just how much faster you are since you followed my advice to enter a 10k race. Congratulations on the PB today. I was so hemmed in at the narrow start at Lincoln that I only managed 34:07. Will have to return to Market Rasen, the scene of my only sub 30 🐎

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

You psyched me into Park Run and the 10k race!! Cheeky pulled me along the 10 mile and HM road to ruin😊. Glad you both did though..just enjoying myself at the moment. Both (and throw in Dexy5 And other VRBs too) owed huge thanks if I am being serious for a second 👏👏.. Ok, back to normal 🤪

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

😘

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Moi? Glad you are enjoying it PB king. Looking forward to seeing your race report too

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Yep, you too Dexy5! The forum is a really important source of knowledge and encouragement. ...and the occasional boot up the backside when required 😊

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

It’s completely flat. 10k out and back from marjuba road car park to Marske and back. Unfortunately there may be a headwind in one direction. On the way back you’ll see the super fast half marathoners coming in 😱

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Plenty of practice being lapped at Park Run! I think the winner did a Pb today. Just a nice temperature. I missed the last two weeks; life does get in the way sometimes!

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

I can’t wait to just do normal runs. Might see you next week?

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

At Redcar yes. Lots of people milling about in a small area I guess.

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Probably at the start line. We set off 2 minutes after you. No parkrun?

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Not next Saturday; wouldn’t have been running then anyway of course. C25k rules still apply!!🙄

[MuddledGardener Graduate10]

Great time!

[JaoJao Graduate10]

This is wonderful to read! I completely agree that longer runs are helping the performance of the shorter runs, amazing how it all works but it does and we should keep going! X

Good luck for your race next week, hope you smash it up!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to JaoJao]

Thanks JaoJao ....just reaching for the triple chocolate brownie! Must keep my strength up!😋😋

[JaoJao Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

You have my full support for the brownie (or two!) 😂

[Granspeed Graduate10]

👏🏼👏🏼 I’m doing the “long, slow runs” to build up distance (but nowhere near as far), so I hope MY legs are listening as I read of your success. Lovely progress. 🎉

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Granspeed]

I think there is something in it Granspeed. It is like suddenly having another gear. The distance takes a while to build up; I first did 10k on Boxing Day, then lost a few weeks to injury( trying to go too far before I had got the leg strength), before starting a steady build up of distance and and parallel strength exercises. There are no short cuts, well not at my age. 👍👍

[Granspeed Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

None at my age, for sure. I’ve built up to an hour, and now I’m following a modified Magic Plan towards 10k, adding 500m a week to my long run. I’ve joined the local leisure centre gym to motivate the strength bit. Nobody holding their breath, I hope! 🥵 But so far I’m enjoying the journey. 😊 Fun to read about successes on the road ahead.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Granspeed]

Just taken a peek at your previous posts!, Looks to me as though you are managing your build up brilliantly; not sure about the gardening though 😊.

[Granspeed Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Gave that a rest, believe me! Now back but with help for the heavy/bendy stuff. 😄

[HeavyFoot Graduate10]

That’s fantastic and you’ve got a pretty long stride. It beats turning up cadence to exhausting levels!! Onwards and upwards😁

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to HeavyFoot]

Thanks heavyfoot. I play about with stride. I worry about over stretching; I used to get calf trouble, but maybe the calves are strong enough to take it now. Hope so! Will run the 10k more conservatively for sure.

[grumpyoldgirl]

You are flying, BC! (Carry on like this and you might actually take off! 😁) 👏💪🏼

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Don't think so Grumps; feet firmly on the ground. Just enjoying working out what I can do, and being pleasantly surprised. 😊

[Coddfish Graduate10]

Great progress, and even better, you are enjoying it.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Coddfish]

Cheers coddfish. For the moment I am really enjoying run days. Nothing like a bit of success to keep you going😊

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

Well done! I’ve had parkrun withdrawal symptoms the last two weeks 🤣 Came to walk the dog down by the cafe but must people had gone by then. So you are doing Redcar then! Fantastic! I may see you there. I’m not going for a PB though - treating it as a training run. See you Sunday 👍🏽

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

😊 Thought the 10k was a safe start for my pursuit of bling. Maybe HM next year. My target for Sunday is to finish in one piece😊. Looking at the route I shouldn’t get lost anyway 👍👍

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Double hat trick BC - well done!🎉 Feels like I've plateaued at present as my last PR PB was in May , but I'm hoping the coming cooler weather might work its magic!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

The change in weather suited you in Spring. Your run of good times then was part of the backdrop to my extracting the digit! 😊

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yes it did - and glad I could be of service!😜

[damienair Administrator]

Nice PB streak. Your doing great. Your hooked already.

