Happy weekend. For any of you new graduates whom have started running during COVID-19 world you may have heard of a thing called parkrun. parkrun is a free 5K which takes place every Saturday morning all around the world. It is for everyone, slow, fast, able, disabled, big, small and everyone in-between. You can walk, jog, run, run/walk, it's not a race, just a run in the park and loads of us here on Bridge to 10K did it religiously every Saturday morning.
Obviously we can not do it anymore. So until parkrun returns we take part on our own in a pretend parkrun every Saturday morning. We post after our run and let everyone know how we got on during our run. The little run report can be done over a post virtual parkrun coffee and treat/cake. (parkrun is all about the after run coffee and cake, and meeting friends old and new). It can be run/walked on any route close to you which is 5K. Does not have to be done in a park, you can even do it on a treadmill.
If you are a new graduate and would like to start, all you have to do is a 5K run/jog/walk anytime tomorrow or Sunday and write a little run report under this post. It's like a little community and it is good fun, sets you up nicely for the weekend. If you want to you can register on the parkrun website and you can log your 5K (not)parkrun. In fact you can log any 5K done during the week as a (not)parkrun on the website. I only log Saturday runs, when I remember.
Looking forward to my run today and also looking forward to hearing from all of you. I am so sorry that I did not reply to all the run reports last weekend. I spent the weekend gardening and spending time with my family. Of late I have started leaving the phone down more and actually for all of last weekend which was Easter bank Holiday weekend I had my phone turned off and hidden out of sight. But I promise I will reply to all the posts this week and I will be on the forum more.
Happy running and have a lovely weekend.
Damien
I've pinned the post. So please respond over the next day or two in the below thread. Happy running.
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Good morning Damien, I hope you had a good Easter doing a bit of gardening, this morning I ran non stop my 43rd (not) parkrun in a time of 35.21, my quickest 5K since last December, my leg is no longer sore, the weather where I am in Central Scotland this morning was sunny but still cold - 1C but I enjoyed the run, part of the run was on the bit where I have not ran since last October because of flooding, it was still a bit muddy when I "test walked" it on Thursday so this morning I ran with my brown trail shoes on, not my other blue running shoes, I hope you enjoy your 5Krun today.
Stride is very important for cadence, I have seen a few extreme examples of a runner who has a 154 cadence running a sub 25 minute 5K and another time a runner who has 190 cadence running a 5K in +40 minutes, my metromone app goes from 1 beat a minute to 300 beats a minute, however, for my runs my minimum setting is 165, maximum is 180, for most of my Saturday morning 5K runs last year I set it at 175, even then my times can vary, depending on my stride.
Fantastic Al, great running and great to see your times coming down again. Yes our weather here today is dry, sunny and cold. 2 degrees C. I am going to go out for my run soon. No gardening today. I washed out and cleaned up my BBQ yesterday evening. So today I think I'll tackle my garage, How come I end up having to tidy up my garage every 2 months?
That great I’ve got to start slow and usually pace picks up after that, but slow run tomorrow hip and groin bothering me if I try to go faster and up slopes. Have a great day😀
No Saturday runs for me for a few weeks whilst I build up to the Half Marathon distance over several long Sunday runs. Short runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and long runs on Sunday.
I have, however, registered this week with Park Run in anticipation of things starting up again in a couple of months' time.
You can put a (not) parkrun time, Monday to Sunday, it does not just need to be on a Saturday, you could even put a 5K split time, say if you ran longer than 5K, I think that is allowed.
Wow, great running and well done. I have become so lazy. I used to run 4 days per week with a longer 10K+ run on a Sunday. I am only running twice a week now and struggling. I've just lost focus without anything to train for. I need to get back to running 4 times per week. Well done to you on having the drive. And well done too for registering for parkrun. You will love it and I can't wait for it to start up again. Although it will mean no more beers on a Friday night.
