25th Parkrun! 5km in 24:01

[Aftabs]

Hi all!

I have been naughty and haven't posted on HU for about 6 weeks. I didn't run much over Christmas because I picked up a cold which set off my asthma. I started to build my pace up again in January to try and beat my 5km PB of 22:12 but 2 weeks ago my calf muscles tightened up after an interval session. So I have been going easy since to recover.

Today was my 25th Parkrun and I ran within myself because my calf muscles are still a bit tight. It was a good run and I hope to run 3 times next week and eventually get back to 4 runs a week with two of the runs being interval sessions.

So I am halfway to getting the red 50 shirt and when I get it it will take its place next to my C25K graduation shirt. C25K got me running and Parkrun has kept me running!

[danzargo Graduate]

Amazing time Aftabs even though you were coming back from a cold. Well done you. I don't think Mo Farah does it that much faster than you!

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to danzargo]

Thanks Dan! I agree with you, Mo Farah is only a smidge faster than me (!)

[pot58 Graduate]

Congrats!! Hope that's me in months to come

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to pot58]

Thanks! Stick to it and you'll me amazed at what you can achieve.

[Burstcouch Graduate]

Your brilliant, I am so jealous. Your doing so well and making us all take stock. I will never reach the time but decided distance will be my thing.

Keep up your enthusiasm.

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to Burstcouch]

Thanks for the kind words. We should all set our own targets, we just need to make sure we stay fit and healthy!

[runningnearbeirut Graduate]

Well done on a great time while recovering and running within yourself.

Good to hear from you - have missed your posts keeping us updated with your progress. I'm sure once you are back to 100% and able to do your interval training more regularly you'll see that personal best improving.

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to runningnearbeirut]

I'll be better and post at least once a week from now on. I was so used to posting about new PBs and milestones so when I didn't have any I stopped posting. Naughty me...

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

I thought you had deserted us for some "serious" running forum, Aftab, so it is good to hear from you. Park run is great even when you don't run a PB. I was a minute off mine yesterday but still enjoyed it in the sun and the mud. My son, who is a cyclist rather than a runner, but pretty fit, went with me for his first parkrun, and only third ever 5k run. He left me soon after the start and finished in 23:38, with me being 3.5 minutes behind him. Is your Dad still running?

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

I'll be hanging around for the long run (no pun intended)! My Dad hasn't run for a few months because he has been very busy with work. he is a plumber/gas engineer and the winter is his busiest period. He plans to start C25K again soon and I'll take him to Parkrun once he has finished.

[suzybenj Graduate]

Great to see you back

[Aftabs Graduate in reply to suzybenj]

Thanks!

[Tinyrun Graduate]

I've read some of your posts Aftabs. I'm very impressed at your running and highly impressed that you got your dad to run too. Wonderful stuff. They should have your story with weight loss pictures at your local GP surgery to get others motivated to do it too. May be some of staff at the surgery could start this programme for their patients.

[mcgurranhouse Graduate]

24:01 - I wish!!! My pb is 25:30 but I haven't got under 26 this year! Very well done!