Any advice for first time Park Run

[Lablove]

Signed up for Park Run tomorrow (eeek!). Finished C25k earlier this year, I have run 5K a few times but never with others. I’m in my 60’s and it takes around 54 minutes to complete 5K.

Bit nervous to say the least about my very slow pace.

[Hidden]

Have a great time at Parkrun. It is a fantastic event. I have just completed two parkruns as a new C25k graduate too.

One big tip. Please go at your own pace. Dont let the adrenaline take over and go too fast and then struggle. Go steady and as slowly as you need to.

On both occasions I got carried away. I didn't mean to and went far faster than my ability. As a result I was completely shattered.

It is your own run rather than a race. If needs be you can run or walk.

Just have a fantastic time and remember speed is not important. Take it as steady as needs be.

PS Don't forget to take your barcode 👍

[Lablove 60minGraduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the advice, I’ll try and ignore the rest.

[nowster Graduate10]

Don't forget to carry a printout of your barcode. Although the new scanners can often scan phone screens, many places won't allow it. If it's on paper it might be a good idea to laminate it or put it in a small plastic bag so it doesn't turn to mush in your pocket.

Start near the back of the field and don't feel pressured to keep up with anyone. Go at your own comfortable pace.

On my first two parkruns I tagged on to someone going much faster than I was comfortable with and had to take walking breaks in the middle of the run. That said, they were my two fastest times.

Aim to arrive about 15 minutes beforehand.

There will be a "first timers" chat about 10 minutes before the start. They'll explain the course to you. Then there's a general chat from the run director a couple of minutes before the start, and finally there will be a shout of "go".

In some places the start "line" is a little way from where you assemble.

At the end of the run you will go through a "funnel" of cones and you're handed a plastic finisher number token with a barcode on it. You carry that to one of the scanners, who then scan that and your own barcode. Then you must return the token and keep your own barcode. Most places will want you to drop it in a bucket.

And finally, don't be afraid to chat with the volunteers or your fellow runners.

[Lablove 60minGraduate]

Thanks, that’s really good advice. Fear of the unknown I guess.

[Oldgirlruns Graduate10]

Think it’s all been said by others so I’ll just say follow the advice, don’t forget your barcode, say thank you to the volunteers as you go past and don’t worry about your time! There’ll be super speedy types, average speed runners, slow runners (that’s me!) and walkers. And enjoy yourself!

[Lablove 60minGraduate in reply to Oldgirlruns]

Thanks, I’ll let the group know how I get on.

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Just enjoy yourself! And there will be volunteers whose role is 'tail walker' so you can't come last! 😀

[Lablove 60minGraduate in reply to JonathanP]

Haha, we’ll that’s one consolation! Thanks.

[damienair Administrator]

Ah have a wonderful time. It is a beautiful community event. You can even walk it all so don’t feel under any pressure. We have a post every Saturday morning where you can give a little run report on your parkrun. Please join in tomorrow and let us all know how you got on. You will love it. I have not been able to run at a parkrun since just before lockdown. But tomorrow morning parkrun returns to the Republic of Ireland and I am so looking forward to being there to run my 74th parkrun.

[Lablove 60minGraduate in reply to damienair]

I certainly will.

[Ian5K Graduate10]

It’s a fun event and there’s no pressure to perform. You’ll enjoy it.

Though one thing I’ve notice is very few people warm up. About ten minutes before the start, there’ll be a first timers talk, then a talk for everyone, and then you assemble behind the start line and you’re off, in quick session.

So if you need to warm up, leave yourself time before the talks and keep moving while the talks are happening.

Did you know there’s a Parkrun app? Keep a record of all your parkruns and there’s some fun, lighthearted challenges too.

[Lablove 60minGraduate in reply to Ian5K]

Thank you, I didn’t know about the app, I’ll look for it.

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to Lablove]

It allows you to follow your park running friends too - providing they tell you their barcode no. 🙂

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Ian5K]

It's only available on Apple, not for Android.

[Ian5K Graduate10 in reply to nowster]

Go with the fruit!

That’s a shame, you’ll have to make do with google.

[Ginter Graduate10]

Enjoy the experience, talk to a many people as possible. Don't put yourself under any pressure and have fun. They will make you feel welcome.

[Lablove 60minGraduate in reply to Ginter]

Thanks, fingers crossed.

[Yesletsgo Graduate10]

A bit late in replying, sorry. I'm a similar age to you and have only done it once. This is because I got totally carried away, knocked 3 minutes off my PB...and strained an ankle ligament. That was over a month ago and I'm still not quite recovered.So my advice is simply to resist the temptation to get carried away. If there's anywhere that's more challenging than your normal run, walk it. Don't feel like you HAVE to overtake those two mums walking and chatting a hundred yards ahead just because you can.

Above all, just enjoy it and take it easy then you'll be able to do it again next week (unlike me )

[Lablove 60minGraduate in reply to Yesletsgo]

Sorry to hear about your ankle injury, hope you get back to running soon. Completed my run, little bit of a walk up a couple of inclines, but took everyone’s advice and went at my own snails pace.

[Yesletsgo Graduate10 in reply to Lablove]

Well done 😁

[hamit Graduate10]

Park runs are what you make them, walk, run or do hald stands. Lots of people enjoying themselves with just a hint of competition at times. The last park run I was third in my age group 70-75 very smug until I found out there was only three of us.😁 Just enjoy👍

[Lablove 60minGraduate in reply to hamit]

😂😂 yep, that would be me. Thanks for the positive comments.

[Katnap Graduate10]

How did it go?

[Lablove 60minGraduate in reply to Katnap]

Ok thanks, 49.17 which I was more than happy with. Walked on the inclines second time round I’ll definitely go again.

[Katnap Graduate10 in reply to Lablove]

If you want to, you can always do a dog jog (making wild assumptions based on your avatar name and image!).

[Lablove 60minGraduate in reply to Katnap]

I’ve thought of that, but she’s quite young (and strong), might end up in a bit of a tangle, still worth thinking about though.

[Katnap Graduate10 in reply to Lablove]

Once you've been a few times you could try volunteering and do Tail Walking to see how she copes with all the people before tackling a dog jog?

[Lablove 60minGraduate in reply to Katnap]

That’s a great idea, thank you.

[LottieMW Ambassador in reply to Lablove]

Check first that dogs are allowed. My local course is a “there and back” route, so dog runners aren’t allowed.

[Lablove 60minGraduate in reply to LottieMW]

Thanks will do.