On the 5th April 2025 I ran an overall parkrun PB
of 21.05. This was after years of my PB being 21.15. In fact 2025 was a bit of
a breakthrough year, before this I was hovering around the late 21s, low 22s
for a flat 5k.
I got a bit more serious last year and tried to train more
specifically towards the 5 k to half marathon distances and bought a Noricktrak
treadmill towards the end of the year to help me in that. It’s a brilliant piece of kit, similar to a
Peloton bike, in that you have a big
screen at the end. Big difference though
is that all the runs are outside and the gradient and speed changes with the
coach, including negative inclines. As
it is a commercial machine the speed changes very quickly, letting you do your
intervals runs more easily.
I tweaked my hamstring on NYD which put me out for 2 weeks
but, encouragingly my progression has
continued this year getting a massive PB on the 28 February of 20.31 with 8 out
of my 10 fastest parkruns have come this year.
Main problem is that the times are not consistent. Since I ran 20.31, the times have been 20.43,20.51(x2)
21.04 and today’s effort of 20.56.
I clearly need something to a) get me consistent and b) get
me faster with a structured training regime, with interval training. With that in mind, I’ve joined Marple
Runners. A very friendly welcoming
club. One of the every present coaches
there, Jeremey Woodham has already given me tips and some training sessions. Intervals, pyramids etc.
I’ve also entered quite a few races this year, from a 10
miler fell run tomorrow in Rivington, Chester Half and what could be a PB aim, the
Sale Sizzlers in the summer.
