Today at Parkrun I volunteered as timekeeper for a change of scenery and a much needed break from running. Since my holiday my run times have been slipping and it’s been really deflating realising how slow I am. My mojo for running has been diminishing every time I stepped out for a run recently.
Today whilst on timekeeper duty I got the chance to watch the 130+ runners as they went for their second lap and I observed their form, strides, breathing and compared against my own. For many it appeared running was effortless and they were enjoying it. Watching them inspired me to get out of my negative hole and just get out there the next time and take baby steps to making my runs as effortless and enjoyable as I saw from runners today.
I’m glad I took time out from parkrun today as I got a different volunteer experience and in return it offered me some magic to help me with my future runs.
Written by
JaoJao
Graduate10
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Glad your mojo is on its way back. Sounds like you need a no pressure run or 2. I’ve been running a series of new routes. I don’t measure distance before starting and don’t look at speed while running. It’s very liberating. Good luck
Well done to you JaoJao on volunteering at todays parkrun, it will inspire you to run next time in a more positive way.
Interesting looking at that time piece in the photo, I assume that's the type the timekeeper at all parkruns use. The top line reads 137, I assume that is the runner who came in at 137th place, the line below says 0.00.02.42?
below that 0.58.58.10 and below that, the bottom line reads 0.59.05.99
Well done on timekeeping today JaoJao. I’ve yet to brave it myself, but our PR often has upwards of 500 people, and I dread being the one to jeopardise their times by pressing the wrong button or something! Daft really as there are 2 timekeepers, 1 as backup!
Why not do some “naked” runs to take the pressure off? Leave your watch (or running app) at home and just run for fun, maybe try trails, hilly, flat, anything different to your usual routes. You’re such a positive runner, and I’m sure your mojo will return before long. 😀
Hi cheeky, you will not be surprised that so many people avoid putting their names down for timekeeping because they don’t want to mess it up!
Sometimes the instructions on the volunteer email is enough to put you off... “Press D, make sure number says 500, when the parkrun starts press A, then press B for every runner across the finish, then save the results by pressing A” ... today was my first time and despite my careful following instructions I managed to mess it up as the first finishers were coming through the line, it registered 2 extra button Bs when I know I did not press B any more than the number of runners, they then mentioned that sometimes the timers can be “sensitive” and it doesn’t matter they have registered the gaps manually on a clipboard and I should just continue.
I’m not sure I will register to do this again any time soon. But yes, they have backup timers and I suppose it wasn’t a problem in the end.
I volunteer as timekeeper quite often, it’s my favourite role. Our parkrun has switched to using the volunteer app for both timekeeping and bar code scanning, and in both cases it’s much easier than using the devices. There also isn’t the 500 results limit, which was causing our parkrun issues on busy days.
I volunteered today too. I love watching everyone go by and seeing the fast runners and then the walkers too who I never usually see. Bravo for timekeeping tho - I’m too scared to do it! Make 2020 the year you get back into running 👍🏽
Interesting Tasha99 what you say regarding seeing the fast runners but not so much the walkers, at one of the two parkruns I have ran in, the way out of the park after I have finished my run involves walking back down some of the course, I always cheer on the runners or walkers who are yet to finish their run going the opposite direction to the finishing point, usually the last runner with the tailwalker gets the biggest cheer.
I’m on a tight timescale usually- have to leave my son home alone so I dash back. It is nice to see runners and walkers of all paces and to support everyone. Mind the fast ones are the ones who don’t say thank you as much! Absolutely love parkrun 😍
The fast runners as you say don't say much, once they finish, usually sub 20 minutes, they usually run off towards their car and are gone in a flash, when I ran my first parkrun, as it was its 4th birthday, most of the runners who stayed for cake once the tailwalker crossed the finishing line were +30 minute runners, most of the sub 30 minute 5k runners were long gone and probably home and missed the cake, lol. 😊 🏃🏾
I think the steadier runners have more fun, is it a case of them and us, them being the sub 25/30 minute 5K runners and us being the +30 minutes joggers, we have begun a interesting conversation now.
I was a spectator in September at my local 10K, there were several pacers, varying from 45 to 70 minutes, once the run got going the 45 to 60 minutes 10K runners all left within a few minutes, however, after the last 60 minute runner had left the starting line, there was a 5 minutes interval before the +60 minute "joggers" began their 10K run, +60 minutes 10K relates to +30 minutes 5K, that is what I meant by them and us. 😊 🏃🏾
My target time for a new run (provided it's flat-ish) is always 25 minutes, but I'd hate to think I was one of THEM …… I'm usually amongst the last to leave and one of those clapping the tailenders in.
But I do agree that there's more fun to be had when I do a (for me) easy run "back in the pack" with a friend (or wife )
No, no, UpTheStanley, you are one of the most friendliest runners you could meet, you cheer and encourage all the runners who take part in all the runs you take part in, its some of those other runners who get annoyed at the slower ones getting in the way, particularly at events, of course some of the slower ones should start further back in a race.
So many people don’t put their name down for timekeeper role, it is the scariest role on the roster! Read my reply to cheeky above what happened to me xx
🤔 Sounds to me like they need a dose of attitude training by one of our lovely, positive Health Unlocked Administrators! 👍😄 Heavy grumbling at folks who volunteer is Bad Attitude. 😳
Not just annoyed at 1 second discrepancies but all worked up regarding their run, a few weeks ago I saw a runner who was very annoyed with herself for running the 5K parkrun in 33 minutes, her usual time is usually 32 minutes, she was really annoyed with herself, that is a case of taking parkrun far to seriously.
