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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I wasn’t going to run park run today but no.5 son was keen to go & hubby didn’t want to run at his pace.
No.5 son still finds it hard to keep a consistent pace. He did pretty well although I was conscious to slow my pace down whilst he had stitch, took some walk breaks etc until he decided to sprint the final kilometre leaving me for dust & running too fast for me to keep him within the arms length rule. Next time I’m not going easy on you buddy🤣
Hubby came in 25:58 & I scrapped in at 29:36 due to the final sprint chasing no.5 down.
No Jenny again this week as she’s in London, so solo for me again. I haven’t been to Burnham and Highbridge PR for a while, and since it’s always pleasant there and the weather was gorgeous, I bundled Flossie in the car and drove the 30 minutes it took to get there.
Always a slow, crowded start, but it soon thins out and it was lovely trotting along through the wildlife park with its lake, then the banks of the River Brue, ending up on the prom where we went about 0.5k before turning round and going back (nearly) the way we came. It’s further out than back due to taking a different path.
36:46 Garmin, no idea what PR time said. It was great fun, then I walked Flossie along the same route! ☀️ 🐕
Yes SAR, the first time I did Burnham, I was dismayed how long it was taking me to run 2.5k, and then I found out it’s about 3.5k out, 1.5k back. Much better. 🙏
It’s lovely JonathanP . Pretty much flat with just a few very gentle inclines, and nice views on a clear day (even if Hinkley C looms large on the horizon!) Still, the rest makes up for that. 😀
Thanks AlMorr . Yes, Flossie is now retired from running on the lead now - except for very special occasions when I’d Jeff with her - but she does love to volunteer and has a huge fan club at Eastville. 🥰
Hello Damien, Parkrunners, Joggers & walkers. I did my 9th Parkrun today. I had a good start to the week doing some runs Sunday & Monday and this made me maintain my ability to breathe more deeply or technical term have more puff! So todays jog was enjoyable, even the hills (which you have to go up 3 times!)
I just need to control my eating in the latter part of the week. I made a trifle & a meringue on Thursday & Friday & ate the lot by myself in the evening. The meringue (pictured) was especially delicious but it’s not good. I’m supposed to be 78kg for my height but I’m 87! Hence I jog round Parkrun. Today 36.37. Faster than last week 37 something.
I love a good meringue and my Mum makes a delicious one. Well done on your 9th parkrun. I was naughty over the past couple of months and I have been trying to undo my excess weight gain. It’s so hard.
Oh that looks delicious AdieB . Well deserved as you’re a runner! 😅 When I read your post the first time I thought you said you were AGED 87. I wondered why you weren’t happier with your time! 😂😂 Well it’s still a great time, but maybe not quite such a jaw dropping achievement (unless you are in fact 87, or more!) 😂
We have had 2 days at Ayers Rock this week (30 degrees +) and 2 days in the Blue Mountains (7 degrees and rain) since last week’s parkrun in Sydney and this week it was the turn of Fingal Bay at Port Stephens in New South Wales. I was a bit worried when I heard the rain thundering down outside in the early hours, but it dried up and was a very pleasant 14c at 8.00am when we started. An out and back along the shoreline and into the bush. We were told that koala had been spotted on the course check, but I couldn’t see them. 151 runners and a relaxed time of 34.52 which was over 2 minutes faster than last week. Then it was off to the koala sanctuary and tomorrow we’re going whale watching (hopefully 🤞🤞🤞). Loving it 🥰
Hey, little twit is not a runner and definitely not a true park runner. It is not a race, and everyone is doing it for different reasons. Be super proud of yourself and never let someone annoy you with comments like that. You were 100% faster than everyone else who was still in bed or watching TV on their couches. Very well done on your parkrun today and what a perfect way to kick off the weekend.
I hope the parent of that child explained to them that parkrun is not a race and how taking part is more important than how fast you run. Well done you.
Ironically, I betcha that cheeky one could not run the whole run without stopping. I ran with my young ones and they were really good at sprinting, but not the whole distance. My daughter is a gymnast, who is in phenomenal shape. So take pride in the team snail, you rock!
I get comments, “that’s it slow & steady” i have to laugh, its meant well. Honestly & truly just getting out there is a win, regardless of speed & time.