A runner who reported on this forum told us that his BEST times were the next day after a night out with drinking beer the previous evening, certainly I wouldn't do that but who knows 😀😊
Morning Damien. None of us begrudge you your down time, you look after your family!!I enjoyed my run this morning. A bright blue sky, sun ....and a cold North East wind; can't have everything! The trails are well and truly dried out (the lower ones anyway) so I fastened on my road shoes for a change and headed out. After 1k everything felt great; legs as light as a feather and just cruising along. It continued in the same vein, until the last 1k when I felt that, given my recent injury history, maybe it was time to back off. So I ended up with 32:48 which I think should keep me out of the trouble with the coaches (they know who they are) but leaves me feeling pretty pleased with myself! No apres run (sorry Sandie I can't find accents on here!) as there were far too many people queueing and I am not ready for that level of contact. A great start to the day nevertheless. Hope your day goes well too 👍
Very well done. Great running and great finish time. I have lost a lot of my fitness and now struggle to run a full 5K without taking a walking break. I need to pick up my training and start getting back towards 10K again. Happy running.
Haha BC! I don’t know where to find them either. Good run and I really don’t begrudge you your apres. Just jealous that there isn’t anywhere to get anything at the end of my runs 😢
Cup of coffee and chocolate tea cake with Mrs BC hit the spot! I really miss my flat white, in a proper cup sitting inside the cafe. There are often some really interesting people in there. Hopefully we will get there. Running shop opens next week!
My arahis are showing signs of wear; which is a surprise, and my la sportivas are badly worn too. On the heels in both cases , which probably tells a story.
Morning Damien and everyone. 👋 No worries not having your phone at your fingertips 24/7. It’s always lovely to hear from you, but we all understand so please don’t feel the need to apologise. 😀
My (not) PR went ok today, but I can’t say I enjoyed it much. I suppose I’m grumpy as I’d really love spring to return, but it was 2 degrees with a nasty little chilly wind, and my muscles weren’t feeling the love. Even so, 35:24 is an ok time for me not feeling it. Flossie had way more fun and found a lovely holey tennis ball. 🎾 It was so chilly that I jogged back from my cool down walk clad in my thick puffa, and didn’t feel too hot. 🤷♀️
Spring sunshine and warmth, anytime you’re ready ...... 🌸 ☀️ 🌸
Wow Cheekychipmunks, this morning we ran 'virtually together' only 3 seconds of a difference, 35.24/35.21 great run for both of us🏃🏾👍glad Flossie enjoyed her found holey tennis ball loads of fun. 😊
Go us Al! 🏃♂️🏃♀️😀 👏 It sounds like yours was a lovely sunny one even though it was only 1 degree. Mine was 2 degrees and grey and it felt very cold. 🥶
You still have those two HMs in your legs cheeky. Snow predicted here tomorrow!! It looks warmer later in the week with the wind swinging around to North West, so🤞
Hmmm, I could use those for an excuse BC, but I’m not going to as my little pins enjoyed their JogRunSprint session this week - they were lively enough then! But for me, saying 35:24 isn’t great is huge. I used to be over the moon with 36 minutes, so it’s interesting how our goals change. I’m not sure I’ll ever have sub 30 in me however! My legs would fall off! 😅
If you really wanted to do it I am certain that you could. Given the added injury risk which seems to go with greater pace (for me at any rate) I am not going to encourage you. From memory I went from 33 minute time to 28:17 over 7 Park runs (not in consecutive weeks) whilst I was building up to HM. So one really long run, one slow 5k and one quicker Park Run was the formula....oh and having Tasha99 creeping up behind me at the finish too, just to keep me on my toes.
If it happens for me one day Beachcomber66 , then I’ll have a party, but I’m content seeing tiny improvements every now and then. My best shot would be at Severn Bridge PR on a still day, so whenever I go back there I’ll try to chip down below 33 minutes for starters! PR is definitely the place for this type of malarkey isn’t it? 🏃♀️🏃♂️🏃♀️🏃♂️🏃♀️
It is; I think just about every run I have had with others present has been a PB. It isn’t about being competitive. It is more to do with being shown what is possible and building confidence.
