Run faster

[Austen304]

After a year of parkruns I do them no quicker than when I started - in fact sometimes more slowly than the early ones. In those I got down (!) to the high thirties from my initial 40 minutes but now I have slowed sometimes to 41-42 minutes. In my eighties, I can't expect to be anything near quick but I ought to do better than that. I've tried a number of pacing aids - Ratesetter, C25K+ podcasts, my TomTom watch - but the overall effect seems to be to give me the impression that I'm doing better than I actually am. I try to run twice during the week but usually have to settle for once, sometimes over the parkrun course, sometimes over rough ground, with tree roots and grass tussocks to make it harder. I understand that 'the main thing is you've done it', as I am told so often, but some suggestions on doing it better would be welcome.

[davelinks Graduate]

Why does it matter how long you take to do a Parkrun! I know someone who has done nearly 70 Parkrun's and is still at 42-44 mins aged 66 and just enjoys it thoroughly..and also another who in early 70s takes nearly 50 mins! So your doing great!💪

[misswobble Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Hmm I get where you're coming from. Most of us want to get quicker I suppose, it's only natural. I should keep plugging away in the belief that it will come. These things have to be worked at so maybe you could do an extra run mid week, maybe more hilly routes would be good for you as they do make you fitter and give you more puff. You tackle hills slowly mind you but when you get on the flat you should run quicker. It takes time though but it's worth persisting with your plan

Good luck!

[Austen304 in reply to davelinks]

It's good to have a target, I believe, otherwise the run becomes routine. Perhaps I should work towards 10k, though I'm not sure I can find the time required: 2 x 40 minutes plus a large age allowance would occupy much of the day!

[MrsLis Graduate]

I've only done one parkrun and so I'm hardly in a position to advise you but I have a couple of thoughts...

If you're really set on getting faster (and why shouldn't you be?) then could you try a different parkrun, just to mix it up a bit. Just so that you don't know your timing as you're running it because you've lost your landmarks.

Or, some weeks I believe that there are pace setters at parkrun, running with pacing numbers on their backs. I don't know if you need to let them you that you're aiming at a particular time or whether you just follow the one you choose but I think I'd let them know anyway so that they can watch out for you and pull you along at times if you need it.

Good luck though, hope you'll come back and tell us more!

[Austen304 in reply to MrsLis]

Thanks for a good suggestion, though misswobble's mention of hills is a bit daunting. And I would have to get up earlier to drive the distance to the next parkrun. Excuses are easily fabricated.

[davelinks Graduate]

I've never seen pacers over 30mins, and they will just run, you have to be able to keep up with them, they won't wait for you!

[Austen304 in reply to davelinks]

My Parkrun had pacers lat week, including a 40 minute pacer. Unfortunately, they weren't labelled and I only found out about the one I would have followed after I had finished.

[Wannaberoadrunner Graduate]

How you followed the 5K plus programme?