Parkrun newbies and trying a sub 30 - keeping each other motivated! 🏃‍♀️ 🎉

Can I join in please?

Today I completed my first ever parkrun (33.36), having been encouraged by my couch to 5k course coordinator

Stupid question alert, but is it ok to do my post run stretch after I get home (half hour drive away) or should it be done immediately?

Thx

Interesting warm up information! I warm up by walking about a mile to Parkrun and then doing a little stretching when I get there. I am worried that too much warm up will tire me out before I start! And couch to 5k said a brisk 5 mins walk to warm up so I have always stuck with that!

Not so good for me today- just over 34 mins, mostly because my knee is still sore from my fall lady week. Some poor lady did the same thing this week 😞

my first parkrun was 4 July, which I completed in 35mins, have managed to get it down to 33mins. Have now joined a running club and the different sessions have really helped with my overall stamina - still struggle towards the end of the 5K though!

Think I need to do a better warm up though as it took me a while to get into a nice rhythm this morning as my legs adjusted - so will try some of those suggestions!

I will be running on Saturday at a new to me parkrun. I went to my first body pump session in over a year yesterday and feeling it in my core today. Extra run on Monday so a three run week this week.

I have Running Club tomorrow.

Went along to a new Ladies' Walking/Running Club today. Only two of us were there - the other was the lady who told me about it.

She just wanted to walk, so walked round the circuit once and that was it. I might go back myself to try to have a run, but it's only available on Thursday morning - it's primarily a cycle track.

I will be doing some parkrun tourism as we’re away for our anniversary. Always exciting to do a new course 😊

AND I had good news at the fracture clinic this week - x-rays show continued healing and the consultant said I can run as much as I want - just take ibuprofen before and after running to manage the pain. Seems a bit sketchy to me - I’m sure that much ibuprofen can’t be good for you… but who am I to argue with the consultant?

My warm up routine before a PB attempt goes something like:

• 1km slow jog
• pogo jumps
• knees up jumps
• strides (a few bursts of short sprints)
• various stretches including calf raises, sweeps, open and close the gate and others I don’t know the names of but focussing on ham strings, hips and and calfs

There are some really good running accounts of Instagram with some nice warm up routines for inspiration. I particularly like runspace_cat (northern no nonsense running advice for all levels) dailyrunnergirl, trackclubbabe (very fast runners but also very practical advice) iamsarahayes, alicemack.physio but there are so many out there.

Oooh can I join?? I’ve just returned to park run after a ten year break. Am older and fatter and no longer run at all. But suddenly got the urge to return to park run a couple of weeks ago! First one was 38 mins - I was SO pleased with myself. Then last week I nearly killed myself, wore a hoodie, got to hot, got the pace all wrong. Managed 34 mins but felt terrible and went puce. Was 8th out of the 9 women in my age category.

I will be back… minus the hoodie!

No parkrun for me this weekend as taking dd2 up to start uni!! Empty nest for me now as dd1 goes back tomorrow. 😢

@Lemontreeinthecity i find I run a 5k best with at least a mile warm up at base pace with a few quicker short sprints. Mind you, I rarely do this at parkrun and just sprint off cold. My 5k PBs are from when I have warmed up though. One parkrun when in London when I ran 3 miles to get there and then last nights 5k race where I did a mile of warm up and then jogged another half a mile to the start.

Well done on the PB @BetsiRubble .

No running today, but attended Musical Theatre Fitness class today with lots of leg work including squats. I'm hoping that the classes I'm taking might help my leg muscles.

Oh no @NoCareNoFair, hope you’re ok. Well done for carrying on and finishing.

I went yesterday and managed another PB so I was very pleased with that. Can’t go for the next few weeks but will keep getting out during the week, though they’re usually shorter runs.

Well done to everyone for the last couple of weeks. I had a fall this morning, but because of the embarrassment I got up and walked and then ran (slowly) soon after. I have very cut and bruised hands and feet now and I'm feeling very ouchy. I'm not sure what caused it but I felt like I had very heavy legs before I fell and I was scuffing the ground a bit. My first fall. Ouch!

No Parkrun today, but Running Club yesterday. Just short runs yesterday, but my puff appears to be improving.

A bit faster today! Finally turning a corner. All those interval sessions starting to pay off.

Running Club today. I'm starting over again with the beginners and concentrating on speed - but I'm still the slowest. On my own training days, I'm concentrating on stamina.

Parkrun eve!! I’m excited because we’re camping this weekend and the nearest parkrun is Folkestone which looks lovely, along the seafront.

Slightly gutted because I forgot my headphones but seeing as I’m supposed to be taking it easy, I guess it doesn’t matter. I ran for 11 years without music, and then tried it for the first time last year and immediately knocked a minute off my PB! It was incredible the difference it made.

The other thing I’m looking forward to as soon as my foot heals (and I can run as much and as fast as I want again) is getting back into intervals. That was the single biggest thing I did to bring my times down. Brutal (I have fond memories of lying on the grass trying not to throw up) but so so effective, especially if you don’t have much time to train.

God I miss the endorphins and adrenaline of chasing PBs. At least it’s giving me motivation to stick with my physio regime.

Not sure if I fit in either but I completed my last couch to 5k run this morning and am looking forward to doing my first Parkrun in a couple of weeks time which will be on my 59th birthday! Looking at the stats on my watch, I should manage it in 40 minutes so I’m in awe of sub-30 minutes.

Thank you @Lemontreeinthecity . I'm using the Couch to 5k app as well as starting from the beginning with the gym Running Club.

I'm hoping to use the RC early short runs to work on speed and the app for stamina. I'm on wk 7 for the app, if that makes sense (I skipped the early bits since I'd already completed the first RC and a Parkrun by then.)

Used the gym track on Monday and did a 25 minute continuous run - more of a jog, really - with a 5 minute walk at either side. Managed to get round the 400 metre track nearly 6 times, so I'm not getting any faster, but I think the stamina is maybe more important at this stage.

A friend sent me one of those basic Timex watches. I'm not sure whether it's me, but it's not giving me steps or kms. (It keeps telling me that I've done 0.) The watch works and the stopwatch works.

I went online to get the instructions, but I'm no further forward...It was an Amazon delivery and I don't want to tell the friend that I'm struggling with it.

Thank you, @NoCareNoFair . I very much appreciate that.

@WearyAuldWummanYes! Join us! Please come back and share your progress (because you will have progress!). I am looking forward to celebrating your sub 50 with you (virtually). Your challenge is just against yourself, as is it for 99% of Parkrunners. And Parkrun is for all, so you're fine.

Thank you @Whataninterestinglookingpotato . I must say that the marshals were very encouraging.

Parkrun is meant to be for everyone and those times are fine. If I was marshalling and saw you I would enthusiastically cheer you on. It’s great that you’re out there doing it. I keep trying to encourage my dad to give it a go. He would have to walk it all at first and would likely take over an hour, but it doesn’t matter. It’s all good exercise! Well done

Thank you. That's appreciated.