Well done Cheeky. I was not too far ahead of you. Just back from my run now. Had to take 2 walking breaks. I finished in 34:02. I can’t wait for a bit of summer. Ireland always has permanent air conditioning on so we rarely get the heat that the South of England achieve. Probably similar temps to Scotland. But anyway a little extra heat would be nice.
Oh yes, just a little bit of warmth, please! 🙏🏻🙏🏻 I think this cold is made worse by the fact we had a tantalising taste of spring/summer a couple of weeks ago. ☀️☀️
Flat white, scrambled eggs and sourdough toast was enjoyed after Park run. Might have to fly back to the UK when the borders open to try the lotus biscoff flapjack 🤣
Congratulations on your 1st Runniversary and your parkrun PB RunWillie. Using your hubby as a pacer is definitely not cheating- I often use mine! Trouble is, I can’t talk afterwards.
Hubby normally is way ahead but today I managed to tuck in behind him most of the way but race on for the last 1k. He won’t let that happen again. I was on a mission today 🤣
Our parkrun is beautiful. Come visit when the borders open 🇦🇺😎
Fantastic and congratulations on your new PB. Great running and a nice strong finish. Very well done and nice way to celebrate your 1 year graduation anniversary.
Congratulations on your Runniversary and what a way to celebrate with a PB. Brilliant 👏👏👏 So envious that you can do real parkrun and beautiful weather too!
Only 8 weeks to go in England, according to the parkrun email this morning.
A cold run this morning, with a spot of light rain, then hailstones - not the heavy ones thankfully.
I changed my route a bit, when I came to the big puddle I thought "I can't be bothered " and turned back intending to run up and down the road at the end, but at 4.07 km I decided on a detour over a bridge and alongside the river.
That was the best part of the run and the rain had stopped for a while. I ran a little bit further than I intended so as a result Geoff was waiting for me at the end point - that doesn’t happen very often He was starting to wonder whether I was lying in a ditch because he hadn't passed me on the return journey!
Back home for the usual 2nd breakfast and warm showers.
It is now snowing quite hard, and settling, so glad we missed running in that.
8 weeks. Even though we have no idea when parkrun might return here in Ireland I am so excited to see parkrun starting back up in England and I will be so delighted to see you guys running at a real parkrun again.
Hi Damien & all. And Damien, really no need to apologise- we all really appreciate what you do every week.
I hope you don’t mind me replying without running today. I’m delaying it until tomorrow and I’m feeling a little lost! Eldest kitten went back to uni today and my body needed a rest as well, so it seemed a good idea.
Meanwhile, our local junior parkrun is one of the 52 returning tomorrow, which is very exciting and bodes very well for the return of the senior one in June. I continue to keep everything crossed!
Excellent to hear that your junior parkrun is back tomorrow TC. Ours is not in that group so we are still keeping fingers crossed. I offered to volunteer for them just to help out so 🤞🤞
Our event team has been out and about the past few weeks and Katnap saw them on the Rec today. It’s probably easier for our lot than for yours as we’re more enclosed but hopefully all the senior ones will come back on the 5th as they’ve had lots of time to sort out the logistics etc 🤞🤞🤞
Yes our locals have got used to having the prom back. But with the right advertising I am sure that can avoid it fir one hour a week. Getting the message out that this is beneficial to the whole community is important.
I was surprised there were no notices about tomorrow when we walked through earlier. Hopefully your parkrun will put something up. I only knew because I’ve been checking the Facebook page.
Our local newspaper is an avid follower of parkrun and features one of our local parkruns each week. I expect they will be putting out the news that they are starting again. The juniors is held in a park but I think the delay may be due to retiring run directors . I guess it’s parents that step up in the main.
