Workout Debate: Do PRs Ever Expire?

on July 26, 2012
in Oh, Controversy!, Workout Debate

Our fifth and final debate of the week!  Our previous debates included: Do you acknowledge strangers when exercising outdoors?, When on a run, do you do a little jig at red lights or come to a complete stop?, Do you secretly race others at the gym?, and No Men Allowed:  What do you think about women’s races?

 

Today’s topic is one that I ponder very often… and with greater frequency as I get older and older. Winking smile

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Do personal records ever expire?  Or is your best your best forever?

 

If you’re not familiar with the term, a personal record (a “PR”) is your best time for a certain race distance.  So you can have a PR for the 5K distance, the 10K, the half marathon, etc.  Finishing times are, of course, dependent on the course, crowds, weather conditions and occasionally dumb luck, but I’d also say that PRs are significantly influenced by age.  It’s not that younger runners are always better than older runners (my non-scientific observation at races is that the 30ish age group generally does better than 20-somethings), but there is definitely a point of diminishing returns.  Most of us can’t run as fast at 50 as we could at 25. 

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To me, there are several aspects of the PR debate to consider:

 

  • If you do have a fast {for you} time, it’s cool to be able to say, “My personal record is a 23:46 5K!” There’s a certain amount of pride in a record; it’s nice if that PR ‘lasts’ forever.

 

  • Then again, perhaps non-expiring PRs can be misleading.  If I were to say to something, “My 5K time is 23:46,” a stranger may think, “Damn, Caitlin is pretty speedy.”  But the reality is that I couldn’t run a 23:46 5K right now if I were being chased by blood-thirsty zombies and my life depended on it…. I would be amazed if I could squeak out a 33:00 5K before being consumed by said zombies.

 

  • Maybe runners are obligated to put a metaphorical asterisk next to their records, just to keep conversations between runners honest.  So if you ran a 3:30 marathon when you were 18 years old, and now you’re 35 and can’t run more than 5 miles at a time, you should said, “My marathon time is 3:30, but that was nearly two decades ago.”  That way, you’re sharing your achievements but not misleading the other person.

 

  • On that note, is it realistic that PRs last for your entire life when your body goes through so many changes?  Aging, weight gain or loss, illness, pregnancy? 

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Actually, I find my PRs to be a little depressing.  Sure, I am proud of my records – they aren’t incredible by Olympic standards, but I worked very hard to achieve them! – but my current fitness level is much lower compared to the level I was at when I set my PRs.  I wonder if I will ever be able to beat ANY of my records again.  It would almost be more fun if records expired because I’d have something new but realistic to shoot for. 

 

Personally, I think I’ll draw a distinction between pre- and post-pregnancy PRs.  I was lighter, younger, and had more free time before Henry was born – is it fair to strive for the same records now?  I don’t think so.  My PRs will always be my PRs, but they’re old records.  It’s time to set some new ones.

 

Do you think records expire?  Do you group records into pre- and post-records – maybe drawing the line at a certain age or after an illness or pregnancy?  Or do they reset when you enter a new age group?

{ 56 comments }

 

  • Jennie @ While My Button Sleeps July 26, 2012, 8:43 am

    Blood thirsty zombies! Haha! You are too funny! I do the same thing (pre/post baby) except I do not do time. I only PR distance. I remember my times in my brain only for a few days. Although randomly I remember I ran the mile in 7:13 in junior high and I begged her for a redo because I think 13 is unlucky!

  • Morgan July 26, 2012, 8:44 am

    Good question!!! I used to run cross country in high school and my 5K PR was set then (20:58) However, that was a good 11 years ago and there is NO WAY I could run that again. At least not without some serious, serious training.

    • Caroline July 26, 2012, 9:13 am

      Morgan, this is exactly how I feel, because I was a high-school swimmer! And I will take my personal bests with me forever. They’re fun to talk about with other swimmers of any age because we all know our personal bests and can compare them.

