Park Run

[CrazyDogLady19]

Hello

Well this morning I did my first ever Park run!!!

It’s took me weeks of looking at the site mulling it over but today I did it!

Things I wasn’t prepared for:-

1) it was 3 x a circuit and a lot of uphill (a lot of my training has been either on a flat or very gradual incline)

2) Running with other people, being over took, very occasionally overtaking 😂

3) The support, at least four runners told me I was doing well and to keep going even as they literally lapped me.

4) The overwhelming sense of accomplishment. 12 weeks ago I COULD NOT run for 5 mins. I felt so emotional finishing.

I couldn’t recommend it enough, 3 hours later im still smiling 😊

[SeeJillRun 60minGraduate]

Isn’t it lovely when other runners are so supportive, they often comment as they pass me 😊. Glad you enjoyed your first Parkrun 😃

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to SeeJillRun]

It’s so nice, certainly did or I enjoyed finishing 😂 either way can’t wait to do it again!!!

[TailChaser Graduate10]

Well done Crazy! Congratulations on the start of something amazing! 👏👏👏

I had exactly the same feelings as you one year ago today and if it hadn’t been for this damned cold 🤧 I’d have been running it this morning and celebrating a bit more! Even if you’re injured or feeling poorly you’ll always feel part of the family (I’m writing today’s run report instead).

It’s what Saturday mornings were made for 😍

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to TailChaser]

Thank you, hope you’re feeling better soon. What an amazing group of volunteers you are too! I promise I will do my bit ☺️

[TailChaser Graduate10 in reply to CrazyDogLady19]

It’s worth it Crazy, you meet so many lovely people x

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Welcome to the parkrun club CrazyDogLady19, I’m afraid your Saturdays will never be the same again.

If you go onto your local parkrun page, it will also have a link to those close by. If you click on each location you can look at and read a description of the course. Also if you look at the results page you can see when the Tailwalkers come in , which will give an idea whether walkers take part too.

Keep parkrunning

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you for the tip! I’ve just had my official result under 39 mins 48 secs absolutely over the moon ☺️ Previously ran 5k in just over 41 mins, so with all the uphill struggle I’m really happy.

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to CrazyDogLady19]

That’s brilliant, well done.

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10]

Congratulations! 🍾🥂🏅🏃‍♀️🤸‍♂️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♂️🏃‍♀️🤸‍♂️👏🏻👍🌟 💥⚡️🎉😊 May the glow last and last!

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you, I’m so happy. Leg aching is just starting tho 😂😂

[over61andstilltrying Graduate10 in reply to CrazyDogLady19]

Oh! I do hope that it doesn't last long. My back went ping in the garden, today. It is not just running that gives twinges. Get pain free soon. Soak in the bath, perhaps?

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thank you I will, hope your back is ok! I’ve rediscovered Epsom salts so I’ll have a soak ☺️🛁

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

Great job... welcome to the parkrun family. You’ll love it more next time when you know what to expect.

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Thank you, very much looking forward to next time and not being the newbie, clutching my barcode 😂

[Happyrunningfeet]

Well done. That's a great achievement. Now u have done the first one which is always the most daunting. You now know what to expect next time to go.

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to Happyrunningfeet]

Thank you, I’m looking forward to it 😊 x

[Deals1 Graduate10]

Excellent 👌 👌 👍

Well done

Be warned tho u may get addicted!!

😂 😂

Enjoy your celebrations

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to Deals1]

😂 there’s worse things to be addicted to I suppose!! Looking forward to a glass of red tonight, surely I’ve earned it!!

[Franglaise Graduate10 in reply to CrazyDogLady19]

Very well done...im a parkrun virgin and yes, defo earned a glass of red ...enjoy.

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to Franglaise]

Thank you and cheers!! 🍷🍷x

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Fantastic CDL! I’m so glad you enjoyed your first parkrun. It only gets better!

Do you run with your dog? Mine loves to accompany me and she’s quite a celebrity! 🏃‍♀️🐕😩

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I have a Shih Tzu, her walking style is sniff and stroll 😂 so she’d not enjoy it. I home board dogs so looking forward to getting out with some of my hyper spaniels later in the year ☺️ I notice you have a beagle ....ADORABLE!!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to CrazyDogLady19]

Aww a Shih Tzu! ❤️ Yes, I’ve never seen one of those running! It would be great to run with a spaniel though - they’re always game for a run aren’t they? 😀

Actually mine’s a Lab. She’s a petite little working Lab and loves to trot alongside me. I’d miss her if she wasn’t there with me each week, although there’s one PR I no longer take her to, as there’s a 2k stretch of rocky path which she doesn’t like and we’re asked not to run on the grass. Still, I only do that one occasionally so most weeks she’s able to come! ❤️

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

On I’m sorry the profile pic looks like a beagle. Aww a lab gorgeous dogs I have about 4 who come and stay old and young....I love them!!! X

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to CrazyDogLady19]

They’re certainly lovely. ❤️ My previous 2 were walking stomachs and would eat anything and everything! My current little girl is only interested in chasing balls and sticks. She’s the easiest dog I’ve ever had and she loves running with me! 🏃‍♀️🐕❤️

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Aww how wonderful a hobby you can share .... just brilliant!! 🐕🐕

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to CrazyDogLady19]

❤️❤️

[seaspaniel in reply to cheekychipmunks]

On all the parkruns I've been on the dogs never seem to run. They seem to keep pace with me with just a fast walk!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to seaspaniel]

When I first began doing our parkrun, which has a few hills, my dog used to literally walk next to me! The shame. Her walk was the same speed as my snail-like run! 😅😅 I’m slightly quicker nowadays, but I remember the embarrassment like it was yesterday! 😅😅

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10]

Congratulations! I did my second parkrun today and it is a wonderful thing. I am really slow, much slower than you, but I am so pleased that I did it and ran it all the way. People are so kind and encouraging and it is great to feel part of something. Hope you have many more !!

