Parkrun question ......: I ran my 2nd parkrun... - Couch to 5K

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Parkrun question ......

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate
52 Replies

I ran my 2nd parkrun this morning and used MapMyRun again like I’ve been doing for a while now. I was encouraged at the end when I checked my stats and found that each km was quicker than my last parkrun except one, which was a tiny bit slower. My overall time worked out at 23 seconds faster.

So I was a bit disappointed that when my official result came through - it was 32 seconds slower. 😩

I know it doesn’t matter, and it’s all for fun, and I ran 5k without stopping (according to MMR my second fastest 5k despite the killer hill at parkrun), but I can’t help dwelling on it! (Tell me to get a life!)

Anyone else had that happen? 🏃‍♀️

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cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunks
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52 Replies

Not done a park run yet. But it’s great that your on your second! Wow! Well done you. I found my run this morning was slower but actually felt better. Maybe I was running too fast before?

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to

Oh you must do one Dave! It’s amazingly good fun and everyone is so friendly. I have 3 local to me, all have hills!

Glad you enjoyed your run today despite it being slower. You’re right, you might have been pushing yourself a bit much before.

Happy running! 🏃😀

in reply to cheekychipmunks

Hills!!!!! Arghhh. 😂 it’s fairly flat where I live. Yeah I keep meaning to try and get to one one day. I just keep having a darn niggling in my left knee. I maybe need to get to Physio or try some light cycling or yoga? Not keen if I have to go Drs. Standard man I guess.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to

I’m saying nothing! 😅

in reply to cheekychipmunks

Does the yoga help with aches and pains? I read somewhere that cycling on rest days can aid recovery. Not sure if anyone else has heard this?

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to

Yes I love yoga and it does help if you pick a nice gentle one. You can also make it into quite a workout if you like.

Just don’t injure your toe doing it like I did last week. Almost put me on the IC! 😅

in reply to cheekychipmunks

You injured your toe doing yoga? How’s that possible? I thought it was supposed to be meditative?! I’ve tried it once at home but felt pretty knackered after it 😂 plus I wasn’t really sure what the lady on the video was doing 😂

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to

Downward dog to lunge with an armchair in the way! 😫😅

in reply to cheekychipmunks

Ah. Not very zen then! 😂 not really sure what either of those are. I wouldn’t say they sounded that dangerous but you never know. Some of the yoga poses look pretty scary!

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate in reply to

Pilates is great between runs too Dave. It strengthens the core and gives everything a good stretch.

in reply to Dexy5

Pilates? Heard of it. Not a clue what it’s about. Any good videos of tutorials on YouTube?

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate in reply to

I’m sure it will be out there on the www but I do it as a class in the gym. It’s all about doing exercises while holding in those abs. Great for bad backs too.

in reply to Dexy5

Sounds like hard work 😂

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to

Hahaha, ordinarily not dangerous - as long as you move your furniture first! 🙄

in reply to cheekychipmunks

Haha yeah! That usually does help!! 😂🤣

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks

Ooch ☹️

Katnap profile image
KatnapGraduate

I've heard the same query before.

Use your own stats to be consistent.

You won't get PBs every run but your app will be with you for your interval runs as well.

Keep smiling 😸 you're doing brilliant

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to Katnap

Thanks Katnap, that’s what I figured. MMR told me I’d done 5k at the same point as last time, so I don’t think it was a GPS glitch. 😀

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

The time they give you is from their start to your finish... sometimes if you’re at the back it could take a fair few seconds before you cross the line. In 5k road runs many offer chip timing to get around this problem, but you gotta pay for them. PB on parkrun is per park, so your tracker will keep your overall PB better anyway.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to UnfitNoMore

Thanks UNM. Makes perfect sense. I’ll stick with MMR for my PB’s and maybe launch Strava too. I never thought I was competitive with myself before I started running! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply to cheekychipmunks

Nothing wrong with that... just don’t chase PBs every run, especially if increasing distance.

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate

Yes it all depends how long it takes you to get to that start line cheekychipmunks. Use your own tech from the start line to keep your own records. I thought I did a PB this morning but not according to parkrun stats. It doesn’t matter really. I just love taking part every Saturday.