I got up this morning and prepared for parkrun. I grabbed the lead and harness for Ruby and she looked at me and I read her eyes 👀, no way, not today and she jumped back up onto the couch . So I went on my own. It was a lovely crisp sunny autumn morning 🍂 . A couple of people dressed up for Holloween and there was a nice buzz.
My goal this morning was to do it in under 36 minutes and try to improve my times week by week. I felt good, had just 2 walking breaks so as to walk up the hill twice, but ran the rest and actually finished in a time of 33:50 so delighted with that. Happy running everyone.
I felt just like Ruby when UpTheStanley said we had to go out in the pouring rain to help the other ED set up the new route for the first time. Unlike her, I put some waterproof layers on and followed obediently. 😀
And the rain came down, and my 20 year old granddaughter beat me which makes me so happy, she couldn't complete run 1 week 1 a few weeks ago and started by walking parkrun, now she's doing intervals run walk and enjoying it so much
Wonderful Sue. Isn’t it great when the youngsters love it too? I’m thrilled that Jenny wipes the floor with me speed-wise, and my grandsons will too, probably sooner than I can even imagine. 😅
First Timers Welcome then a nice steady run around Marple today. It wasn't muddy, which was a surprise. 39.53 happy with that as I am back to running the full 5K much as I enjoy the Jeffing
That's a good time and super to be back running it all, I can run a slow 5k without walk breaks but parkrun is completely different.. my legs try to catch everyone up 🤣 then my lungs say for goodness sake woman walk!
hi everyone out there putting one foot in front of the other. I hope you all enjoyed some Halloween themed parkruns today.
After being knocked sideways by a covid/flu vaccination last week, I’ve tried to pick up my training plan this week. Managed a 3k and a 5k (that had a gentle run with TailChaser in the middle) and managed to run/walk 12k. Today’s parkrun should have been straight forward but I was out on the bike yesterday (36 miles with some hills that should have been well within my capabilities) and boy did my leg muscles know it! About half way around Parkrun my legs were screaming (how appropriate for Halloween!) and I was forced to walk/run the remainder. Advice from the Kats is to incorporate electrolytes into my exercise regime so I will be doing that while trying not to be to grumpy about what feels like ‘going backwards’. There is always next week and my ‘black cat outfit’ made people smile. I’m particularly grateful to the runner who called out ‘go on puss-cat you can do it!’.
Well done Shakes. Putting me to shame forgetting my black cat outfit. 🥹 I’ve yet to have my vax this year - can’t say I’m looking forward to them, if I ever get an invitation.
0Good afternoon Damien, so parkrun number 100 for me this morning, number 1,25 and 50 were all ran at Dunfermline parkrun so of course my ton should be ran there as well, the weather was cloudy but dry and there were a lot of puddles on the course, all the runners were warned to slow down a bit because of slippy conditions because of the amount of leaves on the course, I was happy to get a sub 35 minute time of 34:37. So that's #100 run, next week I'll not be at parkrun but will run what I call a 3K maintenance run in the park near to where I live and in two weeks parkrun #101 will be at Springburn parkrun in Glasgow where I am already booked down to be the tailwalker
Thank you very much RunaroundSue, I had to be careful not to fall as conditions were a bit slippy due to 100 dreds of leaves (excuse the pun) on the course. 😊 🏃🏾
There were quite a few milestone runners today at Dunfermline parkrun, 2/100., 1/200 and 1/250th, there are now several photos of those. milestone runners on the Dunfermline Parkrun Facebook page, there was also a runner dressed as a dragon who just beat me at the finishing line by about a second.
Thanks Katnap and Dexy5 many puddles everywhere, although there was no rain at Dunfermline, it was cloudy with no sun, apparently at the other 3 parkruns I go to there was plenty of sunshine judgeing by the photos on their Facebook pages.
Thanks JonathanP, I was sort of thinking that to get to the next milestone parkrun which is 250 a runner would have to go to a parkrun every Saturday for around 2 years and 11 months after completing their 100th parkrun.
Half term this week so daughter wanted to head to our local one, which is a hilly off-road course. I was less keen. Thankfully my dad was marshalling so off they went with my daughter wearing my 3 sizes too big for her trail shoes!
Husband and myself opted to do Brighton & Hove which was one of the original time trial ParkRuns.
