I just thought I might share this little ’good news’ story. Through posting a link to my blog on this forum, I’ve met up with a fellow local heart patient Richard. I was already doing the local parkrun and encouraged him to join in and we now meet up most weeks at parkrun.
Since then a group of local runners, which we both joined, have set up a facebook group to arrange runs and generally support each other and last night took this a step further by carrying out a community service of litter picking around a local park and streets.
It has been a real privilege to see get to know Richard and his children and see him progress on parkrun.
Really good story to read about. Thanks for posting. This forum is really effective, and in so many ways.
I did try the Parkrun, and just love the idea, but though I walk moderately fast, I can only run a bit at a time, and I felt embarrassed at keeping everyone waiting, after all the others had finished. So I haven’t been again.
I can only say about our local one but I believe it is the same everywhere. It really doesn't matter if you just walk it. The friendly support and encouragement I received has helped me go from basically a walker (37+ minutes) to being able to consistently run it in about 27 minutes and even joining other runners for runs up to 15km - I hadn't run in 24 years and would never have thought this possible when I first set out, I have even entered 3 races this year and got my first medals since the 1980's.
I have since volunteered as a tail walker a few times, the slowest being 1 hour 06 minutes and it has been a pleasure to hear the stories of these people most who are taking the first steps towards trying to improve their health and fitness.
It is always worth remembering the parkrun motto is - 'It's a run, not a race.'
If you need more encouragement, take a look through this (it's a pictorial story of my 'heart attack to 10K) ... flic.kr/s/aHsm7FFJi8
Thank you lots for your encouragement. It sounds as if you’ve made really huge progress, yourself. I don’t think I’m going to get much increase in my speed and time, but just maintain current fitness. My heart is pretty rubbish! The problem was, I felt the emphasis was on doing it faster and faster, PBs and best in age group etc. etc. V competitive.
I did have a pretty detailed questionnaire through Parkrun, about 2 years ago, about how it could be more adapted for cardiac patients. Did anything come of this?
Personally I find the main competition is with yourself, you can get wrapped up in trying to beat your PB!.
When I first started, and even now, you will find yourself running alongside people of a similar pace and over time get to know some of them, this can be the start of new friendships and the whole experience becomes a nice social gathering.
If you look through my photo album link you will see I have met many many people on this journey mainly through parkrun, some I can beat others I stand no chance against but all have given me tremendous support and encouragement and I like to think of them as new found friends.
Sounds excellent on so many levels. Loved the pic with your ‘new’ friends. They look great fun. Thanks again for your story and encouragement. My mind is now open.
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