To parkrun or not....

[Kegwills]

For a while now I've been wanting to take part in my local parkrun. I graduated a while ago and have since done another two 5k runs. The trouble is it usually takes me about 42 minutes and looking at the results I'd be almost the last. Has anyone else been in this position and how did you feel about it?

[HelenaShaw Graduate]

I did my first parkrun when I was about Week 5 in the programme. It took over 50 minutes and I did alternating walking and running. I was last or very nearly last that week, so I went round with the tail runner, and she was so friendly and supportive, saying that she'd done the Couch to 5K earlier in the year and really enjoyed it.

Over the next few weeks I eventually managed to run the whole thing, but I continued to be near the end, so I got to know all the tail runners and they made sure they were there to cheer me over the line!

I did manage to improve my time gradually, and I remember the week when I was able to overtake someone and I didn't run round with the tail runner any more. I've now done 13 parkruns, with a PB of 38:06 and I've loved every one. The whole atmosphere is so supportive - I'd totally recommend it to anyone - best thing ever!!

[Kegwills Graduate in reply to HelenaShaw]

Well done on your PB. My next goal is to do 5k in under 40 mins. It will happen at some point!

[Scruffy64 Graduate]

I graduated last week, and have only done a couple of slowish 5Ks but I'm going to my 1st parkrun tomorrow morning.......I know I'll be with the tail runner, but its been my goal since May - go on, go for it, plenty of folks just walk, and there's no shame in that

[misswobble Graduate in reply to Scruffy64]

It's brilliant and you should crack on and do it. ,it's a great place for fledgling runners! I recently ran at the back of the pack as tail runner and absolutely loved it. Folks are at the back for various reasons so no-one judges you ☺

[Kegwills Graduate in reply to Scruffy64]

I'm hoping to be able to do my first one tomorrow too!

[Madge50 Graduate]

Do it, do it, do it! I love park run, I love volunteering too, my favourite bit is cheering everyone on, everyone, front, back, middle, whatever, it doesn't matter how long you take, just that you join in, give it a go and have fun.

Please go, I'm sure you'll love it 👏😄

Mx

Ps, I'm always in the last group when I do parkrun and have been the tail runner too - one of my favourite roles 😄

[Kegwills Graduate]

Thank you for all your encouraging replies. As I said it's something I've wanted to do for a while but I'm very nervous about it. I don't know why because although I don't find it easy I know I CAN run 5k so why should a parkrun day be any different? ! I think I shall just bite the bullet and do it. If I'm at the back I'll just chat to the tail runner! 😀

[Biscuit0107 Graduate]

I have a little crisis of confidence before every run ... I've done 18 park runs moving from 42.30 to a PB of 34.02 and I love the the supportive atmosphere and sheer joy I get from running, once I get over the jitters at the beginning 😀

[Kegwills Graduate]

Well I went and did it and I'm so glad I did! Atmosphere was fantastic, everyone was so encouraging and I managed a PB of 38 mins. Needless to say I'll be doing it again as soon as I get the chance! Thanks to you all for giving me that push I needed. ☺

[Scruffy64 Graduate]

That's brilliant, well done! I did my first this morning too, still waiting for the results to be published, but I know I was much slower than you, but I really don't mind - I did it, and I didn't walk, and yes it is fantastic, so friendly and encouraging

[Scruffy64 Graduate in reply to Scruffy64]

Just got my time - 41:17, pretty slow, but about 5 minutes faster than my first 5K last week. Right, time for some breakfast I think!

[Kegwills Graduate in reply to Scruffy64]

Well done Scruffy64, like me that's a huge improvement. I think mine might have been the surge of people carrying me forward at the start. 😀 Which one did you go to and did you enjoy it?

[Scruffy64 Graduate in reply to Kegwills]

Loved it Kegwills even though I started at the back, so no surge to carry me forward!!! There was a chap running with a Jack Russell alongside me, and the poor little feller decided he had to poop, OMG, I had to jump over him!! My local parkrun is Stratford upon Avon, which possibly wins the category of flattest route in the UK, definitely an advantage for me at this stage of being a fledgling 'runner' Where was your pr?

[Kegwills Graduate in reply to Scruffy64]

I loved it too. Mine was at cannon hill. Fairly flat there too thankfully, I'm not overly keen on hills. Loving the dog story! Glad you spotted it and didn't fall over it. 😂

[Biscuit0107 Graduate]

Well done on everyone's park runs 😀 Looks like we have a few new converts!