June Graduate, lost my mojo for a while, just did my PB time on a (not) Parkrun

[Newbie59]

I've not posted for a while, and wondered how my fellow June graduates are doing. There are lots of posts from people who have gone on to greater things, faster 5k, moving up to 10k, working on speed and stamina, etc.

Personally I have been plodding along doing my 30 minutes. In July it was every third day, in August it averaged out at 2 runs a week, however since a week away in mid September, and coming back to awful weather, I have struggled. Because I prefer to run first thing before breakfast, these dark cold and wet mornings are difficult. Up until 5th October I had only managed 3 runs, and on the 3rd had to stop after 20 minutes. I was starting to feel a bit down.

Anyway, had a lie in this morning until 8.45, got up and the sun was shining! Put my running gear on, had some warm water with lemon, two bites of a banana and set off around my normal 5k route for a (not) Parkrun. I was so surprised! I didn't find it difficult and managed a good steady pace until near the end when I slowed down a bit. My time was 38 min 43 seconds for 5k (including the warm up and cool down walks) and I had knocked off a minute from my previous best time. After 9 days off.

So, if you graduated a while ago, and now you are struggling a bit, please just put your running shoes on, go out, and see what you can do. You might just surprise yourself

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate]

Congratulations on your PB not parkrun time, generally speaking you only need to tell us about your running time, you don't need to count the warm up and cool down walks 👍

[Newbie59 Graduate in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks Al, I've not run a 5k yet, but now I am feeling motivated to push myself a bit. I was hoping that the actual Parkruns would start this month and that would motivate me, so it was disappointing that they had to be put off.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to Newbie59]

Very optimistic about parkruns starting this month of October, at the way things are going they may start October next year, no one really knows.

[Ian5K Graduate in reply to Newbie59]

That looks quite a good pace, Newbie.

But I’m not sure why you’re not trying for 5k at a much slower pace (excluding the walks). 🙂

[Newbie59 Graduate in reply to Ian5K]

Thanks Ian, I have not been following a training programme since graduation but I have downloaded the C25k+ podcasts for when I was ready to give them a go. You are right, it's time I pushed myself to make it to the 5k

[58soon]

Awww, that's such an inspirational post Newbie59

I'm on the IC at the moment having been told by my physio I need to rest for a couple of weeks due to hip niggles. I graduated beg of July, and my regular runs had turned into twice a week. You've given me confidence for when I'm ready to get back out there.

I'm sure many others will feel the same. Thanks for putting the sun back in my return run!

[Newbie59 Graduate in reply to 58soon]

Thanks, 58soon, I graduated at the very end of June, so just before you. At our age, the hip and knee niggles make you think twice before going out when it is cold and damp. Seeing the sunshine definitely helps with the motivation