ParkRun done .. first of many!?

[Richard7]

So almost 12 months after starting C25K I finally crept out from under my stone and did my first ParkRun.

I have avoided it until now for a couple of reasons, the main one being I just wasn't sure about running with hundreds of people.

Last week I started to think about it and when I left a post about my weekly run indicating that my 3rd run of the week would be a ??? UpTheStanley suggested ParkRun.

So I finally plucked up the courage to do one.

I posted in the C25K forum about my dilemma whether to go to my local Country Park slightly hilly run or my local Walk in the Park flat run. Everyone posted flat .. I just couldn't argue .. flat it was.

So it was strange getting up today. Normally it is up and out. Today it was up … lots of hanging around … empty the dishwasher .. you name it … and out!

I got to the ParkRun venue around 8:25 .. as it is around 4 miles I chose to drive and wanted to make sure I would get a parking spot. I needn't have worried!!

It was a strange sensation watching loads of people all gathered in one place with the same intention. There was the couple sitting patiently on the park bench, the lady far off exercising her dog before the run and doing stretches whilst playing fetch, the pre run runners and the leg pullers, music listeners and buggy pushers.

Finally it was time for the pre run briefing.

When it was time for the off I took the advice I had been given and headed for the back of the hoards. Go!! Nothing happened! Or at least it seemed like that! For about 15s probably more we shuffled along waiting until we could run. When I finally started to run I was going reeeaaally slow .. I mean veeeerrrryyyy slow. The was no way of doing anything else. After a couple of minutes the speed picked up just a bit and I started my weave in and out to try and get to my usual pace. I am not fast but I wasn't going to walk my first ParkRun either!!

I had heard about people going off too fast and was conscious of this so tried to stay within my target pace. In reality it turns out I did go a bit too fast at times rather than a steady pace. After the first lap (2 lap course) I felt pretty good apart from watching the 2nd place runner finish as I crossed the half way marker. But it did not last for long. Running the 2nd lap I knew how far I had to go and it just seemed to be a long slog. Mentally I was struggling along with my breathing getting a bit ragged. The was no way I was going to walk … no way!

So I trotted on and even managed a bit of a faster pace in the last 1/2k. In the closing straight there was someone in front of me that had been for some time. I knew I just had enough in me to go past her but it just didn't seem fair. This was not a race .. this was meant to be fun .. so I settled into my closing stride and finished behind her.

So my verdict!! Did I enjoy my first ParkRun? In as much as that it was a new experience running with other people - yes! Did I enjoy the start? No! Will I do it again? Yes - but not every week. I can see why so many people enjoy their Parkruns and overall I did too .. I just don't think I want to do this sort of run every week .. of course I might change my mind!! For now I will think about doing one regularly, just not every 7 days 😉

[Katiepops Graduate10]

Well done! 🏃‍♂️

[lexi6 Graduate10]

First parkrun done, another achievement ticked off Richard 👍 I must admit on my park run yesterday, when I saw the lead bike and then the first placed runner flying back I hadn’t even reached the half way point! 😂😂 and felt a little deflated so you “done good”

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

Thanks Lexi - he came flying past shouting left (I think) in my daydream I wasn't too certain where I was going and had drifted over towards the finish funnel nearly blocking his route. Definitely a case of not being used to low flying runners coming past at high speed where I usually run.

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Richard7]

Oops he he! 🤣

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

I’ve never heard of a lead bike lexi6; is that to clear the way?

[lexi6 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

I don’t know whether other places here in NZ use bikes, but our parkrun is quite windy and hilly, run through forest with a few blind corners, so I think they do use them to clear the way. I definitely stick to the left though as once the lead runners have gone, a lot of runners let their dogs off, very scarey having a huge dog screaming round a corner, heading straight for you, sure one day I’ll get knocked down the bank and into the stream which runs alongside 😂

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

That does sound scary. No dogs are allowed off leashes here. 🐕—————🏃‍♂️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Huge well done Richard.. you had a great experience and a great run .. and clearly got the whole point of it.. enjoying it I decided a while ago that it is not for me... other than as a volunteer

Wow! Brilliant!

