Still running come what May

This overall has been very positive month for my parkruns. Probably my best month since this time last year. And the funny thing is my midweek runs have disappeared somewhat again but somehow this has made me faster.

5/5 - First up was Falkirk parkrun. 3 years since I was last here which is really far too long considering how much I like this parkrun. In terms of course it is my favourite. I started quite easy and as I started asscending the first hill, the trail narrows meaning you can get stuck behind people. I thought this was good at the time as it meant it held me back from going too fast too early. But I think in hindsight I should have really asked to go past and just go at my natural pace. The second hill which is the infamous "Heartbreak Hill" I found interesting. I got about 3/4 of the way up before having to walk the rest. But I looked around me and everyone was walking. This was quite unusual. I would love to be fit enough to do reps up this hill after parkrun. It would be a great session. Once at the top of the hill I really let go on the long downhill and it was very enjoyable. I sustained the pace around the loch and to the finish meaning I was just over 30 minutes. A course best. Afterwards I met up with friends Campbell and Mico and had a nice walk with their dog round Callendar park which was good.

12/05 - Next up was Tollcross. I met running buddies Ian before and Chris after. First time seeing them since one spent the winter in Thailand and the other in Australia so it was good to catch up. I've been struggling with the hills at Tollcross the last few times I have done it so I was pleased today to keep running most of the way round. It was only the very last hill which defeated me and had to have a few walk breaks which isn't too bad. Also I managed to sneak under 30 minutes, coming in at 29.59. Always good to get a sub 30, especially on a hilly course! First time I have gone sub 30 on a hilly course in a few years I think.

19/05 - Then I went to Linwood. Caught up with another few running buddies at the start, Stuart and Rob and his wife. Also John K was supporting on the way round, so gave him a congratulations on the way past as he had completed the 190 mile Northern Traverse race the previous week! Not bad. My run wasn't bad either. In fact I ran my fastest time since getting a course best at Linwood last June. I paced it really well and was just generally having a really good day. 27.15 is 2 minutes faster than I have run for any parkrun this year.

26/05 - Finally Greenock parkrun. I had been ill half the week and only been out the house twice really during the week. So I think the reduction in activity meant parkrun was going to be tough today. And it was. But I managed to grind it out and still get a sub 30. Coming in at 28.55. It is a very fast course Greenock along the promenade. Overall a good finish to the month.

I think the improvement has come from diet changes as its clearly not because Im running more. I'm eating more fruit, porridge for breakfast and cut down on crisps and sugary drinks. Hopefully I can keep this going although still buy the odd fizzy drink when I'm at home. But as they say, everythings fine in moderation ;-)

October

Well this month started well enough with the Kielder 10k which has its own post.

The following week I was down at Strathclyde parkrun. It was a good steady run and I was pleased to dip below 29 minutes for 28.59.

The next week I made the trip up to Callender park to run my second Falkirk parkrun.  After the first time I really wanted to conquer that hill this time.  So I started off slower.  Maybe a bit too slow as when I looked behind me after 100 meters there was only 5 people behind me. But I stuck with the plan and found when I began climbing up the first hill I was gradually overtaking people.  When I got round to that hill this time I had plenty of energy and managed to get to the top without walking.  So mission accomplished.  I had a look at my time when I got home and it was 31.23 which was actually 12 seconds slower than my first time there. So maybe I could have given it a bit more here.  Still really enjoy running at Callender park though, it is one of my favourites.

Last week I was back Pollok park where it was raining quite badly right up until kick off.  So there were a lot of puddles throughout the course.  Meaning it was slower going but fun all the same coming in at 30.27.

This week I have been on holiday and it has given me time to reflect on my running for this year and also plan what I want to do going forward.  I managed 3 runs on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. No parkrun on the Saturday though due to a dodgy night sleep.  It is actually the first Saturday since April where I have not run on a Saturday, most of course being parkruns.

Anyway back to analysis of this year.  When you look at my times compared to end of year last year.  For Strathclyde parkrun I have improved by about 20 seconds.  Then for Pollok parkrun I have come close to beating 29.08 I recorded last year but never have.  Now don't get me wrong, I have thoroughly enjoyed doing all the parkruns this year.  But I have not been improving at all.  Now it is obvious why and I have been saying it in my posts all year about lack midweek runs.  But its almost like I can just turn up and get round 5ks and 10ks at slower times and be happy with that. I know doing 3 miles a week may see improvements for starter but from past experience you need to put in the work if you want to get faster.  Now I think its time to challenge myself more which in turn will spur on the motivation to get out more, but at the same time will mean less parkruns.  I'll see if it works and if not I can always go back to doing "At least I got out there" parkruns once a week.

September

I managed 3 parkruns this month. The first one was at Falkirk's Callender park. I have been to the park twice before for the National XC's and it was just as good as I remembered. The parkrun course was of course different but thoroughly enjoyable. I read the course description on the website before hand and just mentioned that there was a wee hill, so I was confident that I could start a bit quicker.  So that's what I did and it was pretty flat round the first k, as I made my way round the lake.  The course then turns into the woods and up a gradual climb which just went on and on. At the top I was so exhausted I was struggling to run down the other side! I did though and followed the route round getting myself ready for the "wee hill".  As I approached it, I looked up and said to myself "this is not wee!!!"  I have no doubt been up way harder hills in my time but I just was not prepared for this at all and I was still recovering from the gradual climb.  So I just decided to walk it.  When I got to the top I actually felt better and was able to run comfortably the rest of the run coming in around 31 minutes.  Definitely one of my favorite parkruns I have done.

The next week I opted for a more flat run so I was down at Strathclyde. I knew from the start that I wasn't really on my game today to try and beat my PB at the event so just toughed out a 30 minute run.

The next week I was at Pollok Park, I wouldn't say I was going for it here either but I certainly felt better than the previous week.  I wasn't really expecting a good time but was surprised with a 29.21 which is only 11 seconds off my best at the course this year so was very pleased with that.

Yesterday the plan was to do volunteering at park run in the morning then a longer run in the afternoon. Well one of the two went well!  And that was the volunteering. I had a great time with my marshall buddy Steve and meeting various other people including John Kynaston for the first time whose blog I have been following for years and has provided much inspiration in that time and was not short of good advice for me about running in the chat we had.   Also met John Softley who just hit his 250th parkrun.  The run in the afternoon I was just going to take easy and do about 4 1/2 miles. but I got to 1 1/2  and just had no energy.  So just walked and cut it to 3 miles. I was meant to to do Kielder 10k next weekend and was hoping for a good easy run yesterday to prove I could get round ok. But this has put doubts in my mind especially as its such a long way to go too. So may just end up at a parkrun.