Should I run more than twice a week?

Will running more than twice a week or even only twice a week improve my chances of getting faster at parkrun?

Although I am not bothered by being last it would be nice one week to have someone finish behind me.

[greenlegs Graduate]

Mixing up the runs you do will probably help you to get faster - some shorter faster runs do really help (and they don't take so long!) Longer slower runs help with stamina. I don't think I've often done three runs in a week since I graduated (though I am doing other things like yoga, cycling and walking, which have improved my overall fitness) and I am getting a bit faster, and wasn't quite last at parkrun this week!

[Oldgirl Graduate]

I agree with Greenlegs 100%, if you can mix up your running by doing some fast/slow intervals also some hill work on a different run, this will all help with your strength and stamina and the speed intervals will help you knock some time off your Parkrun too. If you can do 3 runs a week all the better but we all know life's other commitments can get in the way. Good luck and you know having a goal to aim for is always healthy so your's can be improvement of your Parkrun time. Please let us know how you get on.

[roundbutsound Graduate]

If you are doing the Braunstone parkrun on 1st June you won't be last cos I'm going

[Hidden in reply to roundbutsound]

Hi

Yes I iam doing Braunstone parkrun on 1st june however I am sure you will be faster than me. I didnt think I would be last but I ended up at the back only getting company when the others lapped me!

[roundbutsound Graduate]

I'll see you there, we can fight for last spot if you like but I thought you said somewhere that you do 5k in 43 mins, it takes me 52+ mins unless I've found an extra 9 mins somewhere you will be a bit faster. Keep at it you'll be flying in no time

[roundbutsound Graduate]

Hi Ebony, did you go on Saturday? If so were you the lady in a purple top and black trousers? That lady was about 200 yards in front of me for the first lap. I was going to do 2 laps and went up the hill through the wood but it finished me off. I ran the whole of the first lap including the hills without stopping or walking, it took me 25 mins but I am so pleased with myself. How did you get on?

[Hidden in reply to roundbutsound]

Hi

Yes I did go on saturday and I was wearing a purple t shirt and black running trousers so I probably was the lady in front of you. I did the second lap and finished in 48mins but I admit I had to walk for a few seconds a couple of times - maybe if I had continjued to run I might have finished quicker who knows! Hope to be going this saturday but may have to leave it for a couple of weeks as it is costing over £5 a time on the bus from Hinckley (return)

[roundbutsound Graduate]

Well done, I can't possibly run round twice even with a bit of walking. I usually run on the first lap (and last Saturday was the first time I ran a whole lap) and walk a lot with a bit of running on the second lap. Do you get the pictures on facebook? If so I'm the fat lady in a blue top and there is a picture of me running on my own, there are no other pictures you could mistake for me

It will be a shame if you can't keep it up because of cost but £5 per week is a lot perhaps you could come over just once a month so you could get a time and measure your progress. If you do that, let me know when you are coming and I'll try and run that week. My name is Janet by the way, you can't really go up to someone and say 'Hello are you roundbutsound?' that could get you in a lot of trouble

[Hidden in reply to roundbutsound]

Hi Janet

It was nice to meet you last week. Do you attend parkrun every week? I have been to five so far and really enjoy it due to the friendly and encouraging atmosphere from people I dont know well enough to be bosom buddies despite my current rubbish times.

Once a month is an interesting idea and will have to think about it some more; it would save money but am not sure whether it will have an impact on my performance at parkrun either positively or negatively.Could anyone else answer this dliemma?

Dont know whether I will be there this saturday havent made up mind and next saturday (22nd) is not a definite either as will have only returned from Cornwall on the friday so will make a decision on the day; if I am up I may turn up,

[roundbutsound Graduate]

Yes it was good to put a face to the name. My daughter and I have been going to Saffron Lane athletics track in Leicester so not doing parkrun every week but I think this will be changing due to my timetable so we'll be doing parkrun more often. Not sure about this week as we are on holiday and may not feel like it. I ran a complete lap last Saturday in about 27 minutes, no stopping or walking so next time I aim to run a complete lap then run/walk lap 2, I'll see if I can improve my time of 52+ minutes. You aren't affiliated to C25K at parkrun so your time doesn't show on the C25K website. Maybe see you again soon