GNR

[Cpankhurst1]

Hi, was hoping for some advice/reassurance. I completed c25k last June and have since done Parkruns and my own runs furthest being 10k last year. I have managed to get a place in GNR in September will I manage, can I still go to Parkrun as part of my training, been looking at training plans and thinking how I could incorporate Parkrun as I enjoy it. Any advice welcome? Thanks x

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

Hi! Welcome to the Marathon community!!! Congratulations on your GNR place - so exciting!!!!

You certainly can incorporate parkrun into a plan. Personally I always end up juggling the training plan I am following to fit in with my life! Your parkrun could be a gentle run, or a race-pace, or intervals run. You could even include it within your long run - there's plenty of options!

I drew up a beginner half marathon plan last year as an option for folk to use. If you look at the 'Wednesday Long Runs' option, you will see that parkrun is possible almost every week:

docs.google.com/spreadsheet...

The most important consideration is that you get adequate rest between hard workouts, so you shouldn't for example, plan your long run the day before or after parkrun.

Another thing I always like to mention is that you shouldn't really expect to run parkrun every week, as they cannot exist without volunteers. If you plan to volunteer in a non-running role at parkrun every few weeks, this can also help you with your plan-juggling 😊😊😊

We are currently running a Half Marathon Group here, it's aimed at a spring HM, but well worth a look because we share lots of useful information. Posts every Tuesday until the end of March, latest post here:

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

[Cpankhurst1 in reply to roseabi]

Thank you , will have a look at the training plan. Feeling a bit overwhelmed at the minute x 🤣

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Cpankhurst1]

❤️❤️❤️

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

How exciting! I would think you have so much time you will be able to train for GNR and run as many parkruns as you want, by extending whichever plan you fancy over the additional weeks (work backwards from your race date).

I have used roseabi s plans twice now and really like them (am already working out when I need to start for my October one 😍). I didn't use the one geared around parkrun, I used the original variant, but it was great and I adapted it to fit my schedules. That's the key thing - whichever plan you choose, it has to work for your routine so you will stick to it. Have a play with dates, but I think you'll find you have loads of time.

Good luck, enjoy 😀

[Cpankhurst1 in reply to linda9389]

Hi thanks yes I think I will use the Wednesday one, thank that’s really helpful, I have had a look at the training plan and I understand it, was scared when I first looked at it but no need to be. Thank you both for advice, a lot of it is confidence x

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Cpankhurst1]

Great! It soon becomes second nature, but it is all rather bamboozling at first! Have a read through all the group posts - so much useful info and comments in them, and we're here for any questions 😀

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Cpankhurst1]

It's a very gentle plan, although I think my use of bright red for the main runs may be a little off-putting at first! 😄

[Cpankhurst1 in reply to roseabi]

Haha no it’s really helpful, especially the notes because sometimes I get lost off with the pacing terminology 😄I’m worried now that I’ll be going on holiday for a week in August, I’ll have to work around that x

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Cpankhurst1]

That'll be fine xx

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Cpankhurst1]

Runningfit67 , another new Marathon member, just posted recently about GNR, and they were also wondering about their August holiday - Linda has some good advice:

healthunlocked.com/marathon...

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Cpankhurst1]

That'll be a great cut-back, recovery week 👍👍👍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to roseabi]

🤣🤣🤣 Mine are all still bright red - apart from races which are bright yellow 🤣🤣🤣

[tiggs1 Marathon]

As everyone else has said you can build parkrun into your plan. Last week we ran to parkrun and planned a route so that parkrun would be the last 3.1 miles of our 13 miles training. Next week I am doing parkrun as my 30 minute interval training and the week after it is going to be the middle 3 miles of my 5 miles tempo run.

There is nothing wrong with having a few minutes to stretch out and take on some water while you wait for 9am if it is part of your other runs

[Cpankhurst1]

Thanks everyone, great to get advice x