Parkrun: gobsmacked

[ArthurJG]

Went to parkrun today - I'd been to a couple before during C25k but had run 28 or 30 minutes and walked the rest, so with holidays and studies since then, this was my first attempt to run the whole way.

I've run 5k on my own about eight times since graduation so I was confident of covering the distance; and I expected a PB simply because it would be the first time I hadn't walked the last bit. But I didn't expect to go faster than I had ever done before - a minute off my best time for 5k, two minutes off my most recent time, and three minutes faster than my first 5k only a month ago! Still above 30 minutes (32' 44") but I'm 59 and overweight - well pleased with myself getting under 33 minutes!

Thing is, I look back to C25k and weeks 6, 7 and 8 were such a grind - I wasn't really enjoying it any more and was getting slower and slower and my recovery time was longer and longer until I took a week off for fear of doing myself an injury. That meant doing week 9 on holiday which was a logistical challenge although I was beginning to run better - I was touring so had to find a new route in an unfamiliar town for every run. But what I think now, looking back, is that the training effort in those difficult weeks is the reason I'm loving running now. I say that because these last few days I've seen lots of people on the forum who are struggling around the same stage that I did, weeks 6, 7 and 8. It's doing you good folks, listen to your body and take a few days off if you need to but don't give up! Not only will you succeed, but the enjoyment will come back too.

[telford_mike Graduate]

Wow, that's a great time! Parkrun certainly works - I did it for the first time this morning and the time flew by 😀

[ArthurJG Graduate in reply to telford_mike]

Thanks Mike. I think I was pulled round by other runners TBH and a couple of times I found myself tagging along behind people, who eventually slowed down so I went past them but it felt weird because they were younger than me, less heavy than me, better looking than me, dressed as if they were more practised runners than me and I actually found myself thinking I must have made a mistake passing them! The mental gremlins have all sorts of tricks even on good days! Montrose is a really nice parkrun, usually just around 100 folk, volunteers are really kind and it's lovely and flat all the way round.

[telford_mike Graduate in reply to ArthurJG]

One of the funniest moments this morning was when I was overtaken by a really fast guy - I thought maybe he'd overslept and started late. It turned out he was lapping me and was the winner 😂

[ArthurJG Graduate in reply to telford_mike]

That's the other nice thing about Montrose, single loop with a panhandle, you can't get lapped!

[AnnieHan Graduate]

Well done! I wasn't far behind you. Did my second park run today and knocked nearly 2 minutes off my previous time. 33.10. Great sense of achievement. It really sets you up for the day 😊

[ArthurJG Graduate in reply to AnnieHan]

Indeed. By the time I got back to my car after a warm down walk I'm sure I was less tired than before the run. Just sat there with a big smile on my face for several minutes then realised I really ought to think about driving home!

[David_G]

Well done and a great time! It just goes to show how well thought out C25K is, and what’s possible if you follow the programme. 😀😀👍

Congratulations on a great result 🏃‍♂️👏👏

[Crawlhome Graduate]

Well done, that's a really good time and I absolutely agree about the tougher weeks paying off in the end.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Brilliant post and well done on your fabulous Parkrun result! 👊🏃‍♂️👍🏻🙌

[Bandit14 Graduate]

Brilliant - go you 😊

[owmeknees]

Great post Arthur and a really great time today. So glad to hear how much you are enjoying the runs 👍😊