A very very wet start with the race director keeping her talk brief before we set off. It took nearly 3KM for the rain to stop and I was finally able to get into my stride.
There were 2 Marshalls on the course in different locations each with a stopwatch shouting out your time - I managed to ignore them until the final km where I thought I was a lot slower than I was so was nice to finish ahead of my predicted time.
Husband finished 23.33 & I finished 34:28. .
Didn’t hang around at the end as very cold & wet, but it is one we will do again.
Daughter had a great time on what was a very muddy course (and she did come back with both shoes!)
hello everyone, all the volunteers got wet preparing the course and manning their posts this morning, and then it cleared up for the run itself. I again came first in my age group of 2, and in beknown to me at the time, no 2 was right behind me 2 seconds later. 20 seconds slower than last week
Lots of Halloween fancy dress, which was fun, but not sure if this dog enjoyed being in a pumpkin outfit 🎃
Ha Ha. Poor dog , I know Ruby would be disgusted. She even hates wearing her harness. 😁 Very well done on your parkrun. I got soaked a while ago taking Ruby and her sister out for a walk 🐕 🐕 🐾 🐾🐾🐾. Just after washing the floors now, they made an awful mess after getting home. One Cocker Spaniel is enough. It was lovely this morning.
Waterproof cape good idea, us too on the puddles, it's been raining on and off all day, I wanted to get photos of the waves when we left the gym but it was tipping it down
Aww, did that doggie have to run wearing that Dexy5 ? Flossie once wore a tutu and she was also a cupcake, but I made sure nothing was heavy enough to make her uncomfortable or too hot. I’m ashamed to say I forgot my black cat outfit. Where’s the photo of you all decked out? Mrs Fancy Dress surely didn’t forget! 😂
I had a dicky tummy when I got up and it was touch-and-go whether I'd be able to get out to parkrun this morning… but I did… just.
I arrived at Chadderton Hall Park at 08:58. Thankfully the Run Director was also running a little late.
An uneventful 85th parkrun for me. The numbers there were well down on last week (55 vs. 128). It was damp and slippery in places.
Definitely not running at my best this morning. I had done a slow 10km run on Thursday afternoon, but that was my only run between last Saturday's parkrun and this one. Been very busy with work and preparations for an amateur drama-concert which we performed last night and will be repeating tonight.
The finishers were well spaced today. I finished a good minute after the guy who finished before me.
Afterwards I chatted with various groups, including a lady who was Run Director for the Burnage parkrun. She even took a couple of photos of my shoes.
Then I started to feel the chill (in spite of wearing two layers) and bid my farewells.
Official time: 30:54 (slower than last week) but position 21 out of 55.
Well I've been noticing these parkrun posts since I joined the forum and finally, today, I got to my very first actual parkrun! Colchester Castle Park is relatively local and I was able to meet up with a friend who volunteers.
It's a lovely course that takes you around Colchester Castle three times and along the River Colne twice, also alongside the Roman wall for a short way. It's also quite hilly with some sharp climbs. The volunteers marshalling the route were super encouraging.
I had a great time after 10 months of running almost exclusively alone and with podcasts, and confirmed that my easy pace is indeed easy enough for a near continuous conversation! Logistics were a little awkward with wallet, phone and keys stuffed in the pockets of a fleece that I really didn't need.
I finished 251st out of 293. My official time was 37:13.
Looking forward to repeating regularly now I've got started - there are several parkruns within a sensible distance. I have a running bag/hydration pack arriving this week which will make the logistics much easier.
very well done Chris and congratulations to you on your first parkrun. Welcome to the family.😁 You’ll learn little tricks as you go. I have my barcode printed and laminated which I keep in a little waist pocket with a zip along with the fob for my car and a debit card. No jiggling. Decathlon sell nice shorts with waist pockets for running. You have a PB now to come back and beat next weekend. 😁
Thank you damienair , good ideas there, I had my barcode printed on a bit of paper in my pocket, it won't last long like that! The minimalist approach sounds like the way to go
Well done on your first parkrun Chris - glad to see you're already talking about a repeat! I too was a solo runner prior to starting parkrun - it does have a special atmosphere.
