Happy new year!
To kick off the year it was parkrun double time. I decided not to run 2 parkruns this year as I didn't think I was fit enough to do 2 back to back. So instead I volunteered at Pollok and if I had enough time nip across to Tollcross and run there. So I was dressed ready to run and I pointed the car in the right direction to get to Tollcross. But I didnt know what time I would get away from Pollok so it was just wait and see.
Pollok was a bit quieter on new years day compared to Christmas day. I think the fact that Victoria and Strathclyde had early kick offs too helped. Where as on Christmas day these 2 were off. Normally in my blog I go through I few people I either ran with or chatted with. But this was no normal day. So many folk I knew and also quite a few who I met for the first time. Being funnel manager for the day also meant I got to greet people as they just finished the run which was fun. The last runner came in just over 40 minutes and the other funnel manager kindly took my marshal vest and I jogged to the car realising I should make it to Tollcross easy.
And I did with 15 minutes to spare. Again Tollcross was full of people I knew. Some were doing the double and others who opted for a lie in and just did Tollcross. I say "Just" but its really a challenge even on its own! There was over 400 people there today and I think it was a record for them. I started a wee bit further back so took a bit of time to get going but I felt good all the way round and was picking up the pace just finishing in over 30 minutes.
The first Saturday of the year - the 4th - I woke up feeling rotten so just decided to leave parkrun today.
The next Saturday - the 11th - I was back on top of things again. Although today was back to checking which parkruns were on as it was torrential rain. I was wanting to go to Pollok rather than Queen's in this type of weather. Because in my mind I still cant bring myself to drive to Queen's as its just too close. But at the same time I'd rather not run to it then be hanging about in that weather before it starts. Where as Pollok being a bit further away, I can drive too without feeling guilty and also swing by the shops on the way back and get food.
So when Pollok announced it was on I headed there. The rain was coming down hard. But I found the worst of it was actually walking to the start. It was a lot quieter than usual too so no issues finding my pace at the start. There were a few big puddles which were unavoidable but fun to run through at the same time. It was one of those days I thought I was running faster than I was but still 31 minutes isnt too bad this early on in the year.
The next Saturday was my birthday run - the 18th. Again this was a dodgy weather day but this time it was unexpected. I had it planned to go to Queen's today and meet up with Brian and a few others. I woke up at 8.30 thinking I had till 9 to get ready. Then I find out that half the parkruns, including Queen's are called off due to black ice. So it was off to trusty Tollcross who were running their 4 lap alternative course. There is no doubting this is a tough course but I was just pleased it was on. I made it round in 33 minutes but I would say I wasnt pushing it maybe as hard as I could have.
25th and the final parkrun of the month I headed to Linwood with my brother and his family. Ken has been running well at the moment so I wasnt surprised when he took off at the start. I was expecting about 30 minutes today but I was surprised how well I was feeling after the first lap, so I gradually increaesed the pace over the 2nd lap and found myself picking off a lot of people. Till the final straight where I felt good enough to sprint for home. I was still surprised and happy to dip below 29 minutes - 28.55.
A lot of work to do if I want to get below a 30 minute average parkrun time this year but its still early days. I did 4/6 parkruns available so also a decent enough start. I had planned to go to Queen's more this month and ended up not going there at all. Hopefully get back there next month :-)
Showing posts with label Tollcross parkrun. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tollcross parkrun. Show all posts
Sunday, 26 January 2020
Sunday, 27 October 2019
October parkruns
October saw a bit of a diffence to my usual running of parkruns. For the first parkrun of the month I thought it was about time I volunteered again at a 5k. The last time I volunteered at a 5k was at Drumchapel in May and I hadn't volunteered at Pollok since last year. To be honest I dont really feel I owe anything to Pollok in terms of volunteering. I volunteered so much in the early days that I still have a pretty good run to volunteer ratio. But I wanted to touch base at Pollok and catch up with folk and volunteering is a good way to do that. It was clear when I started to talk to folk that they had noticed that I hadn't been volunteering as much and I decided not to get into an arguement about it. It has changed the way I think about volunteering and I think going forward I will try to volunteer more at 5ks. I think I have been a bit too obssesed with trying to get to 250 runs and also I have been in the routine of just running. But when I look at the big picture, why does it matter how quickly you reach a milestone? I'm not going to be the first person who hits the milestone so why not volunteer along the way in order for these events to go ahead each week. So I have decided to try volunteer once a month and hopefully aim still for 40 runs a year instead of as many as possible.
