Park Run

[zog3]

Hubby is a non runner but came with me on my graduation run and now has the bug! He has just signed us up for park run! I am still only running about 3.5km in 30 mins and have never done 5km... Any advice?

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

Start off at the back talking to the official tailrunner (tailwalker at mine now) and jog on a bit quicker when you feel like it. The atmosphere and support from all around will get you through no bother - you'll probably sprint the last 50m!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Nice that your husband joined you on your graduations run and has now got the bug, I assume although you say that he is a non-runner* that he also completed C25K and graduated. Nice that both of you have sighed up for a park run, don't worry about the pace and time, just go out and enjoy your first park run with your husband.

* PS if he is a non-runner, surely he just didn't go out on your graduation run with you without any training, if so, that is amazing that anyone can just go out and run for 30 minutes the first time.

[zog3 in reply to AlMorr]

Funnily enough he did just run! I have no idea how... He did 16 mins with me in week 9 run 2,then the full 30 mins run 3! I was amazed! Thanks I think it took the personal achievement away from me a little so c Park run as the next test! Would like to try and enjoy it tho!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to zog3]

My goodness me, I think that is a first for anyone doing that, even the experts say that you cannot just go out and run for more than at the most 5 minutes without a bit of training, just for him to run that 16 minutes then run with you a full 30 minutes without training as you say is amazing. You will enjoy that park run with him.

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Those "experts" need to get a life outside of running. Anyone who plays any form of sport, or even walks reasonable distances, regularly will be able to jog for 15 mins or so quite easily. Admittedly going back a few years, the great majority of Royal Navy personnel then ran just once every year - when they were forced to do their annual fitness test which involved them running one and a half miles against an age-related target (somewhere between 10 and 13 minutes). Apart from the obvious lost causes, this caused lots of chuntering but very little difficulty. They just had a basic level of fitness - as, presumably, does Mr Zog.

Couch to 5k is fantastic because it does what it says on the tin - it starts on the couch and somehow works for people who have spent a lot of their life there, so don't have said basic level of fitness. But every Saturday lots of moderately fit people turn up at a Parkrun as newbies, without having done any preparation, and complete it happily.

Running is great, but it's completely natural ……. rant over!

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

Hi there Stanley, very interesting what you say about the navy and I fully agree with you regarding C25K, yes, running is completely natural, you have not ranted, just explained your situation, once again, enjoy your Saturday park runs.

[MandiV in reply to UpTheStanley]

No 2 son 18, equestrian and works with horses all day greeted my R1 w1 by going out buying a pair of trainers and running 8-10K across country to work - he ran 2 m the other day in 20 mins to decide if he felt up to the Parkrun- he didn’t a horse had jumped on his ankle that week!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Hi Zog. Firstly don’t forget your barcodes, put your hand up to say you are doing Parkrun for the first time and you will get a special briefing . I did my brisk walk for 5 mins at the start line then ran for 30 then walked as long as I needed to and then ran across the line. Don’t worry if others speed off, just go your own pace and enjoy it. It’s my favourite run of the week.

[lexi6 Graduate10]

Hiya Zog, I’ve done 3 parkruns now and have always run by myself. I’m still very slow, but enjoy the parkrun because there’s no pressure on me. I followed a lady last week who started off walking really fast and then ran a little, then back to walking and did this the whole way . At the halfway point she left me and I didn’t see her again until the finish. You should get a tee shirt which says “Its All About Me” and let your husband run ahead if he wants. Enjoy it 😎

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

Yes I run well behind OH and we do a high five when our paths cross (ours is a there and back course) . After he’s finished he’ll sometimes go back to run with me for the last 500m. 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️

[lexi6 Graduate10]

Aaaww! That’s so cool, would love to have someone to hi five with, I’m still so slow, that my parkrun is still very much a lone run, all the experienced ones have long gone for their coffees at McDonalds after their runs by the time I’ve finished. 😂

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

Sometimes I find someone running at my pace and run alongside them and just start nattering. As long as they are able to talk too, it’s nice to share stories. Also, you could volunteer one week and that means people get to know you. It’s also good to give something back as it couldn’t run without volunteers. Enjoy Lexi

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Absolutely! The volunteers are great and I have just put my name on the roster funnily enough

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

Well done 👍

[Fenellawny]

Hi, I’ve done 3 Park runs and have finished in about 34/35 mins each time and still not been last person through the finish. You mustn’t think you have to do the 5k in 30 mins, just run around the course and enjoy the experience and sense of achievement at the end.

[Kezwah]

Join up and go along. You’re only there for yourself, it’s not a race. Some people walk it all. Some start with a run then finish with a walk. Everyone is so friendly it’s a great way to start the weekend. I’m sure you enjoy it and finish the 5k easily. Even if you walk the last bit.