My first off road run! Squelch! : Well as the... - Couch to 5K

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My first off road run! Squelch!

aliboo70 profile image
13 Replies

Well as the sun was shining and i was off work, although a lie in would have been lovely i persuaded my partner to accompany me again at Parkrun (our 4th!)

Course Description:

Our course consists of approximately 2000m of footpaths and 3000m of grass; its a slighty undulating, twisting route over Seaclose Park and Medina sports fields, taking in scenic views of the River Medina and the town of Newport.

I missed last week and it had been the first time they had returned to their original venue for quite a few months due to the bad weather and i was keen to try running off road, my first time!!

There was a good turn out and although i didn't have my pal Tracy to run with i decided to start near the back and just try my best to keep up with the crowd. The course wasn't TOO squishy, though now i've looked at my trainers afterwards i can safely say there was a fair amount of mud in places. The first lap seemed to go on WAY too long, i was quite puffed and calf was stiff again, but gritted my teeth and thought this wasn't going to be the day i gave up! it was hot out there, got down to my vest quite quickly, was trying out my new sports bra from LOVE RUNNING shop in Newport, it was excellent!(payday treat!) so felt more secure than usual!

All the stewards were really encouraging, two young sisters who are regular runners were doing a sterling job saying "well done keep on going!" as everyone slogged past, all the steward were great "think of that glass of wine later" & "what a great effort"(who me?!!) , the one that said "set your sights on that person infront , then catch them!" made me giggle, but i did manage to overtake a few and soon the end was in sight and a speedy-ish finish!! YAY! :)

My time was 33.25, not my fastest but on around 20seconds off my fastest and that was on a flat cycle track...so feeling quite pleased, though just been on doggy walk and legs are a bit stiff! My partner did 24 mins so he will be pleased :)

Hope everyone has a good running weekend, I'm super impressed with members currently training for longer runs & marathons, just to get to 10k by the end of the year is my aim, 5 k still seems like a feat to me!!

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aliboo70
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13 Replies
thinlizzyIwish123 profile image
thinlizzyIwish123Graduate

Sounds like you had a great run! My park run was a lot dryer by the sounds of things. Weather was great though wasn't it? You deffo deserve a well earned rest. I'm not even thinking beyond 5K at the moment. To be able to get round the 5K without having to stop at some point would be fantastic. We keep on plodding! Happy running! :-D

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70 in reply tothinlizzyIwish123

Thankyou !nice to be out enjoying the sunshine :) Forgot to mention that got to have lovely cheese scone and cappuccino in town after, sat out in a cafe garden :) Lovely! Good luck with your runs this week..........

Tinabee41 profile image
Tinabee41Graduate

Ooh Albioo I have enjoyed reading your post. I am still a little shy about doing a park run but keen to try it. I don't have a running buddy and my local park run is in an area I am a little unfamiliar with. I treated myself with pair of running tights and new trainers. They didn't seem as comfy as my very old pair...my graduation pair!!!..ha ha, maybe they just need breaking in. On the plus side, even though I did manage a 4 mile run on thurs night, today was the first time that a 5k actually felt comfortable. Well done for today and looking forward to some nice sunny spring runs.xx

moonmar profile image
moonmarGraduate in reply toTinabee41

I am with you Tinabee41 about running with others. Up to now I have only run with Laura, enjoying the views at the weekend and her company on early mornings. Really nervous about doing a park run but have told myself to register for the Birmingham Colour Run in August.

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70 in reply tomoonmar

the colour run looks great i checked it out online when heard others talking about it, but think our nearest one is in Brighton? :(

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70 in reply toTinabee41

thanks tinabee, i find a lot of the people at ours run on their own, everyone finds their pace i guess! from what i've seen and heard they are really friendly so i wouldn't worry too much, give it a try! i still find 5 k quite a challenge but i guess if it was too easy then it wouldn't be such a quest! my legs still a bit cranky today! :) i'm thinking of new trainers too, think they take a while to get used to.............

Sounds like a good run. Keep on enjoying it and you will achieve that 10K. Best wishes.

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70 in reply to

thanks fitmo will try my best! thinking of trying a local running group affiliated to the LOVERUNNING shop i went to, its informal and not scary like the other ones on a tuesday after work - its from beginners upwards choice of miles up to 4 and a donation on the night goes to the local London Marathon runners....:)

in reply toaliboo70

sounds like a good option.

danzargo profile image
danzargoGraduate

Go you, ALiboo - go you Aliboo - (that sounds like a football chant?!)

33 mins aint that bad you know, and like you, I am trying to reach the 10K distance but find that 5K is really my comfortable distance. Setting a goal for the end of the year is a brilliant idea though. I might do that myself! Your 24 mins that your partner did is INCREDIBLE!

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70 in reply todanzargo

i know make you sick as he doesn't do any other running but is v keen cyclist, he did a time trial of 10 miles yesterday pm in 27 mins ! Though he was very knackered after and legs stopped working for a while! He did get overtaken again at Parkrun by my 11 yr old godson so he has something to aim for too! My friends husband does it in 22 mins! 5 k still a challenge but at least when i'm flagging i tell myself that i've done it quite a few times now :) That 10 k may take a while.............!!

no-excuse profile image
no-excuseGraduate

Great Aliboo, sounds like a good run in the sun. You should be pleased with that time given the mud and squish! I got out early yesterday along the roads, its still taking me 39 mins, but, that's an improvement on a couple of weeks ago, so I'm quite pleased. Hope you celebrated with your Baileys! x

aliboo70 profile image
aliboo70 in reply tono-excuse

well done to you, its nice to see we are improving! Went to a wedding anniversary party sat eve & was driving , but did have baileys when i got in, but now bottle from xmas is empty :(

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