I woke up this morning.........running blues

[EB43]

I signed up to my local Parkrun over a year ago. I normally run on my own so hadn't felt the need to attempt one until today.

I woke up having not been able to run for a few days and having been in the company of the running gremlins for a few months now knew I'd need to get out this weekend. I ran through some of my usual routes in my head and realised that they all felt too isolating and for the first time ever I really wanted to be amongst other runners. So clothes on before I could change my mind. Brisk walk to the run site on the other side of town, gasped at the amount of runners waiting to run (I think it was about 370), newbie briefing and off we went. I've read so much good advice on these pages in the past so reminded myself that I didn't need to set off at the pace everyone else did (the first person back did so in 17:58!) And this was about my run and noone else's.

I normally run on hills at the start or end of my runs so a flat, albeit muddy, course was a nice change (thank goodness for my Brooks hybrids though).

I don't run with any gadgets other than my phone and decided I'd not bother setting my phone up so just went with the flow. Well I was extremely surprised that by the time I'd walked home the results were in and even more pleasantly surprised when my time was 31:30.

I really enjoyed today and whilst I won't go every week I will definitely go again when I need company. If you're wavering whether to join one or not it definitely gets the thumbs up from me.

[Buddy34 Graduate10]

So great you got yourself to parkrun and what a brilliant time. Enjoy the rest of the weekend 😊

[EB43 Graduate10 in reply to Buddy34]

Thanks. I really did enjoy it and have found myself already looking at when I can next attend so definitely not going to be a one off.

[Elisabeth3 Graduate10]

Congratulations on running on a parkrun and on your fantastic time!

[EB43 Graduate10 in reply to Elisabeth3]

Thank you. My runs have been very hit and miss recently so really happy with the time......but most importantly it was a nice run.

[Elisabeth3 Graduate10 in reply to EB43]

I understand your hit and miss.

I have been planning running for two weeks but the weather is so inappropriate (to me) that all I do is packing my running gear in and out. Maybe tonight...

[EB43 Graduate10 in reply to Elisabeth3]

Hope you managed to get out tonight but if not there is always tomorrow. 👍

[Debston Graduate10]

Well done, that's a fantastic time! I love running on my own but there's something fab about running with other people at Parkrun and feeling part of something.

[EB43 Graduate10 in reply to Debston]

Thanks. I've never been great at meeting people so groups like this are normally my idea of hello but the hellos and odd chats on the way round were lovely and I certainly felt welcome.

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Sounds like a fantastic run, well done on your first park run

[EB43 Graduate10 in reply to Grannyhugs]

Thank you. Definitely the right day to have done it. Still feeling that shine from having had a good run.

[Tasha99 Graduate10]

Wow that’s a fantastic time! Not that time matters 😊 A run is a run. Bet you felt fab after! Hold onto that post run feeling: it’s what keeps me motivated to run again when I struggle with demons.

[EB43 Graduate10 in reply to Tasha99]

Thanks. The demons have been having a field day recently so I take each run as a win whatever happens. I have felt good all day so it really did give me a lift.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

Sounds like fun well done that’s a fast time

[ju-ju- Graduate10]

It’s great to mix it up a bit....

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Well done! Glad you enjoyed it but warning - it can be addictive!😀

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Well done EB43. Well done for getting to your first parkrun. Warning ⚠️ parkrun is addictive

Edit: oops, that proves it. JonathanP says so too.

[Yogaandrun]

Sounds great, I like you run on my own and am not quiet sure about parkrun.

Maybe I'll give it a go

[linda9389 Graduate10]

Brilliant! It took me a year from printing my barcode to actually using it too 🙄

[Hidden]

Glad you enjoyed ParkRun and what a fantastic time. Well done!

[Hated2Run Graduate10]

Sounds good - though not sure about the ..blues bit - all sounds good to me and a good time too - nice one!

[Gwenllian1 Graduate10]

Generally running on my own works for me too. I've only done three park runs over six months or so but every time I'm surprised at how much I enjoy it!