It has been a while since I posted here and just wanted to post a little update for myself and for anyone else who cares to read. The last time I posted I had just reached a personal goal of mine, that being a sub 30 minute in the 5k. Since then I have attended Park Run religiously and supplemented this with runs at the crack of dawn 3 times per week (another thing I have managed to crack). I have since improved on my sub 30 by completing a sub 29 in the following weeks of running.
This week, I completed my first-ever Christmas Eve Junior Park Run with my daughter and my first-ever Christmas Day Park Run with a Merry bunch of runners. It was an amazing experience and I want to make Christmas Day running a tradition from now on.
The time between Christmas and New Year has been traditionally a time that we spend eating leftovers and watching films. This year I have decided to use some of this time to get in extra miles on the trail. The fact that I am prioritising my training is a testimony to the mindset shift I have gone through this year. Running, especially running outdoors was something that instilled me with fear and disinterest, yet some part of me longed to go and do it. Now, I can't focus properly if I know that I have potentially missed a training window.
In addition to this, I have made a New Year resolution to keep a running journal where I document a debrief of every run I've completed. This is something I have been recommended multiple times and now I want to take it up and keep the momentum going throughout 2024 so I can look back at progress in more than just numbers on my Strava. I would love to know if others do this, and how they organise journal entries.
I have also been working through a training program via the Nike Run Club (NRC) and have now just finished week 5, where the long runs now begin to creep into new territory as I move beyond the 10km mark into parts unknown. I completed the final run of week 5 yesterday (boxing day) which was a 10km run and managed to complete it with a record PB time of 1:05:21, shaving an impressive 7 minutes off my previous PB in just a matter of weeks.
In week 6, I will be facing a 12km run, the furthest I will have ever gone, and although it is only an additional 2km from what I already know, I can't help but be slightly nervous about completing the extended distance. At the same time, it's quite exciting to see how my body and mind will cope pushing beyond what I know.
To conclude, I hope everyone had a very merry Christmas, and all the best for your running goals in 2024!
Written by
TormundsBeard
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This is great stuff, Tom you are getting stronger & the runs longer.
I do, write a personal parkrun report. I was posting here but had login issues.
I note weather conditions, my gear - trainers, tops etc), Where I’ve slowed down & strong areas & of course times.
From these reports I can see that a wet day will add - a good minute or two the results. So unlikely to be a PB day. I’ve done about 16 PRs.
I’m now a 34 min 5k down from 36 mins. jog/runner. I’m still carrying a good bit of weight on my tummy & have chestiness, two things that I think slow my running. So if I can keep my eating & training under control and the weather warms up. I think I can get to faster times.
Absolutely super update! You’ve got some great goals and you’re going to have so much to celebrate.
I still get nervous before long runs. I usually start saying I’ll just run for ten minutes, or maybe half an hour, or maybe just until halfway and from there the distance just gets shorter and shorter and by then I might as well just keep going! There’s a brilliant book called “ Do Hard Things” by Steve Magness all about the psychological side of running. I’d totally recommend it for thinking about how you can talk yourself through the longer runs.
Good post from you TormundsBeard, I have kept a old fashioned diary since I started C25K in 2018, I enter all my runs, 3K, 5K parkruns and the 44/10Ks I have run, my quickest 5K was or is 30:09 4 years ago at parkrun, my quickest non parkrun 5K is 31:31, never in a blue moon will I get a sub 30 minute 5k. I have now ran 102 parkruns and 153 (not ) parkruns which I enjoy, have a wonderful 2024 new year of running.
That is awesome to hear mate, keep up the running, and all the best for your 2024 running goals! Can't believe it has taken me this long to start journaling my runs but I'm glad that I have started now.
I have only had my beard for 10 years, I wish that I could have had it longer but my father, then late wife wouldn't allow me to grow a 🧔beard, I have had many compliments about my beard including a man who called it a "a killer beard" 😂 lol
As for keeping a running journal, I have used the Decathlon smartphone application for nearly two years which records not only the details of the runs but allows one to write notes on every run.
I loved reading this! Parkrun and running outside seem to have changed your life. I remember how anxious you were about it when you started running with your daughter.
And now you have become an inspiration as you continue to improve , running faster and longer distances. I seem to recall that once I got beyond 10K I was nervous about completing longer distances. I started listening to podcasts and also thought about my runs in parts. Like - part 1 is up to the pub. Part 2 up to the field. For some reason it helped!
A running journal is a brilliant idea. Well done for your magnificent progress 👏👏👏👍
Thank you for your comment Jools, and acknowledging something for me that I hadn't really fully realised. Yes, you are right. I feel totally comfortable outside now and honestly can't imagine feeling how I once had!
I have toyed with the idea of trying podcasts / audio books for my runs but most of the time on my runs I end up zoning out so I feel like I would probably not be able to pay attention.
And yes I really look forward to filling in my journal post run!
Thank you for the continued support. All the best for your running goals in the new year!
This is great reading and thank you for sharing !The idea of a journal is quite inspiring so I may follow suit in 2024. Your running journey seems to be going really well and also you’ve given me even more inspiration to go and parkrun. It had been my intention for 2024 anyway but now it’s definitely going to be a must do.
Well done and look forward to reading your future posts.
Thanks Dan. I have already done 3 park runs but they were a while ago I think the last one was May this year. So for me I’m going to start and go regularly. 🤣👍👍
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Keeping on running...
My running week
Time for another go at the 10km plan
