Hello Everyone and happy weekend. Today is parkrun day, a free 5K event which takes place every Saturday morning all around the world. It is for everyone, slow, fast, able, disabled, big, small and everyone in between. Oh and don't forget about the super Mum's and Dad's who push their babies in buggies. You can walk, jog, run, run/walk, it's not a race, just a run in the park and loads of us here on Bridge to 10K do it religiously every Saturday morning.
Some of us may not be able to do a parkrun at the moment so until parkrun returns fully for everyone some of us will continue to take part on our own in a Virtual parkrun every Saturday morning called a (not)parkrun. Or if you are away on Holidays, prefer to run on your own, or do not have a parkrun close by you a (not)parkrun is perfect, please feel free to join in.
Please post a little run report after your parkrun or (not)parkrun and let everyone know how you got on. The little run report can be done over a post parkrun coffee and treat/cake. (parkrun is all about the after run coffee and cake, and meeting friends old and new).
If you are a new graduate and would like to start, all you have to do is run, walk or jog at a parkrun or a 5K run/jog/walk (not)parkrun anytime today or tomorrow and write a little run report under this post. It's like a little community and it is good fun, sets you up nicely for the weekend. If you want to you can register on the parkrun website and you can log your 5K (not)parkrun. In fact you can log any 5K done during the week as a (not)parkrun.
For anyone whom has not done a real parkrun yet and if it is available to you, give it a try. It is the most wonderful community event. Saturday mornings will never be the same again.
Looking forward to hearing from all of you who ran in real proper parkruns and (not)parkruns. Happy running and have a lovely weekend.
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damienair
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Hi damienair & (not) park runners and park runners,
Willie was 3 today so I didn’t want to leave him at home on his birthday. Running isn’t one of his favourite things so I thought attempting Park run with him was probably a bad idea. I did manage to run 4K with two poo stops for the lazy cocker who uses any excuse to have a break. You can get a printed t-shirt with a picture of a cocker spaniel on the front with the words Lazy is such a strong word. I prefer to call it selective participation. I should probably buy one to wear when we go running!😂
We just made it back in time to the park run finish line to cheer on hubby & no.2 son
No.2 Son came in 9th with another PB at 20:58. Hubby came in 38th at 25:13.
Well done to the 2 men, super running. Happy birthday to Willie and well done to you and Willie for the 4K including the poo stops. I’m looking forward to taking our 6 month old Cocker Spaniel to a parkrun when she is a bit older. Willie is a very handsome little guy, I love the black coat.
Well done all the RunWillie clan. I think that Willie’s approach to running shows what an intelligent dog he is. I could never take Molly on a run; first she is strong enough to pull me off my feet, secondly she loves people and would want to stop to be petted by her many admirers and third,I wouldn’t get her past the cafe where they feed her biscuits and sometimes even a sausage! Running and Molly exercise…..two separate things….but both fun. Great running by everyone, Willie included.🙂
Good morning Damien, no parkrun for me today but I did run what we call a "maintenance run", I ran 3K around the park near to where I live in nice sunshine, pleased with that run, all negative splits, 7.30/7.20 and 6.43, I did see one other runner going at about the same pace as I was, quite pleased with that run.I will be going to parkrun for the next 5 weeks with perhaps another day off leading up to my 50th official Parkrun on the same day, 9th July which will also be my home parkruns 7th birthday.
Hi Al. I have got into the habit of doing a 3k each week. I tend to use it as a quicker run to help my fitness; it also helps to boost the VO2 max! I get that you see it as a body maintenance exercise , helping to lengthen tight muscles etc. Good plan.
That's a good habit to get into Beachcomber66, running a 3K every week to help with your fitness.
During the winter months the least I ran a week was one 3K and one 5K run, that 5K I counted as a (not) parkrun, I have now ran 101 (not) parkruns, either as a 5K split of a longer run or just a 5K like all were during the winter months.