Damien

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Cheers Damienair. I see that you are a big PR fan. I have come a bit late to the party, but am making the most of them now👍

[damienair Administrator in reply to Beachcomber66]

I’m late to the party too. Considering parkrun is almost 15 years old we are just fledgling parkrun fans. But fans all the same. That’s all that matters.

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10]

Wow Beachcomber that’s fantastic 👍😀👏

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Cheers BTP. Just excuses for eating cake really 😋

[BaddieThePirate Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Mmmmmm, cake 😋🍰

[Run46 Graduate10]

That's brilliant Beachcomber, the training and effort is clearly working for you, enjoy it 🏃‍♂️😀👍

And as for doing your 10K at 7:00km...good luck with that! Once you've learned to go a little faster it seems really hard to slow back down again, you'll have to give your legs a talking to before you get started 😆

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Run46]

Basil Fawlty style; threaten them with a good thrashing!😂

[Run46 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

...that'd certainly give the other runners a good laugh before starting off 😂🤣

[Goldy14 Graduate10]

Your story sounds like a carbon copy of mine with a 10k race on the 29th. I have completed 12 Parkruns since completing the C25K, each one a PB. It’s the longer runs that are improving my fitness and although each 5k seems to be a struggle I somehow get faster with each. Good luck with your 10k. My 10k is in Exmouth.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Goldy14]

Cheers Goldy14. 12pbs in a row; amazing! The formula definitely works! My 10k is in Redcar up in the North East. Exmouth conjures up pictures of our annual train journey down to Penzance to catch the ferry for our Isles of Scilly holiday. The section next to the estuary and the sea is our favourite! Hope Sunday goes well for you 👏👏👏😊

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10]

Congratulations! Park Runs are fab, your time is fantastic, I did my 13th on Sat and it wasn’t unlucky it was a PB! Mine are not as consistent as yours. I’m struggling with the switching from 10k pace to 5k mines the other way round, love my long run pace 😄Keep the success stories coming so encouraging!! 🏃🏻‍♀️

[Couchpotato2]

Keep doing what you’re doing it clearly is working!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Couchpotato2]

Thanks Cp2. Apart from the build up to 10k on Sunday, I will definitely stick to the formula. There will be a tipping point where advancing years start to push in the other direction, but not yet please 😊

[Couchpotato2 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Telling me About it! Just out of the physio and still can’t run

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Couchpotato2]

Sorry about that. Not just trying to sound sunny... my physio encounters have both involved continuing exercise regimes which have made me much stronger eventually. Just so frustrating!

[Couchpotato2 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Yes Basically it’s a long-term work thing as you say with exercises. It’s just I’m going to my parents next week and I was hoping to be able to run in the park as it’s so nice but I’ll just have to go to the pool and sit in the Jacuzzi instead

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

Thanks crazydoglady. We are crazydog owners....a crazy but lovely Old English! Well done on the PB; they give you a boost 😊. I am going to do a slow 5k build up run today, just to loosen things up.

10k has been a neglected area for me over the last few months as I stretched out to HM distance. I did a 10k last week in 1:10:14 (a PB), so maybe that should be my target time for Sunday. I expect I will be carried along a bit by the other runners, which is what happened on Park Run. Finishing in one piece will be the main objective; anything else will be a bonus!

Your Park Run PB streak has begun👏👏👏👏

[Couchpotato2]

Yes Basically it’s a long-term work thing as you say with exercises. It’s just I’m going to my parents next week and I was hoping to be able to run in the park as it’s so nice but I’ll just have to go to the pool and sit in the Jacuzzi instead

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

I haven't been keeping up with all this! Wow! What a run! Well done to you!

🏃🏻🤸🏻‍♂️🏃🏻🤸🏻‍♂️🏃🏻🤸🏻‍♂️👏🏻👍🌟 💥⚡️🎉😊

How anyone runs a PB and doesn't think that they are pushing it at all, is a mystery to me! Where did your stride length start?

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10]

I think the long slow runs have gradually improved my fitness. On stride length I only have records from when I finished C25k, but it was about .91 and even down to .88 when I was going really slowly to try to increase distance. Part of that was caution because of repeat calf problems. 🤞 they are fixed now so I think I am finding my natural stride; it still drops on longer runs though. I think some people have a natural long stride and slower spm approach where others have a short stride and higher spm. Depends on how long your legs are 😊