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

Hello, just joining the thread as I’m trying to get back into running after an 8 year gap! I did a lot of park runs and was generally quite fit in my 20s - my PB was 22.40 - but I had 2 kids, life got in the way, I’m now 39 and my last attempt was 33 minutes - very depressing! I’d love to get back into it and sub 30 is my first (ambitious!) goal.

Brilliant! Agree that once it cools down it will start feeling much easier and will smash that 30 minute time!

This is fabulous. If you can do that in the heat, you will be flying in the autumn 🤩

I’m under strict instructions from the physio to run a maximum of 5k once a week, SLOWLY. So a chatty one with a friend this morning.

Though it does make the actual running part more enjoyable, I do SO miss the buzz of chasing PBs and pouring over the stats afterwards 😭

Did you do parkrun this morning @Lemontreeinthecity? Any closer to your goal? It’s hard with the heat not properly dying down, full sun round 90% of the route this morning 🥵

Frustrating parkrun this morning as I messed up my watch at the start so didn’t get a proper Strava time but ended up running my 2nd fastest 5k and got my “official” parkrun PB this so I’ll take that.

I was focussing on my 10k race in September but with one eye on starting marathon training in winter I’ve booked a half marathon for the end of October so concentrating now on building up the miles without aggravating my over sensitive IT band.

Feels like I am getting slower rather than faster. Another hot one today but at least I am getting out there. How did anyone else get on?

Excellent. Well done 👏 Can I ask what new trainers you have.

I have just reminded myself of this video by George Lewis (Comedian) about Parkrun. Sharing in case anyone hasn't seen it!
https://share.google/eYdIjXmtyn8y1oLkB

@oatybiscuitsWelcome! It's sad you don't have a local Parkrun, but it's worth making an effort to go to one! They are brilliant. Kids can run too!! When I first went, I just watched it (DH wanted to run, I went as support) but it was that that showed me I could be a runner too. I would suggest that if you are able too and too nervous to run. There are all ages, shapes and speeds and it's so encouraging. Not everyone is running, some are running and walking and there are park walkers too. Mostly people are lovely there and you get a result at the end and can achieve PBs and milestones (which I find very motivating!). I definitely recommend trying it!

I did better than last week albeit still with some slight pain in my lower legs. Had a great sprint finish with two other ladies at the end which was fun! Just over 35.mins so a long way to go to get back to my PB and then under 30!

10k training is going ok. I have found I am able to fit the extra runs in and can even get up early for them, which is unheard-of for me! Good luck with your 10k Oatybiscuits for a great cause, although I wish it wasn't needed and I am sorry if it has affected you.

Well done @Whataninterestinglookingpotato as predicted it was not a fast one for me this morning but glad to be back to it.

Tried out a new parkrun today about 30 mins away! It was a very flat if stony and dusty course. Both dd1 and I came away with 5k PBs!!

I shall return to that one another day when I haven’t done a fast track session the evening before!

Hope that everyone else got out and enjoyed a run around a park this morning!

Can I join please? What a lovely thread! I think I'm on very much the same track as you @NoCareNoFair, Ive always thought I'm 'not sporty', did C25k in the winter/spring and I'm aiming for a 10k for Baby loss awareness week in October. Also trying to lose some weight to help with the running! I've yet to work up the courage and organisation to manage a park run though! (They're not very local to me, 4 kids and activities but mostly, I'm nervous). Hopefully you lot can give me some motivation!

I will be. Not expecting a PB or anything like 30 mins - it's still so hot! But I am hoping to run round with less pain than last week when I had terrible pain in the muscles by my shins. Not sure what it was as I have been running a few times since and it hasn't reoccurred yet 🤞.

I love that @Ricecrispiesatsix - Always next week for Parkrun!

Me! Back to it after a few weeks off. My hilly home parkrun so not expecting miracles with my time but at least I will be out there.

its a really good article and no one should be disheartened if they can’t run 5k in 30 mins as a new runner, or at any time really, but there’s also nothing wrong with wanting to get faster.

when I finished C25k 5 years ago I could do maybe just over 4k in 30 mins. I got quicker and managed to get to 5k in just over 30 mins doing a 5k 2 or 3 times and week and getting as far as 10k a few times.

over the last 2 years I have been more consistent. Started racing and aiming for long distances. I’ve done 3 marathons and an ultra so far this year. 5k isn’t my distance. I am comparatively much better running long distances and I enjoy them more. But, as I’ve got better at long distances my 5k time has improved by itself. I ran a PB of 21;23 on a random morning before work this week! I think I’m going to try and get down to 20 mins.

so just keep going, being consistent is the key and the varied training i have done for longer distances has helped my 5k time massively without thinking about it.

@parkrunEnthusiast why so many layers?? I don’t think I’ve EVER run in a hoody, let alone in June! As my mum always says: BE BOLD, START COLD.

Can I join this thread as a parkrun enthusiast even though I am not a newbie (14 years and nearly 400 parkruns) and I’m not aiming for sub 30?

I love parkrun but sadly an injury has kept me from running most of the year (have been doing plenty of volunteering instead). I’m hoping to do it this Saturday if my foot/toe/ankle allows - my local is cancelled so will cycle to one of the other nearby ones. Would love to hear about all of your successes and frustrations!

One thing I love about parkrun is that there’s always next week!

Thanks for the article. I am sure I have read it before! I am determined to reach the 30 mins, even if it is very tough. I never got on with C25k because I always tried to run too fast. I think my limit was 20 mins of running. Parkrun taught me to run slower and therefore longer and further. I am still amazed that I can actually run 5k tbh. Many decades ago when I was at school, 1500m on the school field was barely doable! I have also found my 10k training has made me even slower, but now I can run 5k slowly but fairly easily. So for me, 30 mins 5k is a massive challenge, it doesn't mean I can't do it and shouldn't try!

An article in Sylist about C25K and 30 min 5ks. I guess the figures are arbitrary and running is great whatever the pace. It’s good to have something to aim for though.

Back home and out to track night this evening. Looking forward to some cooler weather. DD wants to do parkrun on Saturday. Very excited about that as she hasn’t done one since pre Covid.

That's great. I would love to hear how your training is going. No, not in London. Its a HM in my home town.