Review: parkrun targets for 2011

Almost exactly a year ago I wrote a blog post setting out my parkrun targets for 2011.


I thought now would be the right time to look back at those targets and see how well (or poorly) I have done. I haven't really looked back at them or given them much thought this year and with all my injury problems over the last 7 or 8 months I am not expecting to have done very well.


I split that original blog post into two parts, general aims and some specific targets. I will rate how I have done in bold immediately after each aim and target. So here goes.....


First of all I set out some general aims as follows. I said I would like to:


- Complete 50 parkruns in total and get the 50 parkruns t-shirt.
At the time of writing (23rd December) I have run 48, with numbers 49 and 50 planned for Christmas Eve and New Years Eve. So I may still achieve this aim.


- Run at least 30 Coventry parkrun events in the year, but hopefully nearer to 40 if possible.
25 so far, so maximum of 27 - FAILED! But closer than I expected.

- Achieve at least 5 new PBs.
Ouch! I only managed 1, way back in February - FAILED. But what a PB, a 25 second improvement from 18:14 down to 17:49, so I am not too disappointed!


- Win my first parkrun event.
SUCCESS, winning my first and only (to date) event on the 12th February, getting that huge PB in the process.


- Perhaps I might even do my first parkrun at another location.
FAILED, but there is always next year!




From those general aims I set out the following definitive targets.. I must:

- Get a new PB before the end of February.
SUCCESS - that huge PB!


- Take my PB below 18 minutes before the end of April.
SUCCESS, that very same run!


- Take my PB below 17:45 before the end of 2011.
FAILED, but so so close!


- Finish in the top 5 of the male points table.
FAILED, unfortunately too many missed events and the latter part of the year running in the mid-field and towards the back certainly haven't helped.


- Finish in the top 10 in at least 75% of events attended
FAILED, I have managed this in only 13 of the 25 events I have taken part in. So only just over 50%.


Considering the injury filled year I have had, I didn't do too badly with my aims and targets. Lets hope next year goes just a little bit better, hopefully with a few less injuries!

parkrun targets for 2011

2010 has been my first year of taking part in parkrun events and I actually didn't start until April. During this year I have taken over 2 minutes (2:04) off my first parkrun time, spread across 8 PBs and resulting in my current PB of 18:14. I have run a total of 23 parkrun events finishing in the top 10 on 18 occasions and I have finished as high as 2nd on three occasions. I also finished the year in 7th position in the male points table.

So how can I improve on this and what are my aims at parkrun events in 2011?

I would like to:
- Complete 50 parkruns in total and get the 50 parkruns t-shirt, a real parkrun status symbol!
- Run at least 30 Coventry parkrun events in the year, but hopefully nearer to 40 if possible.
- Achieve at least 5 new PBs.
- Win my first parkrun event. This will depend on a weaker field of competitors rather than me improving!
- Perhaps I might even do my first parkrun at another location. Fingers crossed an event appears somewhere suitable to help make this happen.

From these general aims I have come up with the following targets, or lets call them challenges for myself for the coming year. I must:
- Get a new PB before the end of February.
- Take my PB below 18 minutes before the end of April.
- Take my PB below 17:45 before the end of 2011.
- Finish in the top 5 of the male points table.
- Finish in the top 10 in at least 75% of events attended.

Those are my big 5 personal challenges, I wonder how I will do? I think the two PB targets of below 18 minutes and 17:45 will prove to be the toughest of the 5. I think the other three are within my capabilities. I'll try to remember to look back at these aims and challenges throughout the year, hopefully to tick them off as I achieve them.