I am just getting back to running regularly after 5 months of injuries. A 3k, 5k and a long slow run increasing each week seems to be a formula I can stick to. I started swimming again last week (the pool has been o/c whilst they installed a green heating system). On my 5k the day after, I felt as though I had been fitted with new leg springs and had had a joint lube. Maybe I should swim more often!
I forgot to tell you BC66 that I intended to start my 3K run at exactly 9 o'clock, which I did, however, as the start of the run is a uphill two minutes walk from where I live, I usually leave the house with 4 minutes to get there before I start the run, this morning I left the house slightly late, at 2 minutes to 9, I walked fast, even running for about 10 seconds, I only had a two seconds break before the 3K began, I was completely knackered for the first 500 metres of the run but strangely enough I began to relax during the run and got 3 negative splits which must prove that running does help to relax some people despite what happened to me just before I began that 3K this morning.
Feels a bit like being late for school! When I resumed regular running, my breathing was a problem for the first 1k or so of each run but it then settled down. I have noticed on Garmin that my heart rate sometimes jumps a bit at the start of a run but then quickly drops back ..,.adrenaline rush maybe? Who knows 🙂
My lovely wife got me a night away tonight, so we drove down to my mum and dads home yesterday evening to both break the journey and deposit the boys and the dog for a day. So this morning I got up and went to the local parkrun which is along a canal. There was a small crowd of about 40 people, but a very friendly crowd and a very friendly volunteer team. I ran at my best, decided to give it a good shot and to refuse to give into a walking break. I managed it, and not only that I got a new post Covid parkrun PB and a PB for this parkrun of 28:12 according to my Garmin watch. I am delighted 😁. Happy running everyone.
Hi everyone! Conditions were perfect at Stratford upon Avon this morning, good temperature, not too sunny and only the gentlest of breezes. I had forgotten my headphones and was running without tunes so listened to the lovely sound of Marshall’s cheering and clapping instead. I started running and felt strong. After the first lap I was worried I might have set off too fast so eased back a little in case I did not make it home. On the last lap I was still going and noticed my times were still strong so managed to keep pushing to the end. As I crossed the line and collected my token I noticed my watch had not quite reached 5k so ran a little loop to the scanner. Strava has awarded me a 5k PB and a PB for the parkrun segment (and some of the section segments too) so I’m very happy. It will be interesting to see what the official results give me. Here’s wishing everyone else a beautiful morning, wherever and however your running or walking.
Well done Shakes, you’ve definitely got to keep running until you get 5k on your watch. In fact I do 5.1 to make sure it downloads to Strava with a 5k. 😂😂
Hi Damien. Another not Park Run today; I am not quite ready for the real thing again….or maybe I just lack the determination required to get up in time?
My 5k was a whole ten seconds slower than last week, for which I blame a group of people on horse back who were stretched across the trail, so I had to walk until they were past; I am not complaining though…they were lovely people and perfectly entitled to be there. Good excuse for my time 😉. So 33:17 it was, but at least the last lap was the quickest at 6:29. There was still some fuel in the tank at the end so all good. Flat white, brownie and then the cool down walk home.
Yes…..and the only thing I can do wrong is push too hard too soon. I was vaguely tempted to go for 10k on Monday coming, as it is the fourth anniversary of my starting C25k……but it would be daft. Another 8k or maybe a bit more will suffice.Bit of a strain being sensible though 🙄
I am sure that is right…..it is probably just as well that I can’t see myself running along…..probably like an old geezer in shorts who should be in a track suit 😂
After three Parkruns on the trot I volunteered today. 310 participants across the line at Lowestoft. I was on scanning duties, which I always enjoy as everyone is so happy and smiley by that point! Well done to everyone taking part today. Lots of PBs I see! Must be the good weather!
I’ve added a picture of me doing my (not) parkrun on Monday evening. I took a route through some fields which isn’t normally for me as I worry so much about rolling an ankle but I really enjoyed it and I think I may go that way again tomorrow morning on my next run. Happy Saturday everyone!
