My first Park Run

[AngeScott]

I finally had a go at a Park Run. I felt really intimidated when I pulled up in my car. Plucked up the courage to get out and found out that what everyone says on here is true. Organised well, fantastic support from the marshals and people who run as slow as me! I am a very slow runner - have worked way to running at 9.45 a km on a good day. I was aiming to finish at around 55 mins. I found it really hard going - it was a bit warmer and later than I usually run. Managed to complete it in 50 mins so I was chuffed. I was exhausted when I finished and was glad to get back to the car for a well needed drink of water.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Would we lie to you?

Glad you enjoyed it. Well done!

The first of many?

[AngeScott Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you.

You guys are awesome when we need support and encouragement. I really wish I'd found you all earlier. I was exhausted but it is a great sense of satisfaction being able to what I set out to do when I started Couch to 5K. I am sure I will do more.

[CookieM Graduate]

Well done for taking the plunge - it's a good feeling, isn't it!

[AngeScott Graduate in reply to CookieM]

Yes it is. Thanks

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Well done - glad you enjoyed it. I'm taking a friend that I've been redoing the program with this morning. We haven't quite hit 5k running and walking yet but the atmosphere is great.

[AngeScott Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

I'd only done one 5k before today. I hope you enjoy it too. Yes great atmosphere and lots of people with dogs.

[runswithdogs Graduate in reply to AngeScott]

We just finished week 7, but my friend loves the social aspect of running so I think she'll have a blast. She's also highly competitive, so I think running to beat her previous time will be highly motivating. I know it is for me.

[Tricky2836]

Well done... glad you enjoyed it

[AngeScott Graduate in reply to Tricky2836]

Thank you

[TizLiz]

Well done AngeScott , you're living the C25k dream!

[AngeScott Graduate in reply to TizLiz]

Thank you. Yes I believe I am. Achey legs and all. My average kilometre time was quicker so I know I worked hard. I was so red faced afterwards! I have now returned to my normal colour 😂

[Hidden]

Thoroughly agree with all you say! Same here, first park run today and still feeling good about it. Here's to us first timers!

[AngeScott Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Well done Loops49 - awesome achievement! Where did you do your Park Run? I did mine at Bushy Park - it was packed. Lots of first timers.

[Hidden in reply to AngeScott]

Locke Park - 204 runners, came 158th. Legs are aching now though.

[peaplodder in reply to AngeScott]

Well done ! I was at Bushy today too. Have you registered your club as NHS Couch to 5k ? We can all see how well we're doing and hopefully encourage others as well.

[AngeScott Graduate in reply to peaplodder]

Ah - no I haven't! It wasn't on the drop down box when I registered. I will do it again in a few weeks.

[AngeScott Graduate in reply to peaplodder]

Are you doing the Park Run tomorrow? I've volunteered to Marshal x

[peaplodder in reply to AngeScott]

Alice Holt tomorrow for me. Bushy Park was a one off tourist run. Well done for volunteering, I was barcode scanning last week. I love I can still be involved even if I don't want to actually run.

[AngeScott Graduate in reply to peaplodder]

Ah shame. Alice Holt is brilliant I go there with godchildren to play. Yeah I'm looking forward to it - so getting up early and might run a bit before x

[AndyD Graduate]

Well done ... you now have a Park Run PB

[AngeScott Graduate in reply to AndyD]

Thank you. I do! It is slow but it was faster than I've ever done it before so I'm happy. I will hopefully be able to beat it sometime

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Brilliant ... go you sweetie!!! Very well done indeed... Exhaustion versus satisfaction... Satisfaction wins every time... as did you

[AngeScott Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thanks Oldfloss. I am happy to but definitely exhausted. Am looking forward to a couple of rest days 😁

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate in reply to AngeScott]

You deserve them Well done you ) The happiness... so important... store it away for the duller days

[AngeScott Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

I love my rest days and I manage to run 3 times per week so the plan has really worked for me. I certainly will - there are definitely dull days 😊

[MrsShrek]

Well done! 👍🏼 I love Park Run - I did my 11th one today - my time has improved by 7.5mins since starting. So well organised - will definitely put my name to volunteer too. Everyone is so friendly and supportive. It sets you up for the weekend too -never got out of bed so early on a Saturday! 😃

[AngeScott Graduate in reply to MrsShrek]

Thank you. I have signed up to volunteer today. It was brilliant. I look forward to improvements in time with hard work 😁

[MrsShrek in reply to AngeScott]

I use Old Floss's mantra of 'slow and steady'! Some weeks you'll shave off a few seconds, other times it might even be minutes - I've had 2 weeks where I have been slower than the previous week but it makes me more determined the next time. Enjoy 😊🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️🏃🏼‍♀️

[Valcart Graduate]

Really well done and good to hear you enjoyed it😊

[AngeScott Graduate in reply to Valcart]

Thank you Valcart

[ChunkyMonkey Graduate]

Thank you for the post - I'm hoping to do a park run in two weeks time & am very apprehensive 😩. Your post has give me the hope & zest I need to go nail it. 🤞🐒

[AngeScott Graduate in reply to ChunkyMonkey]

Glad that you are going to give it a go! 😁

[EuanR Graduate]

Well done you. Takes courage to get out the car and run with others like you did. Wish I could do a park run but I work every Saturday. Settle for running round the park by myself.

[AngeScott Graduate in reply to EuanR]

Thanks EuanR. It was very daunting. I hope you get a Saturday off soon to try one. Good atmosphere - all the officials were fab, really encouraging.