Parkrun novice, Parkrun convert

[lardofale]

What a blast! My first Parkrun today at Lowestoft, the most easterly point of the UK, was an awesome experience. Well organised and with a huge mix of types of runner, I didn't feel out of place. Despite the advice I was given it was difficult not to get carried away with the occasion and I did start too quickly and I did suffer for it towards the end. I've never run with other people before so to find myself amongst, as I later found out, 268 other runners was mind blowing! The course is two laps of 2.5K, I remarked to another chap at the half way point about 'bloody fast' fit youngsters when I saw a chap finish whilst I still had a lap to go!

Anyhoo, my time of 33:25 earned me a position of 204 out of 269 and 25th in my age class of VM45-49, honestly veteran? With my youthful good looks?! 😉

Fellow C25Kers, have a go, its free, its non competitive (to most) and its very rewarding. I'll be making a regular pilgrimage to this and the other local courses, I never thought I'd manage this only a few weeks ago.

[davelinks Graduate]

Well done! Bushy Parkrun today had over 1300 peeps!

[lardofale Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Wow, that's an invasion not a run!! 😀

[davelinks Graduate in reply to lardofale]

Terrific atmosphere! Its a big space and It thins out well fairly soon after the off..

[Indigogirl Graduate in reply to davelinks]

Think I might try that route for my next run - minus the other 1,299 runners!

[Sandraj39 Graduate]

Great post and a very respectable time too! Well done☺

[lardofale Graduate in reply to Sandraj39]

Thank you! It was great fun and a decent time to aim at!

[mizz_happy Graduate]

Well done 🎉🎉🎉

[lardofale Graduate in reply to mizz_happy]

Thank you! 👍

[clairey3 Graduate]

Wow what an amazing time! You must be chuffed to bits? Well done 👏👏👏

[lardofale Graduate in reply to clairey3]

Thank you! I was surprised considering I was blasted after 3K but well chuffed as you suspected! 😁

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Very, very well done... you youngster you! x

[lardofale Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you mam! Very happy with the experience, looking forward to getting my 'young' legs going again soon! 😉

[RunForestR Graduate]

I'm not far away from that run - do you know how often it runs - I'm a few weeks out from graduating - but fancy doing a Park run - but was struggling to find one as I can't seem to get the website to work

[lardofale Graduate in reply to RunForestR]

Hi mate, it runs every Saturday at 9am from the pier nearest to the Bascule bridge. Look out for the hordes of colourful lycra clad individuals! Good luck with your running 👍

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate]

Yey...well done you park runner you!!!! My hat is off to you!!!

[lardofale Graduate in reply to Mummycav]

Thank you young lady! Here's to doffing my hat to you too soon 😁

[Hidden]

Well done on doing it, I think that was a good time and position. Waiting to hear of your Park run 2

[lardofale Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you! I was surprised by both, the lack of experience may have led to both. Let's see what happens next time ☺

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

One of the best discoveries a runner can make.

Glad you enjoyed it.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[lardofale Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you. It was a fantastic experience with brilliant organisation and volunteers. The results page has my running club as couch to 5K too 👍

[Charlottefc87 Graduate]

That's amazing well done you! You have inspired me, I've been toying with the idea for a while and may just give it a go next weekend! Thank you

[lardofale Graduate in reply to Charlottefc87]

Thank you Charlotte! I couldn't run 50 yards until June and now I'm a graduate and Parkrun runner! If I can inspire good folks like you then I'm a very happy chap! Good luck to you, enjoy! 😁👍

[CookieM Graduate]

Well done! As someone originally from that area, I was interested to hear about this one! I am very rarely up there at a weekend, but if I am, I will certainly give this one a go!

Well done on your time too

[lardofale Graduate in reply to CookieM]

Thank you! It certainly helped that the sun was shining and the sea breeze was on hand to help cool us a bit!

[Nobbywatts Graduate]

WELL DONE. Really good time too.

[lardofale Graduate in reply to Nobbywatts]

Thank you! It was much faster than I expected and was probably down to getting caught up with some faster runners, excitement etc. I was certainly paying for it towards the end but that's something to work on next time. ☺👍