Can I run a sub 18min Parkrun in 6 weeks?// Arrow Valley Parkrun No.1 // The Handshake Special

[@BoilerUp9]

I don’t know how many people watch your KZbin channel over here in the U.S, but this American thoroughly enjoys your wit and humor.

[@middleagedrunningman]

You can sort that for me Boiler. Like, subscribe, share with your mates. Let's break that US market. Get me over on tour!!

[@petercini2022]

I'm from USA too and the channel is fantastic

[@middleagedrunningman]

Thanks Peter!!

[@deansummerton2577]

Looking forward to your challenge Tim. Parkrun tourism is absolutely fantastic 😊

[@middleagedrunningman]

Getting into it Deano - slowly but surely.

[@TomAt1337]

Funny as always, and a good parkrun. Enjoy the holidays, Tim!

[@middleagedrunningman]

Thanks Tom! See you soon!

[@Run_Like_a_T-Rex]

Mighty running, Tim! Sub-20 seems epic so to go sub-18 just seems other-worldly! Best of luck for the target.

[@middleagedrunningman]

Cheers Dave. Not sure it’s realistic!!

[@Run_Like_a_T-Rex]

@@middleagedrunningman less than a minute to take off. Just need to focus your training on it. 5k is very different to what you’ve been racing over the past 3/4 months!

[@damienweatherley1556]

Its fist bumps galore in my worplace every shift, I try to refrain but feel I should to blend in or be the odd one who doesn't. Great parkrun, all the best for the sub 18 💪😊👍

[@middleagedrunningman]

There’s a lot to be said for blending in Damo. A fist bump is a fair compromise

[@alanmcdougall8228]

Nice one Tim. So many parkruns to choose from locally. Stratford, Warwick are fast as already mentioned. Worcester Pitch is another good one if you fancy a bit of a hit out. Look forward to seeing the results.

[@middleagedrunningman]

All on the list Alan! See you soon my friend!

[@HybridRunner]

The series I've been waiting for!

[@middleagedrunningman]

Thanks Hybrid....Going to take that as a sarcasm free response. If you were being sarcastic...that's absolutely acceptable too!!

[@HybridRunner]

@@middleagedrunningman You are correct, no sarcasm this time. Park run is my new obsession so I’m quite chuffed you’re doing park runs… as scary as it may be having them collect your data 😂

[@Sarahrun-ws1eh]

Love your videos I'm new to running to but I'm from Shirley originally so love seeing you driving and going to local places

[@middleagedrunningman]

Thanks Sarah. #loveshirley

[@rooster-m8j]

Thanks for the mention😃 Definitely lacking on the trainers front recycled 43 pairs last week 😭😭😭

[@middleagedrunningman]

I'm going to take that as true. 43 pairs?? Right. Need to spend.

[@rooster-m8j]

The joys of running 279 marathons. It was that or spend my midlife crisis walking round in silly trousers wearing a Michael Jackson glove hitting a tiny ball into a hole😭

[@David_Hamilton]

3 pairs, winter,race,running. Funny video keep it up.

[@middleagedrunningman]

Effortless budgeting David.

[@Chrisc-gq6wg]

I mean im a hugger 🤣

[@middleagedrunningman]

Breaking all sorts of barriers Chris.

[@gazbeast666]

Up the Marmy Army!!!

[@middleagedrunningman]

Always Beast. Field Marshall Beast.

[@andrewgoldsby]

100% with you on the handshake but you and Brett confused me 😂 I should have stuck to my instinct so apologies for the initial fist presentation! Won’t happen again 😳 Great to see you again and a cracking time too!

[@middleagedrunningman]

It was a confusing moment for both of us Andy. But I think we rescued it to onlookers fairly seamlessly.

[@emmarunyeard6832]

I don't feel in the least cheated through missing the 'celebrations' 🎉

[@emmarunyeard6832]

Feel a bit nauseous from the roller coaster parky finish 🤣😂🤢

[@helenbaker8480]

Happy holidays 🎉 I think you will crack the sub 18, come and try Warwick and Stratford 😊

[@middleagedrunningman]

Both on the list for the next 6 weeks Helen!

[@brianboyle9322]

The beef is over 😂

[@middleagedrunningman]

Beefed out.

[@lighteningbob1697]

Glad the moustache has gone, it was a bit sparks keyboard player. Loved Sparks by the way.

[@middleagedrunningman]

Will take your word for it Bobby.

[@garymanders1273]

AV great place for a decent time...i did wonder why there seemed to be an abundance of Evri vehicles in the local area😄...

[@middleagedrunningman]

Makes my blood still run cold. One driver will be wearing my Metaspeeds.

[@stucashmore247]

Quickly addressed…😂😂😂 gold

[@middleagedrunningman]

A quick address or no address at all.

[@waynenewcombe7600]

Fist bump 👊 has my vote.

[@middleagedrunningman]

I like it Wayne. It's street. It's modern. It's me.

