Well, here I am looking knackered on my first ever Parkrun (at Abingdon). And that was only the first lap of a two lap course!
Completed it in 37:36 - not bad for a first attempt, considering I weighed over 17 stone in March!
A fantastic atmosphere, and lots of encouragement. A friend who was a marshal took the video from which I've grabbed a single frame.
I have to admit I had a bit of a stiff back after it, and this is the first time I've experienced this. I did two 5k practice runs earlier in the week (the last one on Wednesday). Anyone any clues what causes this, and how to avoid? The surface at certain parts of the course was rather uneven (the bit you see in the picture excepted). I am wondering is that caused it?
Seems to be easing off by now.
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iain-strachan
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You might not agree with this but perhaps you were a little tense as it was your first Parkrun and that might have caused the back ache? I've suffered back ache just thinking about going to the dentist before now!
Happy running and good luck with your next Parkrun.
Well done Iain and a great time too. As others have said, I'd say tension. Hopefully now you have the first Parkrun out of the way you'll be a lot more relaxed next week. I was hoping to do my 2nd one today but it was cancelled due to a fallen tree ☹️
If you'd seen me today..........after about 1k you loop back around and can see the start/finish. At that point I really wanted to walk back, surreptitiously retrieve my water bottle and go home. I gave myself a talking to and told myself that walking the rest of the circuit was still good exercise and kept going - but my performance was far from deserving praise today!
First off, well done on your first parkrun! That'sounds a great first run time. Be warned though, they quickly key become addictive!
For your back ache, it could well be due to tension, but also, if it is in the lower back, it could be down to a weak core. Try pulling in your belly button when you run! (Sounds odd, but it engages your stomach muscles which in turn support/takes stress off your lower back).
I used to get a bad back - I think it was tension + a bit of anxiety due to an old injury. The Physio and I worked on it a bit but mostly now I just talk to my lower back (and hip) while running saying 'relax back, relax hip'. I think talking to your body does actually work.
Thanks for all the advice and comments on the back pain. I went for a long walk this afternoon (well about 5.6 kms) and that seems to have considerably eased it up. I think maybe this week I'll do some more walks and see how it is next Saturday for Parkrun.
I think what may have happened was my own clumsiness! I just got to the finish line and picked up the race-position barcode from the marshal, and then managed to trip over a pole that was stuck in the grass, and staggered a bit. I didn't fall but I might have jarred it in preventing myself from falling!
Got absolutely soaked in the walk - just had a T-shirt and jeans on and took a gamble on the weather. Got caught in a heavy shower in an open space. I can begin to see the attraction of running in the rain now. Once your clothes are soaked through you no longer care what happens!
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The back ache... hard surfaces and tension... excitement too!
First Parkrun!
First Parkrun
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First ever parkrun!!!!!!
