Last week I went to watch one. Today I have registered. Looking at the photos and statistics, I will be the fattest, the slowest and the beetroot-est runner, but I will have a go. The slowest runner last week came in at 41ish minutes, and I ran 40ish minutes at the weekend - but this was on flat, known tarmac and the Darley course is on grass, hills and goodness knows what else! However, I will go along in the comfortable expectation of coming last and that way if it's anything different I will have exceeded expectations! At the one I went to watch, they assured me that they always wait for the last runner and they've never lost anyone yet
There is one caveat though - it it's raining I won't go, because I have two work trips abroad in the next few weeks and I cannot risk slipping and injuring myself. So fingers crossed for good weather, please!
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Anniemurph
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Well done Annie for biting the bullet! We will all be thinking of you and of course there is nothing to stop you running with us again on Sunday!! Fingers crossed for a decent bit of weather over the weekend.
Thanks, Sue! I will definitely be running with you on Sunday, shaking my pom-poms (and the champagne ), but I still hope to do the Parkrun on Saturday as well!
I'm pretty sure I'm going to do parkrun this weekend too, and went to do a tryout today - very pleased that I cut 49 seconds off my previous time, even though my legs were still tired from yesterday's exertions. The question now is, what do I do between now and Saturday, so I don't wear my legs out, but so I can try to accumulate enough 5x50 km? Cycling and yoga I think.
Chill and enjoy it Annie ! Panic not - the worst that can happen is you give the tail-runner the pleasure of your company
You'll be great and I'm sure we'll all be waving pom-poms and cheering for you - it's the least we can do after all the support you've given the 5x50ers
Aww, that's lovely, thank you! I'm getting a bit worried about the course conditions because the rain is so bad I can hear the sound of my neighbours building arks in their garages - but it still might dry up for then!
Terrific news, and your blog will drive me onwards to do something similar very soon. A little holiday has wiped me out of sync for a while, but I am so determined to get going again. Lots of luck for your first PR... Am certain you'll not come on last, but as someone has already said... Whatever you do will be a PB for the next time. Go you! Linda x
Hi again just drove out to my local ParkRun for a quick look around. It's a 2 lap 5k on grass, compacted mud in woodland and gritty canal towpath. Like you I have a fear of falling on mud/wet grass - I did exactly that a few years ago and broke my shoulder (nasty!). I had on my running gear so did one lap (2.5k) my second run since little Italian holiday last weekend - which was wonderful! Took things very steadily and it took me 20 minutes! Now, I'm not sure if I'd be slower or faster in a second lap? Anyhow, you've persuaded/inspired me! I will make my PR debut on 1st June (I have to work the next couple of Saturdays and I still need to find my grad week form) I reckon another couple of weeks effort should get me on target again ... Just wish we could have a decent spell of sunshine. Keeping my fingers crossed for you this w/e, virtual bubbly chilling in the fridge xx
Yay, go for it!!! I wish my local one had more paths on it as I'd really like to get started this weekend, but I'm not going to risk it if it doesn't dry up. Your fall sounds really nasty
20 minutes for one lap - it's hard to say if you'd be slower or faster next time! Me, I reckon I'd be slower, but it still wouldn't matter Thanks for chilling the virtual bubbly - let's hope it's needed!
Hope you have good weather so will have a lovely 1st Parkrun on Saturday. I dragged my son along with me on my first, told the organisers I expected I would be slowest (last and I was, but had the tail runner with me after the first 10 minutes or so ( just after I had slipped over!) I let my son run on after he had turned round and ran backwards twice in the first couple of minutes waiting for me, that was truly humiliating when he could run backwards faster than me forwards! Second half of the run was much better than the first and I was chatting quite happily as I went, and tried a sprint to the end!
My time was very slow, no one minded and I got plenty of claps and cheers; but I have not been back to that course as have done the others when staying at my daughters. I will be going to my one again on Saturday but think it may be a muddy quagmire again looking at the forecast; still I hope for a pb!
I will look out for updates and be cheering you on!
Thanks, Poppy - it's not looking good at the moment because the rain has been torrential for the last couple of days and nights but fingers crossed it might dry up towards the weekend.
Your account of your parkrun is inspiring and helpful, thank you, but I'm glad I'm not going to be running with anyone who can turn round and run backwards And I'd forgotten about the tail runner too - that's a cheerful thought Good luck for yours on Saturday!
Thanks, Tati - just getting round will count as a success! I'm glad you enjoyed yours - everyone seems to have a great time at them, so I am cautiously looking forward to it, weather permitting!
Go Annie, go!!! You can do this!!!! I wish we were there to personally cheer you on plus I could keep you company in the back of the pack. We have an organized run on Sunday that will be made-up of several high-school age kids. I know where this old lady will be... I'm shaking a lovely set of pink and purple poms for you Saturday, Annie! Please update us when you can!! ANNIE ROCKS!!!! Gayle
Yay, pink and purple pom-poms! Thanks for your wonderful support, Gayle Enjoy your teen race I think we do the world a favour by running round at the back of the pack, don't you?
I'm worrying about the weather and the terrain. We are having very heavy rain here and most of the track seems to be on grass. I can't risk slipping or indeed any strains or sprains, as I'm doing a lot of travelling for work over the next few weeks and need to be fully mobile. I'm keeping my fngers crossed for good weather.
Go for it Annie, I'll be cheering you on! Enjoy it and don't worry about your time, there should be a tail runner so even if you are at the back of the pack they should take last place and keep you company. Fingers crossed it stays dry for you!
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Fingers crossed for a decent bit of weather over the weekend.
First Parkrun completed! 
First ParkRun done!
First Parkrun
My first Parkrun
First Parkrun ✅😁