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🚶‍♀️🐕🚶‍♂️🐩🚶‍♀️🚶‍♂️

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to Dexy5

Thanks Dexy, yes it’s so enjoyable I really don’t mind. Well done with your ‘PB’ too. I’m still going to count mine for my own benefit, and I’ll stick with my own stats at parkrun in the future. 😀🏃‍♀️ I was near the back when we started, so that makes sense about the official time.

I’m super pleased I don’t need to walk any of it. That was my benchmark before I did parkrun - even though ours has a horrid hill! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Deals1 profile image
Deals1Graduate

I've wondered this too... Only done 3 park runs and use Strava too, only problem is I'm so pleased to finish that I forget to stop it straight away!!! I normally start right at the back too.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to Deals1

I figure that I might as well start near the back and finish more or less in my starting position, rather than get overtaken by the gazelles! I’m loving parkrun. Ours is off next weekend though as there’s a festival in it. ☹️ Might try one of the others near to me, but I’m not sure yet. One I know is a killer (2.5k up, 2.5k down! 😳)

Enjoy your running! 😀😀

Deals1 profile image
Deals1Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks

Yep that's my thinking too!! At least it would be downhill at the end!! Happy running too

Equi-geek profile image
Equi-geekGraduate

Don’t worry, you know your time. Sometimes it can take a while to cross the start, even though the clock starts the same for everyone. I was almost a minute ‘late’ this morning!

The other thing that can happen is the barcode scanning. The scanners are supposed to scan your barcode first and then the token, but if you accidentally do the token first it throws everyone out of sync that is scanned by that machine from then on. I made that mistake myself the first time I scanned and had to stop scanning. Fortunately only a couple of people were effected and they adjusted the times, but I think it has happened to me before when I’ve run and no-one realised.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to Equi-geek

Ooo, interesting about the scanning, Equi. I honestly can’t remember what I handed over first today, but if I end up scanning one week, I’ll remember that!

But I feel better now - I totally forgot about the start time and the delay with me being practically at the back. MMR it’ll be then! Thanks! 🏃‍♀️👍👏

Crawlhome profile image
CrawlhomeGraduate

I use me app too, but don't check it against my parkrun time as I'm not that accurate with the times I start and stop the app. I find it more helpful to keep my parkrun times separate if that makes sense?!

I did my fourth parkrun today and I'm sure I would have got a new pb but it took ages to start running as there were so many of us, so I got the same time as last week which I'm happy with, plus quite a while later I realised no knee problems!!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to Crawlhome

Yes that makes sense Crawlhome. Now I’ve twigged about the delayed start contributing to the time discrepancy, I’ll continue with my app I think. I might also try to start next to the same tree or something, so my parkrun times will be more consistent!

Great your knee is behaving! My thwacked toe is much improved, but I think I’ve been over compensating and it’s aggravated my dormant PF. I’ll take it easy this week.

Happy running! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Runsome profile image
RunsomeGraduate

Hi cheeky that’s great on the PB👍I have never been able to match up gps and parkrun timing. I’ve been told gps doesn’t work properly near the sea, but it does seem to do what it wants wherever sometimes, so now my reasoning is parkrun timing for fun parkrun and gps for everything else. Not sure if Its right or wrong. I just get fed up with all the electronic gadgets getting so caught up trying to set them for the start I feel I miss some of the occasion 🤪

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to Runsome

You’re right Runsome. I didn’t think I’d give too hoots about my times - after all there’s no way I’d have imagined myself running regular 5ks ‘for fun’ about 3 months ago. But I find myself poring over the stats after each run!

Maybe I should leave MMR at home for parkrun? Who am I kidding? I know I won’t be able to do that!

😀😀

Mayanow profile image
Mayanow

Well done you!!! Competing against yourself to progress is healthy. I dont see anything wrong with it. You do the running and you want your reward!

As long as you dont expect to have a PB after EACH run!!!

Trackers are like the scales, i think. You should choose ONE and only use that for tracking your times. I drove around to 'map' and calculate a route in klm but when i ran it, mapmyrun says it is around 300m shorter! So who should i believe?? @#%^$#!!!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to Mayanow

Thanks! That’s a good idea, driving the route to measure it. I can do that on my training route, but not parkrun. Might drive up today and do that, and walk the dog at the same time. Kill two birds. 😀

As regards parkrun, yes I’ll stick with MMR (which seems to be accurate enough over the 5k, give or take), but I’ve decided to pick a tree to line up near the start each week and stick with that. It’ll be near the back as ever, but at least it should be more consistent taking into account the time delay between their start and mine!

