Has anyone tried parkrun?

[Balimbalo]

I'm thinking of doing the Saturday morning parkrun. I've registered but I'm too afraid to go! Has anyone tried it? How slow are you allowed to be?

[Twizzle53 Graduate]

Hi Balimbalo, nothing to be afraid of at a Parkrun, I will be doing my fourth one tomorrow and I am slow. There is no time limit, just go at your own pace and enjoy it. The event is well organised and people are very friendly. I was overawed the first time I went as my local event is quite large - nearly 500 runners. However the organisers and other runners were fab and I enjoyed every miniute of it. I came in at 3rd from the end just in front of a father and his 6 year old son, but hey ho I did it and the feeling of achievement was fantastic.

You could always volunteer first to get a feel for the event if you are still not sure. Good luck.

[incatinker]

If you are concerned, you could always check out the results for your local event online before you go. My husband runs at a big event in our city, there are some 450 runners, taking between 16 and 46 mins to complete the 5k. I go to watch with the dog, and it was the friendliness and inclusiveness of the event that inspired me to start C25K. I'm on week 4 so a little way to go yet, but I'm looking forward to being part of something like parkrun. I say go for it, don't forget to register

[GoogleMe Graduate]

My brother has been trying to encourage me to do a local one. My reservations are more about hard surfaces and running with other people than about time as he has told me that my PB of 47m 57s would not make me the slowest.

[vixiej Graduate]

go for it, as the others all said above, its very inclusive and there are many slower people, nobody will view you badly if you are a bit slow.

I remember being too scared to run anywhere outside the local park (running in circles for the first few weeks of C25K), but it felt great when I ventured out and at the time I just hoped people would think my red face and slow speed was due to having done 10 miles already After a while I ventured further afield. Parkrun is just another step in that journey, the thought may be a little scary, but it's great, I'm sure you will love it!

Happy running

[Tootsvanoots Graduate]

Go for it! The first time I did it I was quite nervous. I nearly ran away half way through. But now it is a regular thing. I get excited for when the result text comes through - hoping for a PB. If you are worried, you can check out the results of your local parkrun online, or even have a little practice of the route in advance. I always run the route faster if I'm doing it as a parkrun, than when I do it as a midweek run. Anyway, they are a friendly bunch. Very supportive, and the people who come in towards the end usually get a nice cheer.

[Superslow]

Signed up for it but yet to do as I've only just started the Couch to 5K training and no way can I run 5K at the moment - week 1 has proved that! But will do it.

[Aftabs Graduate]

I can't add much to what everyone has said above. It is a great event and for people of all abilities. There are a few people at my local Parkrun who walk and run the course and we always wait at the finishing line for everyone to finish to give them a great cheer.

Sweatshop (one of the sponsors) give a monthly prize of a pair of trainers, and the organisers choose the winner. Today this months prize was given to a lady who in the summer was completing the course in about 50 mins and a few weeks ago completed her first sub 40 minute time! When she got the prize she got a massive cheer!

I have now completed 15 Parkruns and it's something I look forward to.

[Jennyh543]

I ran my first this morning and loved it!

The thing I liked most was feeling positive whilst running. Something about running in a group means the demons disappear ('just go home' 'why are you doing this to yourself' etc) and it makes for a pressure-free workout.

[crox Graduate]

Remember parkrun's are timed runs, not races. There's no pressure at all, all they ask is that you enjoy yourself and try your best

[Balimbalo]

Thank you everyone! I had a look at today's results, slowest being 43 minutes, and I reckon I can do it a tiny bit faster than that, so won't be last! Going to run the course tomorrow on my own to see how I get on and go the week after next (I would go next week, but friends are coming to visit, I doubt they fancy a 5k run after their journey, but I can ask!) I'll let you all know how I get on. Thanks again for sharing, and your words of encouragement.

[crox Graduate in reply to Balimbalo]

You go for it, it'll be worth it. Don't forget people can always volunteer before participating

[Troggie_One Graduate]

Don't worry about being last! I am usually last home at my local Parkrun( and in fact the tail-runner beat me back the first week as she didn't realise I was taking part, LOL!). I get huge encouragement from everyone there and when I set a PB I am always amazed at how many come over to offer their congratulations. Just enjoy your run and see your times improve over the weeks.