Discussion
Terminator X said:
Beaten by the wife 
TX.
Yup she beat me in a std distance triathlon a couple of weeks ago too! Only by 1 minute though.TX.
The same weekend i beat her in a 5k race when i dipped under 21 mins for the first time in my life.
Swings and roundabouts really, though I fear i am going to get my arse kicked on 3rd Sept when we attempt a half ironman distance triathlon for the first time. She follows a training plan whilst i just muddle along.
northandy said:
That's great going!. How many run in your parkrun?
I was nervous of starting up at the front originally, but it helps massively as you have less people to dodge round
Average is around 230 at ours, I'm finishing around 90-100th place but despite edging towards the front (but not enough to drastically impact on distance traveled and therefore time) and starting near appropriate pacers I still have to pass an awful lot of people to get into a comfortable position pace-wise. It doesn't help that the first few hundred metres are very narrow and enclosed by woods, so there is very little opportunity to pass. I was nervous of starting up at the front originally, but it helps massively as you have less people to dodge round
It's incredible what 11 weeks of Parkrun with just one 2 mile mid-week evening run in-between is doing for me (no other fitness work whatsoever, sat at a desk all week)...
Week 01: 34:11
Week 02: 31:17
Week 04: 29:19
Week 05: 28:19
Week 06: 27:06
Week 11: 26:36
I'm going to try and up my midweek running to 2 runs with one being a bit longer. Breathing/exhaustion wise I feel absolutely fine after a Parkrun but it's my legs that just go to lead which is holding me back. A sub 25 by the New Year would be awesome and doesn't feel entirely out of sight.
For clarity as I appear to have inadvertently started the starting point discussion from a while back, my Parkrun (Southwick, Wiltshire) briefing always mentions fast runners at the front, average in the middle and slower at the back although obviously they don't enforce it. Despite only 250 runners or so the narrow path means quite a large spread at the beginning. The pacers also position themselves down the start in roughly the right area, which is really useful.
It's just a courtesy/safety thing in my opinion, particularly given the very narrow start. It's no different to asking everyone to stick to the left and pass on the right, common sense.
Edited by ukaskew on Monday 8th August 11:10
If you are going to add an extra run during the week, I would make that a 'training' one of intervals, hill reps, etc. rather than another steady or tempo run.
A few weeks of intervals where you are properly pushing yourself should knock a chunk of time off your parkrun.
For example.
Tuesday - Intervals or similar.
Thursday - Longer than parkrun tempo run.
Saturday - Full tilt parkrun.
Intervals early in the week will give your legs time to recover before parkrun. If you did them later in the week then you would be running on 'tired' legs on the Saturday.
A few weeks of intervals where you are properly pushing yourself should knock a chunk of time off your parkrun.
For example.
Tuesday - Intervals or similar.
Thursday - Longer than parkrun tempo run.
Saturday - Full tilt parkrun.
Intervals early in the week will give your legs time to recover before parkrun. If you did them later in the week then you would be running on 'tired' legs on the Saturday.
Edited by KTF on Monday 8th August 11:09
Took 20 seconds off of my PB this morning at 22.17 - pleased with that 
Work to do though as I'd set myself a target pace of 4:20. I was spot of for the first 3k then tailed off a bit in the last two. Going to rethink what I do in the week and see about getting in some intervals and longer runs..
Work to do though as I'd set myself a target pace of 4:20. I was spot of for the first 3k then tailed off a bit in the last two. Going to rethink what I do in the week and see about getting in some intervals and longer runs..
25:36 today, well chuffed, exactly a minute off my PB (last week). Followed a guy who usually tails off towards the end and finishes a fair way behind me, but he just kept going this week so I tried to keep up.
My revised aim is to knock 10 minutes off my week 1 time in the space of 16 weeks, seems doable.
My revised aim is to knock 10 minutes off my week 1 time in the space of 16 weeks, seems doable.