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to Gwenllian1]

So glad you’re enjoying it too, you’re right the times irrelevant we’re only in competition with ourselves and the distance covered is the same for us all, it’s just lovely to be involved ☺️

[Tezza110 in reply to CrazyDogLady19]

Well done! Finish lines, not finish times!

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to Tezza110]

Love that mantra!! 🙌

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

ParkRun rocks 😍

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

👏🙌😬👍

[Fabulous450 Graduate10]

Fantastic CDL!! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽! You certainly have lots to smile about! So glad you enjoyed Parkrun. Well done!! 🤩🤩🤩❤️

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to Fabulous450]

Thank you!! You too ☺️👏👍🙌👏👏👏

[Becky6426 Graduate10]

Congratulations! It's the best feeling isn't it! I did my first parkrun yesterday too and I was blown away by the support! 520 turned up to run and a huge range of abilities, some finishing within 20 minutes....... What is that all about?

Well done you! That's a good time for your first park run, especially if there were hills involved, they don't make it easy! 👏👏

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to Becky6426]

Thank you Becky, it’s really great isn’t it. I know 20 mins unbelievable....are you planning your next one?? The scale is unbelievable isn’t it!

[Becky6426 Graduate10 in reply to CrazyDogLady19]

I normally work Saturdays so getting to the parkrun is a struggle for me, I ran a 10 last week and felt so good after that I signed up to a half marathon the end of next month so training is underway to complete that at a nice leisurely pace 😬

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to Becky6426]

Wow amazing, that’s fantastic!! I hope I’m stepping up to your level in the months/years ahead. So inspirational to hear about!! ☺️🙏🙌

[Becky6426 Graduate10 in reply to CrazyDogLady19]

I'm sure you will, I'm not fast and don't look the part but I'm enjoying making the distances and proving myself wrong. Always said I couldn't run but now it's never say never😊

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to Becky6426]

Fantastic attitude, in sure you 100% of the part. 🤞 I’m 40 in March next year would love to think I could run 10k by then ☺️

[Millie8015]

Fantastic, well done. I've been looking at my nearest one and will definitely sign up once I'm a bit closer to your time

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to Millie8015]

I wouldn’t wait, there’s people that walk just go and enjoy it, I’d really recommend. That way you can build up. 95 of people were faster than me but it really didn’t matter ☺️X

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Congratulations on your first parkrun! Sounds as though you may be hooked!👍😀

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

I hope so!! 😂🤦‍♀️👍

[Zara2017]

Wow! well done, such an achievement. Time for you to celebrate... then prepare for another one haha. Enjoy x

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to Zara2017]

😂😂 thank you x

[Cloudbuster Graduate10]

Congratulations! You'll be addicted to parkrun now. Glad you enjoyed it 😊 x

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to Cloudbuster]

Everyone is saying this, sounds like a lot of you are speaking from experience and already gripped by this addiction. 😂😂 The first positive addictive behaviour I’ve ever had!! 🤦‍♀️😂

[lovefabric]

I felt exactly the same. I didn't want to do it for so many reasons, however I did my first one a few weeks ago, and have done three now. I couldn't do yesterday as I had a prior commitment, and was disappointed I couldn't do Park Run, so I guess I'm hooked! Well done you!

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to lovefabric]

That’s the thing isn’t it, once you’ve done it it feels bad once you can’t make it. The fact that it ticks off one of the 3 weekly runs is a bonus too ☺️☺️

[Anneep]

Well done! I have also done three and actually did my first “tourist” Parkrun yesterday in Wales and even, daringly posted on the Parkrun Facebook page. What took me by surprise having done my home one too is the huge boost of energy it gives me all day on Saturday and also the sense of community - it’s a lovely thing. I can’t wait to try all the ones local to me and volunteer too. 😊

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to Anneep]

I was busy looking up runs in Wales too, my Dad has a caravan near to Talacre I was trying to work out the closest, would love to do a tourist run!! Well done for keeping up the momentum. I promise I’ll do my bit on the volunteer work too those guys are amazing!!

[Anneep in reply to CrazyDogLady19]

I think there are a few in Wales but you might have to travel a bit, it’s definitely worth it though, an interesting hobby!

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to Anneep]

Certainly is I’ll keep looking, such a lovely place to run ☺️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

I'm really pleased it was a good and uplifting experience for you 😁

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to GoGo_JoJo]

Thank you ☺️

[theoldfellow]

Just remember you are running against you, the only time that matters is yours. You are running for the others just by being there, it isn't necessary to compete.

Great result though. Having some moving targets sure helps the motivation!

👏👏👏

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to theoldfellow]

Thank you for the advice, I know I’m going to try and not get hung up on the results. My main goal is to keep going ☺️

[Joster Graduate10]

Park Run is the best!!! Many congratulations - you will be addicted in no time. It’s fun, it’s motivating and it’s sociable.

You’ve smashed it. And you’ll be smiling all week. 👍👍👍🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to Joster]

Thank you so much!!! ☺️

[Rowers Graduate10]

That's brilliant I only did my first one last week. It was hilarious when one of the volunteers shouted "don't look at the steps". Had no idea they were going to be part of the run! I'm planning to have another go next week. Totally new experience for me too. I'm told that once you've done one, you're hooked so here's to more!

[CrazyDogLady19 Graduate10 in reply to Rowers]

😂😂 I was exactly the same, it did not occur to me that a lot of the running would be up hill! Here’s to more, enjoy!!