Of course not, reply anytime whether you run or not. Great news about junior parkrun and excited for parkrun returning in England because if that goes well hopefully we will follow. Enjoy your run tomorrow.
Thanks Damien, good to know 🤗. I shouldn’t think you’ll be too behind England surely? I’ll post something tomorrow - currently cleaning eldest kitten’s bedroom 🤢 so I’ll definitely need to escape!
It’ll seem strange without eldest kitten won’t it? Even though you hadn’t expected him to be home for so long, the house will seem empty (at least that’s what I’m finding!) Time to sort out his room again?
Yup. And when he gets back we’ll have to get him running again too 🙄 It does seem weirdly quiet without him considering we didn’t see him very much 🤣 However, his presence (or miasma as Katnap calls it 🤣) is definitely noticeable in his room! We have to get it sorted so Katnap can use it as his office again. He’s been freezing in our ‘family room’ and the kitchen.
Hello damienair , no apologies required, weekends are precious for family life and getting away from the screen certainly does you good.
I ran my not parkrun on Thursday this week. Sadly, Coddfish is on the IC, and Oldgirlruns is still building up distance, but they still joined me, UpTheStanley , and Mr C after our runs for a post run take out breakfast on the beach. We have found a perfect spot where we are protected from everything but a southerly wind and someone had decorated a branch in a bucket with little eggs, chicks and rabbits. It was nice to chat in person instead of on zoom.
I found the second half of the run a bit tough into the westerly wind and came in with a time of 33.58 - those 2 seconds under the minute are so important!
The downside was getting a parking fine because I forgot to display the Parking ticket I bought - locking it in the boot with my after run layers! 🙄. Appeal submitted and hoping for a generous council officer to waive the fine 🤞
Hopefully your appeal will work. I was 4 seconds behind you. I finished in 34:02. Lovely that you got to meet in person and that you all found a lovely new spot. 8 weeks, I am so looking forward to seeing you all running at the real parkrun Dexy.
Baby steps but it is so nice to be able to meet other people. You can just walk or sit in companionable silence if you want. It always feels so awkward if somebody isn’t actually speaking on Zoom!
I struggled today. Nothing new there. I ran the first 2K in a 5:55 min/km pace and then ran out of steam. Following a walking break I was off again for another kilometer before another walking break and then ran to the finish. My time was 34:02. I’m going to plan on a 7K tomorrow, running and walking to start building up my endurance again.
Hello everyone! You really don’t need to reply to every post Damien - you set up the weekly post to allow us all to reply to each other, which is great 😊 Family and garden take priority. Garage sorting may not 😂
Anyway, I had things I needed to do this morning so postponed my run until this afternoon (just as well as there was a slight snow shower and now it’s cloudy sun). A lot more people around than in the morning in the village but deserted once I’d run through. Improvement in time continues with a 31.01, fastest since I tried to keep up with my son on 6 March and my 4th consecutive weekly improvement. I was hoping for sub 31. Darn ☹️ Oh well 🤦♀️ Next week will be my first run after my post (this) lockdown haircut. Woohoo, can’t wait 😃😃
You are bound to run faster without the weight of lockdown hair Sandie. Thursday for me! Whoop whoop. I might be able to see better without this Claudia Winkleman fringe!
I wear sunglasses more often than I should because they act as a helpful barrier. I get odd looks when it’s thick black cloud, but I’m beyond caring! 😎
I was inspired to complete my first 5K, as I wanted to post here! I started running in January and completed C25K in 10 weeks. However, 30 min. of running at my speed only makes about 4K. I keep running about the same distance (at least have not stopped!) Last time I ran in a new location, on the flat ground and with somebody. I started too fast and had hard time completing 4K.... it was my fastest run at 6 :48 per km. So, I was inspired to make 5K today (with my dog) and we did so in 38 min. It was a good slow pace at about 7:30/ km and I completed it without much struggle. However, in a few more difficult moments ability to respond to your post was a motivating factor!
