The Marathon, in ParkRuns.: Many of us are back... - Couch to 5K

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The Marathon, in ParkRuns.

MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate
20 Replies

Many of us are back from our weekly ParkRun. Some of us have achieved PBs, and some have been thrilled to complete the 5km course. Other have met up with friends, but we've all had fun.

When you are watching the London Marathon tomorrow, remember that a marathon is 8.44 ParkRuns in a row, with no stopping. Paula Radcliffe's record time for the marathon is 2:15:25. Converting that into a 5km Parkrun time comes out at 0:16:02.

Humbling, isn't it? At her peak, Paula ran 16 minute park runs, 8 times in a row.

Best wishes to all the participants, volunteers and marshalls.

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MarkyD profile image
MarkyD
Graduate
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20 Replies
ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate

blimey that puts it in perspective!! Sadly I couldn't go today as I had to take Rosie our hen to the vets to be put down as she got a nasty infection from a trapped egg :(

MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate in reply to ju-ju-

I'm sorry to hear that JJ.. didn't know that, as well as being our resident ultra-runner you also keep hens.

Have you recovered OK from Paris?

ju-ju- profile image
ju-ju-Graduate in reply to MarkyD

They are my daughters hens. She has 6 hens, 3 quails and 2 buns!!! She loves all animals. She was distraught this morning but at least Rosie is in chicken heaven now ;) Ive only run once since, but I feel fine now...planning on a long run tomorrow in support of those doing London :)

AdamB profile image
AdamBGraduate in reply to ju-ju-

Just make sure you don't serve up chicken for the Sunday roast tomorrow. Someone may not speak to you again for an awful long time. Don't ask me how I know (and I wasn't the culprit this time).

useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseitGraduate in reply to ju-ju-

Ouch. Poor her.

one of my colleagues at work is running it tomorrow :D

MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate in reply to

They have my admiration. Some weeks I am thrilled to cross the line at Park Run, let alone do it 8.5 times!

in reply to MarkyD

Totally with you on that. I shall be very happy to just get back to 5K

dotty_segs profile image
dotty_segsGraduate

Wow that's amazing.

I have yet to do a park run. what puts me off is thinking everyone will complete it in less than 30 mins while I plod along and complete it in 50 mins. i don't fancy being last!

Sorry to hear abt the hen.

Enjoy watching the marathon tomorrow.

MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate in reply to dotty_segs

Oh Dotty, don't be put off. At my local Park Run today, over 100 people enjoyed the course for more than 30 minutes, and you would not have been last.

Joh2020 profile image
Joh2020Graduate in reply to dotty_segs

Don't be put off Parkrun because of your time, have a look at your local Parkrun website results page.

There's a massive range of abilities and whatever your time, completing it feels great!

dotty_segs profile image
dotty_segsGraduate in reply to Joh2020

Thanks for the encouragement. I'll go have a look at my local park run website for the timings. I'll try to aim to go one time (or more) before my race for life in July, by then I should have graduated from the c25k programme! Plan to do w5r1 tmw morning then I can watch the marathon as a reward hah!

AdamB profile image
AdamBGraduate

Well, my long term goal is to do a half marathon at something like the same time that the leaders will complete a full marathon in. That won't happen for some time yet, though.

AncientMum profile image
AncientMumGraduate

Wow that's an awesome statistic. I knew she was an amazing runner but that really brings home quite how amazing she is! :)

MarkyD profile image
MarkyDGraduate in reply to AncientMum

You're amazing too, AM.

It is just that Paula is amazingly faster than all of us! A few years ago I went out for a 25 mile bike ride over London Marathon weekend, and completed it slower than Paula could run it :-)

AncientMum profile image
AncientMumGraduate in reply to MarkyD

Why thank you Marky that's very sweet of you. She is an extraordinary athlete, I'm going to be glued to the telly tomorrow morning cheering her and all the other runners on x

Juliejam profile image
JuliejamGraduate

This made me laugh. - I am really trying hard with interval training at the moment and have just realised. I run paula Radcliffe time ........ For 60 seconds and then I am complete exhausted . Wow. What a star she is. - it just seems impossible

However during the first 30 secs or so of an interval, I feel great. Shame it falls apart

I wonder what sort of high Paula has when she finishes a marathon - guess she will be emotional tomorrow

Best of luck to anyone ruuning tomorrow

goonkeepgoing profile image
goonkeepgoingGraduate

I was at Loughborough Uni at the same time as Paula Radcliffe and her training runs around the campus were in super sonic speed. She is totally super human :) So much admiration for her success and for her guts to 'fight back' and run tomorrow.

useitorloseit profile image
useitorloseitGraduate

Speed is odd. I was out running today and doing a fair pace (for me). Then some chap who looked at least 15-20 yrs older than me came bowling past me looking like he was barely breaking out of a walk, but clearly going about 50% faster than me. Am I doing something wrong? My fastest pace is about 6.45 min/k, and I can't do that for long! My legs aren't that little (I'm 5'7") but they just don't seem to propel me as fast as other folk! I'm not obsessive about speed, but it just seems weird that I can train and train and I just don't seem to be that quick.

Theziggy profile image
TheziggyGraduate

I'm sure it will be very emotional for Paula as she says she is lucky to be fit enough to even be running today after her foot injury. I'm sure the fact that she won't even be starting with the 'elite' runners will also needle her competitive spirit.

But I am sure she has been the inspiration for so many lady runners (and men) - look at the stats of how female participation in the marathon has increased - an increase I would attribute partly to Paula.

Good luck to all running, walking, wheelchairing in today's marathon. I am in awe of each and every one of you (and Juicy Ju too)

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