Can I run my first sub 21 min 5k of 2024? - Perry Hall parkrun

[@TheFODRunner]

Without those dead turns you’d of done that, you’re in good shape!!

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Andy. Yeah, some turns were tight, plus the dead turns were a real pace zapper. If that was my regular parkrun I think I’d have to perfect a better technique. The small step shuffle lost me too much time 😁

[@Mack.Tracks]

Love it! “Come on, First Lady!”

[@racheld1844]

😁 Rory did try and tell me someone was catching us up but it was just a tactic to get me to run faster. Didn’t work 🤣

[@bassgirl_denalia9087]

Thank you for sharing your journey. I'm in tears.

[@racheld1844]

Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed the video 😊

[@sarahswims]

Fab, that used to be my local and lovely to see it again! Poole is fast and flat, huge numbers and quick people there to run with!

[@racheld1844]

It was a great place to run. We both thought it was a lovely route and will definitely go back for another run there. I quite like the smaller parkruns but wouldn’t say no to trying out any of the larger ones 🙂

[@sarahswims]

@@racheld1844 I much prefer smaller ones too, but Poole is now my local - I was stunned when I found how big the turnout is each week! Newbury is another fast course and a one lapper 😊

[@racheld1844]

@@sarahswims I’m always fascinated by the finish funnels of the larger events. It takes some pretty good organisation to get that part right. The biggest park runs I’ve ran have had no more than 500/550, so still got to experience some of the mega events 🙂

[@RunSensible]

Nice run on what looks like a quick course. So close. The fitness looks like it's coming along nicely. I'm gonna give the sub 21min Parkrun a bash this coming weekend too.

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Neil, the fitness is slowly improving but it’s very small gains at the moment. Good luck with your parkrun this weekend. I know there’s a few on here going for the same time. I’m meant to be aiming for sub 20 but that feels miles off just yet 😁

[@RMSM0204]

Well done, it’ll definitely happen.

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Paul. We’re hoping for a good time this weekend 🤞

[@briantimson1397]

Great effort Rach👍

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Brian, it’s getting closer 😊

[@runningoneddie]

That looked like a fairly flat course but it looked a little slippery and "turny" in spots. Congrats on a great finish and it is so nice to see you and Rory working together. Been ages since I've done sub 21. I need to have a break through 5k race this winter. I feel like I lost a bit of my 5k edge over the winter. I am working on taking some of the weight off too. A few pounds makes a huge difference. Didn't quite hit my goal for the Vegas half. It was warm .. about 60F and I am not used to that level of heat. I was only off by a few minutes, hitting a 1.57.33. There were a few British KZbinrs at the race... Maybe you and Rory put it on your race calendar some day. I enjoyed your video. Keep up the good work and can't wait to see what you do next

[@racheld1844]

Well done on your half in Las Vagas Eddie. We saw one video (crown my run) and thought you’d have been somewhere in those crowds. Shame it was a warmer run for you. It can be tough to run in that kind of heat. To be honest, when Rory and I watched the video, we both thought it would be an awesome experience if we ever got to run there. So much so we’re even pencilling it in for a possibility at some point in the future. I’ve never raced abroad so it would be quite a big deal to go somewhere outside of the uk. I’ve got my fingers crossed for finally getting that sub 21 this weekend. Rory will be going for his own good effort too so hopefully we’ll both walk away with some good times this weekend. What’s your next race on the calendar?

[@runningoneddie]

@@racheld1844 yeah I watched his video. He had a hard time with the heat too. There were some Fordy Runs people too. Next race for sure is a 10k the weekend before Easter. I did a very very windy 10k this past weekend. The time was very slow due to the 30 to 40 MPH winds. I am sure I'll jump into something before Easter though. May do a 5k this weekend and there are a few races coming up that offer 5k, 10k and half options. I'll have to see how the weather goes and my mood

[@racheld1844]

That’s a pretty full diary of races 😁 I’m missing having a few more races to get stuck into but after the marathon there should be a few to get booked on to. Good luck with your 5k if you decide to go 😊

[@garymacalister]

So close Rach! It'll definitely come, the spring/summer will see us all speed up soon.

[@racheld1844]

Yep, close but still a bit to go 😁 Hoping this weekend will be the one. Just got to choose where to run it. We’ve done a few good ones recently.

[@garymacalister]

@@racheld1844 best of luck. I think I'll be at Eastville in Bristol this weekend. Let us know if you ever drift South if Brum, I'll happily come and pace you round somewhere!

[@racheld1844]

@@garymacalister- that would be great Gary. We’re ticking a few more off slightly north and east then we’ll be heading to some that are south of us. One we’re planning a longer trip out to do is the Severn Bridge. Not sure if you’ve done that one?

