Finally... a first... a last... and a heck of a lot of faffage...

[Oldfloss]

Or... davelinks ...this one was for you!

Three years on.... having run solo for all my runs, except three... one with my lovely son in law... one with my daughter and one with our own Anniemurph ...

...Finally, today...I completed my very First ever Park Run.

The last Park Run of 2018, in Stafford .

...First Park Run

A slate grey sky, a misty morning.

Awake at six, as day was dawning

Up for a cuppa, gear all ready

Totally focused, for slow and steady.

Son in law arriving, right on time

Getting to town to make the start line.

Butterfly tummy, a bit of a dither

So many people all crowded together!

Instructions given and the welcome part

Then everyone bustling towards the start

Bottle neck junction , a bit of a crush

What am I doing here..someone gives me a push.

Then we are moving, and spaces appear

My legs seem to know what I'm doing here

I'm running, not thinking , just taking my time

My best boy beside me, he'll keep me in line.

All shapes and sizes, and all with a smile

Before I know it we've done the first mile

It all feels quite strange, just think of the run.

My boy quietly supporting, we're so nearly done.

I manage the last lap, with a short burst of speed

The finish line's there and that's all that I need

My heart is still racing, the bar code is scanned

The boy says, "Well done" and squeezes my hand.

It was slow and steady, what else would you bet?

My Garmin... well, eventually, it did get set!

Second female in my age group.. there was only us two!

Not a bad time for something so new.

I have to be honest, I was not sure how I'd fare

But the feeling of oneness, is certainly there.

I love my lone running, but this much is true

A few other Park runs I'll certainly do

.

So, Davelinks it took me three years to get here.

You have my permission to give a loud cheer.

I did it,enjoyed it. And this fact I will share,

It's true, slow and steady, really does get you there!

It took long enough!! xx

[Millsie-J]

Whoop whoop whoop! Xxxxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Millsie-J]

I did it! xx

[Millsie-J in reply to Oldfloss]

You did, and with great style xxx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10]

Hurrah! I gave a big cheer!🎉🎉🎉

Well done Floss... I knew you would be fine...and congratulations on your first Parkrun. Getting a feel for what that HM will be like.

Super poem too, as usual 😊xxxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

I got there... it was slow... and Matt never left my side.... there were a lot of folk... 280.... ! I burned so much in nervous energy before we even started and went off too quickly to get out of the crowd...but Matt was there... to look after me!

I have done it and know now what to expect... thanks you xxx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

That was lovely of Matt, and that's a lot of people on your first one!

I'm glad you enjoyed it...I feel you should wear an 'Oldfloss' T shirt so people know who you are and clear your way. 😉

No pushing our heroine (grey snail)

😊xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

He just insisted... and I was glad of it.... he could have run it twice over... but he was just there. J is getting me an Oldfloss T shirt.. with a snail logo !!! xxx

You are so kind xxx

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Congratulations Floss on completing your first 5k Parkrun, you have described your run in prose, I am sure ButtercupKid will be very pleased about that. The first line says 2108, should that not be 2018? 😀.

Unfortunately there are no parkruns anywhere near to where I live but I do still run a bit and will do more runs coming up to my "runiversary" of starting C25K in April. I wish you a very happy running New Year for 2019.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks you... I have found time now to get back to my rambling and my rhymes... This is a new Park run near me and I shall use it again I think... x

[DebJogsOn]

Well done Floss! I am in awe. As a 'lone' runner the very thought of a park run makes me edgy!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to DebJogsOn]

It was a bit scary.... but I know now what it entails.... I am a lone runner at heart, but, if I am doing the HM I need to get used to crowds! xxx

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Fantastic poem OF, I was there with you in spirit!

So glad you enjoyed parkrun, and I hope there will be many more in your future! Well done! 👏👏🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you.... I always take the forum friends with me xxx

[Madge50 Graduate10]

Wha hay! Floss, fabulous! Well done, and welcome (at last!) to the parkrun family 👏🏃‍♀️......it will always be there for you....whenever you want

Big hug... 🤗,

Well done fellow snail 🐌........you did it! 💪

Mx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Madge50]

Thank you so much...it was a real first... and not easy,, give me 10K across the fields any day.... but... I shall do another one... xxx Took me long enough..but I got there! xx

[Madge50 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

I forgot to say........well done fellow snail.,.....and parkrunner...🏃‍♀️💪

Mx 🤗

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Madge50]

Thanks you xxx Snails Rock!

[Sadie-runs Graduate10]

Brilliant! Well done Flossie. 👏👏👏 I wonder if it will take me 3 years to get to Park Run? 🤔 xxx

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

Go Sadie, you will love it 😍

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

I think I am an exception... I did have plans but injuries got in the way.. and then just nerves... I am not a crowd person!!! When the time is right..it will happen, if you wish it xxx

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

I haven't done one either!😆xx

[Sadie-runs Graduate10 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

I am not a crowd person either, but love running, so wonder if that will eventually win out?! 😁 xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sadie-runs]

It maybe will.... I just knew I needed to do this before my HM.. so I will do a few more...Once I was away from the start, folks do start to spread out!