Who knew running could be so complicated! 😅

Mayanow profile image
Mayanow

Haha new us, new 'problems'!!!

Still havent ordered the jogging leash so no news on that. I will let you know when i dare it!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to Mayanow

Hahaha, true! I’m going to take my dog parkrunning next time. 😀 There were loads there yesterday and I really missed having mine alongside. One was leaping up and down round its owner’s legs! Owner didn’t mind - I’d definitely have fallen over!!

Good luck with the lead when you get it. They’re so useful and a real game-changer for me and my little Lab! ❤️

Mayanow profile image
Mayanow in reply to cheekychipmunks

They didnt mind cos they've got their 'tempo' already! I'm afraid all the pausing might disrupt my run. Not so confident yet!!

I like that though. People with their dogs on parkruns!!

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to Mayanow

I’m fortunate as my little Lab is a girl, so not as much pausing required! She goes into ‘mum’s running’ mode and stays pretty much by my side throughout, just trotting along! ❤️

I’m sure you’ll be fine, and you and your dog will love it! 🐕🐕🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Mayanow profile image
Mayanow in reply to cheekychipmunks

Awwww how sweet! I suppose that too is a matter of practice. Maybe he'll go crazy at first but he'll then learn to jog along! I will get the leash!

Thank you

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to Mayanow

Pic required, naturally! 🐕❤️

Mayanow profile image
Mayanow in reply to cheekychipmunks

Absolutely!! I promise 😘🐕🏃‍♀️

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate

Hey Cheeky!! Fantastic Park run!! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 I would recommend that you stick to your own timings, as they do seem to differ slightly. My time for Parkrun yesterday was actually slightly quicker than my app, but I’m sticking to my timings on the App, as it’s what I’m using most regularly.

You did it!! 😁 The Parkrun times will improve just like your regularly used tracker!! You did brilliantly!! Go you!! ❤️

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to Fabulous450

Aww thanks Fab! I do enjoy parkrun so much! I’ve run 2 and marshalled once with my dog! Love it all! ❤️🏃‍♀️

Yes I’ve decided to stick with MMR - then I’ll be being consistent with myself at least!

Hope you’re still doing brilliantly as ever? Bet you start up front with the gazelles nowadays! I’m at the back with the 🚶‍♀️ 🐕 🐌 😅😅😅

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks

Great plan!! 😍 Oh no Cheeky!! I was with the 40 marker at the start! 🤓 I knew I was running on to do 6k on Saturday anyway, so I knew not to start with too much of a challenge. No rush whatever comes naturally, I’ll have it!! All was good!! 😁❤️

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to Fabulous450

I love hearing your amazing progress Fabulous! Gives me hope! I have my sights set on a 10k, but luckily for me it’s next August! Hopefully l’ll be there by then! 😅🏃‍♀️😅

Fabulous450 profile image
Fabulous450Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks

Thank you and I think we might be there sooner than you think! 😉❤️

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to Fabulous450

And now exciting is that? 👏😀👏😀👏😀

telford_mike profile image
telford_mikeGraduate

As long as you enjoyed the run, that's the main thing Cheeky, Parkrun times are a bit weird unless you start at the front and get overtaken by a few hundred runners. You did it, that's the main thing 😀👍👏

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to telford_mike

I really enjoyed the run, thanks Mike. 👍 And of course I should have twigged why the timings were so awry. Not hard to work out really (duh!) 🙄😅

Renidragas profile image
Renidragas

My strava time is always less than the official Parkrun time, probably because of the few seconds difference in the timekeeper start and finish and when I press start and finish. Still fun to get all the Parkrun statistics like age related percentile and pb for the course.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate in reply to Renidragas

You’re right it is fun regardless! I definitely started further back in the field last time than the first week. I’m going to pick a tree to start next to each week, hopefully to make the time more consistent! I love it! 😀🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

Renidragas profile image
Renidragas in reply to cheekychipmunks

Great! Keep going!

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