[@garymacalister]

@@racheld1844 Not yet, but funnily enough we were just talking about it last night. Planning to hopefully do that one this year at some point. It does look fun!

[@rizmaslen]

So close well done! very twisty course!

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Riz, yeah, it was quite tight on some of the turns but the straights were lovely and flat… my favourite 😁

[@simonbirtles8981]

Well done and great attitude to creature comforts, deny yourself that when training hard for me removes the enjoyment, still a good run on that course

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Simon. I think the winter nights snacking have caught up to me 😁 Hopefully when the weather improves I’ll be less in front of the tv and more out and about …but probably eating ice cream instead 🤣

[@discopot]

Well done Rachel

[@racheld1844]

Thanks 😁 Least on the plus side it’s my fastest time this year.

[@discopot]

Well done Rory

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Stuart. He was great at encouraging me 😊

[@carlcblake860]

Well done that is great running😊 can i suggest Milton Keynes Parkrun a fast one lap course around Willen Lake, definetly will get your sub 21 time 😊👍🏿🏃‍♂️

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Carl 😁 I’ve run the marathon there a couple of times so know the area around the lake. I didn’t know there was a parkrun there though. If I’m ever around that way we’d definitely give it a go 😊

[@raleyadventures]

Looked like a great effort and a great place for a parkrun, thank you for the great video and you definitely get sub 21 soon 🏆🏆 We hope the bacon bap was good 😋😋

[@racheld1844]

Thanks 😁 2 weeks after this video I got my first sub 21 of the year. I ran at Edgbaston Reservoir and got 20:59. It’s a great flat course if you ever decided to visit 🏃🏼‍♀️ 🏃🏻

[@raleyadventures]

@@racheld1844we would really like to try that one some day 😊 thank you for the recommendation

[@tworunningbrooms]

Well done, Rach. I'm (Dawn) chasing sub 21. You probably have more potential than me to achieve it. 😅 John wishes to pay tribute to Rory. He says it's a noble act of self-sacrifice to give up a fast time to film your ot😢her half. 😅😅 Keep up the effort. It will come!

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Dawn, not so much John 🤣 Thing is, I was faster than Rory last year, but now I’ve got him on the marathon plan (and previously the 5km plan last autumn) he seems to have taken the lead 😁 He holds the lead for 5k and 10k, me for the half (just), so let’s see what the marathon brings. I’m sure you’ll get that sub 21 Dawn, you’ve had such an excellent start to the year already and you’ve been hitting some fast/ long miles within your marathon plan. Once those legs get a day when they’re feeling fresh, and on the right course, you’ll be under that time I’m sure 😊

[@gamemak0r]

Wow that's incredibly fast on that terrain. I would've been so worried about slipping, especially on the grass near the end.

[@racheld1844]

Thanks 🙂 I think it looked worse than it was. The trail parts were pretty grippy which was good for a frosty morning. The run director said the whole of the area was under water a few days before but the drainage must be excellent because even that finish stretch didn’t feel soggy 😁

[@paulk7663]

Take out those sharp bends and the out and back you’d have had it. Still in good form there. 💪

[@racheld1844]

Thanks Paul. The turns definitely took a few seconds off my pace. It would have been a close call without them. I really liked the long flat stretches though, I really felt strong running those sections 🙂

[@newbarker523]

Well done. I'm still to go sub 21 (sub 20 is the real goal!) but have been focusing on running a lot lately so think I'll get a PB soon. Current 5k PB 21:05. Will check out your other videos...

[@racheld1844]

Hi, thanks so much 😁 21:05 is sooo close. I’m pretty much in the same boat, sub 21 for now and hopefully at some point, getting that sub 20. Sometimes those fast times come right out of the blue. I’ve been known to hit some pretty good times the same weeks as some very high mileage, then other times, I can be more rested and do rubbish. Good luck with your time goals 😊

[@newbarker523]

@@racheld1844 Thank you for the encouraging reply. What you said about fast times happening when you don't expect matches my experience too. I saw your PB was 20:01. Is that your parkrun PB or your 5k PB (or both)? It hardly gets much closer to sub 20 than that! Best wishes for your goals too.

[@racheld1844]

@newbarker523 - I got 20:18 at my local park in 2019 and never thought I’d ever beat that time. Last year, during and after my marathon training, I broke that pb 6 times but never under 20. I got 20:01 twice. I’ve never entered a 5k race, just only ever ran parkruns. Mostly at my local Arrow Valley, but over the last 6 months I’ve been heading out with my partner Rory to try some new courses. I wouldn’t rule out a 5k race though, I think I’d quite enjoy one, it’s just finding one as they are a little more tricky to find.

