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+--- Thread: Giving it a Go (/Thread-Giving-it-a-Go)
RE: Giving it a Go - PaulJ - 25-01-2026
Finally, managed to get out there and do some running. Only 5k but it's something. Yesterday I had done 2 3/4 hours of moderate activity (tennis and cycling - 7 mins zone 0, 50 mins zone 1, 1.20 zone 2, 21 mins zone 3) but I felt ready for a run this afternoon and it felt quite comfortable.
Distance: 5.15 k. Average pace 6.03. Pace pretty consistent over the run, marginally slower at the start and towards the end.
As usual, hit 160 bpm after a few minutes and stayed at that bpm for most of the run just rising a tad in the last k before dropping back to 160 bpm.
Hopefully will run again and a bit further on Wed/Thursday.
RE: Giving it a Go - TheEd - 26-01-2026
nice Paul .. hopefully there are no setbacks after the run
TheEd
RE: Giving it a Go - PaulJ - 27-01-2026
(26-01-2026, 11:57 AM)TheEd Wrote: nice Paul .. hopefully there are no setbacks after the run
TheEd
Yes. All good. Felt the run (and/or maybe the tennis) a bit on Monday, but feel fine today.
RE: Giving it a Go - PaulJ - 29-01-2026
Hi Ed!
I did manage to go for a run yesterday and there was even a bit of sun! I slightly miscalculated my route and it ended up slightly longer than I planned but that was fine. I ran 6.29 k in 38.41 without pushing myself or knowing either the pace or the distance. My 1k splits were pretty consistent (between 6.0 and 6.8) apart from the 4th k where I dropped down to 6.26 - this was where I took the wrong turn and slowed down because I realised I was going to go a bit over 5k.
My heart rate pattern was actually a bit different from usual. It went up quite quickly, but dropped down for the last 15 mins or so. Zone-wise that delivered: 21m zone 5, 13 mins zone 4 and 5 mins zone three. Average HR only 146 bpm!
Now I am no longer thinking about pace I have a bit more time to think about form - is there a blog post you would recommend for the basics of form - what should someone who has never been trained to run thinking about trying to improve? Currently, I try to keep my upper body relaxed, my head steady, my chest forward and "release" my legs, but not sure how much any of these matter or what else I should be trying to do. Any thoughts?
All the best,
Paul
RE: Giving it a Go - TheEd - 30-01-2026
Hi Paul .. nice to read such a thorough feedback .. form .. heavens .. I spend so much time calling out form according to athletes at our current Tuesday training sessions .. so, I should look to write an article on this (I do wonder why I have not provided an article in the past) ..
keep up the new, good work
TheEd
RE: Giving it a Go - PaulJ - 02-02-2026
I managed to go for a run yesterday (Sunday). I did a new run which was interesting and bit further than usual. Also slower perhaps after Sat's two hours of tennis. Anyway, I ran 8.24 with an average pace of 6.33. First three ks were around 6.15 then I slipped down to around 6.45 for the rest.
Heart rate was back to the usual - up to around 160 and then around that mark for 40 mins before dropping a bit when I was at my slowest pace and then climbing back up for the finish. Average 158 bpm and 49 mins in zone 5, 6 mins in zone 4. I suppose it reflects the fact that I was finding it fairly hard work :-)
RE: Giving it a Go - TheEd - 04-02-2026
The 2hrs of tennis could add to the higher pulse
nice to see you getting back into your routine
TheEd
RE: Giving it a Go - PaulJ - 05-02-2026
I went for my mid-week run in a cold, rainy, muddy London. Legs felt OK but wasn't feeling that inspired. I ran 5.15 k in 31.02 minutes, so an average pace of 6.02. Splits were between 5.51 and 6.10. As always these days, no information on pace or distance til after the run.
Heart rate was fairly typical - average 160 bpm. Up quite quickly mainly around 165 but dropping down a bit for the last ten minutes which were a bit slower. All 32 minutes in zone 5.
RE: Giving it a Go - TheEd - 06-02-2026
Hi Paul .. do you have any ParkRuns near to you?
If you are able to find a venue close to you then we can create a routine to consider running a 5k ParkRun once every 4 to 6 weeks, then I would be able to balance your routine to show improvement in your running.
Please let me know if this interests you?
TheEd
RE: Giving it a Go - PaulJ - 08-02-2026
(06-02-2026, 09:07 AM)TheEd Wrote: Hi Paul .. do you have any ParkRuns near to you?
If you are able to find a venue close to you then we can create a routine to consider running a 5k ParkRun once every 4 to 6 weeks, then I would be able to balance your routine to show improvement in your running.
Please let me know if this interests you?
TheEd
As it happens, the original park run takes place right next to where I used to live and not far from where I live now. But I have never done park run because it clashes with Saturday morning tennis which I have done virtually every Saturday morning for nearly twenty years. Maybe one day I will miss tennis and give park run a try but there is not much motivation since I can always go for a 5k run on another day. But maybe one day who knows ...
Anyway, I ran again today and had not played tennis yesterday because of the rain (but it was too late and I was too demotivated to switch to Park Run). I pushed it a bit given that I had not been active on Saturday, but to be honest I had also had a bit of a cold (hello, Thursday run, why are trying to look so innocent?). Went Ok. I ran a bit faster and a bit further than on Thursday and my bpm was slightly lower. I noticed that my breathing was not very controlled at the start, so I tried to work on that during the run and it did settle down.
Distanc: 6.26 Time: 37.04 Pace: 5.55 The first four ks were fairly fast (average 5.50, best 5.28) but the last two were slower.
Heart rate: went up fairly quickly to around 160 bpm but came down after 20 mins dropping to 137 bpm. Average bpm: 148. 18 mins zone 5, 12 minutes zone 4, &1 minute in zone 3.