This will prove popular because there are many parkrun enthusiasts who love everything to do with parkrun and have not missed an event in 10 years, looking to expand their profile.
I decided having not run in anger since March that I would put in one 5k run to record this moment in my running life, almost as a memento when/if things return to normal. Having listened to the parkrun podcast yesterday I decided that I wanted to choose the best route possible and go for a good time.
I had only ever done this run in parts, which is strange because after 2k it goes straight past my house. It has a combined elevation drop of 40m meaning the gradient is 8% downhill. There were some bushes and people to dodge at the start, but once past the first 700m it was a track for the majority of the way.
Having not run at race pace since March when I did the Milton Keynes Half, I had no real idea what level my fitness was at. During lockdown I have been running when I want for how long I want and it has been great! I have done very little reps, tempo runs, and hill sprints, and have just enjoyed being out on the trails.
The 5k was tough going. In March I ran a similar pace for the first 5k of the half marathon but felt like I was running a tempo pace because I was running comfortably uncomfortable. In this run I felt like I was hanging on and could give no more.
The time of 18m 59s is my second fastest 5k after the first 5k of the Milton Keynes half. I was pretty pleased with it because on the flat I would probably still manage a sub 20 minute 5k which means I am physically fit. Even more satisfying is the Strava GAP pace has me at a sub 4 min KM average for the route.
My future training now is aimed at longer ultra running. I only have the Lakes in a Day booked in on the 4th October which I am confident will go ahead. In the build-up to that, I am looking at doing a Paddy Buckley round or possibly a run along Hadrians Wall. I am also going to enter the Lakeland 50 virtual race and have a special route in mind for that. Either way, speed is not important, but more endurance, which is a little concerning because my daily step count has been significantly reduced with all the restrictions.
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