[@RichardHarper83]

Love the video! Rory is great at motivating - running, filming, and keeping you updated with the times! You were so close to the sub-21 - those tight 180s probably didn't help. The big question though is - when is Rory's youtube channel coming!? :D

[@racheld1844]

I think I’ll get Rory to take over mine 🤣 I think he did a better job. Yeah, he was brilliant at giving me loads of encouragement. Just a shame I held him back as we’d both set out for that sub 21. We’re off somewhere (not decided yet) on Saturday and hopefully both get a good time.

[@RichardHarper83]

@@racheld1844 Haha don't tell him that, it'll go to his head! It was good to have a different filming style - it worked well! Ah it was still a good workout for him - as he said in the video, so don't worry too much. If you haven't done Walsall Arboretum, that's a fast 3-lap course. I got within seconds of my PB there a few weeks ago - 21:49, a time that I've not been able to get to since before covid! Although, I did beat that in the first 5k of a 10k last weekend, so I'm definitely heading in the right direction again! Good luck with wherever you end up on Saturday!

[@racheld1844]

@@RichardHarper83 Well done on your 5k and 10km times. I’d seen you’d run a great time at Bourton and crazy you broke your 5k pb in a 10k, something that can easily happen. We both ran Walsall in December. Rory got not only sub 20 but smashed his 5k pb (19:36). I got 20:21 so it’s definitely a fast course. I think it helps that you run down the hill 3 times but only up it twice 😁 Are favourites are Walsall and Edgbaston for a fast course.

[@RichardHarper83]

Thanks Rachel! Yeah it's not the first time that I've got 5k and 10k PBs in a 10k race, so I clearly go out too fast haha! Oh wow, those are both great times for Walsall, well done. Hadn't considered Edgbaston as a fast course - maybe I was just feeling unfit when I did it 🤣

[@SwimBikeRunStu]

Ahhh so close 🙈 Top effort. Its next on my list. Sub 21 👌

[@racheld1844]

You did great when you ran at fleetwood, I’m sure you’re almost there. Maybe we should run a 21 attempt parkrun sometime 👍

[@griffinranch3156]

Solid work. Great coaching throughout the race from The cameraman. A faster course would have helped. You certainly have the speed and conditioning for sub 21.

[@racheld1844]

Hi, thanks. It was a tough run that day but I’ve managed to go sub 21 several times since I ran at Perry Hall. My training’s been more endurance based over the last month or so, so am slowing down a little. It’ll be a little while before I’m back up to full speed again 😁

[@griffinranch3156]

@@racheld1844 Understandable. There’s season for every reason. I’m actually running my first 5K race this coming Wednesday night outside of Tampa Florida. Started running in October 2023 and have lost 60lbs since then. 230lbs to 170lbs. In training the fastest I’ve done the 5k is 21:30 but I’m hoping to go sub 20 on race day. Perhaps I’m aiming too high but we’ll see.

[@racheld1844]

@@griffinranch3156 that’s amazing to hear you’re doing so well! Sub 21 should definitely be on the cards for you. Under 20 is very tough pace wise. I’ve been 20:01 twice but even after all these years I still haven’t got that golden 5k finish time starting with a 19. Best of luck for Wednesday. If you felt like sharing your time, it would be great to hear how it went.

[@griffinranch3156]

@@racheld1844 thanks for the encouragement. I’ll circle back after the race!

[@griffinranch3156]

@@racheld1844 20:19

[@runnerup9786]

Have you tried Arrow Valley? All paved, very few sharp corners.

[@racheld1844]

Hi David, Arrow Valley is my local run 😁 267 runs there in total, plus my equal pb was there too. It’s definitely better without going up the hill on the 2nd lap, compared to the old route. The worst part for me is the last bit past the park, up the slope and a tight turn to the finish. I always lose time there on tired legs.

[@mazdawg2068]

My local parkrun go to Walsall you’ll do it there

[@racheld1844]

Hi Paul. Walsall is a great course. We went there for the first time just before Christmas and I managed a 20:21 and Rory broke his life time pb as well. We loved the downhill section 3 times. We’ll definitely be going back there at some point 😁

[@tomhargreaves1835]

Are you doing the Wolves 10k in a few weeks? I’m gonna be entering this week.

[@racheld1844]

Hi Tom, no, I’ve not entered that one. I do have a half coming up though but going to use it as a training run rather than an all out effort. Good luck with your 10k 🙂

[@tomhargreaves1835]

@@racheld1844 ah good luck with your half I’ll be rooting for you to smash your PB at Newport.