How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?

[damienair]

Hello Everyone. 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.

[damienair Administrator]

This morning I was at my local parkrun in Navan. It was a beautiful spring morning. Today was pacer day so I decided to volunteer as a 29 minute pacer. A couple of ladies ran with me and we had a lovely chat as we ran around. After my recent training I felt strong and relaxed and really enjoyed the conversation and run. I did a little more running as part of a Garmin training plan and logged 7 kilometres in total. Happy running everyone.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

That sounds like a really pleasant morning Damien. I really must break the habit of going to the same park (Albert) for every Park Run, but it does make it easier to measure progress! That said, enjoyment should be higher up the list of priorities than pace I think. There is a nice friendly crowd there. Sadly the coffee shop was closed ☹️.

It was pretty cold up here this morning. Even after my warm up jog,I knew that it was a two shirt morning. I tried to spread my pace out more evenly over the first three 3k and build up from there. At the start I was next to a bearded man in a long light blue dress 🙂; it must have slowed him down as I didn’t see him again! There was another runner celebrating her six hundredth Park Run!

I am trying to work out the best formula for these runs. I don’t usually run at any speed. Mid run today, I did some Coach Bennett breath control as part of my build up to a 5:26 4th k and 5:13 final k. Net result another Park Run PB in 28.09 (31 second improvement) and a new 5k PB of 27.28 (29 second improvement). A flat white and tea cake at my local cafe on the way back, and a natter with my friend Mike; what more can you ask for! Hope everyone had a great morning.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

No need to worry about going to the same parkrun BC66, there is a man who has ran 700 parkruns, just the one, I only go to 4 parkruns on a rota, this morning was Dunfermline s 400th, I was there and of course there was cake at the finishing line.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

There ought to be a limerick in there Al; there was a young man from ……..?

700 is amazing; all at the same Park. There will be a story behind that; maybe the only one within reach? There are another three close by: two are closer than Albert Park 🤷‍♂️. The man I run with likes Albert Park too. It is nearly flat and has a good surface; built for speed. The fact that the coffee shop was closed today was a disappointment though. Maybe a change of Park will slow me down a bit 🙂

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

A very belated good afternoon Damien and everyone else, my result for the 400th Dunfermline parkrun only came through at 2.45 pm, perhaps people were eating that lovely cake which everyone had at the finishing line, I am very happy with my result which was 33:18 with an age grading of 60:31%, a big turnout for Dunfermline of 296, I think that is the most I have ever ran with, my position was 183, it was my 49th time there, #136th parkrun.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Well done Al! Good run and cake too; what is not to like? It was really cold down here on the East coast; hope things are a bit warmer where you are. Good job I had two tops with me.

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

When I left my house at 7,40am the temperature was 5C/41F, the bus I travelled to Dunfermline was one of those bran new luxury coaches going to St Andrews on the east coast of Scotland, the temperature when I got to Dunfermline was 6C, cloudy with that rather cold east wind, IF I had gone to Springburn parkrun which is west from where I live and where I will run next week it was very sunny, the temperature there was 9C, these two places are a bit more than 33 miles apart and the weather can be completely different, at other times I have ran at Dunfermline in completly dry weather, on the same day if I had ran at Springburn or Drumpellier I would have been soaked by rain.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

The sun has has just peaked through here for the first time today. I hope that it is going to be warmer on Monday (long run day!).

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

The Met Office forecast says that the weather is to get warmer by Monday, o by the way yesterday I bought several pairs of new running socks and a new pair of trail running shoes, I went a short 1K run in them yesterday but didn't wear them at parkrun today, the new shoes are Nike Pegasus Trail 5 GTX, Gortex waterproof, no rain but the instructions says they are also very good for walking or hiking.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Sounds promising. I went for the Brooks Cascadia GTS which have goretex too. I have come to hate soggy feet. I could probably do with some new socks too; they get very thin on the bottom of the heels, which can lead to soreness. Got to look after ourselves 👍

[damienair Administrator in reply to Beachcomber66]

Hilly Marathon Socks are fantastic. I bought 4 or 5 pairs of them about 7-8 years ago and they are still in good condition. I only wear them for running. They also keep blisters away on long runs.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Thanks for the tip! I use injinjis, 3 pairs on the go at once. They help to avoid rubbing between toes….but they may be due for replacement.

[damienair Administrator in reply to AlMorr]

Very well done Alan. Another great performance.

