I think I get too excited

After scheduling two non run days to prepare for todays Parkrun I got out of bed excited for another run and at a new location.

The weather was perfect and the surrounding forest magnificent.

My goal for today having learned how to run slowly was to take it steady and aim for a 35 minute run.

With my daughter, we started at the 35 minute marker and off we went. In order to get my own space I ended up overtaking quite a few and thought I was doing really well. Then my NRC app bellowed in my ear the first km was done at a pace of 5:48. Oh Lordy, here we go again.......... way too fast.

I managed to slow down to 5:57 for the second km but this was still a full minute faster than my usual pace.

Shock of all shocks, at 3km I was huffing and puffing like an old knackered engine up the forest hill track. At this point a man and his dog strolled past me. I was relieved to see he had the words "Llanberis" on the back of his shirt indicating that he and his mutt must dance around Snowdonia for fun so a stroll around the Midlands would not be a problem to them 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣. I mentally applauded them both.

By 4km, once again all semblance of form had gone out of the window and I was by now running like Mr Bean. Again!!

The long stretch uphill to the finish was tough but I managed somehow without stopping.

I really need to slow down. I think I just get too excited at Parkrun.

At least I managed to be 50 seconds slower than last time but that was probably due to this course having inclines more than self control 😅

My splits ended up at 5:48; 5:57; 5:55; 5:55 and 6:07.

Maybe I should just accept i can't control myself at Parkrun 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

#Loveit.

I cannot believe that I have basically got off the couch to do C25k and then turned into a running junkie. So addictive.

Have fun everyone 👍

[acountrycabbage 60minGraduate]

I’m sorry you struggled but this was a highly entertaining post! 😄 You reminded me of racehorses when they’re excited to leave the gate and there’s no holding them back!

I’ve not experienced the joy of a Parkrun before but on the rare occasion I’ve ran with other people, something switches in my brain that makes me run faster than what is sensible! 😅

Like you say, maybe it’s just how it is 🤷🏼‍♀️

As long as you’re enjoying yourself, that’s all that matters 😃

[Hidden in reply to acountrycabbage]

I am a racehorse 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Thats what it must be 🤣🤣🤣

[acountrycabbage 60minGraduate in reply to Hidden]

Maybe have your daughter lead with a carrot next time to see your reaction 😄

[Hidden in reply to acountrycabbage]

Oh my days, that just made me splurt my tea all over my phone 🤣🤣

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

I have only every done one Parkrun but don’t think you need to feel bad about your speed …go for it I say!! Parkrun is there for however you want to use it - socialising, steady run, on your own or with a friend - or just you against the clock! I think the mix of runners is what makes it special.🙂

[Instructor57 Graduate10]

Haha great run and post !I have yet to do a parkrun and one of the reasons I haven't is because I know I will get drawn in to going faster than I should 😁

But perhaps I'll give it a go soon 🤔😁

[Hidden in reply to Instructor57]

It is very addictive, especially to people like me who have no self control 😀

[limberlou Graduate10]

Weirdly I seem to be one of the few who find ParkRun daunting. Ive done one run and hated every minute. Ive volunteered a couple of times and enjoyed that much more.

I hate the huddle at the beginning- almost claustrophobic, I started too fast like you then felt uncomfortable all the way round, there were so many “ 5k in 10 minutes” runners that thundered past me as though I shouldn’t have even been on “their” Park, then although it was my fastest 5k ( 37:42) I was the last one finishing and most people had gone home and they were packing stuff away . I felt like I was just holding the officials up and it put me off ever doing one again.

I read all these reports about the camaraderie, and how people chat and go for coffee at the end and basically there was me and about 3 other people with their coats on, waiting to go home. Most miserable run ever

And worst of all I didn’t even think 37:42 was that bad for an over 65!!!

[Hidden in reply to limberlou]

Sorry to hear about your experience 😢.

My first one i found quite daunting as I didn't know what to expect and looked on the previous results pages to see how many runners and riders usually turn up and then looked at how many finish roughly in my time.

Today, myself, daughter and her partner stayed with many others to cheer and clap through those behind us.

To see those runners striving to get round made me feel so proud for them that they had done it irrespective of time. They did it and deserved our support and recognition.

I hope they went home proud and happy.

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Sounds like a nicer parkrun to me

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to limberlou]

The experience is different from venue to venue. At my regular one it's not unusual for the last runner to come in at 55 minutes or more.

Maybe if there are other venues in the locality you might like to sample them.

The social aspect of parkrun is unfortunately not being encouraged at the moment due to the pandemic.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to limberlou]

Sorry that you did not like running at that parkrun, 37.42 is a good time for someone over 65, to be last with that time is unusual, at most parkruns there could be more than 50 running behind you, try another parkrun before giving up the idea to run at a parkrun.

