Not every Saturday is going to end with a personal best. Some days you’ll feel amazing. Other days, your legs will feel heavy before you’ve…
View More Bad Days Happen
Tag: parkrun tips
Your First parkrun: What to Do Before Saturday Morning
Preparing for your first parkrun can be nerve-wracking, but the event is designed to be welcoming. Familiarize yourself with what to wear, arrive 15-20 minutes early, and aim to enjoy the experience. Focus on participation rather than pace, and remember, walking is completely acceptable. Download a checklist for a smoother experience.
View More Your First parkrun: What to Do Before Saturday Morning
Use Nerves as Energy
Feeling nervous before a parkrun indicates investment in performance, not a lack of preparation. Nerves signal readiness, energy, and heightened focus. Instead of trying to eliminate anxiety, runners should accept it, channel it through a warm-up, and focus on controllable aspects. Nervousness usually highlights the significance of the goal, indicating that the moment matters.
View More Use Nerves as Energy
I Won This parkrun… But That’s Not The Real Story
The parkrun Progress Report focuses on race execution, detailing a pacing experiment conducted during the Mamquam Spawning Trail parkrun #49, where the runner finished first in 24:09. The strategy involved progressively faster splits, achieving a controlled effort, and identifying areas for improvement in future races. Part 2 will follow in two weeks.
View More I Won This parkrun… But That’s Not The Real Story
The One Thing to Focus On During Your parkrun
To enhance your parkrun experience, focus on one clear aspect rather than multiple factors like pace and breathing. This single focus simplifies your run, keeps you present, and allows for gradual improvements in technique. Choose a cue that aligns with your goals, and return to it whenever your mind wanders.
View More The One Thing to Focus On During Your parkrun
How to Break Through a parkrun Plateau
Many runners encounter plateaus where their improvements stagnate despite consistent training. This occurs as their bodies adapt to routines. To break through, focus on building aerobic strength, making quality sessions purposeful, and using parkrun strategically. Patience and consistency are key; progress may not be immediate but will come with smart training.
View More How to Break Through a parkrun Plateau
SMART Goals for parkrunners: How to Turn Good Intentions Into Faster Saturdays
Many parkrunners aim for specific goals, yet often lack actionable plans. SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound—help transform vague aspirations into structured objectives. By focusing on clear target outcomes and consistent training habits, parkrunners can enhance their performance and maintain motivation amidst challenges. Consistency is key to success.
View More SMART Goals for parkrunners: How to Turn Good Intentions Into Faster Saturdays
How to Improve Your parkrun With Just 3 Runs Per Week
Many parkrunners mistakenly believe daily training is necessary for improvement. Running three times a week can lead to progress with a focused approach. Key sessions include a long run for aerobic base, a quality session for speed and strength, and a flexible third run. Emphasizing recovery prevents fatigue and injuries.
View More How to Improve Your parkrun With Just 3 Runs Per Week
4 Different Ways to Run parkrun (And Why They All Make You Faster)
Many runners approach parkrun the same way each week, leading to fatigue and inconsistent performances. Instead, varying pacing strategies across four weeks—Tempo-Controlled, Progressive, Threshold, and PB Attempts—enhances training. This method fosters better pacing, aerobic strength, and mental resilience, ultimately making parkrun a valuable tool for sustainable improvement and race execution.
View More 4 Different Ways to Run parkrun (And Why They All Make You Faster)
How to Train for parkrun When You Only Run 2–3 Times Per Week
For those with limited time to run, quality outweighs quantity. With 2-3 runs per week, focus on purposeful training: a long run for recovery, a quality session for performance, and utilizing parkruns for benchmarking. Emphasize consistency and intentionality to effectively improve without the need for more running.
View More How to Train for parkrun When You Only Run 2–3 Times Per Week