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

27.28? You're on a roll BC!👏

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Thanks JP. The last 1k was 5:13 pace; I have never been near that before. I just need to take care not to overdo it. The trouble is everything feels fine when you are running, it’s only later that you feel the pain! Time to calm it down a bit I think 👍

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

I think you may be right - but it's fun while it lasts!😀

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Staying in one piece for the HU run at the end of the month has to be the priority; I will get into trouble if I report myself as unfit.😉

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

👏👏You are on a roll Beachcomber66 ! Well done again!🙂

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandra. Surprising myself is fun, but I need to be careful if this phase is to last. A slow long run on Monday is the plan; no pb attempts, just a steady strengthening pace. Mike and I were in positions 1 and 2 in our age group this morning (I was number 2). I think the usual Vet speedsters were running elsewhere…I know my place 🙂

[damienair Administrator in reply to Beachcomber66]

Fantastic running and congratulations on another fantastic PB. I like to travel to different parkrun courses sometimes. Yesterday was my 222nd parkrun and my 122nd time running at my home parkrun.

[Tessie66 Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Sounds a fantastic run and pacing is always worthwhile

[DiogoC Graduate10]

Today I went to Ingrebourne Hill, London’s newest parkrun, having started in December .

I ticked off I from the Alphabet and also completed my name

I wasn’t too worried about the hill, having done hilly parkruns recently, but it turned out to be more of a gradual incline, with a lovely view at the top.

Me and Sally the dog at Ingrebourne Hill

[damienair Administrator in reply to DiogoC]

Well done on getting another one done and getting an I for your Alphabet.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Hello damienair and fellow parkrunners, UpTheStanley and I are in Derbyshire this weekend to run in the Monsal Trail 10k tomorrow, so we did a bit of research and decided to do an overnight in Repton and head for Rosliston parkrun in a forestry park. We weren’t intending to run and this provided the perfect walking route, with blossom trees in full bloom, wooden sculptures and half way round, the sun emerged . It was decidedly cold and windy on arrival, so I not only had a base layer and apricot top, but also added hoody and running jacket. As always, lots of cheering on by volunteers. I was taking photos along the way, but as we got towards the end we decided to run to get in by 50 minutes. Official time was 50.02! We gained an R in our alphabet, and in the parkrun word and 7Cs and an R. Just lovely.

Touring parkrunners

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

A cold but good warm up for tomorrow Dexy5. Thick cloud up here and 3rd colder I suspect. No matter; you will both be ready for the off tomorrow 🚀👍

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

That was a nice bonus for you both Dexy! Sounds chilly though - I wore t-shirt and shorts down here!

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

yes you would have been protected from the wind at lakeside. Garmin said 7°c but I think feels like would have been lower.

[damienair Administrator in reply to Dexy5]

Very well done to you both on your parkrun touring. I hope you had a great time at the Monsal Trail 10k today.

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

We certainly did damienair

[Koala679]

I tail walked at my local parkrun again today. Came in a minute faster than last week!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Koala679]

The last runner must have been a bit faster this week!Well done for volunteering. 🙂

[damienair Administrator in reply to Koala679]

Very well done.

[Bruch1]

Fabulous morning at Trentham for my 50th Park Run 🎊 Had a '50' badge pinned on the back of my vest. Two people (not Park runners) shouted happy birthday as I ran past!!! I wish 😂. Not a brilliant time as I stopped to take a selfie with Shaun the Sheep!

Colourful Shaun the Sheep.

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Bruch1]

Congratulations on your 50. 🙂 nobody would mistake me for 50! I am guessing you will be able to order an official 50 shirt and wear it with pride on your next outing. We had a lizard a couple of weeks back, and a man running in a long dress today! We are probably all a little eccentric!🙂

[Bruch1 in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thanks. We had an ape this morning but he was a bit scary!!!😂

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Bruch1]

😂 It takes all sorts! All adds to the fun.

[damienair Administrator in reply to Bruch1]

Huge congratulations to you for completing your milestone 50th parkrun. Very well done.

[Survivor1952]

A bit of background in my case although some on here will recognise me from telling my story in the past.

I do a phase 4 cardiac HIIT gym circuit class on a Friday. Well class yesterday felt easier than in the past even though I knew I was pushing myself really hard. In fact I had to back off at one point to control my HR.

So, on to this morning. My home parkrun as usual. A bit undecided as to the weather and what best to wear, went with a T shirt (50 PR one actually). A bit chilly waiting in the wind for the start but perfect as we got going.

