A happy 5K and a Personal Best!

Hey there fellow runnerbeans!

You know, I’ve been really looking forward to running this morning, and the conditions seemed perfect. Goldilocks weather I guess you could say, not too hot, not too cold, though parts of the towpath were a little bit like running through porridge

Anyway I put on the week 9 podcast from Laura just to have a bit of encouragement, and I also upgraded my subscription to the Pacer app I use so that I could get time per km spoken in my ear.

So I headed off down the canal towpath from High Lane in the direction of Marple. Past an old hall, burnt out many years ago, but now restored to posh flats. Normally I’m tiring by this point, but I kept going at the same speed, as I felt fine. Pacer told me I was running at 7.01 minutes/km which is a good steady speed for me.

I kept going, further on now, doing hopscotch over the puddles! This bit of the towpath wasn’t great. In the distance I can see Goyt mill, my target as I’ve never got that far on a run. Speed now 6.94m/k apparently. Under the main road, past the golf club, more puddles.

Now the path gets better and wider for a short while, as I approach the mill. 15 minutes and 2.3k. The path is now a quagmire so I turn round and run back.

More time checks, still around 7m/km.

To cut a long story short I was at about 4.3km I think, after the 30 minutes, so I kept going to 5k, finishing in about 35 minutes, which is a personal best. I feel brilliant! And to think, a year ago I would not have been able to run for a minute. This programme really works

Happy running, everyone!

[Sadie-runs Graduate]

Fantastic! This sounds like a lovely run, Neil. And to get a PB is always so cheering! Well done. Beautiful weather for running, eh? 👏😀🏃‍♀️

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Ideal weather actually it was one of those really good runs where things just came together. I think I’ve had a bit of a mindset change too, from “I’m not a runner” to “I can totally do this” that’s thanks to you Sadie, and the rest of the folks on here cheering me on.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

PBs are always something to be proud of.

Congratulations.

[Hidden in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you! It may not be much, but it felt really significant for me definitely got my sights set on a park run soon too.

[AnneDroid Graduate]

Great post.

[Hidden in reply to AnneDroid]

Thanks Anne, I enjoyed myself and wanted to share that, hopefully as an encouragement

[Mcdon Graduate]

Yes programme amazing 😉

[Hidden in reply to Mcdon]

I know!! If it hadn’t been for this programme, I know I would have given up long ago

[pinkaardvark Graduate]

Great job! I recall my first parkrun was a healthy 35 min and that felt like a good time to do it in, ie safely in the middle of the pack, so no embarrassment

[Hidden in reply to pinkaardvark]

Thank you! Yes, I’m working up to doing a park run... it’s confidence that’s stopping me I think, along with never having run with anyone before. But when I go for it, I’ll post here for sure

[Mcdon Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes I’m the same I’ve never done a parkrun im managing 10k now but I mostly run alone I’m worried in a group I’ll be trying to keep up and maybe not manage I hate losing 😝

[Hidden in reply to Mcdon]

I share your fears!!! And if you’re doing 10k, that’s brilliant, and puts you up there at “god” status in my book

[Mcdon Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Honestly if I can do it at 50 then you will manage too I kinda followed juju plan now now 10k a week plus a 5 k and a 8 k so far so good

[Hidden in reply to Mcdon]

Hey I’m 43, I’m catching you up!! But I think I should probably not try and run before I can walk. Oh, wait...!

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I am all signed up for park run and was going to do it tomorrow for the very first time...but dealing with a pesky recurrent (or ongoing) calf strain, so taking another week off running to allow it to heal. Well fed up. 🙁 But as soon as I am all better I am out there! I have similar nerves/worries about how I’ll cope running with others, but determined to face my fears! x

[Hidden in reply to Sadie-runs]

Oh Sadie, I didn’t realise it was so bad, so sorry sending hugs as always! Enjoy the rest, you’ve earned it. Oh and you certainly have nothing to worry about as regards the park runs, I know you’ll do yourself proud!

[Sadie-runs Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Neil. It’s not terribly painful, but a bit persistent! I am Queen if the Niggle, it seems. 😂

[DoingthebestIcan Graduate]

Love these stories. Have just completed week 1 badly

[Hidden in reply to DoingthebestIcan]

I’m sure this will be you soon enough! Well done for getting off the couch and completing week 1, that’s fantastic! I’m sure you did fine, there’s no such thing as a bad run round here. A run is a run! And trust me, it will get easier. We’re all here for you on this forum, and remember the rest days are vital at this stage. All the best!