Four seconds slower than my PB which I’m very happy with. Maybe next week I’ll crack it! There were 856 runners at Southampton today and amazingly a runner in the category JW15-17 came third overall with an age grading of 89%. A great day for everyone looking at the posts here so far 🎉
I can actually reply to this for the first ever time 😊 I ran my first Parkrun with Tasha99 (who did her 125th) at Albert Park in Middlesbrough. It was so lovely to run together at an event and something I didn't really think I'd do. We crossed the line together ❤
Congratulations to both Tasha99 and you GTFC on running together at Albert Park Parkrun, I hope you you enjoyed your first parkrun although it wasn't Tashas first, (125), well done 😀 🏃🏾 👍
Determined to get sub-30 this morning at Portsmouth Lakeside after missing it by one second last week. At 232 finishers it was the largest field for a couple of months - a steady pace for me with every k around the 5.55 mark. A bit of a mix up with the finishing tokens somewhere - mine was number 224, but my eventual result was 124 and 29.45 (whew!). Countdown to 100 starts now - 94th today!
Well done. Mr C is skirting with 30 minutes on his own timing at the moment but the lengthy start funnel at home somewhat mitigates a regular under 30 official time.
Yay! Nearly there JP! Hopefully they will have your size in stock by the time you get there (not that I’m getting impatient for mine or anything…) 🤔 Congratulations on a very fine time, nicely paced 👍
Last week’s cold has cleared up, so back to RDing with Katnap again this week. Very sparse on the volunteer front and a couple didn’t turn up so we had to do a lot of juggling around. It all went relatively smoothly in the end, which was a relief.
Eldest kitten had volunteered for his local parkrun but unfortunately he slept in after having a bad tummy (he’s a student…who knows…🤷🏻♀️), so he, embarrassingly, was also a no show. I’ve told him to bring cakes next week to make up for it.
After parkrun youngest kitten and I had volunteered to do some litter picking with our local group so we plodded off to the other side of Stratford, litter picked, then walked home again. Long morning! Glad to get home and have a sit down with a bacon roll. Back to running next week 👍
It’s just as well he’s 150 miles away at the moment JP…😠 At the other end of the spectrum, youngest kitten stepped in for one of our no-shows and ended up doing 3 different roles!
Well done TC. Yes AWOL volunteers can be a problem as some roles are vital. But if they’ve got Covid-19 it’s good they’ve stayed at home. Communication would help though. At JonathanP ’s parkrun they’ve announced that they can’t start parkrun unless 3 people give up their run to help out. It works.
Thanks Dexy. Luckily eldest kitten was number checking, so not so indispensable. He’s going to get a rocket from me if he ever does it again. Ironically, I was going to call him to make sure he made it in this morning but I was too busy trying to juggle the roster around our no-shows.
Well done TC. Thanks for volunteering. I was meant to volunteer today, but a surprise night away changed that. I canceled, I will volunteer next weekend instead.
After spending the last few weeks doing some tourism (if driving no more than 20 minutes in any direction counts as such), I return to my "home" Parkrun at Vogrie. The intention was to take it easy as I'm supposed to tapering for Next Sunday's EMF Edinburgh Half, but for some reason, taking it easy, and Vogrie do not mix well together. Would have been happy plodding round at 30 minute pace, but instead did my third fastest circuit of the route in 27:37...
Anyway, two more "taper" runs; one tomorrow and one on Tuesday, then that's me until the main event. All going to plan, the HM should see me complete my 200km #MilesForMind challenge with a run to spare.
Parkrun #17 for me. They are different each week. This time we were visited by 2 fire engines plus Lester the lion. The idea was to inspire younger people to become more active and take up some form of exercise. I think it was a good attraction as there were 349 runners this week.
Hello damienair, parkrunners and (not) parkrunners, a cooler morning on arrival today but as always you get hot once you start running. UpTheStanley decided to have a recovery run after his efforts on Wednesday so guess what? He decides to run with me, while acting as a roving marshal pleading with everyone to run on the left, and shorten their dog leash.