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

That's good to hear you say that. Makes me feel better not wanting to go every week.

[theoldfellow]

Glad you gave it a go. Remember that there are lots of Parkruns, so you don't have to run the same one next time. Thank you for your care for the lady running in front of you at the end - that is exactly the spirit of the Parkrun.

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to theoldfellow]

Thanks for that. I probably needn't have worried in fact. When looking at the results I noticed she got a PB. But it still just didn't seem fair.

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Richard7]

The people behind me didn’t have the same philosophy so I had to really race to retain my spot- that’s what pushed me under 35 mins to my PB though so I should be grateful.

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to theoldfellow]

Oh dear, I’m feeling guilty now. I enjoy sprinting past anyone I can take on at the end... Is it weird that I enjoy taking on challengers who start to sprint for the line from behind me too? I see it as my best chance to gain a few seconds off my time. No one seems to look upset about it. 😕❤️

[theoldfellow in reply to mountaindreamer]

I'm sure it's OK MD. I was thinking more of Richard7's 'thought' than the actual act. Motive is everything.

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

Me too MD

[Denovo]

You could always try volunteering on the some of the weeks when you choose not to run! I like seeing Parkrun from the other side and helping to support it.

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to Denovo]

I will bear that in mind. This ParkRun is quite near to where my Mum lives .. she can see the runners from her apartment. So there are more than just running reasons to go there.

[Abaggs Graduate10]

Congratulations! I am planning to do one next week, so your write up is really useful!😊

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to Abaggs]

Good luck. Unless you are super fast the advice I got off working from the back I think was good even though it meant a slow start.

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

The late start time puts me off a bit, and as a result I haven’t done one yet! Well done Richard, on your 1st park run! x

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

Thanks. I think the running with people is a good thing and as normally I am a sole runner is was good for my soal!!

[mountaindreamer Graduate10]

Well done, Richard! 🎉🎉🎉🏃‍♂️😃 ❤️Glad you enjoyed it. I think everyone should try out at least one Parkrun to see what they think.

There’s no rule saying you have to do them every week, so just go along when you feel like it. We started right at the back for our first one too, then took some time weaving awkwardly around in a crowd. I now aim to start further up, but behind the fast runners, and off slightly to one side, so faster people come past me just on one side.

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

Finding your spot. There has been some talk on the Free Weekly Timed podcast about trying out markings so people of different speeds start at different places. Personally I think that would be good but what do I know ... Only been to one!

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to Richard7]

I’ve heard some people say their park runs have volunteers who are labelled as different timed pacers, which sounds a great idea too. Ours just ask people with dogs and strollers to start at the back. It’s pretty relaxed, so everyone else is free to do what they choose. Some people seem to have PBs a lot faster than they often run, so I guess everyone feels like doing quite different speeds depending on the day anyway.

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

Yeah I think I didn't in fact treat it as a gentle run. More of a harder run .. which was my intention for my Weekend runs. But mostly I enjoyed it which is the main thing.

[ArthurJG Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

The pacer thing tends not to be every week I think. Certainly at my local parkrun they have pacers on the last Saturday of the month.

[Sarakc Graduate10 in reply to Richard7]

I’ve only been to two! The first one I went to had markers with various times on so you went and stood there! Of course it was just a guess for me! But I think it was good as all the speedy ones shot off quickly ! I was expecting same yesterday at a different Parkrun but they didn’t do that! There were less people though! 😀

[seaspaniel in reply to Richard7]

Well done sir. It will be a useful addition to your running, whether weekly or more intermittently. I believe the last park run of each month they try and have timed pacers, However they will probably run even paced which may not be ideal for you.

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

Blimey, someone taking my advice …… better be careful what I say in future . Glad it didn't turn out to be a complete disaster.