So yeah I was number checking at Pollok and had an enjoyable morning catching up with folk. During the next week I was ill and off work. I got to Friday and I was at that stage where I was still ill but getting better. I did think about running but decided against it. At about 6pm on Friday Tollcross put out an appeal for 5 volunteers for the next day. So I decided to go ahead and marshal there. I hadn't really had much fresh air during the week so standing outside in the fresh air, cheering on the runners was exactly what I needed. I have run Tollcross quite a bit due to it being my go to course when weather is bad, so it was good to be able to repay them when they needed it.
The next week it was up to Inverness. I have been through Inverness 4 times this year for various parkruns but this time it was the destination. I stayed in the Premier inn west which was only a 5 minute walk to the start. They used Whin park instead of Bught park today due to the overnight rain. I did something today that I havent done before on my travels and that is volunteered and run. The reason I did this is because although I speak to some people when Im on my travels, volunteering means you automatically speak to people. When I saw there was a role for post event close down I took it. It was good chatting to the locals and some of the core team prior to the event. The run itself was very puddly and muddy conditions. Two laps of the pond then 3 laps which are bigger and include the pond loop. It was easy enough to track the laps and I enjoyed splashing through the puddles. It did make for a slower run and I was about 32 minutes.
Then finally for the month it was a trip to Dumfries to do Crichton parkrun. The Holiday Inn I stayed in couldnt have been any closer to the start it was great. It was a funny run as the first bit is all on roads round the campus connecting all the buildings. You go about 200 metres from the church before joining the start of the loop which you do twice. It was so twisty and turny I actually lost track of where I was. I thought I was still heading out but then I passed the women who was marshaling the lap point where I realised I was starting the second lap. On the second lap I pin pointed the turn which goes round so much you almost go back on yourself. But its so gradual I didn't notice the first time. Once two laps are done you go round into a different loop which is on paths and some trailish path. It has some undualtions but generally quite a fast course. I really pushed it today and was delighted to get round in 28.07. Especially as I havent really done much running this month.
My challenge to get my average parkrun time for the year is proving challenging and average time is currently 30.19 so it is close. Problem is now that Queens park has started up and is very hilly and is now my local parkrun. So not sure if I can get that average down but I will try. With Queens starting up it doesnt also bring about a new decision to make as to where my home run will be - Pollok or Queens. I couldnt drive to Queens as it feels to close. Half an hour walk and I'm there. But Pollok is still easy to get to. Maybe it will be clearer once I run Queens which I do plan to do in November.
So yeah I was number checking at Pollok and had an enjoyable morning catching up with folk. During the next week I was ill and off work. I got to Friday and I was at that stage where I was still ill but getting better. I did think about running but decided against it. At about 6pm on Friday Tollcross put out an appeal for 5 volunteers for the next day. So I decided to go ahead and marshal there. I hadn't really had much fresh air during the week so standing outside in the fresh air, cheering on the runners was exactly what I needed. I have run Tollcross quite a bit due to it being my go to course when weather is bad, so it was good to be able to repay them when they needed it.
The next week it was up to Inverness. I have been through Inverness 4 times this year for various parkruns but this time it was the destination. I stayed in the Premier inn west which was only a 5 minute walk to the start. They used Whin park instead of Bught park today due to the overnight rain. I did something today that I havent done before on my travels and that is volunteered and run. The reason I did this is because although I speak to some people when Im on my travels, volunteering means you automatically speak to people. When I saw there was a role for post event close down I took it. It was good chatting to the locals and some of the core team prior to the event. The run itself was very puddly and muddy conditions. Two laps of the pond then 3 laps which are bigger and include the pond loop. It was easy enough to track the laps and I enjoyed splashing through the puddles. It did make for a slower run and I was about 32 minutes.
