Do I really need to go EVEN slower?! 🐌

[Parky88]

Good run last night, even if Mr Parky did overtake me on his way home from work. I did wonder if I was so slow he could just stride past me, but at least he was running 😂

Ran for 30 minutes, covering slightly more distance than I have last few times. Really want to start pushing my runs longer though, so feel like I might need to slow down a touch?... As by the time i get to 30 mins I am still knackered!

Followed all this by netball training (why do we do it to ourselves?!) so definitely in need of a rest day now!

Will try again later in the week, channelling my inner snail 🐌

[Oldgirlruns Graduate]

Embrace that snail Parky! At this stage it’s all about building stamina and endurance, you can build up speed later. If you’re feeling knackered, I would suggest there is another bit of slowness in there somewhere! Run at conversational pace - when MrParky ran past you were you able to have any conversation other than a hiss or a grunt?! It’s easier said than done, I know it, but give it a whirl! Good luck!

[Parky88 Graduate in reply to Oldgirlruns]

I managed to say hello but dont think I could have told him all about my day!... he caught me right at the top of a hill though to be fair! I will try really hard to slow down next time and see what happens

[Speedy60 Graduate in reply to Parky88]

I love that - embrace the snail! I need it on a t shirt. 😆

I thought conversing with your partner was always hissing and grunting. Just me then. 😳

[Parky88 Graduate in reply to Speedy60]

😂

[Comfortnotspeed in reply to Speedy60]

It’s fab isn’t it. Need that T shirt 👍

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

We are all runners, whatever our pace! Sounds as though you are getting faster but it does take time to build up your running legs!🏃🏽‍♀️You say you want to focus on increasing distance next - you will probably find that when you do, your shorter runs will become naturally quicker. 👍😀

You can also, when you feel ready, work on your speed if you want to 🤷‍♀️. I sometimes use 'fartleks' on a short run (Swedish for "speed play", I think!). Pick a landmark, such as a tree or lamp post ahead and then increase your pace until you get to it. No need to go flat out but great for building in a little speed work without the pressure! Happy running!

[Parky88 Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you yeah a little quicker would obvs not be a bad thing but it's not my main focus, I just want to get covering a little more distance as I'm not quite at 5k yet and would like to be

[karen50plus Graduate in reply to Parky88]

Hello Parky 88 , just to let you know I m on week 6 run 2 tomorrow and still at a 🐌 s. Pace too . I ran the parkrun route last Friday ( on my own , not on Saturday) to see how I would do . I did the whole 20 minute run for the first time ever 🥵and I only got to the half way mark so technically I only ran 2.5 k ( I walked back to the car 🙈) . Could have strangled “ Laura” for piping up after only 5 mins - could have sworn it had been 10 ) . 6 weeks ago I struggled to run 60 secs and was exhausted after doing it 8 times 😳. . So , In support of a fellow snail 🐌 , we can keep going & hopefully congratulate each other some time soon . My mantra is “ I m not on the couch 🛋!!” . I was hoping to do the parkrun on 13 th March but I m not sure I will be fast enough . In fairness I now have the confidence to run in the light - I started in the dark because I was embarrassed and didn’t want people pointing and laughing at me . So I may be slow and you may be slow but we are doing it 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️, and we haven’t given up 😇👍

[Sandraj39 Graduate in reply to Parky88]

Many graduates are not running 5k in 30 mins and if you look at the range of times for local Parkruns you will see that many folk take considerably longer to run 5k. Once you feel you have consolidated that 30 min run, you can start running on to 5k and this will give you a 5k time (or you could try your local Parkrun?). Runners are a very diverse group of people and that in itself is wonderful thing - run your own race, set your own goals and remember (as someone wise once said), "Comparison is the thief of joy"!😉 (I speak as someone who tries very hard not to be competitive but sometimes....☺️)

[Parky88 Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra, yes I know that and that's why I said I'm really not too worried about my pace, I'd just like to get to 5k no matter how long it takes me (within reason!). Then I will def give a parkrun a go once I know I can get round

[sTrongFuse Graduate]

My advice, for what it's worth, would be if you are at the three 30 minute runs a week stage, take one a little slower and try adding 500m to it until you build up to the 5k mark. Once you've got that, you can bring your other runs up to the same level. if you get to the 5k three times a week point (assuming that's what your goal is), and if you want to, then start stretching one run out again by 500m/5 minutes until you get to whatever distance you have set your sights on, or pop over to the Bridge to 10k forum healthunlocked.com/bridgeto10k and follow JuJu's plan.

So long as you take it steadily and sustainably, you'll be surprised at how far you can end up going (especially as the evenings are getting lighter for longer); and as you build up stamina to run further, that will translate into extra speed for shorter distances.