Parkrun PB 🏅

Yesterday, I bagged another Parkrun PB with a massive 30-second improvement! That’s a big jump for a 5k. I’m also really pleased that my heart rate stayed low right until the very end.

I started doing Parkrun's back in 2019 after following the Couch to 5k programme. On my first run, my only goal was to run without stopping, and I wasn’t too fussed about the time. I finished in 35:24. That year, I only managed 3 Parkruns – in May, June, and October – and didn’t return until after Covid in June 2022, when I ran 38:05. Clearly, the lockdowns had taken their toll on my fitness. By the end of 2022, I’d improved to 33:50.

In spring 2023, I decided to work with a running coach (@therunningandmovementhub), and I’ve been getting stronger and stronger with steady improvements every year. It’s been a tough journey, and I’ve definitely put in the effort – running doesn’t come naturally to me. Because it’s often such a struggle, I’ve never felt I could call myself a runner.

But you know what? I am a runner. I might not be the fastest, but I’m out there, improving every time, and that’s what matters. If you’re putting in the effort and making progress, you’re doing brilliantly. Let’s keep going! 💪

#Parkrun #ParkrunPB #Running #Couchto5K #Covid #Running and Movement Hub

Power Failure: A Lesson in Resilience

Yesterday marked the first Monday of January, a day that signalled the end of holiday festivities and the start of my new fitness routine. I had my running gear laid out the night before, and I was up and ready to go by 6:30 a.m. to tackle a 6-mile run. The day before had brought a fresh layer of snow, and the temperature had plummeted overnight. Rather than risk slipping on ice, I made the decision to head to the gym and hit the treadmill.

But when I arrived at the gym, I was met with an unexpected sight—the building was dark, and the car park was nearly empty. Apparently, there had been a power failure. I felt annoyed and headed home, planning to work for a while, before returning to the gym later in the day.

The day unfolded with its usual demands. I had to visit a client, so I quickly changed into work gear, then headed back home to get changed again in preparation for my gym session. But when I arrived at the gym, it was still closed, and now it was starting to get dark. In the past, I would have thrown in the towel, letting the series of setbacks derail my plans for the day.

But the new me—armed with a fresh mindset for 2025—decided not to give up. I chose to do my run outside, even though it was dark and freezing. The snow had mostly melted, leaving just a few piles of melted snowmen scattered around, and thankfully the footpaths weren’t icy.

So, I laced up my shoes and ran laps around the block. It was a bit repetitive, but it got the job done! It wasn’t the workout I had originally planned, but it was a reminder that sometimes things don’t go as expected—and that’s okay. The key is in how we adapt and keep pushing forward, even when the circumstances aren’t perfect.

In the end, this “Power Failure” wasn’t just about a gym losing electricity. It was about powering through challenges and finding alternative solutions to stay on track with your goals. The obstacles will always come, but it's up to us whether we let them stop us or find a way around them.

The moral of the story? Even when things don't go as planned, there's always an option to push forward. And sometimes, the run outside in the cold is the one that feels the most rewarding.

#snowmen #icy #gym #powerfailure #challenges #obstacles

Running Out Of Steam

By the end of 2024, I definitely ran out of steam. I had a short break in the Lakes at the end of November, with plans to do the Keswick Parkrun, but unfortunately, it got cancelled due to Storm Bert. I didn’t let the weather stop me completely—I did get out for some hill walking, even though the winds were pretty strong. Living in Doncaster, I don’t get the chance to walk in the hills as much as I used to, so I made the most of it.

After my trip, though, I just couldn’t seem to find my motivation. Then I caught a cold and have been feeling drained for the past three weeks, which led to a serious dip in my training. I did manage some therapeutic walks, but that was about it. I had to cancel a few Christmas events too, not wanting to spread the cold around.

Now, as we ring in the New Year—I’m not quite back to full strength, but I’m slowly getting back on track with my training plan. I can definitely feel the lack of activity in my body, though, as I’m now sore after a session at the gym. But I’m determined to keep going and get back on track!

#runningoutofsteam #december #newyear
 

The Goalposts Have Shifted: Embracing New Challenges

I recently received an email announcing a significant change to my challenge: the distance has been increased to just shy of 50 miles, with a cut-off time of 14 hours. Initially, I was thrown off by the jump from 35.7 miles to nearly 50 - it felt huge and, frankly, impossible. But after taking a step back, I'm starting to see the bigger picture. This change has opened up new possibilities and has given me a fresh sense of purpose.

The Mental Shift

At first, I couldn't help but feel disappointed. The jump from 35.7 miles to 50 miles seemed like an insurmountable leap. My training so far has been working towards a challenging distance but one that felt achievable to me, so the idea of stretching that goal even further made me question if that was even possible.

However, after a bit of reflection, I realised that this has freed me to explore new opportunities and other event formats or distances I hadn’t considered before. I've recently discovered the Ultra Challenge series which offers a variety of events, that are designed for participants of all abilities - you can choose to walk, jog, or run. These events include a 50 km distance (31.07 miles), which is close to the distance I was already training for, but also 100km and multi-day events.

A Change of Pace: Focus on Parkrun

So I’m still keeping my long-term ultra goal in mind, but I’ve decided to switch things up for a bit. Throughout November, I’ll be focusing on improving my Parkrun time.

For those who aren't familiar, Parkrun is a weekly 5K event that’s free, and open to everyone with runs all around the world. It’s a fantastic community initiative that brings people together and promotes fitness in a relaxed, non-competitive environment. My current PB (personal best) is 31:55 at Clumber Park, and I’m determined to chip away at that time over the next few weeks.

