This was supposed to be posted yesterday but because of a really busy day, this parkrun blog post is being posted today instead as well as my report from the 10km run today,
So I went to parkrun yesterday, I was really looking forward to going as I signed up to be a tail runner, a person who runs at the back making sure everyone is safe, nothing bad happens and telling the marshals when they can leave their post when you go past the last time,
So I got up and got ready, had a shower, got changed, ate some breakfast, double and triple checked I had everything for the parkrun and then I set off, I got to parkrun for 8 to help set-up the course, I help with setting up the cones around the track, the starting cones and the cones directing people off the track, so I set up all that and then I go to the run director get a hi-vis jacket as I need to be seen and for people to know that I'm part of the parkrun volunteering in case they have any questions, any worries, if they get hurt, so I then nip toilet and get ready to listen to the run brief,
I stand there listen to the run brief and then we go line up for the start of the run, I was tail runner with this guy called craig (I originally put brian for some reason but checked and his name is craig not brian oops glad I checked) so we start going round the track and then the run director comes up to me and craig (I really want to call him brian for some reason stupid brain stop it lol) so we get told that there is 3 people who started a tad bit late so we stop and wait for them to catch up as we stay right at the back behind everyone so marshals know we are last and there isn't anymore runners behind us, so once they catch up we start jogging behind them, we natter but not to much so we are paying attention to the runners, other people in the park, as we are coming around I spot a person walking around the course yes you read that right, this woman came out to parkrun and didn't care about how long she took as long as she crossed that finish line, we kept her company until the end of the run, this woman decided to go to a parkrun and walk the course, it just goes to show anyone yes even you that even if you end up walking the whole of the course it doesn't matter, you are lapping everyone on the couch, you are also doing something you may not think possible so even if you do a walk run around your local parkrun course be proud of who you are, where you have come from, how much you struggled during that first week, you have come so far already and you can only improve but take it at your own pace so you don't cause an injury,
Yesterday's parkrun could've been this woman's first parkrun and didn't feel like she didn't want to hurt herself by running the course, do you know what, people like this woman I have admiration for as well as everyone else that goes to parkrun, people go to parkrun for different reasons, a lot of people go to increase their fitness levels, lose weight, make new friends, gain in confidence and/or self-esteem,
it doesn't matter what your reason for going to your parkrun, people who help out and marshal or tail run only want you to be happy, and enjoy yourself there no matter what time you cross the finish line in, I came in with a time of 56:19 and do you know what I'm more proud of that time than any other time I've got because it meant I gave a woman who may not necessarily felt like she could get round the whole course by running but she knew she could by walking the course, and no matter if you run the whole course or walk the whole course, everyone gets treated equally and gets cheered on just the same if not more if you are at the back,
Take care everyone,
Siobhan xx
Written by
amateurwriter
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Hi Siobhan - many thanks for your description of being a tail guide at the parkrun! I have been wanting to do a parkrun ever since I started the Couch to 5K programme, but I have always bottled it because I thought I was too slow and wasn't yet running enough. You have encouraged me to have a go! (Or at least to give up with the excuses... )
There should be a tail runner - If you want to know that your parkrun has one look at the results page The giveaways are that the last name is also in the volunteer list and/or they will usually have a PB far better than the time.
And never worry how long you will be - the volunteers will stay as long as it takes. If for any reason you feel uncomfortable report it to the Run Director - unless its them ou have the problem with
I also want to say that I have had a quick look at your profile and some of your earlier posts - you are an inspiration! What you have achieved in such a short time is awesome - best of luck with reaching that 500th parkrun!
Great post as always amateurwriter as so right about parkrun is for all 😊
Floss, you type @ then name, no space. I type fast hence all my mistakes but you need to slow down and wait for the dropbox to appear, click on the name. C'est tout. Like this: Oldfloss
Takes a while to get the hang of it. Are you clicking on the name in the dropbox or typing it? When you type @bo , scroll down under your post where a dropbox has popped up with a selection of names, click on the name there Oldfloss
Hmmm type @oldfloss. After you type @ol a dropbox comes up and you can scroll down to click on the name you want or keep typing @oldf so it moves to the top of the dropbox. Then it will appear in your message as Oldfloss
Thanks for sharing xx We are told that tail runners don't mind, but it is really good to hear that yes, it's right, tail runners really don't mind! I have to say, I had weird preconceived ideas about running and runners and yet I haven't met a 'snooty' one yet. The running community is amazingly accepting and encouraging of every one
I think tail runners are hugely appreciated. Well done for doing this Siobhan, same for everyone who'll stand out in the cold and cheer on the stragglers.
Great post AW. At most of our 5k events (we don't have parkrun) we have walkers as well. It's great to see everyone out and enjoying an event, no matter the time it takes, from the super speedy to the ones gently walking the whole way.
Brilliant post Siobhan, you are a total inspiration and I am so pleased that you are such a supportive part of the parkrun and this community xxxx
You gave that lady at parkrun yesterday a very warm welcome and made sure that she didnt feel any embarassment with walking the course and because of this you made it such a positive experience for her . Well done !
I went through everything I mentioned in this post as well as other mental barriers, I always had a worry about me falling over and hitting my head or hurting myself or falling/tripping up and looking silly/stupid, it took me about 2-3months til I finally got the courage up to go to my 1st parkrun, it has been one of the best decision's I've ever made and I haven't looked back I love going there, helping out and running the parkrun
Trying to reply back to everyone on here and on my post about today's bolton10k which I will be writing a post about that soon, I had a fantastic time today and now I have a few pictures that JB was kind enough to take some pictures of me running round the track and other parts of the course
Thank you for writing this Siobhan, I am sure you will have encouraged your walking park runner to come back. At my Parkrun there are often people walking; also people running a bit, walking a bit; everything from 16-17 minute flyers all the way to 50+ minutes. Everyone gets a good cheer too.
For anyone worrying about doing parkrun, so long as you can walk 5k, you will be absolutely fine.
Glad you posted this as I've been thinking about going to my local parkrun, but I'm not quite at 5k yet, even though I run for 30 minutes. So thank you, I think I'll be brave and give it a try.
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