After flat out mile on Weds and track 5000 on Thurs, as soon as I got started at parkrun this morning I realised it was going to be hard work, very heavy legs!
Set off with a mate targeting 25 mins, mostly do low 23 at that event, found after 1k it was tough even at that but luckily caught up another mate who also did the 5000 and he was going even slower, so I tagged on with him and did 25:30 ish and chatted all the way round.
And that, ladies and gents, is why for me, it's definitely a run not a race! At a race I'm always eyeballs out, whereas sometimes at parkrun I think sod it, lets just enjoy it
I know some people don't, but I think they should sometimes!
Set off with a mate targeting 25 mins, mostly do low 23 at that event, found after 1k it was tough even at that but luckily caught up another mate who also did the 5000 and he was going even slower, so I tagged on with him and did 25:30 ish and chatted all the way round.
And that, ladies and gents, is why for me, it's definitely a run not a race! At a race I'm always eyeballs out, whereas sometimes at parkrun I think sod it, lets just enjoy it
I know some people don't, but I think they should sometimes! john2443 said:
After flat out mile on Weds and track 5000 on Thurs, as soon as I got started at parkrun this morning I realised it was going to be hard work, very heavy legs!
Set off with a mate targeting 25 mins, mostly do low 23 at that event, found after 1k it was tough even at that but luckily caught up another mate who also did the 5000 and he was going even slower, so I tagged on with him and did 25:30 ish and chatted all the way round.
And that, ladies and gents, is why for me, it's definitely a run not a race! At a race I'm always eyeballs out, whereas sometimes at parkrun I think sod it, lets just enjoy it I know some people don't, but I think they should sometimes!
I agree. I rarely run one at my fastest as I'm usually running with my youngest boy (eldest boy is faster than me and middle one getting closer) which means running at about 27 minute pace a lot of the time. If I'm not doing that I may be running round chatting to a club mate so at roughly 24 minute lace.Set off with a mate targeting 25 mins, mostly do low 23 at that event, found after 1k it was tough even at that but luckily caught up another mate who also did the 5000 and he was going even slower, so I tagged on with him and did 25:30 ish and chatted all the way round.
And that, ladies and gents, is why for me, it's definitely a run not a race! At a race I'm always eyeballs out, whereas sometimes at parkrun I think sod it, lets just enjoy it
I know some people don't, but I think they should sometimes! Yesterday though was a rare chance to run on my own as a tourist at Daventry (lovely one lap trail run round a country park). So took the opportunity for a quick one and set a new parkrun PB of 21:07. Really pleased as most of my training has been distance orientated but as that beat my two year old best I clearly have some speed in my legs.
john2443 said:
And that, ladies and gents, is why for me, it's definitely a run not a race! At a race I'm always eyeballs out, whereas sometimes at parkrun I think sod it, lets just enjoy it I know some people don't, but I think they should sometimes!
Eactly. I know some people don't, but I think they should sometimes! Sometimes I pootle around, sometimes I push it. There are races people can do.
SOmetimes it's nice to know one doesn't have to go balls to the wall.
Well, as a lardy, lazy 44 year old, I decided to give Parkrun a go at the end of June.
I was a good sprinter at school, but a terrible longer-distance runner, so I doubt I will ever be quick.
My goal after the first week was to hit sub 30 minutes by the end of the year;
Week 1 - 38:40
Week 2 - 35:45
Week 3 - 33:41
Week 4 - 32:39
Week 5 - 31:30
Week 6 - 30:04
Every week I go through the same 3 stages;
- pre race, very apprehensive and dreading it
- during race - what the hell am I doing here, I'm not an athlete
- after race - buzzing, roll on next week
I find it tough as I'm still carrying a couple of stone of lard (lost 2st this year) but I'm pretty happy with myself so far
I was a good sprinter at school, but a terrible longer-distance runner, so I doubt I will ever be quick.
