First Parkrun ✅😁

[CookieM]

So I set my alarm (and told my other half what time I would like my cup of tea!) this morning so that I wouldn't be rushing, and set off to my first ever Parkrun.

I had been wondering which local one to go to - but after some last minute research last night, decided on Orpington. 2 3/4 laps of a mixed course, some grass, some trail, some tarmac, round a lovely park.

I did a mixture of running and walking - setting myself targets each time like run to the yellow cone, walk to the bench etc, and looking at my Garmin stats, I ran more than I walked - just!! I knew I could walk 5k in about 55 minutes, so was hoping to do it in less than 50 - actually did it in less than 45! (In fact my Parkrun time was 43:30, but I forgot to stop my watch - hence the time on my photo - modelling the beetroot look!!!) And I wasn't last!!!!😁

[Nibor5 Graduate]

Fantastic, well done.

[CookieM Graduate in reply to Nibor5]

Thank you!😎

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

I live opposite a park & there's a run every Saturday that quite a few of my friends do, they keep asking me to join them but I have no confidence in my running at all....I can't do week 4 of c25k so there's no way I would be able to do a park run!!!! Think I'll wait a few months ....well done to you !!!

[CookieM Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

I didn't run more than 10 minutes in one go - and you can walk the entire thing ( at least 2 of the people who came in behind me did just that) - Check out the slowest times and do a timed 5k walk - if your time is near the slowest then go for it! Do your weeks run as per the program and the walk the rest ( with a run for the finish line!). I'm sure You'll enjoy the atmosphere!!!

[Dpsl Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

So lucky to have such easy access to a parkrun! I'd have to drive to the ones nearest to where I live – and I don't have a car...

[CookieM Graduate in reply to Dpsl]

I had to drive to get to this. There is one I can get to with one bus, but that has over 500 runners - far too many for now!! (maybe later?! - or a weekend when I don't have the car on a Saturday!)

There are quite a few within about 10-15 minutes drive - but I'll stick with this one for now!

[Dpsl Graduate in reply to CookieM]

I was actually responding to MummuCav109's comment that she lives opposite a park where there is a parkrun. Five hundred runners sounds like too many for my taste – ever! But it's good that so many people are keen.

[CookieM Graduate in reply to Dpsl]

Yes - I realised that afterwards!!! It would be fab to live within walking distance!!

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

Do it - it doesn't matter if you can't run it, you will never be last because there is a trail runner/walker. Even if you used it as one of your weekly runs and then just walked the bit that was left it's a huge achievement. Just my opinion - and in no way belittling the super fast runners - but I think the marshals actually prefer the slower runners. You will not pass a single marshal without a few words of genuine encouragement. You and me are what Parkrun is about - those who would otherwise only ever run alone becoming part of an amazing collaborative team. Lots and lots of people walk it - and you still get an applause and encouragement from so many.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate]

Well done!

[CookieM Graduate in reply to Maddee_6333]

Thank you! 😎

[KimLoulou Graduate]

Well done.

[CookieM Graduate in reply to KimLoulou]

Thank you! 😎

[GeorginaJB Graduate]

Me too today😊

[CookieM Graduate in reply to GeorginaJB]

Yay! 😁

[damienair Graduate]

Brilliant. Well done on your finish and time. I did my 10th Parkrun this morning. Love Saturday mornings.😀

[CookieM Graduate in reply to damienair]

Thanks! 😎 I'm not sure I can say I love Saturday mornings - yet!

[louisep76 Graduate]

That's fantastic! Well done you x

[CookieM Graduate in reply to louisep76]

Thanks!😎

[Valcart Graduate]

Well well done. Awesome!

[CookieM Graduate in reply to Valcart]

Thanks!

[SteffieLouG]

Well done Cookie, fantastic 👍🏻

[CookieM Graduate in reply to SteffieLouG]

Thank you

[wightdiamondgirl Graduate]

Well done you.

[CookieM Graduate in reply to wightdiamondgirl]

Thanks 😎

[RebeccaSK Graduate]

Well done! I love Parkruns - the atmosphere and encouragement is just amazing.

[CookieM Graduate in reply to RebeccaSK]

I was a little disappointed to with the encouragement on this one. I was one of the last to come in, and there were only a few people standing around chatting when I approached the finish, everyone else had gone apart from one runner who was standing near the finish encouraging us. I guess those of us near the back were a bit spread out ( we were all walk/ running but not at the same time so we kept overtaking/ being overtaken by each other) and there were no marshalls out on the course.....

But I enjoyed the route and I'm used to running on my own so.....

...and there are other local ones to try 😊

[RebeccaSK Graduate in reply to CookieM]

That's sad. I've only done three - one was Hove Prom, the other two were Eastbourne - but the marshal support on both were amazing - especially Eastbourne which needs quite a few marshals. I could not do it without the marshal support. Maybe try another. I'm doing to do others - but I need to conquer hills first!

[CookieM Graduate in reply to RebeccaSK]

I certainly will try others. This one will be fine - I just need to remember my headphones and plug into some music

[HiddenGem Graduate]

Well done wish I was as brave x

[CookieM Graduate in reply to HiddenGem]

I find if I have said enough times that i am doing something, then I will do it - mind you, I didn't sleep well on Friday night as I was worrying about it!!

[3Maritime]

Well done, fantastic. It was my first yesterday too, it's a great feeling! 👍🏻🏃🏻

[CookieM Graduate in reply to 3Maritime]

Thanks - and well done to you as well 😁

[Charlottefc87 Graduate]

Amazing! Well done you! I'm looking forward to trying my first one in a few weeks

[CookieM Graduate in reply to Charlottefc87]

Go for it!!

[mcgurranhouse Graduate]

Very well done. We love Parkrun in our house. Even those who don't run! Very well done.

[CookieM Graduate in reply to mcgurranhouse]

Thank you