How was your second parkrun?

How did you fair on your second and subsequent parkrun? Obviously the first run will always be a PB and a celebration but how was your time second time round? I have yet to go back as I have to share the event with hubs/childcare but am slightly worried that I won't be able to do it this time!!

[Scruffy64 Graduate]

oh me too, going to my second tomorrow and I'm sure it will be slower 😞 I volunteered as a marshal last week and loved it (perhaps too much 😄) it was more fun seeing everyone go round than watching their retreating backs in the distance!!

[Hidden in reply to Scruffy64]

If I don't get called into work tonight, I will be going to parkrun tomorrow. Seems as scary as the first time as I have expectations this time!!

[Scruffy64 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yes I know what you mean, and my 80 year old father has learned how to look up the results on the website - oh the shame if there's no improvement 😲

[Hidden in reply to Scruffy64]

How did you get on?

[Scruffy64 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

The actual results aren't out yet (our parkrun must be one of the last to publish results each week!) but I know I was slower - it was drizzling and slippery in places and I had to walk a few times due to a bit of dizziness from an ear problem that started yesterday, but I don't mind, I was out there and completed the course, my Dad might have something to say about it though!! I'm volunteering again next week as I want to try and do a virtual Poppy Run on the Sunday, and I just can't manage 5K runs on consecutive days

[Jeleybelly Graduate]

You don't have to get a PB every time! It's enough to just run it and enjoy it 😃

[Hidden]

I didn't work last night so I was up and out this morning. Nice jog up to the common as a warm up then some stretches on the start line. Had a few worries at the start but they went when we got going. First mile up the hill was good, typical gremlins at the end of mile two as the front runners overtake (psychological issue for me there!) followed by a tougher third mile up a long incline. I didn't stop which was great. I enjoyed most of it! I came in 4 places behind last time but my time was 50 seconds quicker. From now on times don't matter as I am consistent and I am happy with that!

[Scruffy64 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Brilliant, well done - those front runners are something else aren't they? And their breathing sounds as loud as mine!! Fantastic time though, nearly a minute faster, wow! Mine will be several minutes slower, but I don't mind, I'm just enjoying being there, and have started to feel more comfortable going to the event. We even had a blind lady running today with a guide - now that was inspirational

[Hidden in reply to Scruffy64]

The front runners are amazing but slightly intimidating that they can push so hard! Mind you they are mere teenagers and I am a middle aged lady lol. I saw a few runners who were doing c25k with walk/run and I was willing them to finish. We also had a blind man who was being guided, amazing! I hope to feel more comfortable with parkrun soon, it is still a bit new for me.

[Scruffy64 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Think I'm lucky that my parkrun is quite small, only 200 - 250 runners, and in a place I'm very familiar with and that helps a lot, oh and it's flat!! I just love that you can be 7 or 77 and any level of fitness, and all are welcome and cheered on no matter how slowly you go. I'm a middle aged lady too, and I'll never be chasing the 17 minute finishers, still amazed I can do it at all, 6 months ago I couldn't have run 200 meters let alone 5K - just keep going as often as you can.

[Scruffy64 Graduate]

Results are in, and apparently I finished 1 minute and 3 seconds faster than last time - hmmmm - I walked for part of the 2nd lap, so either my walking has really speeded up or I was much closer to the start line than last time!!! Still, pr says I have a new pb, so I'm happy with that!