Runners unite

[MB0252]

Parkrun is my thing.

I’m closing in on my 250th.

Do you use the Parkrun 5K app?

We try to incorporate a parkrun when travelling and look for places to go that will help with the challenges.

So far I’ve only been to 23 locations and sitting at 64% for the Alphabeteer challenge so I have a long way to go for that one. I am lucky in that I have local parkRuns starting with ‘Q’ and ‘U’.

Doing Bushy Park Parkrun is one of my bucket list items.

I do use their 5K app. Though I've only so far managed 7 runs, so got a bit of work to do in order to catch up with your impressive record.

I've not done any beyond my immediate runs and I still haven't quite managed all of those yet.

 

[CameraMan18]

I love running a lot. Most Ive done is a half marathon here in Sydney, but would love to do a full marathon.

Life has kept me busy and tired so just trying to find time to squeeze in a cheeky run is a bit tough lately. But when I'm in the zone I try and run at least 3-4 times a week.

 

[cbrRunner]

I do use their 5K app. Though I've only so far managed 7 runs, so got a bit of work to do in order to catch up with your impressive record.

I've not done any beyond my immediate runs and I still haven't quite managed all of those yet.

I have a trip to Singapore planned for later this year and am intending on doing a couple of their ParkRuns.

Not looking forward to the heat and humidity. I’m a cold weather runner. Thankfully they start at 7am so at least it’s not as bad as it would be starting at 8.

 

[MB0252]

I have a trip to Singapore planned for later this year and am intending on doing a couple of their ParkRuns.

Not looking forward to the heat and humidity. I’m a cold weather runner. Thankfully they start at 7am so at least it’s not as bad as it would be starting at 8.

Singapore is going to be an experience. So will it be ice cubes down the running shorts to help you handle the heat? I'm like you, I think my ancestors evolved for colder climates. Not a big fan of the heat. With the cold you can put more clothes on, in the heat there are only so many you can take off before it upsets people...

What kind of time are you averaging? I'm currently at about 35mins, which isn't too bad for someone who hasn't done any serious running in over 5 years. Though at the moment I'm mostly concentrating on getting around the whole 5km without stopping, then I'll work on increasing my speed.

 

[cbrRunner]

It took me quite a while to build up to running the whole 5km. I hadn’t done any running for decades.

I’m quite slow. 26 to 27 minutes with an Age Graded Score of 58 to 59.

At my local ParkRun I struggle to make top 3rd of all runners there. We usually have between 250 and 300 people.

My local course is quite nice. Moderately hilly but not bad. Picturesque, along a river and with the occasional kangaroo or hot air balloon and more rarely an echidna.

 

[mobleedzblue]

A few easy runs this week, leading up to half marathon on Sunday. Shooting for sub 2 hours. This will be my second one, ran my first in 2:12 about 8 months.

 

[mobleedzblue]

A few easy runs this week, leading up to half marathon on Sunday. Shooting for sub 2 hours. This will be my second one, ran my first in 2:12 about 8 months.

Finished with a PR, sub 2 hours, just by the skin of my teeth(32 seconds to be exact).

 

[SubMick]

Finished with a PR, sub 2 hours, just by the skin of my teeth(32 seconds to be exact).

Well done mate, focus on yourself not other peoples times. 12 minutes off a PB is amazing.

 

[mobleedzblue]

Well done mate, focus on yourself not other peoples times. 12 minutes off a PB is amazing.

Thanks. I focused a lot on this one. Was far more prepared for this one than my previous

 

[SubMick]

In my 20's I did an annual half-marathon in a local town. For my first three I trained and ran completely differently everytime and got exactly the same time.
Knocked 8 minutes off in year 4 then regressed back to the previous time for next 2 years.

No idea what I did differently in the faster year.

So many variables can affect race day, always celebrate a PB.

 

[AcelaCorridorVet]

So many variables can affect race day, always celebrate a PB.

Couldn't agree more.
I believe weather is the biggest X factor, to the tune of 25-30%.
It's no coincidence that every single PB/PR I've set, for each distance, just happened to be on a day with optimal weather.

 

[JennyCapricorn]

So my husband just finished his first 5k and we were hoping for clarification on something: the race had 551 sign ups but only 468 finishers. Is it common for 80 people to either not show up or not finish?

