W10r3 and a day of firsts

[Sybilw]

Well - I took the plunge today and turned up for my first 5k parkrun (having never got to 5k yet) and I left Sarah in the car 😔. I missed her because although they said it was a friendly group they weren’t very talkative today. I did manage one conversation where I shamelessly plugged C25K though! I didn’t manage to run the entire distance because there were 2 laps and the hill I managed the first time came mid 3k so I had a wee walk. My time was 37.17 so ok (I think) and was second in my age group. Sounds good until you look and find there were only 3 of us!! I’ll do it again I expect as it’s a good challenge at the end of the week if I get lazy. (Sarah will get to com next time though - i can always unplug her.

[Fernshome]

Well done 👍 I too done my first park run today and it has a hill and you were expected to run up it 3 times needless to say I didn’t manage to do that😛.. I found it challenging but in a strange way it was enjoyable Think I will try to go each week to see if I can improve Take care and keep posting

[Sybilw Graduate in reply to Fernshome]

That’s my plan too. 2 x 30 min runs with Sarah and one parkrun to keep me on my toes. 3 hills - that’s tough!! Well done you.

[antonioa Graduate]

Well done. Wasn't sure what you meant by W10R3!! For a moment I thought the app had been updated. Keep at it

[Sybilw Graduate in reply to antonioa]

No 😊 I’m just keeping track so that I

a - keep running

b - get out three times a week

c - do at least 3 weeks of consolidation (I suspect it may be MUCH longer!!)

Not sure I want/need to tackle 10k but if I can keep up the 30 minutes and manage a few 5ks that’ll suit me. After all no one thought I’d do it (especially me!!)

[antonioa Graduate in reply to Sybilw]

You need to do what you're comfy with. If (when) I achieve 3 x 5k per week, I'd be ecstatic!! That's more than enough considering I hadn't run for years before starting the programme. As you say, if you're happy with what you ultimately achieve, then stick to that. You don't have to elevate yourself to 10k - but then in the future you may think differently. Keep it up.

[Sybilw Graduate in reply to antonioa]

Plodding on - 30 minutes at a time I think!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Way to go! I chose Sarah too... dunno there’s much difference in the coaches but MJ would just intimidate me😂

They may have been less talkative today as it was a little cooler than recent weeks and they could be chasing PBs.

3 in your age group? Shame on the ones sat on the couch, or more likely still in bed.

Enjoy your next one.

[Sybilw Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Apparently the older you get the less opposition you have! 😆

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Sybilw]

C25K seems to be changing that slowly... 3rd in your age group was used to finishing second I guess.

I’ve been procrastinating getting back into running for some time and I was amused by reports earlier this summer from the parkruns as they mentioned lower placings as “the students are home” featured a lot. So I’ll be heading to Cambridge to take advantage of this next year 😂😂

[KN25 Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Lol Michael is so cool and when he tells you that you are a runner well that’s good enough for me I’m not arguing with the big man 😂

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to KN25]

Yeah, if he called me a runner I’d be beaming... not totally sure on the logic of the app... if he told me I should hang up my shoes and go do something else I’d have to 😂

[Sybilw Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Not sure I believed Sarah all the time. Especially when she said it might be getting difficult but she’d be right with me. I always imagine her on the sofa with a cup of tea!! Maybe other coaches have different scripts.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to Sybilw]

I always see her sat too... on the QI panel

[Sybilw Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Love her!

[owmeknees]

Well done Sybil! I think that’s a fantastic time! Sorry to hear the natives weren’t that friendly though! Keep going. 👏😄

[Sybilw Graduate in reply to owmeknees]

Will do. It might be because of the terrified look on my face!!😩 thanks

[telford_mike Graduate]

Well done Sybilw , that’s a really good time! I'm just starting week 11 and still doing my week 9 route. I can do the same route that took 30 minutes in week 9 in 27 minutes now, but I need to slow down if I want to run further.

Keep going!