Well done on your first parkrun chrisl72 . I am sure you will join us in being addicted. I take as little as I can - my phone, a £10 note, a key in a belt and my barcode is on a wristband . Then this time of year something warm/dry in a waterproof bag.
Yay @chrisI72 (why doesn’t this tag? 🤔) Welcome to PR! It’s addictive so beware. I’m glad you enjoyed your first one, and that’s a great time too! 👏👏👏👏
The post-hernia repair recovery continues with my return to a running parkrun! I combined it with a modest bit of touristing - meeting and catching up with an ex-colleague at her home parkrun of Lee on Solent.
When I arrived it was chucking it down - but at about 8.45 it stopped and brightened up thankfully. Lee is an out and back along the prom, with a short section of shingle where hovercrafts used to cross the beach. I decided on 4 mins running, 1 min walking at an easy pace and came in at 37.28 with no problems. 420 finishers today - slightly less than usual probably due to the weather!
Whoop whoop! Welcome back to running and tourism JonathanP . Yes I think that rain reduced numbers everywhere today, only 269 at Southsea . Lee is our NENDY, so must try it next summer. Hope we can meet up again soon.
That’s a lot for Clapham. Fordy runners didn’t visit did they? They obviously didn’t have the same downpours to keep everyone away. I wonder if he’ll become a regular now
Definitely! Yes I enjoyed Lee - the prom's a bit narrow in places so some of the hares run on the beach at those points, but I didn't have to worry about that!
parkRun I’ve missed you. Back after almost 5 years, Covid, relocation and C25K.
Seaton esplanade, starting on the pebbles! and then up and down a few times to finish on the pebbles! Chuffed to bits I was able to run the whole Park Run for the first time ever, 36:38 so room for improvement and a fabulous cuppa and fruit scone for breakfast
Really happy to be back in the Park Run community, as friendly and encouraging as always.
I was in Worcester Friday night for a concert so did the local parkrun. The course is mostly trails/fields and was _very_ waterlogged, quite a lot of flooding locally.I was late getting there so missed the first timers briefing so I walked most of it. Concentrating on staying upright and not getting lost.
Hi damienair, I’ve decided to keep my runs quite short until I know exactly what ails my foot so I was on finish tokens duty this weekend. It was a very showery morning but fortunately the rain held off while people were running. I’ve now done 80 volunteer stints, the magic 100 is calling me!
This was the only Saturday in daughter #1's hectic uni life we could meet up so I went for some tourism at the closest parkrun to her and then we had a lovely day together (occasionally a bit wet!)
First Park Run for a couple of weeks, last week being cancelled as the course was flooded by the river Trent. Yesterday was my 16th PR so I'm getting to my first milestone slowly. We had a calm, fine morning for it and although I had to walk a little, I came 2nd in my age group. Not a brilliant time but as I'm learning it's a finish LINE not a finish Time!! Looking forward to my first 5k charity run next Saturday.
Started doing my local Parkrun as part of my recovery from open heart surgery. It was a way of, in my own mind, showing that the doctors were wrong when they said I'd only get back 75-90% of my fitness. Ran my first one 13 weeks after my operation!
I'm 71, now completed 7 'runs' and improved my time by 3:30 over those runs to set 44:06 on my most recent run. Lifted my age grade to 40.48% from 37.5% as well so I'm really pleased with myself. Never been a runner of any sort but I find myself enjoying these and the challenge of beating my previous weeks effort. It's turning into a bit of fun to kick off the weekend and I find the idea of missing one unattractive although I know that I'll miss a couple before the end of the year.
OK, I'm finishing towards the back of the run, we have 500-600 participants each week, my best finish was on a quieter day, 419 out of 441. I'm not the slowest in my age category either which pleases me.
Oh, I've done a couple of (not)Parkruns as well but they have been slower that the 'real' thing for some reason ...
Very well done and great effort. Your doing great. Remember, it does not matter about the finish time, your faster than all those that are still in bed at 9am on a Saturday morning. 😀
Well done you! That's fantastic! I haven't had heart surgery (just hip replacements) and I come in towards the last at our park run- also 5-600 participants each week. It's fun though and as you say, it starts the weekend off well. I was 2nd in my age category last week - perhaps there were only 2 of us but I'll take that 😅 I've also made a few friends who run at the same pace so we encourage each other. Enjoy your park runs now you've got the bug.
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