      What’s sad is even in high school there were kids who’d peaked in middle school. Their personal bests were set at age 12 and never achieved again. YIKES.

  • Jennie @ While My Button Sleeps July 26, 2012, 8:44 am

    First post! Wow! I Rock! (Nerd Alert!)

  • Tricia July 26, 2012, 8:55 am

    I like the pre/post preggo distinction. I imagine I’ll eventually have a similar distinction although I’ve only done organized 5ks. However, I have pre/post weight loss distinctions for sure. About eight years ago, I weighed 50-60 pounds more. It’s wild when I think about that. I lost the weight about three years ago. However, even a year ago I could only run a 5k distance on a treadmill. Outside, it took me about 43-45 minutes with walking breaks. Now I can do sub 30min outside 5ks with walking breaks. Basically, my point is just keep at it. It’s possible that you’ll get even faster or maybe just more proud of your accomplishments. If you don’t have as much time to train AND you PR, imagine how you’ll feel!

  • Kelly July 26, 2012, 8:56 am

    This is a REALLY good topic. I haven’t ever really thought about it before but you are right. There was a time in my life where I was training pretty hard core and I will never again run those times. While I am totally okay with that it is still a source of pride for me. I don’t usually volunteer my time to strangers so if someone asked me I would tell them my PR and then probably back it up with “but that was a one time thing.”

  • Robin July 26, 2012, 9:05 am

    You will be surprised at how much faster you will become with a little bit of work. Yes, now you may feel like your PR is unreachable but I bet with time you can smash that time. I feel like that since having kids, I am mentally tougher than I was before and have been able to push myself beyond anything I could before. Be patient and you will see some amazing progress and faster than before because your body will remember.

  • Samantha Angela July 26, 2012, 9:05 am

    Do world or olympic records expire if they haven’t been beaten. No. We still say “such&such athlete holds the world record” regardless of how long ago they set it.

    I think PRs should be the same way.

  • Amanda July 26, 2012, 9:08 am

    I vote that you make up your own rules. Maybe you have a “Lifetime PR” an “Annual PR” and/or a “Phase of life PR” (ie. PR post baby, PR post surgery, etc). I’m not a runner so take it for what it is worth, but if setting a new PR motivates you and creates a healthy drive, I say make up your own rules!

  • Dori July 26, 2012, 9:12 am

    I say no, they don’t expire, although New York Road Runners does remove your fastest time for corral placement after a few years and I am worried about not matching that anytime soon! Runner’s World actually published an Ask Miles question about this a few months ago. Miles said: No, but old ones should be noted as such. Truth in advertising, and all. As our own Mark Remy says in The Runner’s Rule Book, Rule 1.51: “A PR has a shelf life of two years. After that, it’s still a PR–just with an asterisk.” That asterisk means adding a disclaimer, such as “My PR is 3:05, but that was at Yonkers in 1980” or “. . . I ran that at Big Sur in 2003.” Two years is an arbitrary cutoff, obviously, but the larger point remains: It’s disingenuous to imply that you’re still capable of running that PR, or something close to it, if you clearly are not.”

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat July 26, 2012, 9:16 am

    Great debate once again!! I have some pretty speedy 5k, half marathon, and marathon times from when I was running as my primary mode of fitness in university (I was on the cross country team and training about 5-6 times per week) but now that I’m doing so many other things (spinning, weights, circuits, yoga etc) I don’t think I’m in the same condition to make those PRs and I’d rather not feel the pressure of trying to do so (as lame as it sounds). I have a race coming up, a 1/2 marathon, on Aug 11th and my fastest time is 1:33. Having said that, it was when I was 20 and although I’m only 23 now, my body is a lot stronger (muscularly) now and perhaps not as fast due to the injury I just spent 2 months trying to overcome with little to no running being done. I think major life changes like pregnancy etc are definitely a good reason to have pre- and post- PRs!

