Help!!!!! 😳

[Crockymumma]

Hi all, it’s my graduation run tomorrow and I’m doing a sponsored 5k to commemorate it in aid of my boys school!! I’ve raised over £200 and i know I can do the 5k but it’s time I’m worried about! I set myself the challenge of doing it in 30 mins but so far my quickest is 33.50!! 😕 my legs kind of lock into a rhythm and I don’t seem to be able to step it up!! Any tips for the big run tomorrow morning gratefully received!! 🤢

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well done you... just run the 5K... it is for Charity.... if it takes longer..it will not matter one bit xx Speed and distance will come later...

Relax and enjoy

[Crockymumma in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you! I actually feel I can run a lot longer than 30 mins already as I don’t really warm up til 15mins or so! 😂 but even after tomorrow I’m sticking to 5k runs, just work on pace xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to Crockymumma]

You will be just fine... take it steady.. the idea is fun Let us know how you go on please

[Crockymumma in reply to Oldfloss]

Will do x

[sallenson Graduate]

If there's a reasonable crowd waiting at the tape then the adrenaline will probably make you a fair bit faster Just don't start too fast. We don't want to blow up half way through.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!!

[Crockymumma in reply to sallenson]

Thank you! Yeah that’s kind of what I’m hoping! Wing and a prayer I think 🤪

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Crockymumma]

And it's not the end of the world if it's over 30mins. You'll have a good time and support a good cause. And there may be cake at the end. That's always worth a sprint to make sure the Coffee and Walnut doesn't vanish

[Crockymumma in reply to sallenson]

Ha ha, I like your style!! Maybe I’ll get my hubby and boys to stand at the finish line with a giant coffee éclaire!! 😂

[sallenson Graduate in reply to Crockymumma]

Just point me at it!!!! I'll save you some crumbs

[Crockymumma]

Do you guys think I should run with my headphones as usual or with nothing? I’m torn! I’d quite like to run without the distraction of music or the app in my ear, but then I won’t have Runkeeper telling me pace?! Thoughts?? X

[Hidden in reply to Crockymumma]

I don't think tomorrow is the time to change things up, got a job to do! Personally I like my pace announcements so I can pick up the pace on the last .5. I changed Strava too announce every .5k too so I can change my pace of need be. Makes a huge difference.

We've routinely been running the extra to get the 5K (since the end of W8) and now running 31.5 but never getting close to the 30. Not courting injury by pushing it, we just go out, do our thing and the numbers have come down a little at a time. We're running W10R2 next time out.

You're not far away so it might happen, but I'm not comfortable advising you to push for it. Wouldn't it be awful if you end up on the IC.

Good luck with the run whatever you decide. Will be looking out for your update.

[sallenson Graduate]

I'd try without headphones, but keep the app running. It's really about enjoying the whole experience, not blocking it out. But feel free to do what you're most comfortable with obvs

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

If it takes you a long time to warm up.........then take a long time to warm up before the run starts.

That way you will maximise your chances of getting a good time.

That said, it is highly unlikely that you will knock nearly four minutes off your time, so don't bust a gut trying to hit that target.

As Oldfloss says, relax and enjoy the fact that you can take part in the event.

Plenty of time to hit the 5k in 30 minutes target later in your running career.

[Tasha99 Graduate]

I graduated in April with a ParkRun of 35+ minutes and despite getting to 10k, my 5k is only down to 31:57. Keep going. It’s a slow process!

[Jay66UK Graduate]

I wished I could run 5k within 40 minutes. Your time is completely respectable. Enjoy the run, don’t worry about the time.

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Good luck crockymumma. Don’t forget to do your 5 mins brisk walk though.

[Bridget007 Graduate]

Good luck! Don’t worry about the time you are fast anyway in comparison to a lot of us! I can only dream of 33.50 😂 Enjoy your run and well done on raising £200 😃😃

[CJDavies Graduate]

Why don’t you take the headphones and then pull them out if you feel you don’t want them?

Just get in your rhythm and enjoy it.

[Saartjie Graduate]

I personally think 33.5 is amazing! Go enjoy the race and well done for raising money for charity 😎

[oldwheezer69 Graduate]

Nobody is going to withhold sponsor money because you took a few extra minutes 😁 Enjoy the graduation run, and don't push yourself too hard and end up injured 😓 You've done so well to get this far.... Well done!! 👍👍👍👍