running for fun?: Does anyone just run for fun... - Couch to 5K

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running for fun?

Skandia profile image
SkandiaGraduate
13 Replies

Does anyone just run for fun? All the park runs and 'beginners' clubs say for all abilities but in my painful expereince are just for the super competetive, run as fast as posible, super fit.

I want a fun, run 5k but it doesn't matter how fast (slow) you are sort of thing.Any one know of such a thing?

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Skandia profile image
Skandia
Graduate
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13 Replies
PeaBea profile image
PeaBeaGraduate

I do!!! Parkruns are too far away from me though I doubt I would use one even if it was nearer. Since graduating back in January I have played around with various things ie focusing on distance rather than speed. At the moment I have just started orienteering (though on Saturday mainly walked the easy course as managed to pull a muscle the day before on my 5km run). Also started to run on cross country trails, albeit short runs, just for the fun of it.

I still do most of my runs along a local cycle trail or around the grounds of the local hospital (very little traffic so can listen to my music without too much worry - also handy if I have a heart attack. lol) and somedays I'll just run for 20 minutes, others 50 and various times in-between. So once you know what you want out of your running go for it - but a bit of trial and experiment is fun because you never know what you might enjoy!!.

alcopop profile image
alcopopGraduate

have a look at the sweatshop they offer a running community - for fun not competitions

PeaBea profile image
PeaBeaGraduate in reply to alcopop

Unfortunately the nearest Sweatshop is as far away as the nearest parkrun for me - a 45 mile round trip. But that is a disadvantage I am happy to live with for living in beautiful Cornwall.

con-brio profile image
con-brioGraduate

Thought that photo looked familiar... one of the Tors? My brother used to live in the middle of Bodmin Moor (Brown Willy no less)... Would make a brilliant place to run in. How about the equivalent of a "peak-to2-peak" fun run? :-)

PeaBea profile image
PeaBeaGraduate in reply to con-brio

Berah Tor, one of my favourite places on Bodmin Moor.

con-brio profile image
con-brioGraduate in reply to PeaBea

Lucky you. Great place.

I remember being atop Brown Willy for the total eclipse in 1999... magical experience. Swirling clouds that appeared all of a sudden, light to the North, total night to the South and then sunrise in the West! Mind-blowing.

PeaBea profile image
PeaBeaGraduate

We have various Tor runs. I do some ad hoc running around the Minions - and love it (until I meet the cattle as I am not a great lover of the wee beastie!!!

jenniej profile image
jenniejGraduate

PeaBea's answer is spot on - experiment with different things & work out what you enjoy most. I like the cameraderie at Parkruns even tho I'm slow, but I also like running on my own and just going where the mood takes me on a particular day.

How about doing Race for Life or similar? They are fun events and it doesn't matter how fast or slow you are.

jenniej profile image
jenniejGraduate

...another thought. I noticed you live in the Windsor area. have you tried Running Sisters? a friend began running with them in another town as a complete beginner and thinks they're fantastic - very friendly and helpful. their website shows they have a group in Windsor.

Skandia profile image
SkandiaGraduate in reply to jenniej

Thanks for that I will look them up - sounds good. Will keep you posted!

tygfuz profile image
tygfuzGraduate

I was just about to ask a similar question in ' how do people make running enjoyable?'

I guess one trouble with couch to 5k is it seems to suggest that you should be able to run 5k in 30mins. As someone who runs nowhere near that I have found trying to run faster seems to mean not as enjoyable runs. The longer slower runs and the possibly the short sprint runs seem more enjoyable.

Otherwise I fancy trail running and running on more scenic routes, on the seafront fro example. I am in training for the Great Manchester 10k run at present as having seen it on the tv, it looked amazing and there will be a lot of other people doing around the same time, just wanting to finish and be able to say they can do the distance.

Also trying Zombierunner app which was suggested in a previous post

swanscot profile image
swanscotGraduate

skandia, tygfuz, and others, do try trail running; it's such fun. We have so many lovely public footpaths in the UK (and even better countryside access laws in Scotland), that the choice of off-road routes is endless. If you're not sure what's in your area, buy the Ordnance Survey 1:25 000 Explorer map for your area and/or pop into your local Tourist Information Centre and pick up a leaflet of local walks.

I tend to do two 'training runs' each week (training for a 10K), but for the long, slow weekly run I like to chose an off-road route. These have varied from canal tow-paths, to part of a Long Distance Way, to the local forests. For a lot of these footpaths, you can use your usual road running shoes and that is all I've used for the past 6 months; but I've treated myself to trail shoes last week, so can look to rougher terrain now ;-)

I've shared some of my off-road runs on my blog: swanscot.wordpress.com/cate...

fittertanme profile image
fittertanme

I do running but not as good as some but at park run you run as fast or slow as you can but try to improve if you can you will never never be put down by anyone there as we are all there to keep fit or what ever you like co give it a go you will love it

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