(He came in 447th before you ask)

 

[Xenaqueen]

So my husband just finished his first 5k and we were hoping for clarification on something: the race had 551 sign ups but only 468 finishers. Is it common for 80 people to either not show up or not finish?

(He came in 447th before you ask)

Yes it is. Some may drop out, some just don't show up. Congratulations to your husband.

 

[cbrRunner]

So my husband just finished his first 5k and we were hoping for clarification on something: the race had 551 sign ups but only 468 finishers. Is it common for 80 people to either not show up or not finish?

(He came in 447th before you ask)

Yes, that is quite common.

People have many reasons for but showing up. It’s especially noticeable if the weather is bad.

 

[AcelaCorridorVet]

Travel tips?

Pretty much every distance race I've done is in my area. Later this month I'm flying from the east coast to the west coast for a half-marathon. Never done this before and while I'm an experienced runner, I can't shake the feeling that I'm missing something as I make my plans.

Any tips for this kind of travel for a race? For people who have gotten on a plane to do a race, what's something you know now that you didn't know the before?

 

[Xenaqueen]

Travel tips?

Pretty much every distance race I've done is in my area. Later this month I'm flying from the east coast to the west coast for a half-marathon. Never done this before and while I'm an experienced runner, I can't shake the feeling that I'm missing something as I make my plans.

Any tips for this kind of travel for a race? For people who have gotten on a plane to do a race, what's something you know now that you didn't know the before?

Keep hydrating! And, if you forgot or missed something, you can always find it at the expo. You will be fine. . You have done the work, so enjoy the race. Have a good run.

 

[AcelaCorridorVet]

Keep hydrating! And, if you forgot or missed something, you can always find it at the expo. You will be fine. . You have done the work, so enjoy the race. Have a good run.

I'm generally good about hydrating in the days leading up to (and during) a race, but that's a great point about the expo. Arrive Friday night, packet pickup is Saturday morning, so I should have a good sense of whether I forgot to pack something. Thank you!

 

[MarcOfNY]

Anyone else's knees starting to hurt with mileage?

 

[AcelaCorridorVet]

Anyone else's knees starting to hurt with mileage?

Only when I ramp up too quickly. If I'm training for a race and I start to add more than, say, 10% total mileage in a week, that's when I get in trouble with sore knees, strained muscles, etc.

 

[Xenaqueen]

I'm generally good about hydrating in the days leading up to (and during) a race, but that's a great point about the expo. Arrive Friday night, packet pickup is Saturday morning, so I should have a good sense of whether I forgot to pack something. Thank you!

You are so welcome!

 

[sammyIammy]

Okay former runner slowly getting back into it. Any advice for picking it up again many years later? For perspective the new running shoes are completely foreign to me. It’s been that long.

 

[Xenaqueen]

Okay former runner slowly getting back into it. Any advice for picking it up again many years later? For perspective the new running shoes are completely foreign to me. It’s been that long.

My advice is to take it slow, don't jump into it. As for the shoes, I suggest go to a running store and try on some shoes that will fit to your needs.

 

[Celticlight]

My advice is to take it slow, don't jump into it. As for the shoes, I suggest go to a running store and try on some shoes that will fit to your needs.

Yes I agree - and in a similar vein I wouldn’t go crazy with finding the perfect new shoes - something comfortable that is enough to get you enjoying it and motivated again should do the trick. I tend to find out what the latest running shoe trends are a couple of years later, when I’m buying them all at a significant discount

 

[CX726577]

Okay former runner slowly getting back into it. Any advice for picking it up again many years later? For perspective the new running shoes are completely foreign to me. It’s been that long.

Jeff Galloway has some good books for anyone from beginner to experienced that have some great programs for starting off. I used his program for training for my first marathon. His 5k-10k book might be a good one to start with. As mentioned, try some shoes out. I've found myself going back to pretty basic ones for training and can usually find some great sales. I have found if they feel really cushy walking around the store, they will be too soft/dead feeling when running. I have recently tried some of the newer design shoes and really like the Adidas EVO SL for racing or fast training runs. Other brands all have similar shoes so when you get to that point tryout a bunch.

 

[sammyIammy]

My advice is to take it slow, don't jump into it. As for the shoes, I suggest go to a running store and try on some shoes that will fit to your needs.

Great advice. And the advice I’m trying to follow.