Then finally for the month it was a trip to Dumfries to do Crichton parkrun. The Holiday Inn I stayed in couldnt have been any closer to the start it was great. It was a funny run as the first bit is all on roads round the campus connecting all the buildings. You go about 200 metres from the church before joining the start of the loop which you do twice. It was so twisty and turny I actually lost track of where I was. I thought I was still heading out but then I passed the women who was marshaling the lap point where I realised I was starting the second lap. On the second lap I pin pointed the turn which goes round so much you almost go back on yourself. But its so gradual I didn't notice the first time. Once two laps are done you go round into a different loop which is on paths and some trailish path. It has some undualtions but generally quite a fast course. I really pushed it today and was delighted to get round in 28.07. Especially as I havent really done much running this month.
My challenge to get my average parkrun time for the year is proving challenging and average time is currently 30.19 so it is close. Problem is now that Queens park has started up and is very hilly and is now my local parkrun. So not sure if I can get that average down but I will try. With Queens starting up it doesnt also bring about a new decision to make as to where my home run will be - Pollok or Queens. I couldnt drive to Queens as it feels to close. Half an hour walk and I'm there. But Pollok is still easy to get to. Maybe it will be clearer once I run Queens which I do plan to do in November.
Sunday, 31 March 2019
March parkruns
02/03 - Back at Pollok for the first time in 3 weeks. Did something a bit different today and started my watch when I crossed the start line rather than when they shout go and their timers started. I wanted to see how long it took to cross the start line which was 30 seconds today. As usual the first k was a bit slow as pace is very much dictated. But I got into my running after that and ended up just under 30 minutes watch time and 30.22 official parkrun time. The official time was actually my second fastest time on the new route at Pollok. I'm slowly getting used to it!
09/03 - Out for another adventure today as I was up to Dunfermline for their parkrun in Pittencrief park. I stayed in Holiday Inn Express the night before near Dunfermline Queen Margaret station. It was about 2 and half miles from the start so decided that was a bit too long a warm up so took the train from queen margaret to Dunfermline town and had a 0.7 mile jog warm up from the station to the start via the abbey to arrive with 10 minutes to spare to the start of the run. At the first timers briefing the guy made it clear it was a hilly course and it was 3 laps so it was good to be mentally prepared in that respect.
At the start, I posistioned myself about half way down the pack. And got into my running straight away, absoultely no problems during in the entire run of getting stuck behind people or anything like that. The paths are nice and wide and there was 138 runners today. There is one main hill you go up on each lap which I adjusted my pace for and made it up pretty comfortably each time. To be honest I couldn't tell you how bad it was as I make a habit of looking at the ground when going up hills rather than looking up as I tend to find it mentally easier not seeing how far I have to go up it. But to give you an idea of difficulty there were people around me that were walking up it on the first lap. There are many undulations dotted around the loop but apart from the main loop the rest does feel quite flat and downhill.
I was delighted with my time as I dipped below 29 minutes with a 28.51. Its my best time on a hilly course for quite sometime and as my Dad says considering I didn't know the course before hand its harder to know what pace to set out at so a good run.
16/03 - I wasn't sure what parkrun I was going to do today. The weather was dodgy so it was a case of waiting till 8.30am and seeing who was going to cancel and who was going to be on. Drumchapel, Pollok, Ruchill and Linwood all cancelled but noone else had declared they were actually on so I gambled on the least likely to be off and headed for Tollcross. I thought it might be the alt course due to ice but it turned out the grass was actually slippier than the paths. So it was normal course. Although the run director in the briefing did say to take care as it was a bit slipply in places.