  • Faith @ For the Health of It July 26, 2012, 9:18 am

    I’m in the “they don’t expire” camp. Your academic achievements don’t go away over time, why should your athletic ones? If you don’t feel like under ideal circumstances, you could still run that time (or close to it), I would add a disclaimer, but I think your PR is yours for life!

  • Marlène July 26, 2012, 9:18 am

    I think it’s important to keep PRs forever. Just because it happened a while ago doesn’t mean it somehow “stopped” being true. That’s the beautiful thing about records and stats in general, they are immutable and permanent.

    But I usually don’t talk about my PRs in general conversation with runners. When I talk about races, I usually refer to my last race as the new benchmark. I sort of follow the adage that “you’re only as good as your last race.”

    But you know what – if someone wants to try and impress with a dated PR even though they can’t run at that speed now, just let them. Really, where’s the harm??

  • Joanne July 26, 2012, 9:21 am

    Personal accomplishments are ours to keep forever. As you said, we ALL work hard for our best efforts but I think it’s important to keep trying to better ourselves. It doesn’t have to be in that same area we achieved our personal best but to keep trying to be the best we can be in whatever we are doing at the time.
    Hold onto PR’s forever. Be proud of who you are and what you’ve done.

  • Shelly July 26, 2012, 9:22 am

    My all time PR is that once, on a perfect day when I was 17 years old I ran 2 miles in 14 minutes. Yes, that’s my PR but its not something I ever expect to achieve again since I was very young and I gave myself a serious case of shin splints in high school and I’ve realized that trying to be fast doesn’t agree with my body! But it’s easy for me to not compare since I try to run much further than 2 miles these days!

  • Kinley @ Better Off Barefoot July 26, 2012, 9:24 am

    I’m torn on this one… I think a certain amount of bragging rights remain your whole life but I think it’s good to readjust your view after life changes. I have not been running in races that long to have much to compare it to but I try to just set race specific goals and not always look to the PR as the be all to end all. It helps me get less discouraged because each race is SO different!

    I also once saw someone refer to them as Season Records which I found very appropriate! Regardless of if you mean year season or a particular “season” in your life, it seemed like a good way to not be overcome with a need to always beat your PR to feel you accomplished something and are making improvements in your running.

  • Christy July 26, 2012, 9:25 am

    Fun discussion! Ive set my 5k PR and 50kPR since having my son who is now 22 months. I think mental toughness helps as mentioned above but also given that I have less time I find it important for me to make the time I do have to work out really count. So I do more speed work and focused runs and let high mileage without a purpose.
    Many of my friends are strong runner moms and I think it’s because of these same reasons. You definitely have to work hard to set PRa but that’s why they’re PRs. They don’t come easy but I think being a mom can improve your fitness- give yourself some time to build up- Henry’s still a little little person!

  • Katie H. July 26, 2012, 9:36 am

    In my opinion, a personal record is personal. So, as long as you’re still you (which shouldn’t change!) you’re PR does not expire. If you feel like you need to clarify with: “…when I was 24,” or “pre-baby” or “in my college days,” then go ahead. But you did it! So claim it!

  • Caroline July 26, 2012, 9:41 am

    I don’t think they should “expire” or that you necessarily even need to clarify, but I agree that as our bodies change and we get older we should change our goals accordingly if need be.

  • Barbara July 26, 2012, 9:41 am

    I think your PR is always your PR! It is your personal record, no matter how long ago it was!

    That being said, I think it is also fine to have more recent “PR”s for each new age group that you enter. And, definitely, pre- and post-pregnancy (or injury, for that matter) PRs are worth making note of! I think a PR is mainly just to keep you motivated for trying your best!

  • Lauren July 26, 2012, 9:48 am

    I think a PR is a PR. That number doesn’t change but your expectations can. As for pre/post pr’s all of mine are post preggo. I think once you give birth you have a greater understanding of how far you can push your body and how quickly it heals. You may start slow but if you want a PR I have no doubt it can be achieved post preg nearly as easily, if not easier, than pre. Good luck.

