Well I have had a lovely morning. Sandie1961 was staying in Worthing last night and put a post up last week asking if anyone fancied joining her. I thought for about half a second then said I'm local so will think about it.
What a week I've had; first I went out and jeffed 5k in 46 minutes, then I ordered a wristband with my bar code on it, then I wrote out my plan for this week's running, then it all went a bit pearshaped. My plan said run Tuesday and Thursday but I went out with neighbour Monday and ran week 4 run 1 together, by the time we walked back we'd covered over 5k so Tuesdays run didn't happen, then we did run 2 Wednesday and my whole week's plan fell apart, then I only got a couple of hours sleep Thursday night and spent Friday feeling tired
Anyway I slept well Friday night and was awake before my 6.30 alarm
Mudita11 came on the train and I met her at the station. We decided to go to the swimming pool to use their loos which were being cleaned so sat and chatted. Sandie1961 met us outside and we walked over to the start.
First there was a talk for newbies and tourists, due to the string winds I heard about half of that. Then the talk for everyone, I heard even less but it was ok I sort of knew what I was doing.
Then we were off, both my new RB's went off and I followed on behind, the crowd if runners was getting further and further ahead and I realised even though I was way behind I was running too fast for me and puffing like a train. I slowed to a walk, a man with supports on both knees passed me and I ran again, we passed each other several times throughout. My running sections were faster than I usually run but my breathing had settled down and my walking sections helped lower my heartrate.
We were running into the wind going 😲 but when we turned it was helping us home. The walking man though pulled ahead by a few yards and I couldn't quite catch him up until we got our tokens at the end where I thanked him because he was my inspiration to keep going, we had a short chat and it was over.
Did I enjoy it? I enjoyed being part of parkrun but not so much being at the back, during the run I looked at the sea, thought about Willow, cried a bit, made a plan to improve my stamina and time, and grinned a lot too.
Sandie1861 Mudita11 and I walked along the seafront and went for breakfast.
My Garmin time came in at 45:08 and parkrun result time 44.33. Strava gave me 16 achievements 😂 and that was my fastest 5k for 3 years, no wonder I got puffed out.
Run happy or rest well.
Written by
SueAppleRun
Graduate10
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Oh the magic of parkrun! So sorry we couldn’t join you in the end but I was running virtually with you just along the coast. I am glad you enjoyed your very first parkrun and hope it will be followed by many more. Your placing doesn't really matter, so long as you are enjoying being there. And that wind made some tough conditions today. Some of the slower runners may have been put off by the forecast today. We were at least 100 runners down.
Very well done, I know this was a big step for you, and I think Willow would have been cheering you on all along the way.
Thanks Dexy, I think he'd have still been in bed giggling at my nuttiness.I might have found my purpose. I lost my purpose when I retired and Willow went, but it's not about being fast to being further up the numbers it's about being faster and fitter as I head into old age 😃it was tough running into that wind this morning.
Oh what a wonderful run! Who cares if you were at the back? Actually, under 45 minutes isn’t too shabby anyway and for you (and me) it’s pretty darned speedy. It’s a great achievement! You got to meet some people from the forum, too!
I’m toying with the idea of joining Parkrun and I’ll be at the back, too 🤣 although my local parkrun is about 10-15 minutes slower than yours.
YOU are amazing! I know you’re grieving -but you still get out there and run, sometimes when you don’t feel like it.
You know that life will get easier. Keep doing what you’re doing. Just run for you - even at Parkrun. You’ll be getting faster and fitter for you! Your park run was tough with the wind conditions today and neither you nor I run to be fast. (Although it’s satisfying if we are sometimes!)
well done on your first Parkrun. Glad you enjoyed it and for many more. Willow would been encouraging you all the way. Great achievement, and your fasted 5km in 3 years as well 👏👏👏
Willow would have been proud! It was so lovely meeting you, and seeing Sandie1961 again, and the breakfast was lush. We should do it all again at another parkrun soon. And there’s always the GSH 😬😁 xxx
That's awesome, and you are awesome. That's a very respectable time, you would not have been at the back at my parkrun, we have loads of people walking and run/walking. I normally walk with my group for 5KYourWay, on the last Sat of the month, but in June I ran and turned in a time of something over 46 mins, and wasn't last by a long way...I still got a massive cheer, everyone is valued, and no one knows what anyone else is going through, turning up is more than enough xx
the parkrun HU family is a lovely place, I hope to meet you at another gathering sometime in the future. I’m always left behind by Sandie1961 so I just accept it and know she will be at the line (along with most of my HU buddies) cheering me in. Well done for getting out there and I hope you will do it again.
Congratulations on your first parkrun. How lovely to meet fellow HU runners. I look forward to reading about your next adventure! Speed isn't important but enjoying your running is so I think today you earned a few 🌟🌟🌟. Well done you!!!
The fact you took part in the event after the rollercoaster of a year you've had is amazing 🤩 how fast or slow doesn't matter - as Laura said on an NHS podcast this morning (don't know which it was was as the one I was listening to cut out before the end of the first 5 mins then jumped to a couple of other podcasts at which point I abandoned going for time and just told myself to stop at 3.5 k) - 'a bad run (which yours wasn't by any means) is ALWAYS better than NO run at all!'
Fantastic! I’m so pleased you were able to meet up today and I’m sorry not to have been there too (I’m in wet Wales with family!). Watching everyone disappear off ahead at parkrun is a weekly occurrence for me but while you may be near the back, don’t forget the Tailwalkers are behind you so you’re never actually at the back! I’m sure Willow would be proud that you got out and did it and given the year you’ve had, I think your VRBs here on the forum are as well! And I don’t think I’ve ever had a parkrun time that was less than my Garmin time so well done on that as well. Go you!
