My first park run

[Steady_Stevve]

Yesterday, when I crossed the finish line of my first park run, I thought "I don't want to do this again". The course was quite brutal. I finished in 32 mins but had to walk part way up one of the hills. I should have researched the course better and therefore prepared for hills. It was even a bit of a shock when we turned to do a second circuit!The marshaling was good and the volunteers very encouraging.

So next week when I go back for my second park run I aim to pace myself a bit better and not to be too bothered if I have to walk a few paces on the hills - as long as I beat my PB! 🤓

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

32 minutes is very good for your first parkrun Steve, considering that you walked up the steepest hills, good luck for next week

[Steady_Stevve in reply to AlMorr]

Hi Alan, Thanks for the encouragement. I just read your bio. Wow! I thought I was doing well at 65. I'm doing the 10K plan and thought I would use the park run as my 5K staple run.

Take care.

Steve

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Steady_Stevve]

👍 🏃🏾

[nowster Graduate10]

Which one was that? My local one is hilly and has four laps.

(Ones I've done: Bedgebury, Chadderton Hall, Cannock Chase, Newborough Forest, Pennington Flash, Pwllheli, Sale Water Park, Watergrove. And Blickling unofficially as it was cancelled and there was no time to go elsewhere.)

[Steady_Stevve in reply to nowster]

Wepre Park in Conah's Quay, North Wales

[John_W Graduate10 in reply to Steady_Stevve]

Wepre Park certainly has a reputation! Not that I've tried it yet ...

[Steady_Stevve in reply to John_W]

There are a few Park Runs within half an hour's drive, so I may try others out.

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Steady_Stevve]

Not done that one! I'd like to try Conwy some day. That's flat and on a firm surface.

My problem is that I usually have too much faffing about when getting ready on a Saturday morning to have enough time to travel to any other than my regular one.

[Steady_Stevve in reply to nowster]

What is Prestatyn like? It seems like a flat seaside course.

[nowster Graduate10 in reply to Steady_Stevve]

Not done it myself, but one of the regulars at Chadderton is going to be doing it this weekend. It looks fairly flat on the map.

Contrast that with Hafan Pwllheli which is also totally flat, but also totally on sand. Its difficulty varies from week to week, depending on the state of the sand and tide. I'll be doing that one this weekend.

[Steady_Stevve in reply to nowster]

Good point. I hadn't thought about the state of the sand.

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

My first parkrun was on the flat, and took me 12 minutes longer than yours so well done, I think it could become addictive.

[chrisl72 Graduate10]

Well done on your first parkrun! That is a time I'd be pleased with!

[Folkylass Administrator]

Congratulations on your first park run. That time is fantastic. Well done !👍👏👏😂

[Steady_Stevve in reply to Folkylass]

Thank you. Today I'm planning on doing a 7K run. I'm hoping to dodge the rain but determined to get it in on my day off.

[Folkylass Administrator in reply to Steady_Stevve]

Good luck👍👏👏

[Jools2020 Graduate10]

I think for my first Parkrun I just want to enjoy it and not to have an expectations about pace. I’ll just pootle around and come in among the last few. Then the second time, I’ll whiz round and get a PB! Setting myself up for success 😊

Well done for your first Parkrun! Great time.

[Steady_Stevve in reply to Jools2020]

I think you have the right attitude. My run, although good, took a lot out of me. I didn't prepare for the course well. Your approach seems much more sensible.

[Jools2020 Graduate10 in reply to Steady_Stevve]

I have the right idea! Trouble is, I’m also quite competitive. Watching all those people ahead of me leaving me for dust might make me change my mind and push too hard 🤣

[Steady_Stevve]

Yes, that's my weakness too. Whatever happens, have fun!