[Sybilw Graduate in reply to telford_mike]

Wow 3 min! That’s good. I saw a couple of very young kids yesterday - but only at the start!! Might take my granddaughter one day but I’ll have to toughen up first. 9 year olds tell it straight!! 🤣

[Equi-geek Graduate in reply to telford_mike]

😲 that’s fantastic!

[Sweatylady Graduate]

Well done! Park run is a big step!

[Sybilw Graduate in reply to Sweatylady]

Thank you. Felt like walking into a new class! Wanting to talk to someone but scared that might!!

[helen0794 Graduate]

Hi Sybilw Well done you! I too did my first ever ParkRun yesterday 🌳😀. I attached myself to a lovely gent who was was walking at my pace..! Very lovely, until we found out we’d gone the wrong way on lap 2!! Needless to say I needed a walk on one of the inclines...by the time we righted ourselves I’d completed 5.67k!! Graduated last week on 4.1k so quite chuffed to still be alive! I agree - think I’ll try again next week just to see how I compare my time in the right route. I want a 50 Parkrun T shirt 😂😉. Keep up the good work xx

[Sybilw Graduate in reply to helen0794]

Oh that’s what I call an ultra 5k! Well done. That t shirt sounds like a challenge (except I’ve just realise that means a whole year 😱). I’m away from home this week so won’t even make it 2 in a row! Also since I’ve only run since April I’ve only run when it’s dry/warm/hot. Lots of challenges ahead. I’ve still to prove I’m not just a fair weather runner!

[helen0794 Graduate]

We can do this...we’re runners!😊

[Sybilw Graduate in reply to helen0794]

Still looks strange even though Sarah told me this 4 weeks ago! Well done us!

[BaddieThePirate Graduate]

Took me 42 mins to do my first park 'run'. I think your time is ace !

[Sybilw Graduate in reply to BaddieThePirate]

Cheers. Felt a struggle but I’ll blame the heat (this time anyway!!). At least we’ve both tackled it. We can work on time.

[Equi-geek Graduate]

Faster than me Sybil! Well done! Shame they weren’t as talkative as you’d hoped but the weather doesn’t help! Most are chattier afterwards and I usually walk back to speak with Marshall’s and thank them - they’re usually really pleased to be acknowledged and usually runners or know someone that runs so plenty to talk about!

[Sybilw Graduate in reply to Equi-geek]

The marshals were very encouraging and to be fair I didn’t hang around afterwards as I’d a 5 hour drive to Scotland. Was dreading the traffic but it was fine and at least my runs up here will be coller!!

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Well done Sybilw. That’s a good time. I chat to people as I’m going round but a lot of people are putting so much into the run that they have no energy to talk. It was lovely for me this week as I attached myself to someone going at the same speed and we chatted for ages. The more often you go , you will recognise the regulars and they will recognise you. Volunteering occasionally helps too. Happy Parkrunning to you.

[Sybilw Graduate in reply to Dexy5]

Yes I need to work up to being part of the gang. Trouble is they were all very young!! Only 3 women in me age category. Yes I know - I can still talk to them!! Next time . . . . Thanks for the encouragement.

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to Sybilw]

That’s the great thing about being more mature. Being 3rd in your category sounds great even there are only 3 of you 😂

[dory950 Graduate]

Congratulations! It took me a few 5Ks under my belt before I attempted park run . I have done 10 now and volunteered 4 times which is great fun . Watching the elite athletes is incredible they are so quick but park run is for everyone and to se someone finish with any time is fab 👍 I’m just starting a 5-10K program after saying I will never run more than 5k ! This time last year I didn’t know what any of this was about so anything is possible 👍good luck with your journey

[Sybilw Graduate in reply to dory950]

Thank you. Don’t think I’ll move to 10k but as you’ve found out - never say never! Also we are both early in our running journey (I just started in April). Hope you enjoy the next part of your challenge.

[dory950 Graduate in reply to Sybilw]

Thank you and the same to you 👍😄