On New Year's Day 2012 I was not a runner. For all that follows I blame my friend Karen for tweeting an unfamiliar hashtag – #C25k. I'm intrigued by anything I don't understand, so failed to resist Googling it. I read about how it was 'possible' to learn to run a little at a time and achieve 5k in a matter of nine weeks. I was carrying a *cough* little extra luggage around the waistline so however sceptical I was, I thought I'd give it a go.
With the unerring support of 'Laura' on the C25k podcasts, Karen and I set ourselves a goal of a 5k in March. Progression went well and I was confident that I could achieve my goal. The day came and I completed but was kicking myself for a short walk up the last hill. That evening I set about finding the next 5k I could possibly enter and once again, Google helped. In a mere six days I could attempt to slay the dragon that was running 5k at Pontefract parkrun. As an adopted Yorkshireman, the price appealed, it seemed friendly and having checked the results, I was unlikely to be last.
I don't recall much about that first parkrun except the sheer elation of running every single solitary step of the 3.1 miles around the racecourse. I'd done it. I could run 5k and that, as they say, was that...
Except it wasn't. Something about parkrun made me go back. Something about the wonderful people, the friendly atmosphere, the amazing support and encouragement whether you achieved that magical PB or barely made it over the line. I was soon volunteering regularly in every role. I think it's fair to say that in those first few weeks parkrun got under my skin.
Three years and 144 parkruns later I am proud to have made the progression from parkrunner through volunteer to Run Director and Event Director and onwards to parkrun UK ambassador whilst still being 'all of the above'. Outside parkrun I have completed dozens of races from 5k up to and including three marathons as well as three sprint triathlons.
Thank you to Karen and Laura for starting me out on the amazing, life-changing, journey that running has taken me on. If anyone is wondering whether they'd be welcome at parkrun, the answer is a resounding 'yes'. No matter how fast or slow you are, walking the whole 5k, running it all or any combination please come along and join in. You won't regret it.
Written by
rutson
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WOW!! Parkrun really did get under your skin, didn't it?? Myrunning career has pretty well followed yours - except I have only gotten to Parkrun volunteer so far!!
Everything you have said about C25K is true. Unfortunately , here in Australia, while parkrun has certainly taken off in a BIG way, I am not too sure that C25K is all that well known.
Wow that's one inspirational story for us still slogging through the program! I hope to sign up for my first park run when I finish c25k next week. Eek!
Brilliant Post ! well done to you, thats fantastic!
i started parkrun cos my best friend, her husband and 3 kids all do it, went and watched first and did my first one on around week 8 of C25K, its a great event! I'm up to no 41 now and volunteering this week as back up timekeeper!
Great story - lovely to hear another fabulous tale of couch to 5k and beyond. I started C25k just so I could complete a Colour Run with friends, but the running bug has truely taken over. I too did my first parkrun last week, absolutely love it and it is now scheduled in to the routine for the foreseeable future.
Brilliant post! Totally agree with Park Run (and running) getting under your skin. My partner Chrissy_b123 and I graduated on the C25K, and thought we'll just go along and have a look (which was last Saturday) absolutely fantastic, the organisation was spot-on, the people were like friends, from the minute you got there, and the encouragement from everybody unbelievable, even down to the majority of runners waiting for the last person to cross the line to a resounding cheer, and no matter what the time was of the last runner, they were still quicker than all the ones that were still on the couch. Addictive? Is it Saturday yet?, is it? is it?
This is a fantastic post. Thank you for sharing. It makes you want to get up and give it a go. Good on you
Thanks for sharing Rutson this is really inspiring. I am only at the beginning of my c25k journey and stories like this really motivate me. I have been pondering c25k for a while, but the final incentive came when I decided to sign up to a 5k colour run in September to raise some money for charity. Maybe one day I'll find my local parkrun!
wow...wow and wow again...what a fantastic post and so inspirational. Parkrun is fantastic and we are incredibly lucky to be part of it thanks to all the volunteers etc. Thankyou for sharing your journey and I hope this encourages others to join in the Parkrun fun too . My favourite place I want to be a Parkrun tourist is people in Russia, its tiny and I follow them on Instagram..each week the crowd gets bigger on the pics they post. Id love to go there one day to meet them.... Round the World in Parkruns???
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Myrunning career has pretty well followed yours - except I have only gotten to Parkrun volunteer so far!! 
My C25K journey and beyond 😊
My love of running is well and truly resurrected!
Achieved my goal of a park run before Christmas 
What a journey...from a running sceptic to a convert
Resuming my C25K journey tomorrow 
