Advice on first parkrun please?

[emzylou]

A while back I mentioned that I wanted to do a half marathon next year and I received some good advice to do some smaller races first. So I have found a parkrun nearby, looked over all the details and it's somewhere I know well. Any advice for running a proper race? Thanks

[notbad Graduate]

I'd advise starting towards the back of the pack (unless you're really fast), not going too fast to begin with, find a comfortable pace, don't worry about matching other runners speeds. If it feels right later on you can pick your way forward - that's my method anyway. Good luck and enjoy Oh and I always say 'thank you' to the volunteers!

[crox Graduate]

Rule no. 1 of parkrun - Don't forget your barcode.

Rule no.2 - it's not a race (except against yourself), so relax and enjoy it.

Choose a pace you can maintain and try to not get carried away.

[baronblaze]

As above try and relax at the start, do not go too fast but run at a pace that you feel comfortable with. You will find that running with the others will naturally spur you on. If you have already run 5K the distance should hold no fear. As Crox says its only a race against yourself. Hopefully you will be inspired to participate in future weeks. You will find that you have put down a marker to beat and also have some unconscious rivalry with those runners with around the same time as you. The second parkrun is usually easier due to the experience of having already completed one.