My goal after the first week was to hit sub 30 minutes by the end of the year;
Week 1 - 38:40
Week 2 - 35:45
Week 3 - 33:41
Week 4 - 32:39
Week 5 - 31:30
Week 6 - 30:04
Every week I go through the same 3 stages;
- pre race, very apprehensive and dreading it
- during race - what the hell am I doing here, I'm not an athlete
- after race - buzzing, roll on next week
I find it tough as I'm still carrying a couple of stone of lard (lost 2st this year) but I'm pretty happy with myself so far
MOBB said:
Well, as a lardy, lazy 44 year old, I decided to give Parkrun a go at the end of June.
I was a good sprinter at school, but a terrible longer-distance runner, so I doubt I will ever be quick.
My goal after the first week was to hit sub 30 minutes by the end of the year;
Week 1 - 38:40
Week 2 - 35:45
Week 3 - 33:41
Week 4 - 32:39
Week 5 - 31:30
Week 6 - 30:04
Every week I go through the same 3 stages;
- pre race, very apprehensive and dreading it
- during race - what the hell am I doing here, I'm not an athlete
- after race - buzzing, roll on next week
I find it tough as I'm still carrying a couple of stone of lard (lost 2st this year) but I'm pretty happy with myself so far
Just wanted to recognize how great this is and how honest you've been. I think many people are in the same position of feeling apprehensive at the start of running, but like with any hobby/sport/pastime, everyone is encouraging and you can see progress like you have. You're already quicker than most of the people you will see in day to day life and I am sure with consistent running, you'll get that time down much further....... you then might want to run a 10k I was a good sprinter at school, but a terrible longer-distance runner, so I doubt I will ever be quick.
My goal after the first week was to hit sub 30 minutes by the end of the year;
Week 1 - 38:40
Week 2 - 35:45
Week 3 - 33:41
Week 4 - 32:39
Week 5 - 31:30
Week 6 - 30:04
Every week I go through the same 3 stages;
- pre race, very apprehensive and dreading it
- during race - what the hell am I doing here, I'm not an athlete
- after race - buzzing, roll on next week
I find it tough as I'm still carrying a couple of stone of lard (lost 2st this year) but I'm pretty happy with myself so far
MOBB said:
Well, as a lardy, lazy 44 year old, I decided to give Parkrun a go at the end of June.
I was a good sprinter at school, but a terrible longer-distance runner, so I doubt I will ever be quick.
My goal after the first week was to hit sub 30 minutes by the end of the year;
Week 1 - 38:40
Week 2 - 35:45
Week 3 - 33:41
Week 4 - 32:39
Week 5 - 31:30
Week 6 - 30:04
Every week I go through the same 3 stages;
- pre race, very apprehensive and dreading it
- during race - what the hell am I doing here, I'm not an athlete
- after race - buzzing, roll on next week
I find it tough as I'm still carrying a couple of stone of lard (lost 2st this year) but I'm pretty happy with myself so far
Well done on the improvement. I was a good sprinter at school, but a terrible longer-distance runner, so I doubt I will ever be quick.
My goal after the first week was to hit sub 30 minutes by the end of the year;
Week 1 - 38:40
Week 2 - 35:45
Week 3 - 33:41
Week 4 - 32:39
Week 5 - 31:30
Week 6 - 30:04
Every week I go through the same 3 stages;
- pre race, very apprehensive and dreading it
- during race - what the hell am I doing here, I'm not an athlete
- after race - buzzing, roll on next week
I find it tough as I'm still carrying a couple of stone of lard (lost 2st this year) but I'm pretty happy with myself so far
You'll be disappointed to know that, however fast you run, those three stages stay much the same whether you are running 30 min or 20 min
Cheers :-)
Meant to add that Mrs MOBB is also doing Parkrun with me - same time as me week 1, she set a pb this week of 32:14 - and she would be the first to admit that she is also not an athlete!
The key for me is that I'm not just "running" off my own back, as I would just not get round to it or keep it regular. Having at a fixed time each week with loads of others taking part just seems to work for me.
