For the plodders like me.....

[RebeccaSK]

For the plodders....

[61trying Graduate]

Thanks for the post. I'm a real plodder and don't know how newbies like me manage to run so quickly. I'm in awe!! However, I'm determined to plod on. Would love to aim for a park run but on looking at the times and ages on my local run I can see that everyone seems to achieve in fewer than 40 minutes and no one is older than 55. Both facts intimidate me as I'm nowhere close to either!!

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to 61trying]

Well, I did my first Parkrun - and my graduation run - this morning. I did it in 39.37 which is WAY faster than I expected. I would say go for it - even if you don't think you'll be able to run the whole thing. Believe me, there were plenty of people who didn't run the whole thing - myself included. Once I hit 30 minutes I needed a few minutes of fast walking before running again for the last bit. The atmosphere was amazing - fat, thin, old, young, black, white........it was all totally irrelevant. The newbies got a special cheer and applause at the beginning AND the fast walkers got another cheer. There were a lot of people at my run that went over 40 minutes and a lot that were older than 55 and my run was a perfectly flat one - on Hove seafront. So, I would say, definitely think about a Parkrun because I believe it was the atmosphere and the absolutely incredible volunteers that meant I ran faster than I expected to - or have ever done before! Have a look at the course and choose one that is slightly easier than the others. My local run is very hilly - which is why I chose to travel the 20 miles to Hove to run! I can't believe I have to wait another week for the next parkrun!

[davelinks Graduate in reply to 61trying]

That maybe at the PR you looked at, but generally that's quite untrue! I'm older than you doing Parkrun and a slow runner, also at my PR is a 74 year old who does it in around 54 mins! So don't worry about age & speed, it just doesn't matter!😊

[misswobble Graduate]

C25kers should be plodding. We say it all the time 🙂

Parkrun is for all. No-one can be too slow. It's what it's all about.

[davidhwynn Graduate]

Like the others have said, have a look at other Parkruns near you, maybe there's another one that's more suitable ... look at the latest results to see the time ranges. My local Parkrun (PR) is wonderful, I've done 5 now. Yesterday was a bit of a "car crash" for me, don't know why really but never mind I was out there and did my Saturday 5K and enjoyed doing it. My PR yesterday was a mixture of run/jog/walk and took me nearly 50 minutes, I still wasn't last. As for age, I don't think that matters at all - I'm 72 and didn't start running until 7 months or so ago and was beaten yesterday by a really great friendly couple who always every week jog/walk together and they are both older than me. There's usually a PR official tail-runner so you would have company and at my PR lots of the faster runners wait at the end to cheer the slower runners home. Go for it, I'll be surprised if you don't enjoy it.

[Allypally25 Graduate]

Hi !

Massive congratulations on graduation and park run ! You wouldn't be in the HH area would you ? Just reading your post and commenting on the hilly local park run which I have to admit has put me off ! I intend doing my first park run next weekend at Tilgate park which just had the one "slight incline" 😂😂 ! Thought it may be of interest to you ?

[Maddee_6333 Graduate in reply to Allypally25]

I just suggested Tilgate to her as well 😀

[GoogleMe Graduate]

Good thought.

We were walking back from an event the other evening and my son, who has an odd gait due to impaired proprioception but very long legs was striding out so fast that I had to run the whole time to not even quite keep up... downhill.

[Theziggy Graduate]

Our parkrun has slowest times between 40 to 50 minutes. But .... don't let the times of your Parkrun put you off, just go along and do it, you won't be last, the tail runner will! And, you might surprise yourself.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

Love this 😍

[Pc59 Graduate]

I love this & well done for your first parkrun and in my books a terrific time!! I came on here tonight especially to see if you went! Hope to get there soon!!! When i did manage a 5k before i was nearer 44mins but still chuffed id done it!! I still have to pluck up courage for a parkrun as im on my second time of c25k but great to see people i knew last time still here😊thats whats kept me going ! Im up to 25 mins continuous run so can't wait to get to 30mins!! 5k seems in reach again😊😊& parkrun! Happy running & a huge congratulations on graduating 🎉🏃🎉🏃🎉

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to Pc59]

Thank you - you've made my day!!!! I'd never done 5k before and I expected to take about 50 minutes. I've no idea how I did it in that time. Just do it - Parkrun! It has given me so much more confidence in my running - I realise that I'm not the slowest, the oldest, the most overweight.........5k is definitely within reach for you - closer than you think!!!! Where do you live Pc59 ? If it's anywhere near me then I'll run with you! I live on the East Sussex/West Sussex border.

[Pc59 Graduate in reply to RebeccaSK]

O id have loved to have run with you however im a long way from you in Scotland, Elgin, but there is a parkrun & i will be there! so close yesterday but i had done a 25 min run on Friday night at 9.30pm as i was determined to fit it in for my third run in a week! Decided to cycle today instead of run to try & strengthen up my knee ! First time my bike iut this year! Fair enjoyed it omly did about 8k but a start! Your ok im older reach the big 60 end of the minth so determined to get to30mins run not sure il make 5k😂😂 but its round the corner😂! Had hoped to do parkrun the day before my birthday but im nit sure that my family is organising something !!! You keep up good work & keep in touch 🏃🎉🏃