This meant I kept a good steady pace at around 6.30, passing some of my peer rivals along the way. Then a tourist from Hull attached himself to us as pacemakers. UTS chatted while I saved valuable oxygen . Looking at Garmin, we unconsciously slowed a bit but with a spurt at the end I came in at 33:35. Pleased that I came in at 2nd in my age group (the 1st was uncatchable at 25:25), and man from Hull was so grateful that he kept running with us without stopping.
A late check in from me today. This morning it was a case of shall I, shan’t I? We were leaving for Cornwall at 11:30 and I really should make sure things were sorted at home.
So off to Clevedon Salthouse Fields I popped! 😂
Lovely run (35:39 Garmin, 35:51 official) and I was home in plenty of time. Good, I’m glad I got my priorities right!
Now for a few days to relax (the whole family of 10, plus dog? Is that relaxing!!) I have my running shoes of course …… ❤️
Have a lovely time away with your family and very well done one getting your priorities right for parkrun this morning! I did the very same thing and got away at 11:30 😂
Last week at Chadderton parkrun I got two insect bites. They didn't bother me on the day, or on Sunday morning (doing a solo HM), but by Sunday evening they were starting to get sore. By Monday they were painful and the infection was tracking. I didn't get a GP appointment until Tuesday afternoon, so treatment was delayed. I was recovered enough to do a short run on Thursday afternoon, even though they still looked bad. This morning I felt good enough that a parkrun was on the cards.
Pwllheli again as I'm visiting my parents today. I set off just after 8am. I got a phone call from my mum when I was almost there as she hadn't realised I wasn't still in the house.
A much bigger crowd than the last time I was here (37 rather than 19). The visitors are starting to come.
Different Run Director today. Same as the first time I was here. The one I met last time is marshalling for an ultramarathon this weekend.
A bit of a chat with the others lining up at the start. Very simple RD speech. We had a first timer parkrunner here today. Poor guy!
And we're off. The tide is out and it's really low today, but it's starting on the way in. The texture of the beach has changed since last time. There's a lot more firm sand today.
I misjudge it again and set off far too quickly. I'm barely warmed up and I'm already doing 5min/km pace. Bother! I didn't mean to do that. My natural stride/cadence is setting my speed and I can't seem to ease off.
I eventually reach the turn-around cone and the marshal protecting it. I decide to walk for a bit. I've almost caught up to a lady with headphones on, so I use her as my marker.
I start running again. I get to about the half way back marshal and decide to walk again for a few seconds. I'm going too fast for the conditions. I run again. And again slow to a walk as my pace has dropped anyway and my HR is a bit high.
I run again to get to the finish point. My plan is not to push myself really hard today.
I finish, grab the finish token, and catch my breath.
More chatting and clapping people in.
The tail walkers jog in and I disappear to do some shopping for my dad.
The first four finishers were all first timers here and all came in faster than 22 minutes. The lady with the headphones I'd been following came in 30 seconds ahead of me. There was over a minute before the guy following me came in.
Official time 27:49, a PB here (by 26 seconds). 15th out of 37.
I'd have preferred to start slow and not need to take walk intervals, but hey ho!
Beach to the east of Hafan Pwllheli. I dare you to spot the turn around point!
Not sure of my movements that far ahead. We do have three family birthdays around that time so will be round there at least one weekend in July. A lot depends on whether Herself is allocated weekend shifts.
Today I went back to PR after nearly a year (and then a year before that one). I didn't realise it was a club meet so I'm there on the end without my vest. Possibly if I'd realised it was a meet, I might not even have come as was hoping to walk most... Well this is a lovely park run in Amersham and this was it's 7th iteration. They are still fiddling with the start. At the moment it bottlenecks a little at the start as you have a choice of river or tree which causes much hilarity. There is a hell of a hill next to a field that is rather long but with lovely views. It then goes into a nice and cool woodland area and then a massive free for all downhill. Yes it's nice but then you have to do it again for the second loop... That includes the massive hill. I kept trying to remind myself that this was supposed to be a recovery run (on my rest day) and I tried to go slower but I couldn't actually go much slower Although the end downhill is such fun and such a joy. Realised pleased I went. Hope everyone enjoyed theirs too!
