Park run advice please: Hi, I’m planning to... - Bridge to 10K

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Park run advice please

Sammyyy profile image
14 Replies

Hi, I’m planning to take part in the park run next Saturday, but am very nervous as I haven’t run 5K yet, but am nearly there!

Can you advise me what happens if I need to stop running before the end.

Do people just stop & walk to the end?

Thankyou for your advice

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Sammyyy profile image
Sammyyy
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14 Replies
AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10

Yes they do just stop running and walk if they wish to at a parkrun, however, don't be nervous about going to a parkrun, you will be very welcomed, you can walk, jog or run, you won't be last, I hope you enjoy your first 5k Parkrun next week, good luck 🤞 🏃🏾.

Sammyyy profile image
Sammyyy in reply toAlMorr

Thankyou for explaining it more fully, I’m looking forward to it!

Rennur profile image
RennurGraduate10

Some people walk all the way. It is allowed to take a few walks during thev5K if you don't think you can manage running it all. It may give you time to get your breath back, rest any aches and avoid having to walk at the end. I walked some stretches so that my last 500K were my fastest.

Sammyyy profile image
Sammyyy in reply toRennur

Thankyou, that’s a good idea to maybe walk for a bit if needed, then run the final bit, thanks

nowster profile image
nowsterGraduate10

You're fine. I walked for short periods twice last week and once this week. You can walk a parkrun.

Don't forget to register and print out your barcodes before the event. Laminating one might be a good move if you can do that. Having multiple copies in different places could help if one copy gets damaged.

Sammyyy profile image
Sammyyy in reply tonowster

Yes, I’ve got my barcode ready, thankyou for your advice

Rennur profile image
RennurGraduate10 in reply toSammyyy

You can buy tags or a wrist band on the site too. My wristband is not very big but does the job.

Trecha10 profile image
Trecha10

I managed to do my first Park Run today. I was nervous and thought I might have to stop. But actually it didn’t matter. There were a number of people there who were running and then walking and then running again. There were others who were walking at a fast pace. Everyone was doing the run at their own pace and the marshalls were brilliant in encouraging everyone.

Just got for it and best of luck.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate10

Sammyy, it’s fantastic that you’re thinking about going to parkrun. Word of warning though, it’s very addictive and your Saturdays may never be the same again! 😅

Literally any pace is acceptable. People sprint the lot, some walk the lot, and there’s everything in between. Have fun, that’s the main thing. 😀

damienair profile image
damienairAdministrator

You will love it. Seriously you are worrying over nothing. Everyone can take part, able bodies, disable bodied and everyone in between. There is nothing which can compare to the brilliance that is parkrun. It is a pure community event, in the purest sense. My advice is, walk the first one. Then the following week, walk and jog, then the following week run, jog and walk. Then you’ll be hooked trying to improve upon your PB time. After that you are addicted and no Saturday morning will ever be the same again. Oh, and the rule is that every PB deserves a proper full post parkrun breakfast in the local Cafe.

Sammyyy profile image
Sammyyy in reply todamienair

Thankyou

Oldgirlruns profile image
OldgirlrunsGraduate10

Lots of advice already Sammyyy and I’ll add to it. Your can walk or run or do a mixture of both, which is what I did yesterday - the choice is yours and no-one is checking! There’ll be a first-timers brief beforehand which will give you all the information you need. Introduce yourself to a volunteer when you get there and they’ll point you in the right direction; I would recommend you get there at least 15 minutes beforehand. Your parkrun may have its own Facebook page - a lot of them do and because the COVID protocols have reduced the length of time the briefings can take to save people having to hang around in a big group, they’re now putting the brief on there the evening before. That’s worth checking too. Enjoy yourself!

Sammyyy profile image
Sammyyy in reply toOldgirlruns

Thankyou

Deals1 profile image
Deals1Graduate10

Ahhh don't worry about it.U can walk the whole thing if u like.

The only warning I have for u is that u may get addicted to 5k on a Saturday morning! 😂 Enjoy it and have fun. Oh and don't forget your barcode 👍👍

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