Woohoo! Staggered through my first Parkrun!

[allegrachick]

Forgive me if I sit here basking in the glow of personal achievement. Yesterday, after a bit of cajoling from my daughter-in-law and head coach, I did my first ever Parkrun. I've completed week 7 of c25k and she felt I needed to push myself ahead of the 5k run we've signed up for in June. It's no exaggeration to say that I barely slept the night before as I was terrified. Of what? Of being in a huge pack of people who are fitter and faster and younger and slimmer than me. And guess what? I had the time of my life. It was brilliant, absolutely fantastic fun. Arriving at Southampton Common at a time I'd usually still be in bed I was amazed to find sooo many people already there, jogging, warming up. Scary! I was right at the back going at my usual tortoise pace and it really didn't matter at all. People of all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities high-fived me, clapped as I jogged past, waved, cheered and everyone was just so friendly. If you could bottle the atmosphere you could sell it for a fortune. Did I run all 5k? Heck no. But I didn't chicken out either, I just alternated jogging with walking, and finally made it to the end where I received a wonderful warm welcome. My official time was about 45 minutes but it felt a lot longer. And anyway it's not about the time (at present) it's just about doing it. Getting up and going out, improving my stamina. I may be slow but I'm a lot faster than I used to be. So my advice to everyone out there is this - go for it. Find a Parkrun near you and have a go. I'm a bit stiff and sore today but it was worth it

[Hidden]

I ran in the Southampton common parkrun yesterday with my 7 year old daughter as she likes to run too. It is my very local running ground. It was a great turn out with over 1000 runners again. The route is the faster summer route which is one loop of the hill rather than two. It is a good atmosphere every week so do keep going. There is the 5k and 10k race for life in July and a women's running 5k and 10k in june if you fancy a bling challenge at the common too.

[allegrachick Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I've already signed up for the Women's Running 5k and thinking about the Race for Life too. I found the atmosphere there really fabulous yeasterday, and I definitely plan to keep going.

[doubletap Graduate]

Well done you . Week 7 i struggled to do 3.5k

[Hidden]

So glad you enjoyed it. Well done for being brave enough to give it a go. I love parkrun !

[Jaxdreamer Graduate]

Fabulous! I am about to start week 8 - went along to have a 'nosey' at my local Parkrun a couple of weeks ago but haven't plucked up the courage to go yet! Glad you enjoyed it.🙂

[allegrachick Graduate in reply to Jaxdreamer]

Do it! Everyone is really friendly and supportive.