I took this on board and set off pretty conservatively. The weather was pretty wild with sleety rain pouring for the majority. But after the first lap I realised the underfoot conditions weren't really that bad and I could pick things up in the second lap. I finished just over 30 minutes which I'll take on that course but I know if I was I bit more free flowing on the downhills on the first lap I would have been under 30.
23/03 - Today's adventure was back up to Aberdeen for Hazlehead parkrun. My hotel was about a mile and half away from the start but I decided just to walk rather than have a jog warm up to save myself for the actual run. It was a glorius day. Its an out and back course up a wide trail path which runs along beside a golf course. The first mile is a gradual uphill and I was a bit surprised when I looked at my watch to see I had done it in 10 minutes. I know I wasn't going all out but I did think I was going a wee bit quicker than that. At the same time I was running well within myself but I did think it might be a slow one today. The next mile which included the turn around I picked up the pace a bit and ran 8.50. Then I really got into my stride when running down the hill to the finish and ended up finishing in 27 minutes and 11 seconds. 30 seconds quicker than my time up in Aberdeen the previous month and my fastest time in any parkrun since June 2017. My last mile was 8 minutes. Delighted with it.
30/03 - Today was a last minute decision to do Linwood parkrun as I hadn't done it for a while and its one of my favourites. Met Finola from junior parkrun at the start and after half a mile we realised we were going the same pace so chatted for a bit. After the first mile I started to pull away. She could have gone a lot faster I think but she was saving herself for Tom Scott 10 miler the next day. I felt pretty good all the way round and gradually increased the pace in the second and third miles. I ended up with a time of 26.41. 30 seconds quicker than the previous week. A great way to end what has been my best month of running in some time.
In my challenge to get my parkruns below 30 minutes on average this year. Overall I am now 29.49, thanks to some quick times this month.
09/03 - Out for another adventure today as I was up to Dunfermline for their parkrun in Pittencrief park. I stayed in Holiday Inn Express the night before near Dunfermline Queen Margaret station. It was about 2 and half miles from the start so decided that was a bit too long a warm up so took the train from queen margaret to Dunfermline town and had a 0.7 mile jog warm up from the station to the start via the abbey to arrive with 10 minutes to spare to the start of the run. At the first timers briefing the guy made it clear it was a hilly course and it was 3 laps so it was good to be mentally prepared in that respect.
At the start, I posistioned myself about half way down the pack. And got into my running straight away, absoultely no problems during in the entire run of getting stuck behind people or anything like that. The paths are nice and wide and there was 138 runners today. There is one main hill you go up on each lap which I adjusted my pace for and made it up pretty comfortably each time. To be honest I couldn't tell you how bad it was as I make a habit of looking at the ground when going up hills rather than looking up as I tend to find it mentally easier not seeing how far I have to go up it. But to give you an idea of difficulty there were people around me that were walking up it on the first lap. There are many undulations dotted around the loop but apart from the main loop the rest does feel quite flat and downhill.
I was delighted with my time as I dipped below 29 minutes with a 28.51. Its my best time on a hilly course for quite sometime and as my Dad says considering I didn't know the course before hand its harder to know what pace to set out at so a good run.
16/03 - I wasn't sure what parkrun I was going to do today. The weather was dodgy so it was a case of waiting till 8.30am and seeing who was going to cancel and who was going to be on. Drumchapel, Pollok, Ruchill and Linwood all cancelled but noone else had declared they were actually on so I gambled on the least likely to be off and headed for Tollcross. I thought it might be the alt course due to ice but it turned out the grass was actually slippier than the paths. So it was normal course. Although the run director in the briefing did say to take care as it was a bit slipply in places.
I took this on board and set off pretty conservatively. The weather was pretty wild with sleety rain pouring for the majority. But after the first lap I realised the underfoot conditions weren't really that bad and I could pick things up in the second lap. I finished just over 30 minutes which I'll take on that course but I know if I was I bit more free flowing on the downhills on the first lap I would have been under 30.