  • Megan@ The Running Doc July 26, 2012, 9:52 am

    I don’t neccessarily think PR’s expire but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with distinguishing them. I think it’s similar to gaining and losing weight. When someone who’s 35 is trying to lose weight, it’s not reasonable to aim for your high school weight. So for someone who’s had a baby, aged 10 years, and has only been running recreationally it’s probably not reasonable to aim to beat the PR they set when they were 22.

  • Katie @ Talk Less, Say More July 26, 2012, 9:53 am

    I’d like to think they don’t expire because even if you can’t run as fast at 50 as you can at 25, it doesn’t take away from the fact that you ONCE did! And it’s all in context. If you’re leading someone to think you can run a 23:46 5k any day but in reality that’s not the case, well then that comes down on you. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be able to say that the best you did (even if it was pre-baby) was a 23:46 5k! At least in my opinion…

  • HTPDad July 26, 2012, 9:55 am

    Running is extremely hard on the body. By the time you’re 40, you realize it’s easier to get hurt and takes longer to recover. Between the two it’s easy to train less, and not as hard.

    Dara Torres, a swimmer) at 45, just missed the U.S. Olympic team this year after being on five Olympic squads.

    OTOH, with the exception of the 200 kilometers (on a bike) all my PRs were set at the age of 56. The one I’m proudest of is 600K in 24H35M – 12 hours of it in a tropical storm.

    I really liked running, but unless you are constitutionally suited to it – like my friend with 60 something marathons – it’s hard on the body.

    Older people tend to dominate endurance sports – I think.

  • Carolina John July 26, 2012, 10:08 am

    Put it this way. I haven’t done a 1 mile race since I was on the track team freshman year of high school, which was 19 years ago. Mid-september I have a 1 mile road race in the fall grand prix series. In high school my fastest mile was a 5:50, and I will claim a new pr as an adult. even if I can’t break 6 minutes anymore it will still be a default pr.

  • Gillian @ That's G July 26, 2012, 10:20 am

    I think a little explanation is nice when describing a PR. I’ll explain my 10k PR as being on a ridiculously flat course, my half-marathon PR took place on a PR-friendly course with tons of downhill, etc. If someone asks me how fast I can run a mile, I explain that my high school PR was 5:32, but now I’d be luck to be in the low sixes, etc.

  • Michelle @ Eat Move Balance July 26, 2012, 10:20 am

    You should not find your PR’s depressing!!! You should be darn proud of participating in all your races. And I don’t think PR’s expire–it’s a lifetime achievement!

  • Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction July 26, 2012, 10:21 am

    I don’t think that records expire because at one point you were able to run a 5k, 10k, half-marathon or whatever in a certain amount of time. When speaking to someone I would just say what time period that was just so they know. If you could do it at one point then I think you could probably do it again or come close anyways!

  • Amy July 26, 2012, 10:28 am

    Agree, a PR is forever a PR. You ran the time and no one can take it from you! That said I think if someone asked me what my fastest 5k was I would tell them not only the race time but where and when it was.

  • Courtney July 26, 2012, 10:32 am

    This is an interesting topic to discuss. I used to run high school cross-country, and I got pretty fast. I’m extremely proud of my 5K PR (21:28), but since being diagnosed with a chronic nervous system condition, it’s not safe for me to run anymore. My PR is a reminder that my body is capable of a lot, and when it’s ready, I can get back to 21:28. 🙂

  • Kris July 26, 2012, 10:32 am

    I think PRs are PERSONAL. Not being very athletic but very active, I find the act of comparing myself to others very depressing. I HATE reading blogs where all the blogger talks about is PRs being oh so important. Use them for self motivation, but please don’t post them and brag on them. We’re all fighting our own personal battles. I don’t think any one of needs to list what may affect/change our PR (pregnancy, birth, age). The idea is that fitness has to feel good and if we’re depressed by comparing ourself to others and keeping score, how good does that feel?