Meant to add that Mrs MOBB is also doing Parkrun with me - same time as me week 1, she set a pb this week of 32:14 - and she would be the first to admit that she is also not an athlete!
The key for me is that I'm not just "running" off my own back, as I would just not get round to it or keep it regular. Having at a fixed time each week with loads of others taking part just seems to work for me.
MOBB said:
Every week I go through the same 3 stages;
- pre race, very apprehensive and dreading it
- during race - what the hell am I doing here, I'm not an athlete
- after race - buzzing, roll on next week
I find it tough as I'm still carrying a couple of stone of lard (lost 2st this year) but I'm pretty happy with myself so far
- pre race, very apprehensive and dreading it
- during race - what the hell am I doing here, I'm not an athlete
- after race - buzzing, roll on next week
I find it tough as I'm still carrying a couple of stone of lard (lost 2st this year) but I'm pretty happy with myself so far
Same. I have 'stages' as well. One of them...around 3k when the football pitch bit comes up is my, 'why am I doing this, I hate myself, I hate my legs, I hate my lungs, I hate the person in front, the person behind and all humanity, I'm not doing this again...hulk smash' stage.
Which is why a pootle is rather loved on occasion.Halb said:
MOBB said:
Every week I go through the same 3 stages;
- pre race, very apprehensive and dreading it
- during race - what the hell am I doing here, I'm not an athlete
- after race - buzzing, roll on next week
I find it tough as I'm still carrying a couple of stone of lard (lost 2st this year) but I'm pretty happy with myself so far
- pre race, very apprehensive and dreading it
- during race - what the hell am I doing here, I'm not an athlete
- after race - buzzing, roll on next week
I find it tough as I'm still carrying a couple of stone of lard (lost 2st this year) but I'm pretty happy with myself so far
Same. I have 'stages' as well. One of them...around 3k when the football pitch bit comes up is my, 'why am I doing this, I hate myself, I hate my legs, I hate my lungs, I hate the person in front, the person behind and all humanity, I'm not doing this again...hulk smash' stage.
Which is why a pootle is rather loved on occasion.Thank me later.
RC1807 said:
Halb said:
MOBB said:
Every week I go through the same 3 stages;
- pre race, very apprehensive and dreading it
- during race - what the hell am I doing here, I'm not an athlete
- after race - buzzing, roll on next week
I find it tough as I'm still carrying a couple of stone of lard (lost 2st this year) but I'm pretty happy with myself so far
- pre race, very apprehensive and dreading it
- during race - what the hell am I doing here, I'm not an athlete
- after race - buzzing, roll on next week
I find it tough as I'm still carrying a couple of stone of lard (lost 2st this year) but I'm pretty happy with myself so far
Same. I have 'stages' as well. One of them...around 3k when the football pitch bit comes up is my, 'why am I doing this, I hate myself, I hate my legs, I hate my lungs, I hate the person in front, the person behind and all humanity, I'm not doing this again...hulk smash' stage.
Which is why a pootle is rather loved on occasion.Thank me later.
V8OW said:
If my strava is to be believed I did 5k in 24.36 this morning. Pretty happy with that seeing as I only wanted to match by sub 26 min from last week!
Managed a 23.30 yesterday. Pretty happy with my improvement over the past month. I'm hoping to do a sub 2hr half in a month's time, so hopefully these improvements will be reflected in my longer runs!
Not sure whether to put this in here or Goodwood, but I'm camping at the revival and on Saturday going to run over and do Chichester parkrun if anyone wants to meet up to do it. About 3k warm up to get there.
When I booked, Saturday track tickets had sold out so I have time to run without missing out on too much action, after running I'm going to spend the day Over the Road and have a good look round the car park etc.
When I booked, Saturday track tickets had sold out so I have time to run without missing out on too much action, after running I'm going to spend the day Over the Road and have a good look round the car park etc.
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