Very well done with your first 5k. Most people graduate C25k doing 4k in 30 minutes so you did well . I’ve been running 3 years now and still haven’t got to a 30 min 5k - doesn’t stop me trying though. 🏃♀️
Did a 5K on Tuesday (and a 4K on Thursday). Just felt achey today (too much gardening this week!) Will do another 5K tomorrow and hope to get under 45 minutes for 5K as part of my 8+K run.
Good news - I did over 8.6K. But it was the slowest run ever as well as for the the 5K split. It was only after 6K I got into my running. It was stop/start jeffing until then! My calves ached, then my ankles, then shins. It wasn't my day - but I did keep going. I might need a longer walk to warm up (and some longer warm up stretches) as it was nippy to begin with. More heel raises are in order next week!
Hi from another recent c25k completer - I too started in January and am now running 3 or 4 times a week. Still slow but yesterday managed to improve my 5k to 36:53 which left me in a great mood for the rest of the day ( mainly due to pace making by my hubby who then trotted off to complete another 10k after his "nearly a warm up" with me!). Today will be a gentle trundle of just a couple of k - to be honest I'm still in shock that I can do this😄
How nice to have another fellow runner, who started in January and completed 5K recently. Also.... who has a hubby who 'suffers' to run a the slow pace for the first 5K. I am in the same place. Luckily my H is recovering from 2+ months Achilles tendon injury, so 4-5K at my pace works just fine for now...
Hello! Back again. Just done my (not)parkrun and so glad I did. I’ve been like a bear with a sore head these last 24 hours trying to rest up. And because I didn’t tire myself out I didn’t sleep well last night. I’ll be so glad to get back to the gym next week so my ‘rest’ days feel useful.
We did our usual route but the petrol station turn near the end had a lot fewer walkers than we usually encounter. However a couple with a dog and a car nearing the exit meant I had to find some more in the tank to push on through in time, and I did actually find some!! Just as well really as the dog was not at all happy with me despite his lovely owners giving me plenty of room.
So, my fastest effort since my fastest back in February: 27:15. Amazing the difference a little rest can make. And I’m feeling much more cheerful now 😁
Well done TC. Great running as always and great time. I was watching Sky News this morning whilst having breakfast. Great to see things opening back up again in England. Enjoy the gym.
Thanks Damien, it’s only a matter of time before things open up where you are too. Looking forward to my mad half hour on the rowing machine tomorrow - the main thing I go for. 👍
It's been a busy weekend with family celebrating my (today I get my state pension 😀) birthday on Friday - hence my later than my usual late post!
However I did manage to squeeze in a (not) parkrun yesterday. Chilly, but not much wind, so I calculated that t-shirt, base layer and shorts would be sufficient. A relaxed 5k gave me 30.28 with 0% in HR Zone 5 - good result!
Celebrating the full reopening of my local Park Run course earlier than planned...
The Boating Lake has been closed for vital tree work on the side by the railway line for the past month or so, no big deal as I was still exercising ‘from home’. Parts of it were gradually reopened, but the last part....a small bridge linking the Lake to the Lower Playing Fields...wasn’t due to open until Monday 12th. This would link through to the River Walk, the complete Park Run course.
So it actually reopened Saturday, but as I was working that day, I left it until my usual Sunday run. Due to usual faffage, I didn’t get going until 10am and it was pretty busy!
So...with various lockdowns and whatnots...this is the first full run for me over the course. I’ve done some Consolidation runs...walk 5 minutes /run 30 minutes/ walk to end...but not an actual start to finish run!
So Sunday I ran my 2nd fastest 5k in 44:17. Average pace 8:52, splits: 8:49, 8:46, 8:52, 9:12, 8:41. Very pleased!
Didn’t post until today as then met up with a friend and spent an afternoon out and about in my little corner of Wales 🏴 🥰
Oh fantastic, great running and very well done. Great that your parkrun course is reopened again. Hopefully not long now until you are doing an actual real parkrun on it. Happy running.
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