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
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Oldfloss
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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
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
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.
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
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
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!
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.
🏃♀️🏃♀️🏃♂️🏃♀️🐕🚶♂️🐌🚶♀️
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate 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!
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
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.
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!
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
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 .
OldflossAdministrator60minGraduate 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!!
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
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.
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!
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
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! 😊❤️❤️❤️
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
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! 😊❤️
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!!
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!
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
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
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 🥳🙌
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!!! xxx
Finally, my very first sub-30 5K!!!!
At last my first non-stop 10k! 
The forum has a lot to answer for
Still consolidating, heck!