First mile and I'm doing well, feels comfortable, been there before though but watch is telling me an estimated finish time I'm struggling to believe. Again I've seen this before as I go well at first and then fade. Half way and still feeling good and still ahead of those who are normally around me. Surprised to see a local running club regular who normally does well pass me, he's usually a long way ahead by now. Get a bit further on and back off a little as my HR is a bit high, let it settle and get back into my rhythm again. Into the last 3/4 mile and I'm back to swapping places with folk who normally finish around my time. As I usually do I up the pace over the last 3-400 yards into the finish. Stop my watch and I'm greeted by one of the timekeepers with a quiz team name that hasn't been used for at least 6 or 7 years. Check my time - wow, a new PB. No great shakes for many but as a 72 year old with replacement bits inside me I'm delighted to see 38:38 and an age grade just shy of 47%, my previous PB having been on New Years Day. Added a number to my stopwatch bingo as well.

Given that it was only my 61st parkrun and I started running regularly, for my health, in September 2023 I think I am right to be pleased, I've come a very long way in that 18 month period. As for being told I would 'only' recover 65-75% of my fitness from September '22, well that is not true. My 5k time now is faster than I used to achieve, albeit not running/training regularly the way I do now, some 15 years ago, oh, my average HR over the distance is now lower than it was then and I'm more efficient (I think) as I'm burning less calories. Isn't it amazing how the body can adapt and recover!

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Survivor1952]

Great story Survivor and congrats on your PB!👏

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to Survivor1952]

Determination, strength and courage in that Survivor1952; the 1952 vintage was tough 👍

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Survivor1952]

Fantastic Survivor1952 . Very inspiring and it just shows the determination and work you’ve put in to make this happen.

[damienair Administrator in reply to Survivor1952]

Absolutely fantastic. Huge congratulations on your new PB. The Human body is an incredible machine. Put the work in and over time it can achieve things one can usually only dream about. I lost just over 2 stone in the last 18 months and I am fitter now at 50 and soon to be 51 than I have been since my early 20's.

[JonathanP Graduate10]

There was a chilly breeze at Portsmouth Lakeside this morning, but the sun made up for it, so I plumped for t-shirt and shorts - right decision. As Southsea was back on, we were back to 330 finishers after last week's record 473, thank goodness.

Quite hard going - not sure why, but I was happy with a 32.10 time. Age grade was 54.20% - looking for a bit of a bump next week when I go into the next band!

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

You get much higher % grades when you are in the 70 to 75 group!🙂

Well done on today’s run JP; things will soon return to normal and you will be leaving me in your dust !🚀

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Beachcomber66]

I'm not holding my breath BC!😂

[Beachcomber66 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

I have confidence in you; enjoy your birthday. Warmer weather will soon be here to lubricate our joints and raise the spirits; 🚀

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Well done JP. And Happy Birthday for next week.

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy. Hope everyone has a great time today!

[damienair Administrator in reply to JonathanP]

Well done Jonathan and wishing you a very Happy Birthday next week.

[JonathanP Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Thanks Damien

[Oldlady64 Graduate10]

I am away in London for the weekend so looked around and found that Highbury Fields park run was the closest.

It’s a five lap course with a large attendance. I gave it a go and was happy with the result, although it does get congested with so many people lapping us slower runners. Overall, it was a very enjoyable park run and is my 8th different park run so far this year!

[damienair Administrator in reply to Oldlady64]

Very well done, it's lovely to visit and see different parkrun courses.

[drl212 Graduate10]

Excellent 25th milestone at Southall!

[damienair Administrator in reply to drl212]

Congratulations on your 25th milestone parkrun.

[Tessie66 Graduate10]

Went over to Lister Park parkrun Bradford yesterday a lovely Park the sun was shining although a little chilly. This course is fairly flat apart from a small hill and for me not a quick course although other's I run with have had very quick times. I came in at 31:07 my second fastest run this year and my 65th run in total. Feel a bit disappointed in the time but I have to remember I'm still not running at my full capabilities because of pf. Well done volunteers and walkers and runners

[damienair Administrator in reply to Tessie66]

Very well done. Nothing at all wrong with 31:07. That is a very good parkrun finish time.

[Tessie66 Graduate10 in reply to damienair]

Thank you damienair just when you know you can run quicker and have run quicker you want to all the time, I have to remember I'm running injured still

[Oldfart75 Graduate10]

Another Saturday another Parkrun .As last week ran a Parkrun Sandwich 9 miles this week. BIt knackered.Quite difficult to run recovery pace 3 .5 each side of Parkrun then run Parkrun at 12 min pace but I did it so feeling chuffed.

[damienair Administrator in reply to Oldfart75]

Great running. Very well done.