I'm always simply about getting to the end. Today I managed a fairly consistent pace and ran the whole way without walking and came in at 31;02. A couple of weeks ago I PBed at 28;15 but actually walked about 100m. This week's run was much more satisfying, simply because I managed to pace myself correctly. I know for some people it's about constantly striving to get faster, but for me it is really just having the best run I'm capable of on the day.
Sometimes just limping home to the finish after a less than stellar run can feel like an even bigger achievement than a PB. The real victory is simply in actually getting out and going for it regardless.
Well done for volunteering. Timing is my favourite role. I’m down to do that job myself in 2-3 weeks time.
Don’t be so hard on yourself. You can’t run at a high intensity every week. I trained hard all year and worked on speed and intervals. I got my parkrun time down from 36 minutes last January to 25:36 in August. But since then my finish times have crept back up. 2 weeks ago I finished in over 31 minutes and on Christmas morning at parkrun I finished at just over 30 mins, yesterday I ran in a 5K road race and finished in 28:06. This morning at parkrun I finished in 29:27. I’m just happy to be able to run 5K without stopping. I’m not interested at the moment in running sub 26 minutes for 5K as I know it takes months of Hard training to get there.
My aim for 2020 is a sub 25 minute 5K parkrun PB.
Just enjoy running, set realistic goals and best wishes for your running in 2020.
I haven't volunteered yet because I'm so rarely free on Saturdays so when I make it to a parkrun it is to get a run in. That said, as I'm what you might call a "middle order" Runner, I always stick around to cheer on those that finish after me. Often I'll get my coffee and go back to the finish to applaud the final finishers.
If/when I finally hang up my referee's whistle, I'll be free to do some actual volunteering and give something back.
I really love the timekeeper role, and am so happy for all those fast runners, who try so hard to be the first finisher every week. Most of ours do say thank you, but some are so out of breath they just raise a grateful thumb.
What seeing all at the end of the run has made me realise is that I am just not trying hard enough when I run - they all seem to be exhausted and often stop just over the line to pant a little (or a lot), whereas I am just keen to get my barcode scanned and head off home!
“Must try harder” was often in my school reports.......
I got my PB in August at parkrun and came across the line in 25:36. I almost got sick in the finish funnel. I had given it my 100% max effort. It took me a few mins to recover afterwards.
I thought someone was going to be sick 🤢 before I handed him his token this morning but he did manage to hold it back. I must say those at the front definitely give it their all.
No no no ……. you're a fairly recent C25K graduate, aren't you?
Yes it's fine to finish parkrun drained of all energy (but not, please not, to throw up in the finish funnel says my funnel manager persona) if you're a club standard athlete using it as part of your weekly fitness routine. And it's fine if it's one of those days where you feel great and the wind's in the right direction and you think "yes, today's the day for a PB". But otherwise, parkrun is a time for a fun run in the company of a bunch of people who just want to run 5k before breakfast on a Saturday morning. And if you do just happen to do it quicker than you've ever done it before ……. have an extra sausage or hash brown with your breakfast to celebrate
You've probably got things you need to do on Saturdays - wiping yourself out for the day by 10.00 am is not the best way to start.
It's a run, not a race ……. and thank you for volunteering so we can race …. no, run
Yes I actually have to start work at 11.00, a 20 minute drive away, and I also need to squeeze a shower in as well as breakfast, if I’ve run.
Of course us timekeepers have to wait for the tail walkers to come in too so I am always looking out for them to come over the hill to the finish so I can get away. Maybe I’m better off running, because I could get away after 36 minutes instead of 65 or so!
(Note to self - try a closer parkrun? Or just give up work?)
Volunteering is great- I cannot recommend it enough!
An "effortless and enjoyable" parkrun is easily available if you decide to run with a friend who you know is a couple of minutes slower than you, or (especially at this time of year) if you're a regular marathoner looking to run off a surfeit of turkey. But not if you're looking to improve your PB ….
For lots of people on here, their running experience since getting off the couch has been one of continuous improvement. Fantastic! But they're all now gradually getting closer to their ceiling - the level they would be at if they'd kept being active since they left school, or whenever it was they slipped onto the couch in the first place. So improving on PBs becomes harder and harder. And if one week does deliver a PB , the next is almost certain to be a comparative disappointment . You've got the Grad 10 badge - improvement from here is going to be hard (unless you're 16 or 17, maybe).
For me, it's a case of managed decline. I've always run, now I'm 68. Lifetime PBs are not going to happen . But if I can just get close to last year's season's best, I'm going to be happy . Parkrunning, I know if that's going to be on after the first k, thanks to Mr Garmin. If it's not, hey, there's always next week …...
@Upthestanley and I were handing out finish tokens today. It’s great to volunteer and be able to say well done to everyone coming in. 400 exactly today.
Oops I may be fired as Marshal. I was insisting that the first man home do a third loop today. I didn’t believe he had already finished. 😔
Glad you enjoyed your volunteering. I think that having the JuJu plan gave us structure and it’s easy to feel a bit lost and demotivated after that.
I like cheekychipmunks idea of just going out and running with no plan, doing hills (even if it means a bit of walking) to build up strength and stamina.
I think that will be my plan and will enable me to expand the area I can run.
I still have my 10 mile run in October to work towards so may find a half marathon plan to follow for as far as I need.
Once I have completed that I think I will be a 5k runner but I can see how keeping motivated is hard. I’m not getting any faster right now either.
It’s a good thing doing something different I’m happy you are getting your mojo back but honestly JaoJao just run for fun forget time as long as you are running you are still getting out and doing it some people only wish they could do what you can do so chin up you have got this and your fantastic take care and happy running XX
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…… I'm usually amongst the last to leave and one of those clapping the tailenders in.
to be had when I do a (for me) easy run "back in the pack" with a friend (or wife 
Good parkrun today !
Parkrun and qualifying run for Team HU