    • Kris July 26, 2012, 10:34 am

      Correction — fitness should feel good (not has to feel good) 🙂

  • Courtney @ Brussel Sprouts and Beer July 26, 2012, 10:38 am

    I have been LOVING these workout debate posts! Being that I have just taken up running, these are all good things to know. Thanks for posting.

  • Sara July 26, 2012, 10:49 am

    This is interesting. I never thought about PR’s in this way. I do believe that age and other environmental factors play a part in what our bodies are able to do. Some days our bodies are able to do more than even we knew they were capable of doing, and some days our bodies don’t perform the way we believe they should. I may start looking at my PR’s differently now.

  • Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel July 26, 2012, 11:03 am

    My Mom was a marathon runner back in the day. She claims she peaked as a runner in her mid-30’s, a couple years after she was done having kids. So… you never know, you may still beat that old PR yet!

  • Ashley July 26, 2012, 11:08 am

    I don’t think they stop being personal records (because they are personal and your record) but after about 2-3 years, they need a disclaimer. I’m a little opposed to saying people need life-phase PRs. Did you see that article in RW a month or so ago about the 50 year old who set a new marathon PR? I dislike the of a “life phase” PR because it sounds like I’m giving up on a REAL PR ever again. I know plenty of people who PR’d after having kids and going through injuries. I’ve PR’d in every event since tearing my meniscus. I’m not yet 30…I’d hate think my PR’ing days are behind me!

  • christa July 26, 2012, 11:12 am

    up to the individual! for me personally, my PRs are my PRs no matter my fitness level. i always want to do better…than myself, haha.
    however, a good friend of mine used to be a super fast runner but last year she had a stem-cell transplant (screw cancer) and says that she is wiping the slate clean and her new PRs are the ones that count, which i fully support!! but i think she should be able to talk with pride about the PRs she set before she got sick.

  • Kelsey July 26, 2012, 11:13 am

    I’ve been a runner for 10+ years and earned my half-marathon PR last year the week before my son turned 1 year old, so my post-baby PR is BETTER than my pre-baby PR. I attribute it to not over-training (I can’t run over an hour a day, 7 days a week, like I did pre-baby) and many of my training runs were with a baby jogger, so when I ran the race without the stoller, I felt like it was flying! You never know what your body can do, so don’t limit yourself by thinking that you can’t achieve more just because you’re now “post-baby”.

  • emily July 26, 2012, 11:20 am

    I think I like the idea of PRs expiring, but my opinion is influenced by the fact that I’m a former runner who is currently struggling though the 2-minutes of running in the couch-to-10k program!

  • Julia H. @ Going Gulia July 26, 2012, 11:31 am

    Hmmm, I never thought of this that way! I guess it’s fair to clarify that your PR may have occurred, for example, 10 years ago, but I don’t see it as “expiring” necessarily. I’ve run a couple of 5Ks, but none I’d consider using as a PR (the 1st was an obstacle course one, so it included waiting your turn for each obstacle which adds time; and for the 2nd, I went into it knowing I wouldn’t be able to run it all because I had recently gotten injured). My first half marathon is in October, though, so maybe I’ll have more to say about PRs after I finish that!

  • Jacqueline July 26, 2012, 11:41 am

    Great topic, Caitlin! I’m still undecided about this, but often think maybe it’s more realistic to go by age group PR’s.
    Of course I’ll always have my all time best PR’s.

  • Kris @ tryingtotri July 26, 2012, 11:42 am

    I think it depends – if you ran track in high school/college and set some amazing PRs that you’ll never hit again, maybe you disclose that. Me? I didn’t start running until I was 35, after having 3 kids, and I’m still setting PRs. 🙂 Each new race is an opportunity.

    For the next few years, Henry will be very “high maintenance” (yes,that’s how I refer to those years… now my kids are teenagers). Eventually, you’ll have more “me” time and maybe you’ll set some new PRs then!

