The FastDay Forum

When I first started running I would walk a bit then run a bit. I would give myself about an hour, wear my running shoes and start walking, then run for a while. As I progressed the running became more than the walking until I could complete the course without having to walk any of it. There are people who do that at Parkrun too. Plenty of people will take 50 minutes to get round. I think it's important to get the best running shoes you can afford and make sure they are right for your running style.

Hi Mark, just been to the physio, he reckons I should stop running and walking and climbing because my hips do really have osteoarthritis and are on their way out. Cycling will be OK, and swimming other than breast-stroke (my only stroke!) likewise... Determined to get 100 shirt at parkrun so I shall ignore him for the moment. Maybe the anti-inflammatory effects of 5:2 will come to the rescue? Pete

Pete, I'm sorry to hear this. I really do hope the anti-inflamitary effects of 5:2 can help. I know so many people who suffer from this including my Wife, it really is a nasty condition. Perhaps cycling and swimming can keep your fitness levels up without putting stress on your hips and you'll still be able to do a weekly parkrun and get that 100 club shirt.

Hi,
Thanks for pointing me towards the C25K. I found the podcast and gave it a go on Tuesday. I think I was doing well and weirdly enjoying it but then about 3/4 of the way through I dropped my phone! And the battery fell out and I lost my place in the training so it got truncated. I think I was going for just over 14 minutes, not running all the time but when I was it felt good. Any suggestions how to keep devices safe and not jiggling about? I might try it again on Saturday.

The other problem I think I encountered was mainly a result of probably not eating enough. I went for my jog in the early evening on Tuesday the day after my fast day and on Tuesday I'm on the move all day because I have to travel between sites so I just had a sandwich and a banana for lunch and after my run I didn't feel like eating too much and wanted to go to bed quite early so I didn't have any carbs so the following day (Wednesday) when I was at work I felt very washed out till I had my first full evening meal since Sunday. I think I need to get the timing right of food/exercise/rest.

I wear a hi viz jacket when I'm running, and keep my phone in that.

Try a banana about half an hour before running.

I've got a few pairs of shorts with a zip pocket at the back and I usually put my phone in there. Not that easy to get to if someone rings though.

Cor, someone using a phone for communication? Madness. I thought they were only for listening to music and posting on FB! so, invest in something with a zip pocket. Oh dear, it's snowing here. I do hope it clears by tomorrow.

You can get an armband that has a mobile phone holder. I need mine on me because I'm often on-call although I've never been called while doing parkrun...yet!

Yes love parkrun..Scottish ones start at 0930...due to darker mornings etc...I do Pollok park one when I can,,,,it's a tough run...but great fun and great way to record your fitness.....xx

Ours is 9.30 as well (Norn Irn).

It's been snowing quite hard here overnight, and the roads and paths are really slushy at the minute - I dont know what will happen to the parkrun tomorrow, might have to run in welly boots!

Im in Bristol today and it is raining but not snowing. Our parkrun only got cancelled once because of the weather and that was back in January when the previous weeks snow had turned to thick ice all along the path. Ours is a gravel pathway and it does get some quite deep puddles in it so I'm prepared for wet socks and running shoes tomorrow.

Good luck this morning parkrunners...looks like we're doing it in the snow too..

Well, the snow was unpleasant (and it put a lot of the usual punters off, which was good for finishing position and points) but my performance was by far the worst yet - 26:31 - with significant hip pain (from resting all week) and no energy. If things are not better when we get back from Tenerife I will have to think about returning to my original 10stone 4lbs target weight. And starting to eat meat again after 25 years as a fishy veggie... Hope the rest of you did better!

26:31 is still better than I managed Pete. Sorry to hear about the hip pain though. Hopefully some time spent in a warmer climate will help. We were down on our numbers at Swindon today where as expected it was very wet and cold. I even wore a hat.My time hasn't come in yet but I think it was arouns 27:20 ish.

I had hat, gloves, rain jacket and tracksters - and wished for ski goggles running into the icy wind! Well done on your time in these conditions...