My Parkrun time was......

[stayinbed]

34m 12 sec ! I can't imagine being able to do it any quicker than that. I know I can run further but perhaps I can knock a second or 2 off my time every week. In 2 years, I'd be 4 minutes faster, in 10, I'll be doing 5K in next to no time !!!!!

[cattery Graduate]

Well done you - that's brilliant. My best 5k time is still 37 minutes but I can run 10k now so I'm happy

[stayinbed Graduate]

I don't think I'm going to be able to run 10K as 5K makes me feel shattered, but I would love to do it. I could try to increase the distance I run but tI think it would take so long I'd have to take a suitcase with me!

[Oldgirl Graduate]

Well done stayinbed, thats a good first time. I found Parkrun hard the first time as I wasn't used to running with anyone so I really held back. Then of course I made the mistake of trying to catch up so I learnt the hard way, so now its do it my way and no one elses.

In June I ran Parkrun in 34:42, in Sept I ran 31.42, 3 minutes has been sliced off here and there but you do have to work at it. Try some High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) if you have a Kindle you can pick up the book I blogged about just now for £1.91 I think I paid a bit less. HIIT will improve your speed, stamina with a lot less time spent on long runs. You will then find you can do the longer runs. Again I've managed since June to increase from 5K to 10K. Believe in yourself and you will achieve your goals. You learned to run in 9 weeks and that was a much bigger challenge than speed reducing, go for it. Congratulations on now being a Parkrun member, I hope you do many more and enjoy every one of them as I do.

[stayinbed Graduate in reply to Oldgirl]

Thanks for your post Oldgirl. I'm going to Google HIIT. My keepfit class starts again this week and I'm really hoping everyones can see a difference in my stamina! I'm going to remember your words and do the Parkruns at my own pace!

[Hidden]

Yay, well done Stayinbed. We must run at the same pace as I had a 34 minute parkrun as well. I'm planning on keeping up with the Speed podcasts to see if that can help me shave some time off as well. I still can't believe just how fast the front runners go ... I wouldn't be able to keep up with them if I was flat-out sprinting!!

[stayinbed Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I know! I couldn't believe they all ran off and left me.. how rude is that! I have wondered whether to run off fast then, when I'm out of sight, find a shortcut! Then when the speedy runners finish, I'd be sitting there enjoying a coffee with my feet up!

[stayinbed Graduate in reply to stayinbed]

P.S I'm going to have a look at the Speed podcasts now!

[Hidden]

Well done stayinbed!! I accidentally stumbled on a Parkrun this weekend...we were staying in Buxton for a wedding and I took my running gear. The park was right outside the door of our hotel! I did it in 34.32 so was well chuffed. I also came 75th out of 77...ooops. I was just so pleased to have completed it. Now the first one is over, I need to find the nearest one to home.

Speed podcasts are good....I did the Laura 5K+ again today & think I need to finish when she says finish, rather than carry on to do my normal 35 mins run.

[stayinbed Graduate]

Well done Rosie! I think I could get addicted to Parkruns. I just wish there was 1 nearer to me. I have to drive 12 miles. I see they have help in setting 1 up but so I hope someone will do it! I'm intending to check out the Speed podcasts!

[Soozz Graduate]

Hey, that's great, Stayinbed! Well done. I'm still chasing the elusive 5k, so you're way ahead of me.