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats July 26, 2012, 11:43 am

    haha to be honest I don’t know if I’ve discussed past PRs too often! But I don’t think they should ever expire. I think if anyone asked I’d say I ran an X:XX 5K, half, or marathon when I was younger, but now I’m more around X:XX

  • Sam @ Better With Sprinkles July 26, 2012, 11:47 am

    I guess it can kind be divided into periods of time. For example, my current 10k PR is 53:18 (although I am hoping to beat that one day!)and that was just a year ago. 30 years down the road I feel like it’s more appropriate to say “53:18 is my PR, but I set that when I was 21” – still get to brag, but if you can’t run that fast at that point in your life it’s understandable and you’re not being misleading.

  • Melissa July 26, 2012, 12:03 pm

    I agree that you can put PRs from different stages of your life in different categories. It’s pretty much up to the runner to decide for her/himself what they want to consider a PR. (Unless you’re an elite, of course. But if, like 99.9% of us, you’re slow enough that no one but you will care what your PR is, then you get to decide what counts!) So yeah…pre- and post-pregnancy PRs are fine, Master’s PRs (vs. young’un PRs), pre- and post-injury PRs, whatever works for you.

  • Ashley M. [at] (never home)maker July 26, 2012, 12:21 pm

    I think the whole post-baby PR thing isn’t necessary. I know plenty of women who kill their old race times despite all that. It might not feel like it now, but you are entirely capable of beating your old times. At least that’s the attitude I have these days. I am running faster 5Ks, for example, then I had since my “old” PR back when I was 23. At age 23-28, I didn’t dip before 23 minutes . . . but in my latest 5K after baby, I ran a 22:48.

  • Christine @ BookishlyB July 26, 2012, 12:25 pm

    PRs are whatever you want them to be- you’re the only person they truly matter to, unless you’re a professional. No one really cares if you want to set a new PR for every decade or stick to the same one for life. I know it sounds callous, but it’s true- for the better!

  • Ashley July 26, 2012, 2:14 pm

    Now, I didn’t start really running until after my daughter was born, so I don’t have much of a pre and post fitness level to compare to. Because quite frankly I was incredibly unhealthy and out of shape before I had her. BUT, I started running one month before her first birthday, did a 5k a couple months later in 33:30. Exactly one year after that I ran that same 5k in 24:52.

    I’m hoping I can some day beat that record, but if I don’t I think I’d be one to say ‘my fastest 5k was 24:52, but that was such and such years ago’. Your little astrik line I guess. I think you should always be proud of your achievements, even if they are way out of your league right now. And don’t count yourself out on getting fast again. If you really want to, you can do it. But if isn’t a priority, no need to stress. You have plenty of other priorities to keep you busy right now :).

  • k July 26, 2012, 2:31 pm

    PRs are a funny thing . . . all of my best times for road distances feel like they happened in another lifetime. for instance, my 5k PR is 24:56 and nowadays i think i would be hard-pressed to run a flat 5k under 30. but even though i’m way slower now, i can run distances and terrain that i never dreamed possible. i did a handful of tough 50k’s this year and my A-race was a gruelling 100k. and PRs for ultras aren’t really transferable- courses are so different that it doesn’t make a lot of sense to hold up your time for one race against your time for another race. i guess what i’m getting at is that keeping track fo PRs has become a thing of the past for me.

    this discussion also reminds me of something else that i think is kind of funny- people who talk about winning their age group at very small races but don’t make a point of mentioning the limited field. i have a triathlete friend who won his age group at a very small race that doesn’t attract competitive athletes. he refers to himself as being an age group gold medalist triathlete because of it. don’t get me wrong- he did awesome and he would have smoked me at that race. but his choice of words for that descriptor paints a certain picture and i think it’s kind of misleading.

  • Carina July 26, 2012, 2:40 pm

    I think the general rule is most people have two sets of PRs. Regular and masters (when you’re 40 or older). I have a few friends that tried to do pre-baby and post-baby, but if you were under 40 when you had your kid for the most part, you’ll get faster and beat your pre-preg times. Give yourself some time before thinking you’ll never be as fast as you were.

