One minute has never felt so good.

[runswithdogs]

Almost at the end of what felt to be a very run-of-the-mill 5 k, I looked down at my watch and realized I could hit a personal best if I sprinted like heck the last 250 meters or so. Normally I don't have much left in the tank, and I've been running mostly 3-4 k lately (finding I like short fast runs better than gentle long ones) so I'm amazed I had anything left approaching the 5 k mark. Something came over me and I ran like a crazed, possessed person until I heard my Garmin beep for the 5 k. My June pre-running self would think this was bizarre.

I was worried I was losing my endurance by loving the short runs a little too much, but the fartleks must have helped as I shaved a full minute off my best 5 k time. This bodes well for me as I have my first race in October and am having major first-race jitters.

So I will happily carry on with my lovely short fast runs, in combination with the requisite 5 k + ones. Perhaps instead of the post-graduation distance goal I originally considered I will aim for a sub 30 minute 5 k.

[Amisnan Graduate]

Very impressive stuff! Sounds to me like you've got a winning formula. Happy running

[scawbyplace Graduate]

Hey RWD well done!

I also started to worry about enjoying the short runs too much until I realised that these would have been long runs to me when I was doing C25K and had only become short runs because I was getting fitter and faster doh!

Good luck with the race. Braver than me : /

[misswobble Graduate in reply to scawbyplace]

Great stuff RWD!!!! Those short dashes do help with the fitness, and sometimes we just run too much. I think you are on target for your race. I bet you're really looking forward to it now. Your training is paying off and you will be ready come the big day. It's ok to get jitters. It's normal as we don't know what to expect. We all have that first race to get past.

I hope the remainder of your training goes according to plan

[runswithdogs Graduate in reply to scawbyplace]

Very true! I remember 60 seconds being tough so I should see my lovely 3k route with that in mind. I'm glad someone else likes the short ones.

As for the race - I committed to it with a bunch of workmates prior to even running one step or finding out about this program. Will let you know how it goes, I think it's good for me to try running at least one to see what it's like.

[Wonkyknee Graduate]

Fantastic! Amazing sometimes where you can find that little but of reserve....I think sub 30 5k is great goal and very achievable for you

[MarlyParly Graduate]

Gosh a whole minute shaved off your PB is amazing, well done! As a fairly recent graduate & newbie, what the heck is a fartlek..? Nothing to do with using gaseous emissions to increase acceleration I presume..?

[runswithdogs Graduate in reply to MarlyParly]

Ha! I'll consider all suggested techniques to get me through the race.

I'm not an expert, but how I've understood fartleks is to add some faster intervals into your running. You decide how fast, you decide how long. So I run my regular pace, and will pass by a landmark - a tree, a person walking their dog, whatever suits your fancy. Then pick up the pace anywhere from either a little bit faster to a sprint until you got the next landmark of your choosing - next mailbox, three hours down etc.

Essentially it's running like a six year old again. Fast when you like, slow when you don't. I keep bugging my partner to come out and join for one - that way we could take turns calling the start and stop places.

It's fantastically fun. If you try one let me know how you like it.