23/03 - Today's adventure was back up to Aberdeen for Hazlehead parkrun. My hotel was about a mile and half away from the start but I decided just to walk rather than have a jog warm up to save myself for the actual run. It was a glorius day. Its an out and back course up a wide trail path which runs along beside a golf course. The first mile is a gradual uphill and I was a bit surprised when I looked at my watch to see I had done it in 10 minutes. I know I wasn't going all out but I did think I was going a wee bit quicker than that. At the same time I was running well within myself but I did think it might be a slow one today. The next mile which included the turn around I picked up the pace a bit and ran 8.50. Then I really got into my stride when running down the hill to the finish and ended up finishing in 27 minutes and 11 seconds. 30 seconds quicker than my time up in Aberdeen the previous month and my fastest time in any parkrun since June 2017. My last mile was 8 minutes. Delighted with it.
30/03 - Today was a last minute decision to do Linwood parkrun as I hadn't done it for a while and its one of my favourites. Met Finola from junior parkrun at the start and after half a mile we realised we were going the same pace so chatted for a bit. After the first mile I started to pull away. She could have gone a lot faster I think but she was saving herself for Tom Scott 10 miler the next day. I felt pretty good all the way round and gradually increased the pace in the second and third miles. I ended up with a time of 26.41. 30 seconds quicker than the previous week. A great way to end what has been my best month of running in some time.
In my challenge to get my parkruns below 30 minutes on average this year. Overall I am now 29.49, thanks to some quick times this month.
Sunday, 27 January 2019
January 2019
Well on the whole 2019 has kicked off fairly good. Out of 6 parkruns on offer this month I did all 6.
01/01 - On New years day its double parkrun day. Although to be honest at the start of the day I was only thinking about doing one parkrun as I have not really been doing enough training to manage two. So I turned up to Pollok and gave it a good effort. I did have to walk in my ususal spot but apart from that had a pretty good run and ended up with a time of 31.51.
After the run I got talking to folk who were asking if I was doing the double. And eventually I just thought - well why not! So I drove over to Victoria parkrun for round 2. It was very busy with around 500 runners. I had a good run and was getting faster with each lap. There was a queue to cross the finish line so by my watch I was just about 30 minutes but my actual time was 30.20. Not too far away then.
05/01 - Next up was a trip across to Ruchill where I suddenly realised I had gatecrashed another Runbetweeners meetup (Although this one I didn't know about! honest lol.) It was good catching up with them before and after the run. The run itself was very good. This was the 7th time I have done Ruchill and this was the first time I had broken 30 minutes. My actual parkrun time was a bit faster than watch time due to the timer being a bit out of sync with the token sorting. But over the course of the year it will balance itself out especially as some of my times have already been slower due to queues at the finish line. But anyway my parkrun time was 29.07 and watch time 29.37. So pleased with it either way.
12/01 - Back at Pollok and it was extremely busy and not far off the record with 596 runners. Again I had a good run and finished round about 30 minutes. But due to the queue at the finish line the timer didnt click me till 30.40.
19/01 - The forecast wasn't great for this day and the previous night it had been snowing. So I thought it would be best to be on the safe side and go to a parkrun with an alternative course. So the chosen one today was Tollcross which I hadn't been to for a while. Turns out it was icy on the main course so they used the alternative. This is 4 laps on the grass and pretty hilly. I really didn't know how to pace it so just took it easy. I did really enjoy this one and it was good to see Jacqui as run director who I knew from my Giffnock days. Also bumped into Doug and his friend who I know from Rouken Glen. I finished this one in 32.14. Reckon I should be going faster than that but hopefully that will come as the year progresses.