    For athletes I coach, I always ask PR times and dates — and if it’s more than 2 yrs old, I ask for best time in the last 2 yrs if they’ve done the same distance. That helps more accurately set training paces and race goals.

  • Rachel July 26, 2012, 3:46 pm

    I’ve never done a race or timed myself, so I don’t have a personal stake in this question, but I think PRs never expire. Think of what it stands for: Personal Record. That’s your personal best! Not a representation of where you are currently. Even if it’s not something you could hit today, you should get to continue to be proud of the time you hit at one point, and you shouldn’t have to feel that you can’t claim it anymore.

  • Angela July 26, 2012, 4:15 pm

    Well you can’t un-run a PR so as far as I’m concerned it stands until you beat it. You don’t hear climbers say ‘Hey I climbed Mount Everest once but it doesn’t count anymore as it was 10 years ago’.

  • Rachel July 26, 2012, 6:55 pm

    I like the idea that PRs never expire, but you need to preface it if you are not longer at that level or if it was decades ago. You should still be proud of what you accomplished by working really hard, but you shouldn’t mislead people into thinking you can still do it. I like to think that even if I can’t run my PR 22:00 minute 5K right now, I potentially could if I trained hard. Your PR shows you what is possible, and that is something to always work for.

  • Claire July 26, 2012, 8:07 pm

    Hmmmm interesting, I often ponder this too. I’ve heard that you should qualify/asterisk your PR if it is more than 2 years old, which seems reasonable. I’m also with you on the pre/post having kids distinction, and I’m proud to say that for every distance except marathon, my post pregnancy PRs are faster. Way faster. Apparently going through childbearing is certainly not detrimental, and some even say is good, for distance athletes. And I plan to kill that pre pregnancy marathon PR sooner rather than later!

    One thing that has really made me question my PRs recently though is wearing a garmin. I find races are often not exactly the advertised distance. For instance, I did a 5k six months ago with a time of 20m49s, which would be my PR, only my garmin told me the distance was about 50metres short (and so did lots of others who ran this race), so I don’t claim it as my PR – that is 21m11s which I did a couple of months ago, interestingly my garmin (and lots of others) recorded that as being about 50m long! Pre garmin days I would have had no idea and so would have claimed the PR without reservation. I’d be really interested to know what others do in this situation. I know garmins are not terribly accurate all the time, so I always check with other runners to see what theirs say too. Is it OK to claim a PR for a certain distance if your GPS shows the course was short?

  • Lindsey July 27, 2012, 7:14 am

    I a totally wish you…there should definitely be a pre and post pregnancy PR! I am not one of the lucky ones who lost weight with breast feeding and have had a STRUGGLE to get weight off! This of course, effects my running. Being 15 stubborn, ain’t comin off, pounds heavier after 2 babies I’m not sure I will ever beat my pre pregnancy PR’s. I did come within 3 min of my half marathon PR this year and am considering this my post pregnancy PR! Sure, I would love to beat my pre pregnancy times, but my body is just totally different after pregnancy and just don’t know if it is possible. I know some women’s bodies and times bounce right back after pregnancy and nursing, but some of us, despite the same amount of time put in just can’t get there. Genes? Body differences? Who knows, but it’s taken me a while to stop comparing myself to those super lucky moms and be prideful in my journey and success. Great posts this week on the workout debates!

    Lindsey

  • Bobbie July 27, 2012, 11:24 am

    I feel as though your PRs certainly last a life time but as you said if your 5k PR was in the 12th grade..hey.. brag about it all you want just mention that it was in the 12th grade. I’ve been running since high school, cross-country and year-round track. I was a lot faster then, although there have been times in my adult-hood that I feel as though I am in better shape, fact is, I’ve never beat my high-school times. Oh well. I’m older (much older), have three kids and not nearly the time to invest in running that I used to have. C’est La Vie! I’m ok with that.

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