I had planned to enter my first Parkrun after completing the programme. So, after completing the programme on Thursday, here I was this morning lining up with over 300 ‘real runners’ on the start of my first proper 5k run. And
I did it. It wasn’t pretty or fast but I wasn’t last (target #1) and I ‘just’ broke my target time at 39.46 (target was 40 mins). And I was quite pleased with my percentage (42.11%). Overall as a first go i was very pleased. And I learnt a lot - running on grass and mud is different from my normal tarmac plodding and that my normal running shoes are very slippy in mud (so a trip to the shoe shop is now planned before the next ‘off road event’ ) I missed the warm up in the confusion of the start which didn’t help me one bit as my first k was far slower than the next 4. . I also had the chance to chat to lots of other experienced runners about how to develop my running. The main message from them is to keep the 30 mins going over 3 runs each week as I consolidate. With the first 2 runs slowed down then I can try for more speed on the 3rd one - probably a Parkrun. All in all a great week, graduated, first 5k Parkrun and lost 3 more pounds of weight. Off on holiday end next week so running is going to be a big hit and miss but I will try and keep it going until I get back.