Want to do first parkrun

What is the best way for a recent c25k graduate to prepare in the week before the first parkrun? I have done the 26 min speed podcast three times following a long weekend with no runs.

[misswobble Graduate]

Parkrun is not a race, and is a supportive, safe environment for runners of all abilities, so you'll be in good hands. You can run it however you wish, there is no pressure at all ☺

I would get an early night and make sure you are well hydrated. I would have my breakfast about 7.30 to 8.00 am for a 9.00 am start. Don't forget your barcode. Enjoy yourself. It's Fun! 😊

[Hidden in reply to misswobble]

Thank you! Very comforting and encouraging.

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Hidden]

You could take some dosh as there could well be post run coffee and bacon saris ☺Oh, and you could put your name down on the volunteer rota 😊

[Hidden in reply to misswobble]

Yes - and there's another on the to-do list, buy a bumbag for dosh etc rather than stuffing keys and phone into sports bra as now! My daughter and her husband are joining me but are uber fit - the coffee might be a little cool by the time I join them!

[Coddfish Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Oh no, definitely wouldn't recommend having breakfast before a run!!! I always run on empty, anything else means cramps, feeling sick, food tasting in your throat etc etc.

[misswobble Graduate]

I travel light so no phone ☺ I stuff my water bottle down by top, along with any sweet wrappers 😊

[MarkyD Graduate]

Misswobble has given you all the reassurance that you need.

Only thing that I can add it maybe to reccie the parkrun course before the Saturday morning. go and find out where to park, what facilities are there (toilets?) and perhaps have a little pootle around the course at your own pace, so you know the terrain. Having already done it once, you'll be more confident at 9am on Saturday.

[Hidden]

Great idea, I'll go tomorrow and be a spectator!

[AnneDroid Graduate]

Do you have a bike, JJMMBB? If so, a variation on MarkyD's advice might be to cycle round the course after the runners. That was what I did the first time just so I could see what the route was, rather than running it "blind". I asked the organisers if it was okay to do so and they didn't mind a bit.

Or just go for it!

[Hidden]

This is so heartwarming that anyone cares! Thank you so much! No bike sadly.

I will go and jog it after they finish.

[AnneDroid Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Ha! Of course we care. We love each other here.

Another option is just to join in from the start and if you find it overwhelming and don't want to be on record for a very slow time or something (although no one minds so you don't need to mind either!) then just don't hand over your barcode at the end.

That way your time won't appear online for the world to read if you don't want it to. Personally, I was so chuffed to be finished the first time I did it wild horses wouldn't have stopped me registering my barcode... Also, the next time you do it you may well beat your time and your next time will show up as a "Personal Best", two words you may well find you love.

Honestly, if you've to walk wee bits of it you will definitely not be the only one. And you'll probably find the buzz of the thing carries you further and faster than you've done previously.

So, on reflection, just do it and come back on here and tell us how it went.

[RunaroundSue]

It wasn't a deliberate act of preparation for me, but I found it helpful to listen to a playlist of songs that had already worked for me. After my graduation, I just set to play a folder of various singles (vinyl and digital downloads) that I have accumulated over many years. The first bunch were good, in fact J ran a bit longer than planned as I "will just listen to this one"!

The second less so, possibly because the first song was Stop! By Sam Brown which didn't help me get into a good stride.

So when I did the Park Run, I replayed the first set. It also helped me gauge the time as I ran into the finish tunnel to the opening bars of Stairway to Heaven, which was just started as I finished my first post-grad run. I was fairly certain I had done about 40 minutes and yes, it was 41.

[RunaroundSue]

I would say, yes go with the intention of just looking, but be prepared to run. Just in case everyone is as welcoming as they were at my first Park Run, otherwise you may regret not going for it.

Several people encouraged me beforehand and then they were looking out for me at/after the finish, so it was really buzzing. And so what if you can't run it all, I didn't, or get a slow time, you will have done it and feel great and start looking forward to your second one (I still haven't managed to fit one in, but I can't wait)

[Rosie958 Graduate]

This is a great thread! The Edinburgh parkrun is not far from me, and I am thinking of signing up. I usually work on Saturdays so it won't be for a few weeks.

[AnneDroid Graduate in reply to Rosie958]

Go for it! I can only speak for Perth parkrun really but I imagine they're all similar. People are so welcoming and accepting. At ours there are elderly runners jogging slowly with spells of walking, people pushing prams, people running with children, and of course the elite ones who are heading back whilst I'm still chugging outwards. Anything goes. I was a volunteer marshal on Saturday and one couple walked the whole thing. I don't think that's the way to go, by the way but the point is that you'll e fine. No question.

[HappyRunner Graduate]

People are really friendly at parkruns so enjoy yourself. I would also add to remember to do a warmup before the run starts at 9am. Get there a little bit early and warm up with a walk and a very slow gentle jog.

[jo4t15 Graduate]

If you can't get to a parkrun to have a look, go to the parkrun page and get info about the course. I somehow found a video of the course I was thinking of doing, which helped me not get lost when I went for a pre-parkrun run, which actually made me decide to do a different one. The original one was too hilly at the time. As others have said, go along and have a go. Even if you go slowly or walk it means you'll keep getting personal bests as you improve or get more confident.

Good luck.

[Coddfish Graduate]

I watched Parkrun before doing it, it gave me reassurance there would be people like me doing it. I also looked at the results to reassure myself I wouldn't be last.

Having done a few other parkruns as a 'tourist' I would say they are all friendly and supportive, but some give off a more serious vibe than others. My local is a flat and easy out and back on a seafront promenade (easy except for the prevailing wind), and has a vast variety of ages, shapes and abilities. It's not unusual for people to walk it. But I have been to parkruns where everyone is fairly young or if older is very fit. I have been to parkruns with pacers. So definitely look at it so you know what to expect.