I have completed my 25th 5 K Park Run and still has not increased decrease my time. The second run I was 41 minutes ,the last run which would’ve been my 25th
My time was 45 minutes I know I need to lose weight I am trying but it’s really hard . I am overweight by three stone and I believe that if I do lose that weight my time will be faster. I’ve lost motivation and I’ve started to peak at my food because of been stressed. whatever help or advice I’m grateful
It's tough when we don't get faster and the pounds stubbornly stay put isn't it? 25 parkruns is impressive, you don't say what you do during the week? Do you do some shorter faster runs? Longer slower ones? Hills? Keep going and smile as you run knowing you can run 5k in the time you can
Thank you , I do Aquaraerobic twice a week
25 Parkruns, fantastic! Despite all your fed-upness you should be really proud of being able to do that, especially if you're carrying extra weight.
As for running faster, can I ask why you want to run faster? Has somebody told you you're 'not fast enough'? Is it you who is telling yourself this? Or do you just want the joy of running flat out without a care in the world, maybe like you did when you were a child?
When I completed C25K I felt very demoralised that I was nowhere near 5k in 30 minutes. Since then I've realised that there are other more achievable and equally valid goals. To run 5km at all is a marvellous thing. How many women - people - of your age (or 30 years younger) can do that? To run for 46 minutes is utterly fabulous. Do you remember when you started running, even a minute probably felt like an eternity? Acknowledge your success.
Don't listen to anyone who tells you you're too slow. We are not elite athletes competing for prizes, the prize is to run for its own sake. Whether it takes us 25, 35, 45 or 55 minutes to cover 5k says nothing about who we are as people.
In the last couple of weeks or so I've been exploring the concept of running slower. It's a different mental discipline for me as my inclination is to try and go too fast then spend the rest of the run trying to slow my heartrate. If you have a goal it's still a goal, it's about controlling what you do, and the 'run slow' goal has nothing to do with going faster.
I've heard that running slower is better for burning fat than running faster, if you google it there are lots of articles, which suggests you are doing exactly the right thing.
In terms of running faster, the only time I do this is is when I do an interval run. There are plenty on the Nike Running Club (NRC) app. You work your way through a range of paces, measured by effort rather than saying run the next five minutes at x pace.
There is usually a 'best pace' interval which is an opportunity to run as fast as you possibly can, usually for about well under a minute. For me it's a reality check. Occasionally I've hit the pace that would see me doing a 30 minute 5k, but after less than 30 seconds my heart is bursting and I'm getting very uncomfortable. I simply cannot imagine how much training it would take me to sustain this for 30 minutes.
Remember, if you run and feel comfortable you are far more likely to avoid injury than if you push too hard. If you're feeling discouraged please don't, the fact that you run at all means you are doing splendidly 
Thank you
Hi Tillyseventeen1 , I truly sympathise with you. If you scroll through my profile you will find a post called "running and obesity, 10 months on from C25K." I was totally frustrated by my weight and I received many kind replies, including links to helpful material. Check it out, if you have a spare minute.
I have gone on to lose 3 stone so far, (not finished yet). I have not run for most of the year due to injury, but subjectively I feel lighter and faster (I'm on week 6 C25K). My only advice is to give your weightloss a generous amount of time. A pound off per week has been my slow but consistent path to success.
I think you are absolutely amazing to do parkrun! I aspire to your achievements! You CAN loose weight and you will get faster, without a doubt.
Wishing you all the very best. You've got this. 💪
Thank you
Wow.
25 Parkruns is super impressive. You should be really proud of yourself for achieving so many 5ks. I think speed is over rated and it is so easy to fall into the trap of trying to go faster and for me it results in less enjoyment.
Take each run at whatever speed you feel comfortable with and enjoy the fact you are doing what a lot of other people can't do.
Be proud of your achievements 👏 because it is something to be proud of 👍
I'm in awe of the number of Park runs you've run. Something I can only dream of at the mo. So much in your post and all the great responses from our lovely forum members chimed with my own experiences. You have Bossed this running thing. A slow running advocate from New York was talked about on here around about the time when I was worried about my slow running. I think his blog is something like Slow as F. His story and attitude to running was a game changer for me. (Anyone remember the blog or got a link to the guy?) Keep doing what you're doing and have happy 🏃🏾♀️ 🎽 💨 👟
I don't know that guy, but there is a "Slow as F" Facebook group who provide inspirational pics at their finish lines. And praise for those organisers that keep the finish lines, hydration stations and goody bags there until the last runners get there.
Impressed by your parkruns! Don’t stop as that is fabulous.
Did you do C25k before you took up parkrun? Could you do a couple of other runs at other times in the week now? You could try different/shorter lengths and /or some Fartlek type runs where you do short bursts of increased effort. That might build up your running stamina and so give you the sense that you could go faster if that’s really important to you. Worth reading up about interval training to see.
Regarding weight loss, you say you are eating the wrong things because of stress. Do you have a diet plan as such? Is the diet stressing you or is it other things in your life?
There are lots of interesting ideas about time restricted eating and different foods now. I hope you can find something that feels good and manageable for you.
Best wishes and let us know how you get on.
Don’t worry about your time at the moment. It seems like it’s an added pressure. Eat a healthy balanced diet and include some walking/stretching and I’m sure you will see weight loss. This in turn will keep you motivated. Would joining a slimming club help to keep you motivated with others with the same goal or a friend who can help to motivate you? You are doing so well by going out there and exercising, while others are on the sofa! Keep going! 😀
1st of all well done and excellent job on doing 25 park runs.
Regarding getting your time down, it doesn't really matter what time you do it in, as long as your doing somthing. Yet I do get what your saying. Try mixing your runs up during the week. You could try the last 200 of every km try and go 30secs faster. Say your average say 7min pace on your watch then try and get that to 6.30 for that last bit, then slow down again. Once you get up to speed with that move it to 40 secs faster or 300m etc. Also on a odd run you could try going a bit further. Say 6 or 7k. You could also try and follow a pacer on the park runs.
Also try doing a bit of strength work. This will help with weight loss too.
But the main point is just enjoy what you do. It's all work in progress. That's what I've come to realise. There is no finish goal as you get closer to one you move the goal posts to achieve another.
Keep at it and it will all come together
Thank you
I think you are doing brilliantly to manage 5k in 45 or so mins. I also applaud you for taking part in Parkrun so regularly. Keep that up, however fast you go (I say that, as my Runkeeper always records my runs as '....fastest' and lately have been achieving my 270th 'fastest' time, v slow!! Makes me laugh. But, being v slow and my local Parkrun very quick (lots of students)I have not ventured forth. So keep at it and see if you can mix up your other runs, as people have suggested. Good on you 🤗.So, I would defo not worry about time. I think some of us are just born snails! Re losing weight, I sympathise- I think one tends to plateau at a certain weight/diet so it's difficult to continue to lose. But members of my family have joined 'Cross Fit' at their local gym. It seems to be a great, supportive method of keeping fit and losing weight. They support you in finding a programme that suits you and from what I hear, really works.
Good luck on your journey 👍🤞.
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