Park Run: am I ready?

I totally get your nerves. I also feel that way about doing my first parkrun. I should do it on Saturday but I am scared. How rediculous do I sound, I know! I can do the distance as I have covered it in my training runs but it is all those people that seems to overwhelm me. Our local parkrun can have 700+. Where would I stand in the queue to start. Obviously not at the front, maybe at the back? So many questions.......

Firstly, the answer to your title = YES!

Provided you can walk/run/crawl 5k then you are ready!

People have this image of elite athletes at Parkrun but it just not like that. There will be people at the front completing in 17 minutes, but they are equally supportive of the person who comes in at 58 minutes. Many wait to make sure they congratulate those who finish last. there is such a good atmosphere.

I have done parkrun in over 45 minutes.

And many people walk.

Edit: forgot to add, start at the back. If you are faster you can always pass people. After a few runs you will get a feel for where you need to be. It is better pyscologically to be passing people than being passed.

I've never got further than week 5 - but I'm working on it again now!

I did a parkrun about a year ago, in about 45 mins using my podcast then restarting it to complete the course. My local parkrun is very popular and the times are varied from 17 mins to over an hour.

Just do it, the atmosphere is great! I'm planning to do my c25k podcasts at my local parkrun course (in the dark) from wk 3 onwards to get me back into the mindset that I can do it with my head held high

My main problem is tackling hills. It always breaks me and the two times I had to stop was due to steep inclines.

I am doing the Mo Run on 6 November but this is flat, however I want to do the Sunderland Park Run but fear the hills will end up breaking me. What's the best way to train for hills?

My son has done several Parkruns in various locations and they all have the same friendly inclusive atmosphere. People run/walk as they need to and nobody is thought the less of- they are wonderful. We are in the happy position of being near several so perhaps you might find one without the hill?

As Laura says, sometimes the challenge is a mental one. Go for it!

Well doogaloo are you running today? I am up and dressed ready. I sit here nervously awaiting the next 10 minutes before I walk up to parkrun. Feeling scared which is bonkers. Scared of the unknown I guess. Hopefully I will have good things to report later!

hope it went ok. i did my run. 250th out of 250, but hey. AWful hills. but don't think i will be nervous next time. how did it go for you?