As for the start, it is an issue - but I'd rather be the person picking my way through the field from the back, than the person creating the road block having started up front with the speed hounds. I find it really strange passing people who are gasping and barely jogging 250m into the run - great that they are taking part, that's what it's all about, but why do they feel the need to start at the front? I don't start my watch until I get to the start line, and keep my own records, so don't fret about lost time. And an enforced steady start is no bad thing, either.

Respect for your finishing straight tactics, too .

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

Thanks .. sometimes you just need a little extra push and your comment did it 😀

Will see what happens at my next ParkRun .. whenever that comes .. I would like to think I could treat it more gently but I am trying to work on my pace.

One thing that was special for me was doing a 5k completely on the flat. Nice to see what my pace was without hills up or down.

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

The slow, crowded starts at some ParkRuns has annoyed me too. They’re not all like that. Branch out and see which have a wider path at the start so you don’t spend time shuffling to the line 👌🏽

Well done on finishing your first 👍🏽

[sallenson Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

I'd be scared to death of annoying you, hon. Perish the very thought. You'd come at me with an ironic emoji or worse I might even just throw in the towel and try airborne backgammon xx

[Tasha99 Graduate10 in reply to sallenson]

It’s desperation. I need every second I can get 😂

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done for trying it out Richard7. I am sure that every parkrun is different due to geography and the number of people taking part. Because ours is flat and wide it is quite inclusive. We have lots of children, pushchairs and dogs as well as some visually impaired and disabled. We also have our share of racers including various running clubs who wish to claim the highest speed. I really enjoy the community feeling of joining this happy throng each Saturday but I appreciate that it’s not to everybody’s taste. It’s far easier to step out of your door, run 5k and get in a shower. We need to set the alarm at 7.00 to allow our bodies to get ready and walk to the venue and always head to the cafe afterwards for at least a cappuccino but sometimes breakfast, so it takes most of the morning.

There are some people who do the run after parkrun has finished so I guess they don’t want to do It with others either.

The main thing is that you have tried something new and have a barcode should you wish to do it again.

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks for that .. we are indeed all different. I will definitely be doing more... just not as regularly as some 😀

[Langley-Loper Graduate10]

I can relate to everything you have reported! I have only done parkrun twice at my local, Maidstone. This goes along the river towpath and back again and in some places is really narrow, barely two abreast. There is no organisation at the start apart from the front 10 rows are for sub-20-minuters only. This time I started further forwards than the first time but was still weaving through VERY slow runners for the first km or so. When we got to a puddle it was back to walking for a while as so many people minced around the edge, even though the starter had asked people to run through it to avoid a log-jam.

My next closest is Malling which is a wider path and less participants so I am tempted to drive the extra 4 miles or so and give it a go.

I know these aren't true races for 90%+ of participants but I do feel some markers of where to gather at the start would be useful. I will never get a 5k PB at a parkrun if they are all like Maidstone but I know that's not their real purpose.

It was great to see again people of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities out in the fresh air on a Saturday morning. I wish my family would come and do it with me at their own pace but they say no

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to Langley-Loper]

You comments are great .. I think mostly I was testing it as a race against myself as I wanted to see what my flat 5k time would be. But was glad that at the end I settled down into less of a race. Still a good time for me ... but not a PB and I think you could be right about not getting a PB at ParkRun at least not from the times that they release until I am doing 17 minutes ... And that's never going to happen 😀 ... And I mean never!

[sallenson Graduate10]

Well done, Richard. Another rite of passage negotiated. And refreshingly honest too.

Some people really love them, some don't, some just do them when they feel the need. Whatever works for you is great; they're your runs, not anyone else's. Do it if it's enjoyable eh?

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to sallenson]

Ooh yes it had to be done.

[sallenson Graduate10 in reply to Richard7]

I'll get there too. Hopefully. If I get off this sodding IC. All this proper English Summer weather over the last week or so and I'm just limping around like Quasimodo wittering about my hip and "The Bells"...

[Richard7 Graduate10 in reply to sallenson]

At least you have the bell ringing 😎 .. hope you get off the IC soon