A 5k PB :)

[chrisl72]

Set out this morning for a 25 minute guided easy run on the pavements after a couple of weeks exclusively on the trails. Just fancied a change!

Only when I got to 25 minutes I realised my first 2 miles had been rather quicker than anticipated. My previous best times were 34:03 on my first ever 5k back in March, and a 33:36 on an intervals run in May. So I figured, why not, and carried on to see what I would get!

Delighted to report that my new PB came in at 32:03

(I think there is a bit more to come too, as the first 1k was quite a bit slower.)

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Congratulations on your PB

[chrisl72 Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thank you Sola

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Congratulations on your PB

[chrisl72 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thank you Al

[nowster Graduate10]

My first unexpected 5km PB was done during a longer intervals run too. My previous ones had been both "pushed" to a certain pace, and on both the previous occasions I'd hurt myself in some way.

Your choice of course will influence your time. My first sub-60 minute 10km run was done on an almost flat course: three laps of a local reservoir on a Bank Holiday Monday. My fastest (official) parkrun time was on a much flatter course than my usual one.

[chrisl72 Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Thank you Nowster, when I realised a good time was 'on' I kept the rest of my route pretty flat

This run wasn't pushed, it started out as "easy" but your comment makes me wonder - apart from bragging rights an absolutely flat-out PB says what?! Probably what's more important is what one can do in a sustained way? (Plenty of room for argument over that I guess!)

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to chrisl72]

My PB for parkrun was at Newborough Forest on Anglesey. The course isn't flat, but is generally gently uphill for the first half and downhill for the second half.

My "freedom" parkrun PB, from nearly this time last year was at Blickling Park in Norfolk. Four of us (separately) turned up and found it was cancelled. One knew the course, so we ran it. I was chatting with one of the guys who effectively acted as my pacemaker for the first lap. Similarly the slopes were gentle.

My local parkrun is Chadderton, and that's hilly. My PB for there was set last September, so there may be some truth in your "after running through the hot period we'll all be a bit quicker when it cools down".

[XenaZelda]

well done on your PB, your nearly there to 5km in 30 mins 😃I recently got a PB of 37.3 mins for a 5km (very first 5km after graduating I did it in 40.56) so that’s a good 3 mins shaved off my time 😃 and I will be working on 5km in 30 minutes when the weather cools down as it’s far too hot and humid to try now.

[chrisl72 Graduate10 in reply to XenaZelda]

Well done XenaZelda, that's a good amount of time to shave off! I expect after running through the hot period we'll all be a bit quicker when it cools down

[XenaZelda in reply to chrisl72]

Thankyou, we will be a lot quicker I think by then, if we can tough out running in this heat as it’s increased effort it won’t take as much effort in the colder months hence further improvement in pace, happy days 😃

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Well done Chris! You’ll get there. 👏👏👏👏👏👏

[chrisl72 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you cheekychipmunks, 30 minutes is in the back of my mind now, definitely think it's achievable; at least the splits suggest so!

[Oldfloss Administrator 60minGraduate]

Really well done you!!! I cannot even remember my first PB for a 5K !!!

I am a great believer in the more rums you do the more it evolves and the runs just get better! I am not really a pusher... but you will most certainly get where you want to be, I feel sure..

PS

Just found it was in 2021... 30.03... that is official, on Strava. I did run 5K in 30 minutes, on my Graduation run in 2015, ( I thought we had to)....but I was not on Strava then so obviously that doesn't count

I was younger then too... only 65!

Go you !

[chrisl72 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you oldfloss, I think that's what happened yesterday, all the 'hard' work on 'easy' runs over the last few weeks came together

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10]

Absolutely fantastic! Those PBs feel great when they pop up unexpectedly. I’ve had quite a few where that’s happened-I think it shows you’re running relaxed and in the zone. Well done!!

[chrisl72 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thank you MissUnderstanding it was very much a pleasant surprise!

[Folkylass Administrator]

congratulations Chris! You are doing great. Better than me at the moment. After a restless night I didn’t get out this morning. However I’ll be out tomorrow so all good🥰

[chrisl72 Graduate10 in reply to Folkylass]

Thank you Folkylass, hope you get a better night tonight, so hard sleeping well in the heat and humidity isn't it. Best luck for tomorrow's run!

[Folkylass Administrator in reply to chrisl72]

Thanks Chris!😂