First Park Run

[Razouski]

Well, I can't believe I actually managed to get myself down to my first Park Run this morning, for my second run since graduating. I had mentioned it to Mr Razouski yesterday, and he was full of encouragement: limiting my alcohol intake yesterday evening (although drinking my share himself seemed a little unnecessary) and sending me to bed at a reasonable time. This morning I was awoken with a cup of tea and my running gear warming on the radiator.

He chauffeured met the park, and I was so grateful to have him there for moral support as I found I was really anxious about running with so many other people.

I wasn't sure what to do about warming up, so did my warm up exercises in the car park and then walked timidly over to where it was all taking place. We newbies were eventually herded together for our briefing, then we had the main briefing and it was time to line up at the start. My heart was pounding and my mouth went dry (why oh why was I so nervous) and I was wondering if I'd even be able to start, never mind finish. So I put Laura on to keep me company and got as ready as I could be.

And then we were off, and I was surrounded by runners, but once I got into my stride it didn't seem so bad, and I soon settled into a rhythm.

It was a three and a half lap course round the park and Mr R was great, as he walked to different vantage points to spur me on. After the first lap I was getting overheated, but was able to fling my jacket at Mr R as I ran past him (and I though of Irish John, and his request for Santa to give him someone to run alongside with a change of wardrobe )

It's weird running with so many people running past, butI was determined to get to the end still running.

I haven't had my official time through yet, but Map My Run said that I did it in 27 minutes 53 seconds. I'm not sure if I believe it but Mr R assured me that I had kept a good pace, and that I'd probably gone a little faster than my usual runs because of all the runners around me. He was dead proud, and it was lovely having him there as my official groupie.

Looking forward to the next one.

Just had my official results: time 27:52, 71 out 157 runners, 14th female and 1st woman in my age group. Go me... go me...

I'm now leaping round the house like a mad woman.

[Davoda Graduate]

Thanks for this. I'm hoping to my first park run next week or the following, & actually had no idea what to expect, so this is very helpful.

That's a very fast time for your first one. 😀🏃‍♀️

So Mapmyrun was pretty much bang on! And amazing to finish so high & 1st in your age group. Wow wow wow! Enjoy your day - you deserve it.

Ha I don't know you from Adam, but I'm so proud of you - what does this group do to you!!!!

[Razouski in reply to Davoda]

I know, this group is so great. I couldn't wait to get home and share it with the group.

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to Davoda]

Do it, do it, do it, do it........I promise you'll love it, go along, join in, and you'll be hooked......

Mx

[Madge50 Graduate]

Wowsers! You're super speedy, well done you. So glad you enjoyed it, I LOVE parkrun 😄. At mine there are over 400 runners, and it's a narrow course, so it gets a tad friendly!

My only regret is not going sooner, I thought I had to be able to 'run' the whole 5k, which of course you don't....

Happy, happy day, go you 🤗

Mx

[Razouski in reply to Madge50]

Yes, I was like you, and felt I needed to coulee the C25K programme and be able to run 5k before doing a Parkrun. But was great to see all sorts of people walking and running.

[Ullyrunner Graduate]

Wow! Well done Razouski! What a great picture and a fab time!

Well done Mr R - you'll have to get him running along with you!

[Razouski in reply to Ullyrunner]

I don't think there's much chance of getting him running, but it was nice to have his support.

[Flossie22 Graduate]

Congratulations Razouski! That is one amazing time and I can imagine how excited you must be feeling right now! Of course we were all running by your side in our virtual world. Excellent news, brilliant parkrun report, I am so happy for you! 👏🏻👏🏻🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏻🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏻😀😀👟👟

[Hidden]

Brilliant post ! Well done. Found it really useful because I'm doing my first park run next week. Good time you.

You know the saying "Behind every good man there's a good woman" . In this case it was "Behind every Razouski there's a Mr Razouski" .

I am having a lot of first's recently .

Posted a photo of new trainers on C25K (Against my better judgement).

First time on a treadmill for gait analysis (Before doing C25K thought 'Gait analysis' meant how fast you could run if chased by an Alligator !!).

Wish I had a Mr Razouski holding my hand !!

Can I borrow Mr Razouski for my park run next Saturday. To mop my brow and hold my coat and meet me with a an appropriate celebratory drink on a silver platter at the end !!

I promise I will include him in the photo at the end in his Butler's suit standing next to me !!

Unfortunately you look the part of a runner. I might be mistaken for Charlie Chaplin in my baggy pants !!

[Razouski in reply to Hidden]

Hi JoeP,

I would lend you Mr R, but I have a feeling I will need him again, as I may well do it all again next weekend. This time I might make sure I don't have a drink the night before, but save it until the evening after.

Good luck for next week end, I'm looking forward to the Charlie Chaplin photo! 😂😂😂

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

That's really fantastic! Congratulations. You deserve to be very pleased with yourself.

And how lovely to have your OH there for you. I hope you gave him a huge hug.

[Razouski in reply to Maddee_6333]

I had to wait until after I'd showered before I could go near him. 😂😂

[Mollydex Graduate]

Wow that's brilliant time , well done . How great to have your own live in trainer as well

[Hidden]

Incredibly well done ! That's just fantastic. Well done you !

[poppypug Graduate]

You did absolutely brilliantly! Really Well done to you , that is a truly amazing time and you look FANTASTIC !!

I would be jumping through hoops and doing cartwheels with that time . Ha ha !

Thumbs up to Mr R too - what a lovely hubby you have ! xxx

[Rosie958 Graduate]

Congratulations on a brilliant parkrun debut! Love your pink running gear too

[debze Graduate]

That's fantastic! And a brilliant time too...well done you!

[orchards Graduate]

Wow! Congratulations - that's an amazing first parkrun! Impressed by Mr R's efforts too (except that I think he might have saved your share of yesterday's alcohol for you to celebrate with today )

[Hidden]

Wow - well done - amazing time and you look amazing 🌟🌟

[aliboo70]

Wow!super speedy!congratulations! !! 😆

[Pc59 Graduate]

Wow👏👏⭐️⭐️🏃🏃huge congratulations 😊😊 I love the post I'm going to keep reading it as I woke yesterday planning to go!!!! But felt just like you so nerve racking it's silly at my age!!! And the good old gremlins won!! I'm still planning virtual on 24th so I'm going to read this post daily till I get there!!!! Times amazing & you definately look a runner🏃🏃🏃🏃 enjoy😊

[Razouski in reply to Pc59]

Thanks, it wasn't actually that scary at all once I got going. And the people are really encouraging. The virtual run on the 24th sounds good. How does the virtual run work... I think I'm a little slow on the uptake.

[Pc59 Graduate in reply to Razouski]

Well I think it's a case of we all just report on our run & add a photo of us at the parkrun😊 I believe Santa hats were mentioned😂🎅 if you check on the pinned posts there is details😊

[AnneDroid Graduate]

Superb time! And great report too. Well done you and Mr R.

[Razouski in reply to AnneDroid]

Thanks AnneDroid. I was really surprised by the time, and so were my legs, as they were a bit achey last night. Fine today though.