When did you do your 1st park run?

[Joolez]

I'd like to give park runs a go but am only starting week 5 ... did you wait until you could run consistently for 5k or did you walk part of the race?

[Madge50 Graduate]

Hi, I made the mistake of thinking I had to be able to run the whole 5k before I went. Parkrun is for everyone, lots of people use it for doing C25K, many walk/run, some walk the whole lot, do whatever you want.

I love parkrun, my only regret is I should have gone along sooner, please go, I promise you won't regret it, if you're nervous about going, have a go at volunteering first, then you can see how it works, the volunteers are the real stars of parkrun and you'll be very warmly welcomed as a runner or volunteer.

Mx

Ps. Parkrun is not a 'race'

[RunaroundSue in reply to Madge50]

Good reply Madge50.

I ran exactly one week after finishing, because I was camping near to Conkers.

But knowing what I do now I would say that if you are confident that you can walk 5k, then have a go, but don't push yourself to run beyond the stage you have reached in the programme. Walk the rest of it.

And yes, volunteering is good fun and means when you do run you know some of the people who are cheering you on.

[Madge50 Graduate in reply to RunaroundSue]

Thanks Sue, and I like it that it's definitely not a 'race' so there's no pressure, in fact, those that are at the back usually get the biggest cheers and encouragement!

I just love it!

Mx

[RunaroundSue in reply to Madge50]

I like tailrunning, although the first time I did it I was almost running to keep up with the person who was walking because of a problem knee (she was over 6 foot tall). Luckily we caught up with a slower runner so I was able to let her go on ahead.

I enjoyed the one where we almost walked it all, once the mother and daughter stopped bickering

But I was glad I didn't tailrun last week. The person with her dropped out after one lap and she had to leg it to catch up the next person.

[Millsie-J Graduate]

I would look at what distance you are covering on the programme, including your warm up/down. If you are around 4k it wont take much for you to walk the rest of the parkrun course. So you could do one of your programme runs each week as a parkrun. BUT, dont be tempted to increase your running distance too quickly, the IC is really no fun at all.

Be careful not to put yourself under pressure by trying to run too far too soon.

Parkrun should be known as Parkfun, you will love it 🏃🏻‍♀️😀

[Hidden]

I waited until after I was able to run 5k but really there is no need. My mum did a walk/jog with my 6 yr old and they came in at 43ish minutes. My 6yr old (now 7!!) will run it in 35 minutes. The results for your parkrun will give you an idea how long the last person takes. Ours is about an hour with approx 700 people taking part. A walk/run would be totally achievable so go for it! BTW you will never be last as a volunteer will carry that banner!

[davelinks Graduate]

I did my first Parkrun on w6, of course I couldn't run 5k. At that first one I started my 5 min warm up walk at the start off then did the c25k run, finished that then just walked and maybe a short easy jog as well depending on how I felt, to the finish.. I did change the warmup to right before the start so to start off with the other runners at the back of the pack, but made sure not to start off running too fast with them,after I made that mistake once and felt early burn out! It was some weeks later before I could slowly run 5k constantly, that's a very good feeling as well!😊💪

[Joolez Graduate in reply to davelinks]

That's really useful, thank you 😀

[davelinks Graduate]

Parkrun isn't really a race, although some treat it like a race, but that's up to the individual. You can treat it how you like, race, run, walk! Best to fast walk though as there are volunteer marshals around the course waiting for everyone to go through, and maybe in freezing weather..😊

[ladyharvills Graduate]

I graduated at Parkrun so I knew I would be able to run the whole thing. It took me 33 minutes and I didn't stop to walk. There's no harm in walking though! It isn't a race.

[nickimcjiggy]

A parkrun was my Week 5 Run 3 run.

I ran 33 minute 5k which I was super super proud of. But like Madge says, it really isnt' a race. I had to walk some parts and the uphills and downhills on the route left me a little bit flustered but it was really really motivating.

If you don't feel ready to do the whole 5k, then you and include your warm up and down as part of it. This should cover a good 1km