26/01 - I had one of those days with this one where it was an achievement just to start the run. I was just not in the frame of mind for it at all. Sitting in my car at Pollok wondering if I should just wait for it to start then drive home. But with about 5 minutes to go I saw my brother and thought to myself I can't not do it now. So got out the car and headed to the start. I caught up with one of the run directors Alan in the first mile. And to be honest for the first couple of miles I was paying no attention to how fast I was going. Apart from talking to Alan my mind was well and truely away with it. Then when I got to the bottom of the glade for the second time I realised I had a lot left in the tank and actually recorded a segment PR for the bottom of the glade to the burrell which was even faster than my brothers time who ran the course 5 minutes faster than me today. I finished in 31.35 realising that I know I am fitter than that time shows but today was just an achievement completing it. With it being on every week your not always going to be at the races every week.
So overall a very good month. I know I went on a bit about timings not reflecting my watch times. I honestly realise that just happens and will do more as parkrun gets more popular. The reason I focus on it is that one of my challenges this year is to try and get my average parkrun time below 30 minutes. At the moment for January my average is 30:58. So I'll just need to get faster and get sub 30s to the point where queueing is not an excuse!
01/01 - On New years day its double parkrun day. Although to be honest at the start of the day I was only thinking about doing one parkrun as I have not really been doing enough training to manage two. So I turned up to Pollok and gave it a good effort. I did have to walk in my ususal spot but apart from that had a pretty good run and ended up with a time of 31.51.
After the run I got talking to folk who were asking if I was doing the double. And eventually I just thought - well why not! So I drove over to Victoria parkrun for round 2. It was very busy with around 500 runners. I had a good run and was getting faster with each lap. There was a queue to cross the finish line so by my watch I was just about 30 minutes but my actual time was 30.20. Not too far away then.
05/01 - Next up was a trip across to Ruchill where I suddenly realised I had gatecrashed another Runbetweeners meetup (Although this one I didn't know about! honest lol.) It was good catching up with them before and after the run. The run itself was very good. This was the 7th time I have done Ruchill and this was the first time I had broken 30 minutes. My actual parkrun time was a bit faster than watch time due to the timer being a bit out of sync with the token sorting. But over the course of the year it will balance itself out especially as some of my times have already been slower due to queues at the finish line. But anyway my parkrun time was 29.07 and watch time 29.37. So pleased with it either way.
12/01 - Back at Pollok and it was extremely busy and not far off the record with 596 runners. Again I had a good run and finished round about 30 minutes. But due to the queue at the finish line the timer didnt click me till 30.40.
19/01 - The forecast wasn't great for this day and the previous night it had been snowing. So I thought it would be best to be on the safe side and go to a parkrun with an alternative course. So the chosen one today was Tollcross which I hadn't been to for a while. Turns out it was icy on the main course so they used the alternative. This is 4 laps on the grass and pretty hilly. I really didn't know how to pace it so just took it easy. I did really enjoy this one and it was good to see Jacqui as run director who I knew from my Giffnock days. Also bumped into Doug and his friend who I know from Rouken Glen. I finished this one in 32.14. Reckon I should be going faster than that but hopefully that will come as the year progresses.
26/01 - I had one of those days with this one where it was an achievement just to start the run. I was just not in the frame of mind for it at all. Sitting in my car at Pollok wondering if I should just wait for it to start then drive home. But with about 5 minutes to go I saw my brother and thought to myself I can't not do it now. So got out the car and headed to the start. I caught up with one of the run directors Alan in the first mile. And to be honest for the first couple of miles I was paying no attention to how fast I was going. Apart from talking to Alan my mind was well and truely away with it. Then when I got to the bottom of the glade for the second time I realised I had a lot left in the tank and actually recorded a segment PR for the bottom of the glade to the burrell which was even faster than my brothers time who ran the course 5 minutes faster than me today. I finished in 31.35 realising that I know I am fitter than that time shows but today was just an achievement completing it. With it being on every week your not always going to be at the races every week.
So overall a very good month. I know I went on a bit about timings not reflecting my watch times. I honestly realise that just happens and will do more as parkrun gets more popular. The reason I focus on it is that one of my challenges this year is to try and get my average parkrun time below 30 minutes. At the moment for January my average is 30:58. So I'll just need to get faster and get sub 30s to the point where queueing is not an excuse!
