5K Parkrun

[adnewg73]

Sorry for all the questions, just a quick one. I track my runs on Strava and yesterday I clocked 5.24km for my run. This included two 5mins walks to warm up and warm down. When I complete Week 9 which is running for 30mins, is the actual running distance 5k ?? I want to do a parkrun, in October so just wondered if the Week 9 runs are actually 5k ??

[MissUnderstanding Administrator On a break Graduate]

Questions always welcome! Week 9 runs are 30 minutes long. The distance will vary but most people don’t cover 5k. That doesn’t matter at all-to graduate all you need to do is do those three runs your way.

For parkrun, you can walk any part of it you like so you could incorporate your week 9 run and not worry about having to cover the full 5k running.

[orcadia Graduate]

All the runs vary in length from person to person as it depends on the speed you run at! I still can’t run 5k in 30 minutes which doesn’t bother me in the slightest - because what I CAN now do is run 5k regularly three times a week. It’s about health benefits and enjoyment for me - not speed.

You’ll find most Parkruns have people who finish in 45 mins or more and often up to an hour. Some people ‘parkwalk’. You could do parkrun now - but do stick to your warmup walk for the first 5 mins, then do what the app tells you and see where you are then and then walk to the finish. None of the marshalls at parkrun will be at all bothered by you walking. Just don’t be tempted to run to the finish ‘just because you can’ - do stick to the programme to avoid injury.

[RollingPea Graduate]

What if you start tracking at the end of your warm up walk? That way you will measure only the running part. Don't forget to stop tracking before your warm down walk. P.S. don't worry a jot if you are not running a 5 km distance in week 9. You will have plenty of time to build up distance and/or speed (or neither, it's up to you) gradually, after you graduate. While you consolidate, with regular running and putting into practice all you have learned, you will start to find out what kind of runner you are. Some people love to chase times and personal best records (Parkrun is well structured for keeping track of that kind of information), others love solitude and more meditative runs. Happy running!

[adnewg73 Graduate in reply to RollingPea]

That's a great idea, thanks for that. I'll do that, just hope my Strava app starts with being away from home, but then mobile phone coverage is better these days I guess. Thanks again

[Basil73]

I think those week 9 runs are as fast or as slow as you want. Many people just run for 30 mins and build up distance when they've done that. Remember it's your run your way.