Forest of Dean 5K Race Report - Fun Beyond 10K & ...

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Forest of Dean 5K Race Report

SkiMonday profile image
SkiMondayUltramarathon
12 Replies

My strategy for this one was “take it easy”. I entered it as a way of keeping some connection with the HM (held on the same day) as much as anything else. Thinking about it, it was probably my first 5k race. Preparation amounted to run/walking a few parkruns and I’d just taken the group through week 3 of C25K.

The 5k used the same start area as the HM and, with about 60 of us (compared to around 300 for the HM) there was plenty of room! I spent my time doing some brisk walking at the back of the area as a way of warming up hence I crossed the start line just ahead of the tail walkers. In practice, gun time is irrelevant for me and chip time doesn’t start until I cross the line so being at the back didn’t really matter.

I set off at what I estimated to be a reasonable pace, passing a few runners on the way. The first 700m is downhill and I was able to keep my HR below 120. On the first, short climb, it went up to 125 then dropped back. Since I’m close to the end of my 6 month recovery period, I wasn’t too worried about HR. Besides, I was advised at the start of my recovery that “conversational pace” is more important than HR. Since there were a few runners in view ahead of me, I focussed on gradually overhauling them and checking my conversational pace as I went past.

The start and end of the 5k follow the HM course with a bit in the middle to link the two together. It really does feel like a mini version of the HM and I’d recommend it to anyone who’s interested in the HM but wants to know what it’s like first.

Had a nice chat with someone who’s more used to running longer distances on-road and was using this as to give trail running a go. I think she found some of the uphill sections hard going. She eventually crossed the finish line just in front of me.

I finished just inside 32 minutes. That was my fastest run in almost 6 months! Photo shows my usual, studious, approach to races.

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SkiMonday profile image
SkiMonday
Ultramarathon
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12 Replies
linda9389 profile image
linda9389AdministratorMarathon

Haha! I love this on so many levels 😊 Fab photo, fab attitude 😍

Cmoi profile image
CmoiMarathon

That has to be one of the best, most stylish running photos that I've ever seen SkiMonday - go you! 🥳

Jools2020 profile image
Jools2020Half Marathon

Well done! Sounds like you stuck to your plan and - what a great photo! 👏😊

Shake-and-run profile image
Shake-and-runHalf Marathon

love this! Fabulous x

Irishprincess profile image
IrishprincessAdministratorHalf Marathon

Haha that’s a great photo SM! Go you 🥳

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksHalf Marathon

So happy for you SM. Something tells me you had fun! 😅

misswobble profile image
misswobbleMarathon

Ha ha 😁. Great job! 👏🏃‍♂️

Looks like a beautiful place to run. No wonder you look so happy 😀

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRun10 Miles

That's fantastic, your recovery has gone so well, great photo

Run46 profile image
Run46Half Marathon

Haha, great write up but I was somewhat distracted by the photo 😂...brilliant, glad it went so well 👏👌

Katnap profile image
KatnapMarathon

Excellent running form there SM. Making good use of the arms!

🐱 Katnap 🐱

Cowladyrunning profile image
CowladyrunningMarathon

Love that photo SkiMonday! So good to read your report - that's a great recovery. I agree with chatty pace - I've only just started running with a companion and my Garmin always reads much too high and we decided there's no way I'd be able to 'chat' if it really was that high! Congratulations to you for this race - it sounds a good one.

Folkylass profile image
Folkylass

Hi SkiMonday. Apologies for very late reply indeed ,just happen to read this now. Well done you ! Loving the photo finish !👏👏😀😀

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