Sunday, 27 May 2018
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 ;-)
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 ;-)
Saturday, 21 May 2016
All set for the challenge...
The Global Corporate Challenge or GCC for short starts this Wednesday. Since my last post I have been trying to work out what I do now and how I am going to achieve 10,000 steps a day for 100 days (basically from this Wednesday the 23rd May until the end of August).
I have made a change to my routine for going to work which means instead of getting the work bus from the station, I now walk both ways. This means on average going to and from work and all the walking while at work i do about 13,000 steps a day which equates to about 5 miles. So all good there. The issue, and I can't believe I would ever complain about this, is when I am working from home. Literally I can average about 500 steps! So this is where I am going to have to go for walks and runs whether it be before, at lunch or after work. At weekends it should ok as parkrun plus warm up and warm down mean I am well on my way there for Saturdays. Then Sunday I can go for long walks/runs so that should be fine.
Overall I am really looking forward to it and I hope the website where you enter your website gives you all the stats so I can see how I am doing compared to others. Not that I am competitive :-P I am a bit concerned that I'll end up doing too much walking instead of running. And the last thing I want to do is to have to change the title of this blog to "Walking, walking and other adventures...". So there's motivation right there to get the running shoes on! I've got my team of 7 too so will be following how everyone in my team and people outwith my team get on too. It would be good if we can spur each other on and get a friendly rivalry going. I've already got a few mini leagues set up. My main aim with this though is to try and get healthier.
Since the last post I have also had quite a few good runs including equalling last years best at Pollok parkrun for a 29.10.and an amazing one down at Eglinton parkrun. It's such a nice park with some fun trails. Plus I managed to record a time of 27.33 for the 5k which is my fastest 5k since 2011. I was really pushing it and was pleased with the result. Photo by Kenny Phillips
Today I was at Tollcross parkrun which I have not run since New years day 2015. I remembered it being tough and today was tough too! I was breathing heavily after the first hill and that first hill comes immediately! But I stuck it out and unlike last time I didn't have to walk at all. I came in at 29.01 so was very pleased.
Killearn 10k is 2 weeks away and I would like to get up to 10k distance in the next week just to know I'm in the right shape for it.
I have made a change to my routine for going to work which means instead of getting the work bus from the station, I now walk both ways. This means on average going to and from work and all the walking while at work i do about 13,000 steps a day which equates to about 5 miles. So all good there. The issue, and I can't believe I would ever complain about this, is when I am working from home. Literally I can average about 500 steps! So this is where I am going to have to go for walks and runs whether it be before, at lunch or after work. At weekends it should ok as parkrun plus warm up and warm down mean I am well on my way there for Saturdays. Then Sunday I can go for long walks/runs so that should be fine.
Overall I am really looking forward to it and I hope the website where you enter your website gives you all the stats so I can see how I am doing compared to others. Not that I am competitive :-P I am a bit concerned that I'll end up doing too much walking instead of running. And the last thing I want to do is to have to change the title of this blog to "Walking, walking and other adventures...". So there's motivation right there to get the running shoes on! I've got my team of 7 too so will be following how everyone in my team and people outwith my team get on too. It would be good if we can spur each other on and get a friendly rivalry going. I've already got a few mini leagues set up. My main aim with this though is to try and get healthier.
Since the last post I have also had quite a few good runs including equalling last years best at Pollok parkrun for a 29.10.and an amazing one down at Eglinton parkrun. It's such a nice park with some fun trails. Plus I managed to record a time of 27.33 for the 5k which is my fastest 5k since 2011. I was really pushing it and was pleased with the result. Photo by Kenny Phillips
Today I was at Tollcross parkrun which I have not run since New years day 2015. I remembered it being tough and today was tough too! I was breathing heavily after the first hill and that first hill comes immediately! But I stuck it out and unlike last time I didn't have to walk at all. I came in at 29.01 so was very pleased.
Killearn 10k is 2 weeks away and I would like to get up to 10k distance in the next week just to know I'm in the right shape for it.
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