Advice please

[KathyinChips]

I’ve just completed W7R1 this morning. I decided to go with what others do and only time the 25 minute run part and not the total distance. I expected to clock a faster time but at 8.17/km, it’s not much faster than the 8.45/km I’ve been notching up for the whole thing. My aim is to do a Parkrun but at this sort of pace I’m worried I’ll simply be a mobile roadblock for real runners to avoid. I’m 59 so I’m not expecting to run like Keely Hodgkinson, but should I be doing better than this?

[Gthants]

No! This is quite literally not a race. It's about fitness/health/stamina.

I only did one Parkrun before I broke down - am building back up through redoing C25K and will get back to longer distances in the autumn.

Parkrun is about running together, taking your running out into the world, connecting to other people, feeling part of something bigger than yourself. It is NOT a race.

You will not be last. There's a walker who follows everyone about the course and there are people who simply walk the 5k with no running at all. (When I'm back to it, my lady plans to walk around after me, so I can have the coffee waiting for her at the finish!)

You won't slow anyone down. You won't hold anyone up. You won't inconvenience anyone. Run at your pace, the pace you are comfortable with. Do that now and do it if you park run.

I alternated between timing the runs and timing the walks + runs. But it's a matter of academic interest and NOT a stick to beat yourself. I am 61; if I was 21 or 31, I'd hope to get faster. But a couple of months ago I ran for 40 minutes; after 3 years of hardly being able to move at all. And in a couple of months I will be back running for 40 minutes.

It's a miracle!

But if you stress, you won't enjoy it. And if you push too hard, you're at least as likely to get injured as you are to get faster.

Just run.

Good luck with the rest of the programme!

[KathyinChips Graduate in reply to Gthants]

Thankyou! This really helps. I will stop worrying. I can’t quite believe I’m actually running for 25 minutes so I’ll just enjoy the feeling of accomplishment. Good luck with your return to fitness too.

[SueAppleRun Graduate]

Hi, you are quicker than me so don't worry about speed. Just as Gthants says its not a race. You could look up recent results of the parkrun you intend to go to and see how many would be slower than you, there were loads behind me last time and I came in at 44 mins + some seconds. Stay near the back at the start and go your own pace, it is fun.

[KathyinChips Graduate in reply to SueAppleRun]

Good idea, just for interest of course! . Thank you.

[ToothPickJafah Graduate]

I agree with Gthants also! And the above post by SueAppleRun. To be honest, I haven’t ever paid attention to how fast I’ve been running, I’m just enjoying being out there putting one foot in front of the other…best of luck to you!

[KathyinChips Graduate]

And to you, ToothPick Jafah. Thank you.

[Bruch1 Graduate]

You are already quicker than me. My PR time is still 45 mins after 6 months (albeit I haven't done it every week). Ours is a very large PR with 500+ participants and so far I've managed to get to the finish before the tail walkers 😅 You just go at your own pace and enjoy the experience of just doing it, being out in the fresh air and meeting like-minded people.

[KathyinChips Graduate]

Thank you. I’m much happier having asked the question 😀

[Cmoi Graduate]

Fwiw I didn't time any of my runs until after I'd finished C25K. Now, over three years on, I still don't time all of my runs, much less wear my Garmin every time I go out.

I can't quote you any of my personal best times. I did a trail marathon and can't remember how long it took me to complete, but I can wang on for ages about my memories of that day. There's more to running than measuring enjoyment or success in seconds lost or gained.

[Carners1 Graduate]

Why are you worrying about pace?All that matters is completing your runs, the time it takes to get there doesn't matter. Next month will be a year since I first put my trainers on and started C25K and honestly, it's taken a year for my times to start coming down. But even then, it's not a conscious thing, it's just a by product of more running. I run for runnings sake, because it makes me feel amazing. Getting caught up in checking your watch constantly to check your pace, runs the risk of taking the enjoyment out of it for you!!

[Penwithpink Graduate]

at my park run they line people up according to the time they expect to achieve x not sure if they do this everywhere but if they do at yours u will b running with similar standard people and everyone but everyone is lovely u r all out there with a common goal so please give it a go it can be life changing and u will get hooked! Good luck xx