Really pushed myself tonight as I've been coming in at around 31/32 minutes for 5K recently so wanted to see if I could make it in 30.
I had to go for it in the last 1K as I was at 24.55 so needed to do a PB 6 mins max to make it...finished with a 5.45 final K at 30.40 🙂.
It's amazing how much those extra seconds take it out of you, I feel more tired than when I did 10 miles last week 😳, I need a nap 😴
Still a good time and run for you Run46, to go sub 30 minutes after you are more used to 32/33 minutes does take some effort, there are some runners who have reported that they got their first sub 30 minute 5k when they ran their 40th or 50th 5K. there is hope for all of us.
Definitely Al...you've intrigued me to see how many 5K's I have done. Nowhere near 50!!! May have a look through map my run tomorrow for a sneaky fact check 👍🙂
I know exactly how many 5K parkruns I have ran, 13, quickest time 30.55, also, how many 10K's I have ran, 4, quickest time 69.23, however, I am not sure how many other 5K's I have ran locally, perhaps about 6, I only keep a PB on Mapmyrun of local runs, I notice my PB for the most recent one is 31.33, so like you a sub 30 minute 5k is a little beyond me, but as you say, 'trying for a sub 30 minute 5k is more tiring than running for ten miles' 😊 🏃🏾
Congratulations a massive achievement go enjoy that nap.
Thanks...lol, just going now! 9 whole hours until I've got to be up for work 😊
Well done Run46. Hope you're getting a well-earned, good nights sleep! 😴
I did thanks, still tired this morning lol! 😅
Do you parkrun? I go at least a minute faster when running with faster runners, so if that works for you you’ll be under 30 easily.
Awesome! I am struggling to get under 33mins. Well done!
Brilliant Run46! You’ll be sub 30 before long and won’t that feel good? (You’ll need to tell me because I doubt I’ll ever do it myself!!) 🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♀️
Thanks CCM but I fear trying for sub30 may actually kill me 😅...I'll keep you informed 🏃♀️😘
Now that would be impressive - if it does actually kill you! Maybe aim to do it alive! 😅😅😅
😂😆😂
I made no progress until I started Park Runs. I am now down to 28.14. Admittedly the fairly flat course helps but the main thing is running with others, and that doesn’t have to be a Park Run of course. It just changed my perception of what was possible . You are doing brilliantly on your own anyway!👏👏👏
Thanks BC, I can see the challenge in running with a pack...No park runs local enough to me that I can get to but luckily I'm pretty good at racing myself 😉
It’s worth your while looking for a parkrun if you’re ever away for the weekend, or on holiday in a country that has them. It’s always a good experience, though it doesn’t substitute for the sense of belonging you get from attending the same one locally in a regular basis.
Well ... I finally broke 30 minutes on my 50th parkrun last month Prior to that my PB was 30:44 in August so very similar to yours. Those two runs remain the only two under 31 minutes I have ever done. But here’s a thing: my four fastest parkruns this year have ALL been touring. My best time of the year at my home parkrun is only my fifth best overall - because although Montrose is a flat, fast course, there are even faster courses out there. The nature of the surface you run on makes a difference for a start. An all-tarmac track is less interesting than Montrose’s mixture of grass, concrete, tar and trail sections, and harder on your feet, but it’s definitely faster.
So if you can run 30:50 on a particular route, there’s probably another route where you could get 29:59 for the same effort. My old Montrose PB of 31:55 left me so light headed I forgot my finish token and had to go back for it. A year and a bit later I did 29:50 at Drumpellier and it took less out of me: I still had a bit left at the end. That was partly due to being a year further in to my running journey but the surface made a difference too.
You're so right Arthur, cutting out that hill 10 minutes in and redirecting to the straight flat section ahead would save seconds...as you say, less interesting but faster.
I enjoy taking the hills but it depends what you're aiming for on the day! Sometimes I don't know until it happens ie: the 1st K is faster than usual and I think, ah it's gonna be one of those runs and off I go.
Or the challenge of a hill brings a smile to my face so I aim for every hill.
Well done on reaching 50 Park Runs, and your sub 30's 👍😊
Thank you for the kind remarks although it’s sub 30, singular, for the moment: I’ve only done it once in my life! Yes it does depend on your aim on the day and running a hill on your regular route is no bad thing: it is well known that practising running up hills is a good way to build the muscles you need to run faster on the flat. Sometimes people think the way to get better at running a flat 5k is to keep running flat 5ks over and over again but there’s more to it than that. As the saying goes, race to prove, train to improve. So it makes sense to choose a flat run when going for a PB that day but it also makes sense to train on hillier routes in the lead up to that.
huge effort, well done, hope you've had that nap
30 minute Head Starts 
Finally managed 5k in under 30