It's often difficult to hear the briefing from the Run Director. It's not too bad at the smaller venues (as long as excited dogs don't drown it out with barking) but at the larger ones it can be a problem.
At Cannock Chase they had a loudhailer, but even with that I had trouble hearing them at the back of the crowd.
At Bedgebury the RD stood on a mound and that helped a bit.
Most of the times it's pretty much the same everywhere. A brief summary of the rules that apply to all parkruns (eg. young runners to be within arm's reach of their adult, dogs on short leads, no "funnel ducking", etc.)
Then there may be a few announcements, a call out to visitors to say where they're from, and asking if there are any milestone runners. And finally, a thank you to the volunteers, and then a countdown to the start of the run.
Well done you, and what's wrong with 45 minutes? It's a run not a race. Also the back is an amazing place on parkrun. Firstly you avoid the stampede and you also meet lots of lovely like minded slow runners to chat to. Best place to be in my opinion.
At parkrun the only person you're running against is your past self.
As I said in reply to Damien's post this week, I got a lot of "free advice" at the end, which I don't intend to follow. There's a difference between a run you do for fun and one you do to compete.
Well done! I don't know the backstory, but can obviously read between the lines. This is a lovely, deeply moving story of a run. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you, I used to be called WillowandSola, sadly the Willow half passed away at the end of March, Willow only ran though because I did but was the best ever supporter, I miss him hugely. I officially retired in May and parkrun was always going to happen one day,
I am so glad I was there at your first parkrun and hope that it will give you a new avenue to pursue now you are retired. The lack of work colleagues post retirement can be isolating, but running brings wonderful new friendships, which just get bigger and bigger as time goes on. See you in October in Portsmouth xxx
You are right about retirement, it was so good to meet you both today and I have a training plan all ready to start Monday 😁 first time running with others and I learnt a lot xxx
Great report Sue, congratulations on your first parkrun and a brilliant RB meet up too, they're just the best (well actually maybe the brekkie and chin wag with them afterwards are) Awesome Strava bling too
I am super proud of you. Sue. This is such an achievement for so many reasons. I saw the wind and I thought oh my that’s going to be an interesting Parkrun on the seafront today. I’m glad you had some lovely HU VRBs to accompany you too. I hope that you enjoyed it and that there are many more parkruns ahead of you.
Congratulations on your Parkrun bling and tbh that’s not a bad time at all. 👍👏👏👏👏💪
Thank you Brian, and that from the man who was at Beachy Head yesterday, in those winds!!! I'm sat here this morning planning for the next one already, and was thinking about a short run this morning, but actually I might stay in which would be sensible and finish painting that kitchen ceiling, second coats of paint don't fill me with excitement but I can't leave it forever. I missed a couple of patches which niggle me.
From the parkrun I've learned so much, about running 5k and about myself 😁 and it was very special meeting two lovely VRB's without whom I doubt I'd have got out in time.
Looking back through my Garmin runs my time was the fastest whole 5k since July 2020 so I'm happy.
Fabulous and congratulations on the time too! You’ve definitely got the Parkrun bug but don’t overdo it. 😄 I hope you rested and stayed at home to paint that ceiling. 👍
I didn't paint the ceiling I shopped instead with my daughter, who'd have thought I needed yet more teeshirts? I didn't run either but about to go out now and see how long I can keep a steady pace with no walk breaks, I find myself wondering ' will I get as far as the pier?' probably not 😁As to overdoing it, I have little else to do nowadays, which is ok as it gives me time to take care of myself, I've looked after others all my life now I look after me which sounds very self centred but hey, I worked hard for this retirement
Well done Sue. Your time was totally respectable, and loads of the PRs that I do have runners way slower than that. You should be super proud of yourself! Think how proud Willow would be. ❤️
Under normal circumstances I’d have joined you even though it would have been a trek. We’ll need to rectify that situation and get another meet-up sorted!
Thanks 😃 yes another meet up would be good, and I'm happy to drive so it's less if a trek for you.It was great I really enjoyed myself and meeting others who run was great
Congratulations on running your first Parkrun SueAppleRun you did so well!
I enjoyed reading your report, it reminded me of my first one, finding it tough but somehow finding with the help of a stranger the mental and physical strength to push on.
Yes out of your comfort zone, but what a feeling to have acheived it.
Well done Sue on your first parkrun you did brilliantly and a great time too. It’s always good I think to have the wind on your back 😂😂. Is the first of many ? I hope so🥰🥰 beautiful photo!
What a super post! Park runs are quite different and are largely done by young, very fit people so I also tend to be at the back too. Your time was good, well done!
Congratulations on your first parkrun Sue, and I hope it’s the first of many. I have met so many lovely people through parkrun, including of course my fellow Southsea crew members Dexy5 , Oldgirlruns and UpTheStanley , who have become really good friends over the years, and supported me through my various health challenges.
I wouldn’t have been able to make the trip to Worthing as MrCoddfish and I were in the very lucky position of having secured Ladies Final Centre Court tickets through the Wimbledon ballot, so we were happily eating strawberries and cream, instead of parkrunning.
You would always be welcome at the wonderful Southsea parkrun. In my latest immunotherapy and chemo journey, I am grateful to be able to just complete 5k by walking it towards the back of the pack. I hope to restart running again (which will be my 3rd return from major surgery or treatment) after the chemo part of the treatment stops in December.
Oh Wimbledon how lovely, centre court too. something very special. I may join you all one day because I think I'm a bit hooked already on Parkrun.It's good to hear you can complete 5k by walking and hopefully soon you'll be running again.
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