I’ve always enjoyed Parkrun for its community feel, and having a “quick win” goal like improving my 5K time will give me a nice break from the long, slow runs that are often required for ultra training. It's a chance to work on my speed, stamina, and overall fitness. After all, being able to maintain a quicker pace over shorter distances will undoubtedly help when the time comes to tackle longer ultra events.

Looking Ahead: The 20-Miler Milestone

I’m also aiming for a big milestone in June next year: a 20-mile run. Specifically, I’ve signed up for the Rasselbock Running Hardwick Hobble on June 14th, 2025. It’s a looped course with each loop being 6.3 km (3.91 miles), so five loops will total 31.5 km (or 19.57 miles). This will be a perfect stepping stone toward the ultra distances I’ll be training for later on, and I'm excited to see how I handle the loops and manage my pacing over a long distance.

It's not just about increasing distance but also about building endurance, learning how to fuel efficiently, and practicing mental toughness. I’ll be working on all of this in the lead-up to June 2025.

The Work Begins

With all of these new goals and changes on the horizon, there’s plenty of work ahead. Whether it's improving my 5K Parkrun time, ramping up my training for the 20-mile race, or preparing for the 50-mile ultra distance, it’s going to be a long journey. But I’m embracing the process, and I’m ready for whatever comes next. The goalposts may have shifted, but I’m excited to keep moving forward.

Thanks for following along with me on this journey. I’ll be sure to keep you updated as I hit new milestones and face new challenges. It’s going to be an exciting ride!

Until next time, keep running, keep moving, and remember—every step counts!

#ultrarunning #ultraambition #parkrunPB #endurancetraining #ultrachallenge #runningcommunity #distance running #mentaltoughness

Success!

I achieved my goal! I was targeting a time of under 2:50:00 and I finished in 02:42:10 chip time. In my previous race at the same location in December last year, I clocked 3:03:07, but the conditions were icy with temperatures below zero. This time, the weather was just right, not too hot or too cold.

Results: I placed 277th out of 289 overall, 99th out of 105 females, and 8th in the V50 category. Looking at these stats, it may seem like I didn't perform well, but just completing the race is a significant accomplishment.
There were pacers in the race, but the last one was at 2:20:00. I felt that having a pacer for a run/walk strategy might have been distracting. Having a chip is convenient as you don't have to worry about starting at the front.
I felt fatigued at the finish line, but I believe I could have pushed myself a bit harder. Considering I have to pull out of this race in April this year due to injury, I'm pleased with my result.
I experienced some knee pain and a slight discomfort in my butt – there's still lots I need to improve.
Now, I'm enjoying a well-deserved recovery week and contemplating my next steps.

      

#running #achievement #carsingtonwater #runthrough #halfmarathon

Peaking

Tomorrow is race day. I will be participating in the Run Through Carsington Water Half Marathon. I must admit, I am feeling a bit nervous. I have put in the hard work and completed the training, but I can't help but wonder if everything will go smoothly on the day.

The last time I was at Carsington Water, I was there to support my husband during his run. I had signed up for the race as well, but unfortunately, I had to sit it out due to a strained groin that made running painful. Since then, I have learned a great deal and focused on strength training and improving my hip mobility to prevent injuries. I feel more fit and strong now. Running has always been a challenge for me, but I can see definite improvements.

During my training, I have completed runs of 11 and 13 miles at paces of 13:29 and 13:40 per mile, respectively. My goal for the race is to maintain a pace of 13:00 per mile, aiming for a finish time of under 2 hours and 50 minutes. If I am unable to finish within this time, I will not progress to the next stage.

Today, I am resting and have been tapering my training this week. According to my Garmin Fenix 7S, I am at my peak and in optimal race condition.

I have prepared all my gear, packed water and snacks, and taken precautions to prevent blisters by clipping my toenails, taping my toes, and applying 2Toms. The alarm is set for an early start tomorrow. I plan to have a bowl of porridge for breakfast before embarking on the 1 ½ hour drive to the race venue. This will allow me enough time to park, have a snack, go to the loo, get my shoes and running vest on, register for the race, go to the loo again, and warm up before the race begins at 9:30 AM.

#Garmin #CarsingtonWater #runthrough #Peaking #HalfMarathon #Pace

Parkrun PB's

Last Saturday I ran our local parkrun with the pacers. The previous week, I ran it in 35:18. My previous PB at the local parkrun was 32:46 from the previous year on 13^th May 23. This time I ran it in 31:56, sprinting past the 32:00 minute pacers to the finish line. It had felt for a long time that I wasn’t improving and sometimes even going backwards! On this occasion, my heart rate stayed low until the very end, and my performance condition, according to my Garmin, was fantastic too. I’ve been training hard, working towards the Carsington Water Half Marathon, which is on the 26^th October in three weeks, so I was pleased that the effort I’ve put in over the last 3 month are paying off. (Thank you, coach Rachael at The Running and Movement Hub for all you help and encouragement 😉). However, something else which may have made a difference is the fact that I’ve recently increased my water intake. I know I don’t drink enough water, but I hadn’t realised how much dehydration can affect flexibility, speed and endurance. When dehydrated, the blood is thicker, and the heart has to work harder to pump it around the body. Therefore being well-hydrated prevents the heart rate and body temperature from rising too much. My heart rate has always been high, and I assumed it was just the way I was!

Today I ran at Clumber Park on their 500^th event. My previous PB at this location was 33:35 on 2^nd March 24, before I injured myself. Today I ran it in 31:55, a huge improvement and without the assistance of pacers too! 1:40 off a 5k is quite a lot. I was pleased that last weeks PB wasn't just a one-off. I'm starting to believe I can do this 😊

 Before                After

   Before              After

#progress #hydrationiskey