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks my daughter has just suggested one a few miles away so I might try that one

[Runninggirl59 60minGraduate in reply to limberlou]

That is a good time fullstop. I'm too chicken to go on my own so we'll done to you 👍

[ArthurJG Graduate10 in reply to limberlou]

37:62 is a perfectly good time. To be fair to faster parkrunners, if they’re lapping you it only means they’re running faster, which is allowed: it doesn’t mean they think less of you or object to your presence 🙂 What was the tailwalker doing? One tip is to look for a one lap event so you don’t see the faster runners after the start 🙂

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to ArthurJG]

Never saw the tailwalker

[ArthurJG Graduate10 in reply to limberlou]

Tailwalkers are compulsory at UK parkruns and they always finish last. If you didn’t see one they must have been a long way behind you (which would be unsurprising, my fastest tailwalking time is 47 minutes and 55-60 is more usual). If it was an official parkrun and they operated without a tailwalker they could be in BIG trouble. It’s one of parkrun’s big slogans; nobody finishes last at parkrun. That’s because the volunteer tailwalker always finishes last. But as well as making sure no one is last, the tailwalker also has a safety role and you’re not allowed to go ahead without one at UK parkruns.

[Hidden in reply to limberlou]

I agree with you limberlou . Park runs for me just seem to make me nervous and although I haven’t done many I always lose my confidence and think that everyone is better than me. even though my park runs we’re in the 38min mark and like you with your time thought that that was quite a good time for an over 60.

Your time was brilliant. Perhaps there should be a park run specifically for the over 50s😂😂😂

[limberlou Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

O, I don’t mind the youngsters being faster. I was just disappointed that I was last in. Must have picked a bad week 🥴

[Hidden in reply to limberlou]

😀

[Ian5K Graduate10]

Ha, ha, yes!

Have you tried picking out a pace maker? There’s plenty to choose from. 😁 Just get behind your man or woman, going steady but slower than you would normally, and follow them around. Don’t have to stick with one throughout if you find they’re perhaps a bit too slow, or perhaps slowing down.

When you hit the last lap or kilometre, you leave them and just go! With fuel left in the tank. 🙂

[Hidden in reply to Ian5K]

Ha. Yes, I do that Ian but I always seem to pick the wrong ones 🤣🤣

On my last one I selected a senior lady (we had a laugh afterwards when I asked her to slow down to pace us young uns. She was 72 and like us started with C25K 6 years ago). Truly an amazing lady. And too damn fast 🤣🤣🤣

[ArthurJG Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Alan I’m genuinely interested to know how you pick out the wrong pacemaker? Do they not run to the pace marked on their vest? (I know some don’t always get the memo about running that time at an even pace.) Or do you mean you just pick a random person to follow?

[Hidden in reply to ArthurJG]

I'm not sure they have official pacemakers Arthur? This is simply selecting a random person doing the run who looks like they are going your speed.

[ArthurJG Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Ah OK. Many parkruns, but by no means all, have a pacer week once a month. Though now I think of it they are not allowed at present under the Covid protocol because they encourage runners to bunch together.

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Not all parkruns have pacemakers Arthur, but those that do aren’t allowed them at the moment under the Covid protocols.

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Ian5K]

That's roughly my strategy too. First km following someone going slower whilst I warm up, then I gradually move up the field picking another person to tail behind, then another.

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Brilliant run, love your descriptions, you really sound like you had great fun and that’s definitely the most important thing. Happy running 🤗

[Hidden in reply to Grannyhugs]

I just love it Grannyhugs. 👍

[Chesterlove Graduate10]

I do the same at Parkrun. I find it harder to get ‘my’ pace as you have so many people around you. I think I’ve found someone doing my pace and follow them but it’s not necessarily the case. With no one around I listen to my body more. I guess we should just treat it as our speed run and enjoy the achievement.

[Hidden in reply to Chesterlove]

That is a great comment Chesterlove and I think I will adopt that approach and mentally prepare for my Parkrun as my speed session rather than deliberately trying to force a slower run. Nice idea.👍

[GailXrunning]

‘Too excited’ but you did it! Bravo! I’m sure your regular practice will help you gauge your pace. One imperfect step at a time.

Btw I hope you went home and did your Plankathon challenge. 😉

[Sulley101 Graduate10]

I enjoyed your post very much! 😂 Speedy! I wouldn’t last 1k at that pace! 😁

[Hidden in reply to Sulley101]

I was huffing and puffing at 1km. Trust me. I'm not sure what happens to me at Parkruns. I go way to fast for my ability which leaves me totally exhausted.

On my own I will tootle along at around 7min/km which is just about right for me.

As you mentioned in another post, if we go too fast the harder the run becomes.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Whoop whoop Alan. Welcome to the world of parkrun, where targets appear before you and they just have to be conquered..

I consider parkrun to be my speed run of the week but have never been able to achieve sub 30. I just try and beat that PB attached to my name. Sub 30 with hills is something to be proud of, so rejoice!

Sometimes I run with a friend just to enjoy the occasion, but left to my own devices - say no more.

[Hidden in reply to Dexy5]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 those damn targets which keep surfacing 🤣🤣🤣

When I said hills, we're probably talking more gradual inclines which in my mind and state of running distress at the time were like running up Nepalese mountains 🤣🤣🤣

[UpTheStanley Graduate10]

Alan, if you’d started with the 30 minute boys, where you obviously belong, you wouldn’t have had to sprint to find space, could’ve taken 6 mins at a steady pace for the first k and either finished easily in 30 mins, or, more likely, pushed at the end and gone close to 29.

Those are great splits for a hilly course you don’t know. Your 35 minute parkruns are history now! 😀

[Hidden in reply to UpTheStanley]

Thinking about it now, you probably have got that spot on in that I should have started a little higher up the field and maybe had a more casual start and conserved a bit of energy.

So much great advice on this forum.