The last thing I wrote about was my August swim challenge Vidösternsimmet. Since then I have started to run again. Yes, you read that correctly, I have started to run. It came as a shock to me as well. But on August 19th I decided to try a 5km Parkrun. It ranks in the top 10 things most difficult things I have ever done, but I did it. It took just over 36 minutes, 36:06.

Kalmar Swimrun 42km 2016 – DNF had a stroke with 500m to the finish
Stockholmn Swimrun 24km 2016 – DNF passed out with 3-4km to the finish
*** 5km Parkrun 2023 – first near death experience since 2016***
Jönköping Ironman 2016 – lack of training
Kustjagaren Swimrun 24km 2016 – lack of training
Vansbro Triathlong 2014 – turned into a biathlon because of water temps ( run-bike-run)
Kalmar Ironman 2015 – lack of training
Viking Open Water 42km 2021 – 13+ night swim
Vätternrundan 300km 2014 – lost contact with my group and biked solo the last 60-70km
Vidösternsimmet 21km 2018 – with out a wetsuit
Kalmar Ironman 2014 – first full distance triathlon
Växjö Marathon 2013 – first run over 22km

My wife, Jeanette, also ran with me in my first Parkrun. She found a group for women that run 5-8km on Mondays in various trails around Växjö. I had been watching and supporting during our swimrun practice by being in the water acting as a lifeguard. After surviving my first 5km since 2018, I decided why not try. So I pulled out my swimrun wetsuit, grabbed my shoes and managed to complete 3 laps (approximately 1.15km run + 330m swim) in less than 45 minutes. A week later, I managed 5 laps in about 1 hour and 15 minutes. During this time Jeanette also started to run again. She found a group for women that run 5-8km on Mondays in various trails around Växjö. The combination of three parkruns (5km) and three swimruns I decided to join a running group for those wanting to start running. From couch to 10km in 10 weeks. Jeanette also joined, she did not want me to get faster than her.

I am taking baby steps with my parkruns. My goal is to get under 25 minutes to Easter 2024.

Jeanette runs under 28 minutes write now and I know she will also get under 25 minutes soon, the question will be which of us will be faster next summer.

Today is the halfway point of the coach to 10km group. It is actually more fun to run in a group than I had expected, but since I also prefer to swim in groups it makes sense that group running would be more fun. Today we will do try trail running.

I am thinking that when we get to week 10 and will run a 10km that it will take me upwards of 75 minutes. I am hoping to get closer to 50 minutes by the 1st of May.

On a side note. I have gone down 6kg (13lbs) since mid august. In my head each kg is about 3s/km. This would mean that I am roughly 18s/km faster simply because I lost weight. If I am about lose another 6kg, that would be another 18s/km or 1:30/5km, which gets me to 29:30. The other 4:30 will hopefully come with practice.