[ChrisAllen1 Graduate10]

Brilliant post as ever and a brilliant run x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to ChrisAllen1]

Thanks you... I think I used more energy before the run than in the run ! xxx

[Flaraflarkin Graduate10]

Love love love this!! And Stafford!! I have family there and never knew there was a Park Run there!! I'm there in Feb 😬😬

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Flaraflarkin]

Then... we have a date to run together... PM me with your dates please? xxxx

[Flaraflarkin Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Yesss!! Most definitely xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Flaraflarkin]

It will be awesome... but I am slow xxx

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Way to go Oldfloss! I would have loved to have been there with you this morning. Very well done to your son-in-law. And I hope it’s not 3 years until your next one.

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🐕🚶‍♂️🐌🚶‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

You were... I take all of you with me xxxx....my lovely son in law is fast... he could have run it in 20 minutes, but he never left me....he even let me finish before him....I think I will be there next week!

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

The way one surely must reply🗣

Is using verse - at least to try🙄

Parkrun does become a habit 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃🏽‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃🏽‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃🏽‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃🏽‍♀️

A good one though, so you should grab it 👍

We know you think your snail is slow🐌

But you both did it - way to go 🥂

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

That is brilliant... thank you! x

[lexi6 Graduate10]

Yay! OF to your fab poem and first parkrun. Another notch in your fitbelt 👍 x oops! mean flipbelt

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to lexi6]

Thanks you... a milestone for me!!! x

[Razouski]

🎉🎉🎉

What a fabulous post,

You enjoyed your park run.

I find them quite stressful,

But you had lots of fun.

You're slow and you're steady

Not as speedy as some,

But you finished in good time

So impressive, well done.

x x x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Razouski]

Thank you... it was a challenge.... but now I know... I can say I know what it is like....I intend to go again and take it at my ease... it was all the unknown... now it isn't!!! xxx

PS

We love our rhymes.... clever you xxx

[Katnap Graduate10]

I agree with UpTheStanley

Replies should be in verse

Keep running slow and steady

At a pace one can converse

🎅 Xmas Katnap 🎅

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Katnap]

So true my friend.... so true! xxx

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10]

You are back in full form! Another great Oldfloss poem 💕and Congrats on your first Parkrun 🎉🎶🎺

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

Thanks you... I an so tired, I feel like I ran a Marathon.... but... yes.. a huge milestone for me and a dragon slain! xxx

[SaskAlliecat Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

I imagine they could be quite tiring - the extra push to go faster, running with all those people, the relief of slaying that dragon! I wish I had a closer parkrun; they sound like they can be quite an experience. My closest is 2 1/2 hours away and the next is 5 hours away, but maybe someday.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SaskAlliecat]

It was just the number of folk in a small area...... I was over-breathing before I even ran... I think next time I will be more relaxed...I kept my steady pace, although starting faster to get out of the crush was not useful!!!

This is a new park run and it was only the fourth run for them... but well attended!

I am glad I did it and will do some more.. as I think the HM in March will be a shock... but.. folk do say, in the HM, folk string out pretty quickly!

[RunBrianRun Graduate10]

Brilliant! Well done! 💪💪👍👍🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to RunBrianRun]

Thanks !!

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Well done to you Oldfloss! I am so pleased that you enjoyed it! Congratulations! 🍾🥂🏅👏🏻😊🎉👍☀️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♀️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Very different and a real milestone for me... I am not fond of crowds! Thank you...

[Jennypenny2 Graduate10]

Well done on park run😁 I want to do a park run but don't won't to be the slowest🙄it took me 56min 5k..

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Jennypenny2]

Thank you... You won't ever be last .. the tail walkers makes sure of that I was not concerned about that, as I run 5K regularly... it was just the volume of folk... but.. I survived them Everyone was so helpful and friendly

[Jennypenny2 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

I might give park run ago then

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Jennypenny2]

If I can....you can...xxx

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Jennypenny2]

Our tailwalkers came in at over 1 hour on Christmas Day Jenny. The founder of Parkrun is delighted when the average speed goes down- it means they are reaching the people they want to reach .

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Same yesterday... the last runner came in at 1 hr 9 minutes... to huge applause!!! That was one of the real high spots!!

[Jennypenny2 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks for encouraging advise

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Brilliant Oldflosss! You are a star!x

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks you..xxx Hope all is well xxx

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Not on here too much at the moment - four weeks of flu and related illness! 😫 On the mend now but still coughing and feeling the effects of strained intercostal muscles (ouch!) Missing my running big time now and hope to be back out there soon!xx

[Empem Graduate10]

Hats off to you.I'm

[Empem Graduate10 in reply to Empem]

Hats off to you.Wonderful post.Still.a Parkrun Virgin but curiosity will catch up with me soon.Such a fun read.Thankyou xx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Empem]

Thank you..another one ticked off..