Perfect weather for a 5k yesterday here in North Kent, so out I went with a friend. It was sunny, cool with a light breeze and we ran along a lane or two, across fields, sometimes climbing styles but carrying on in running mode. Through woods with the overwhelming waft of wild garlic as we brushed past the green leaves and pretty white flowers.It felt good as always and I was pleased to get through this run as I hadn't been running for 2 weeks. I will probably repeat it tomorrow if I can. I must add that it's a nice surprise that today I'm not aching, so my body seems to cope well with the demands of running nowadays. I also do regular exercise classes which helps banish DOMS. My Garmin charger has been misplaced at home, so not sure of time, but it was slow and steady.
Well done everyone for all of your 5ks - what a great way to spend a Saturday on a sunny Spring day, pure medicine for mind and body and no prescription required!
Hi Damienair, I did my park run yesterday and I was super happy with my effort. I am still consolidating after graduating a few months ago to 5K on the C25K and for a while now have felt like I’ve been running through treacle, but yesterday after 3 k I felt really comfortable, so much so I was able to speed up a bit. I guess consolidation, a few small hill efforts and some short fartlek runs that I’ve thrown in the mix here and there in the last few weeks are starting to pay off.
Excellent and very well done. That story is very much the same for everyone. Running is a funny hobby, like a fine cheese or wine it just takes time. You spend 90% of the time struggling and running through treacle, but if you stick at it you get fitter and in time running becomes easier. Happy running, and parkrun is a great way to meet people and gauge your own fitness.
Hi, well I don't know what I'm doing to achieve this at the moment, but I got another PB yesterday, 25:09!!!! That is 3 PB's in a row now!!! I was absolutely thrilled 3 weeks ago to get 25:48, then last week 25:40 and then yesterday, the above. I actually thought I was slower yesterday than last week, but it just goes to show! I don't have a running watch at the moment, so didn't have the luxury of looking at each km and pace, I just go by how I feel and push if I feel I can. I do have NRC 5km race running so I listen to coach Bennett all the way round in my earphones, so feel like I have a personal coach all the way round! There's quite a few people who have always beaten me in the past and I was determined to catch each of them up over the last couple of weeks, and now I've done it.
Realise that it isn't realistic to get a better time each week as I have done for the last 3, but I'm happy that I got to where I am. So I started Parkrun last July and my first one was 28 mins,and I was thrilled, I never dreamed I would get anyway near 25. We opens a bottle of Prosecco last night to celebrate ( haha any excuse!!🤣🤣🥂🍾
Huge congratulations and very well done on your new parkrun PB. Absolutely fantastic running, 3 PB’s in a row. My parkrun PB is 26:36 and that nearly killed me.😂
My Not a park Run was not quite a Not a Park run.. as the 5K got broken up... a 3.5 and then a 1.5 after the stop! but I did run continuously for 30 Minute...for the 3.5 !!!
So... it wasn't a Park Run..it wasn't a Not a Park Run... it was a strange Oldfloss run...
Well done everyone who had a successful Park Run , even if it was a Not one!
Number 43 at alexandra. Needed a flat one this week as I've just done the manchester half today and south manchester my usual pre-race goto was off. Mum came along with me and flew round setting herself a new 5k pb in the process! Glad at least to tick off another letter for the alphabet challenge. No parkrun for me next week. It's the trail pursuits running festival in the lake district.
Congratulations to your Mum on her new PB, and very well done to you on your parkrun and the Manchester HM. Brilliant running and enjoy the running festival next weekend.
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Although the end downhill is such fun and such a joy. Realised pleased I went. Hope everyone enjoyed theirs too!
