Week 7 Run 1 - Parkrun: Up in lovely sunny Elgin... - Couch to 5K

Couch to 5K

132,331 members158,508 posts

Week 7 Run 1 - Parkrun

Sundae8pm profile image
Sundae8pmGraduate
12 Replies

Up in lovely sunny Elgin, I combined week 7 with a Parkrun. Got a little (...) carried away with the race; I would argue I got boxed in behind a very athletic woman pushing a buggy and a gaggle of others.

Well to cut a long story short, I exceeded my own optimistic target and came in around 27:30.  The first k was a little over 5 minutes and I managed to maintain that pace for the whole first lap, tiring towards the end.

I feel great; physically and mentally.  Just over a month ago I winced at the thought of having to run for 90 seconds, and 3 minutes was a major mental barrier. I used to read in awe at the exploits of others, and look forwards to the day when I could run 5k without stopping, with a side target of sub-30. To achieve that part way through the program shows that for us more competitive minded, it works. And then some!!!

Go for it. Keep going. Get out and run!!!

Written by
Sundae8pm profile image
Sundae8pm
Graduate
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
12 Replies

Brilliant !! Nothing else you can say, you should be very proud of yourself and  be wearing a huge smile , well done :D

Sundae8pm profile image
Sundae8pmGraduate in reply to

I am! 🤓

Ullyrunner profile image
UllyrunnerGraduate

Wow! That's really fast. Take care not to over do it - very impressive!

Sundae8pm profile image
Sundae8pmGraduate in reply to Ullyrunner

I was aiming for a sub-30, but never planned for it today.  The conditions were right and the opportunity was there.  I must admit I did scare myself a little when I saw the splits...

I will revert to a slower pace for the rest of my runs, but having got that (unofficial) milestone out of the way, I can now plan for graduation!

secan profile image
secanGraduate

Wow, what an impressive time!

If that is what you can do at W7, surely you are destined to a great running career!

Sundae8pm profile image
Sundae8pmGraduate in reply to secan

I might have left it a little late, as I am past my mid-40s, but I am highly surprised at my times. I do remember someone  trying to get into the Olympics in their 40s, but I don't think I will be trying to emulate that!

i have always found an excuse not to run, mainly because I couldn't as a teenager. Just shows what a positive attitude can do!

Sundae8pm profile image
Sundae8pmGraduate in reply to Sundae8pm

theguardian.com/sport/2014/...

Wow, that's great.  I'm about to start week 7 and I'm like you. 6 weeks ago I couldn't conceive of running for 25 minutes. Congratulations.  

Patrick1942 profile image
Patrick1942Graduate

Well done for you result at the parkrun,  but some of us are following the programme to avoid injury, always time to speed up once we graduate. 

Sundae8pm profile image
Sundae8pmGraduate in reply to Patrick1942

I think it is important to follow the program, and I am, with the only addition of increasing my last run time where I have the energy, time, and opportunity. 

I don't know where the speed has come from. As a teenager, my fastest 1.5 mile was 9:45, so it's not as if I have (had?) any natural ability...

Oldfloss profile image
OldflossAdministratorGraduate

Glad I am not competitive...wheww....but well done you.. Agree with Ully.. make sure you don't push too hard :)

Sundae8pm profile image
Sundae8pmGraduate in reply to Oldfloss

Back to my relatively sedate pace for Monday...

You may also like...

Week 7 Run 1, 1st ever Parkrun

the first time I have ever run 5k, came in around 50 minutes. The Parkrun people were lovely and I...

Week 7 Run 1 (In the bag)

pace, I think than the last 25 minute run on Wednesday. First 5 minutes seemed very long, but once...

Week 7 Run 3 - Extremely slow parkrun!

hill and through the 25 minute barrier. I finally had a little walk after 37 minutes when I knew I...

First ParkRun / Week 9 run 1 Done !

Road Running and Treadmills and a little more tougher on the legs!! Got round in 30.55 minutes...

Hello Week 7 Run 1...

that the 1st 10 minutes would hurry up and pass. Few minutes later and I had done my 1st lap. Still...