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

Welcome to the parkrun family. I really must run one one day... my stats are now ran 0 walked 1 volunteered 26.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Love it..I think I shall be volunteering more than running as my HM gets closer..as Saturday is not a day I usually run on!!. Go you xx

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

I’m looking at every other day constantly, so parkrun could happen every other week, but my plan doesn’t throw up 5k runs until what it sees as race day, so I’m gonna have to either run walk them or run into the start line.

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Hooray! Congratulations - I'm a lone runner too but parkrun does give you a sense of community I think 😀

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

It really does...it was tangible..

[davelinks Graduate10]

Well done floss! About blinking time too!😁 Although you're a lone runner I knew you'd like it, it adds just a bit more to the achievement and feel good factor. Parkrun doesn't have to be done every week(of course good if you can) so, your next Parkrun is on NYD?😀 you could possibly do 2 Parkruns then? I will be at PR on NYD with Sue, but I'm too slow like the 🐌 to be able to get around the course quick enough and get to another PR in time for the start, something I aim to change in the NY, oh! yes!

A very happy new year to you!X😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to davelinks]

I knew you would be pleased!!! I got there!!!

It was very different and folk were really friendly...and it was well organised... I may try another next week as there is not one here on NYD. I will feel happier now I know what and where

It is wonderful that you and Sue will be at yours!!!!! She has done incredibly!!!

A very, very Healthy and Happy new year to Sue and to you xxx

[Deals1 Graduate10]

Fantastic!! 👍👍

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Deals1]

It was very different!

[Irish-John Graduate10]

"My legs seem to know what I'm doing here"

Absolutely superb description. My hat is off to you, erudite and literate Writer, and great Park Runner now also

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Irish-John]

My lovely boy...thank you xxx

[Bridget007]

Yay well done! A first park run that’s brilliant and second in your age group too 😉 I might give park run a go in 2019! And I love the poem 😃

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Bridget007]

Yes... thanks... I did it because I really dislike crowds.. but with my first HM coming up in March.. I needed to get used to people! Thanks!

[Snuffy_T Graduate10]

🙌 yeah parkrun ! Great job, definitely worth doing parkruns for the HM.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Snuffy_T]

It is that or go and stand in a shop with the sales on.... EEEEKKKKK Yep Park Run is the choice!

[mountaindreamer Graduate10]

Glad you enjoyed the experience Floss! Parkruns can feel a bit busy (we missed ours yesterday, but it had over 500 people...) They’re always sociable and supportive events though, so a friendly way to get used to running surrounded by other people ready for your HM! 😊❤️❤️❤️

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

Indeed... the one at Hanley often has 400 +... This one is usually quieter Some super people there !

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

Ah...Hanley...places of my childhood! 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

I am afraid it has all changed and not for the better. This is why I have never run in Hanley Park. The Park was beautiful and on Park Run day is fine... but at other times..not a great place to be.

The local council have made very odd decisions regarding the development of the Five towns!

Stafford run is slightly nearer and much pleasanter...easier to get to and plenty of parking space

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

I still remember Hanley as the only place with many shops when I was little. I’d get taken there to the big shops by my Mum to spend pocket money I’d saved for family Christmas presents each year! 😊❤️

[Gran4z Graduate10]

Well done Oldfloss for running your first ParkRun 🎉, love the poem. Happy running 🙂🌻

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Gran4z]

Thank you... I needed to do it...I shall do a few more I feel sure..just something very different for me!

[nchunc]

Lovely 😊

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to nchunc]

Thanks you!

[Kezwah]

Well done Floss. I love parkrun, although I’m more of a Marshall than a runner of late. I usually run three times a week. And like you, I like going solo. But parkrun is a different animal and is fun. I’m injured at the moment, so am marshalling every week. Come to Northwich and I’ll cheer you on!!

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Kezwah]

Thanks you..great advice and an invitation! I shall be volunteering too I feel sure, when I get used to the form !

Hope you are off the IC soon!

[Hidden]

I was a bit intimidated by my first park run, but I'm going to do more when we move. i'm sure you and I will get used to it. And enough with the snail analogies: your slow and steady is my running flat out down hill! (well maybe I'm a BIT quicker downhill ... ) xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

We will... I feel happier about it after your helpful comments in other forums...I am intending having another go and have a few ideas to maybe help me along.. and you were right.... when the result came through, I was only 3 minutes slower than my normal 35 minute happy 5K pace

Have you run today yet?

[Hidden in reply to Oldfloss]

No - into Oxford first, then run later. Last day. Two days rest then i think xxx

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Well deserved too...Strength exercise for me today..😉

[CatMo13]

Congratulations, I loved reading your poem, brought a tear to my eye! I didn’t realise you’d not done a park run, me neither and it’s a year running tomorrow for me. I really want to do it and am even more inspired to now- thank you Floss 🥳🙌

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to CatMo13]

Thank you...I am going to try another one this Saturday too...new adventures.. Well done you!

[CatMo13 in reply to Oldfloss]

There’s no stopping you now ! I will wait till I’m back up nearer to 5km - a long road but I will get there 😁