[@brumrunner5745]

Get yourself up to Walsall it’s a very quick course it’s like the monza of running 😉stick with a group that’s running around 5.45-5.30 pace you can do this matey

[@middleagedrunningman]

“The Monza of Running” 😂😂😂😂 Will HAVE to give it a try now.

[@clare9695]

If there's one thing I love in life, it's a parkrun challenge. Just try not to peak too soon.

[@middleagedrunningman]

Always a danger...

[@dbigdog79]

Come to oaklands for a parkrun bud...would be jokes to have ya!

[@middleagedrunningman]

May well be joining you very soon Big Dog.

[@jamescushing7704]

You are welcome to come to Northampton (I’m RD on the 24th August) nice flat course (well with one slight hill) or link it in with the amazing Npton run?

[@middleagedrunningman]

Love Northants. Just a bit far... On my list though...

[@robertlukethompson]

Come down to Warwick Racecourse! That or get sent to Coventry!

[@middleagedrunningman]

Not getting sent to Coventry…. Warwick it is!!

[@boycie64]

Hi MARM, great effort and a hilarious video as always! Will you be coming to either of the Worcester PRs during your challenge?

[@middleagedrunningman]

On the list!! What’s the difference between them?

[@boycie64]

@@middleagedrunningman Excellent news! Worcester Pitchcroft is a flat blast around the racecourse. Worcester Woods is a little more varied in terms of terrain and inclines! Woods is the more interesting of the two, but if you’re eying up a sub 18 then Pitchcroft all the way I’d say.

[@middleagedrunningman]

@@boycie64 very useful my friend. Love insider knowledge!!

[@boycie64]

@@middleagedrunningmanNo problem. Just keep an eye on the weather, Pitchcroft is prone to flooding. You have a lot of fans at Droitwich Athletics Club who I’m sure would love to run the Worcester one with you (whichever you end up doing)!

[@chrislowry8863]

Good time given such little training; should defo break 18 by the end of the hols. But you’ll need to go some to beat your 67 year old neighbour’s PB of 17:29, but you never know - although junk food donations might stymie you !! Anyway, best of luck.

[@middleagedrunningman]

Got through all of those biscuits Chris. Will leave the plate back in the porch.

[@haymarr1769]

Get to the Eden Project if you're in Cornwall any time! Fastest course in Cornwall 😊

[@middleagedrunningman]

It’s booked in for week 3….. Is it busy?

[@haymarr1769]

@middleagedrunningman it is over summer, but don't let that put you off. Just get there early as the queues to get in the car park are slow moving. I would say 8.15 to ensure parking, wee and warm up time! (lots of proper toilets right next to the start 🤭)

[@middleagedrunningman]

Thank you!! Really useful / helpful!!!

[@garthcox4307]

Arrow valley is a good course but I think you'd beat that time at Stratford-upon-Avon

[@middleagedrunningman]

Cheers Garth. Stratford will be the finale...

[@AndrewBush_XK]

Hand shake is my preference but not after a run as I wouldn’t want to Inflict my sweaty palm on anything 😳.

[@middleagedrunningman]

I will accept a sweaty palm to maintain convention.

[@clairemilsom7241]

Where do you rank the Roman forearm shake? 🤔 I’m guessing high fives are a no no 😅

[@middleagedrunningman]

I don't mind a high five - but it's a landmine to perfect. Wait times, proper connection etc. Seen it done very badly Claire.

[@Lazy_Jay_Racing]

Hand shake is a British tradition but some men feel the need to exert unnecessary force and make it uncomfortable.. I'm not particularly bothered which form is used (Fist bump, thumb grab or handshake) as I think the willingness to connect is what matters most! What a lame reply 😂😂😂 Anyway, good effort Marm.. 😊👏👏

[@middleagedrunningman]

I like connecting, but unnecessary force?? Unnecessary in the extreme.

[@Lazy_Jay_Racing]

@@middleagedrunningman I meant during a standard handshake, some men feel the need to squeeze very firmly and test the other guy 🙄

[@middleagedrunningman]

Don’t worry Jay. We were on the same page.

[@HarperCS]

Not everyone's cup of tea to be mixing sweaty sports with handshakes... if in doubt, bump it out

[@middleagedrunningman]

Harps - bumps it is. Unless pre race.

[@AnnGoodwin-tv5dy]

What about the trainers you said you hide under your bed....??

[@middleagedrunningman]

Sadly haven’t got 15 pairs there…

[@nicmarlow6388]

top quality entertainment there MARM (no sarcasm from me). No kiss tho, shame ;)

[@middleagedrunningman]

Parkrun is a serious business….

[@nickbenbow299]

Firm hand shake always, none of this limp as lettuce ones! 25 pairs of trainers is excessive. He can’t be married 😀 Leamington is not a PB course but Warwick is better. Save Stratford until last it’s pan flat but a bit twisty and 3 laps.

[@middleagedrunningman]

Great advice Nick!! Will save it for the finale!