First Parkrun

[Izzyrascal]

Graduated C25K on Weds and had been feeling very proud of myself - like most people here, this was unimaginable just a couple of months ago and I’ve really enjoyed this programme.

So thought I would try my first Parkrun -oh my goodness, it made me realise just how much work I still have to do!

I used the wk9 podcast and carried on through the warm-down walk, finishing the course at around 36 mins. I was running slowly the whole way but was among the very last - it never occurred to me so many people would be running that distance in 16-20 mins. Felt like a far more serious running event than I’d expected - I think I need to repeat wk9 a few times and increase my distance a bit before going back!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Don't be disheartened Izzyrascal..you had a good run by the sound of it and actually a quick time for a new runner. I expect that course was a bit punishing too..

Many of us don't reach the 5k mark by graduation and run slowly. It takes time to build more stamina and you will see improvements by just keep going out for 30 minute runs. You will be able to run 5k and you will speed up naturally but it won't happen immediately.

Enjoy your running, try the Parkrun again when you feel like it..nobody is judging you, everyone is in this together.

You are amazing and don't you forget it.💪😊x

[Izzyrascal Graduate in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

You are very kind! The course was entirely flat - not a whiff of hillock - I certainly wouldn’t have attempted it otherwise! I will plod on...

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate in reply to Izzyrascal]

😄 x

[emmat7 in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Hi Issyrascal I did my second park run today first one I did in 40 minutes ! like you I hadn't appreciated the fact that I hadnt completed 5K despite finishing the C25K I had the reddest face today and still glad I did it my time was 38 minutes today which is an improvement I very nearly want to give up doing it but It was something a fellow runner said which was at least we are out here doing this and not at home on the coach.. keep going I know I didnt feel overjoyed like I thought I would, i also experienced feeling sick both times but reminded myself of how far I have come.. and now will try and get to % k in 35 minutes by next week perhaps.

[Izzyrascal Graduate in reply to emmat7]

Ha! I think it is little short of miraculous when people can speak and run at the same time - that is actually my end goal!

[emmat7 in reply to Izzyrascal]

I said the very same thing to my husband who was faster than me I am amazed at how people do that !

[misswobble Graduate]

You don’t. Parkrun is about getting round, everyone moving forward together by whatever means they can. You can do it next week for sure. It’s not about folks faster than you. Did you notice all the less able folks, all getting round by hook or by crook. There are some amazing peeps at Parkrun. It never ceases to amaze me

It’s fun too, which is what it’s about 😃

[KatyKaycd Graduate]

Well done Izzyrascal. 36 minutes is a really great time for your first Parkrun. Perhaps your Parkrun is particularly fast - at ours we have lots of runners/walkers who take 45 minutes plus. We run two laps and it is my goal to get round the first one without being lapped by the front runner! Just keep going and you will get spurred on by running with other people.

[emmat7 in reply to KatyKaycd]

Hi I did my second park run today pretty slow again first one at 40 minutes and today they changed the course I felt so deflated getting lapped by 8 runners and think the sme as you I didnt wasnt to face that shame again I am not competitive but I think its de moralising when these experts just glide passed for second time !

[KatyKaycd Graduate in reply to emmat7]

Don't get demoralised emmat7. 40 minutes is good for your first Parkrun and you are so much faster than all those people who never get off the couch! There are some very good runners who have trained for years doing the Parkrun. Keep at it and I'm sure that you will improve your time but the pace is not the most important thing, it is the fact that you are out there running!

[runswithdogs Graduate in reply to KatyKaycd]

I get lapped quite frequently as well. I get quite smug and pleased with myself when it doesn't happen. But as you say, no point in getting demoralized. I find it actually pretty neat to see the front runners blow past me making it look effortless. It's amazing what some people can do, I try and imagine how fast the world goes by from their eyes. I'm pretty content to plunk along at my own pace.

[runswithdogs Graduate]

36 minutes is great!! Nothing to worry about at all, you can go back next week and do just fine. I'm usually in around the 33-36 minute range and I can recognize my fellow runners that come out every week around that pace, much like the folks at the front that run around the same speedy crew each week.

[Izzyrascal Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

Yes - the ones at the front were like a different species - really impressive! There are quite a few parkruns near me, so I might try to find one that has more people going at a gentler pace!

[runswithdogs Graduate in reply to Izzyrascal]

You'll also probably speed up quite a bit over the next few weeks as you consolidate your graduation run. And if you make it out to a few more Parkruns, you inevitably start running faster as you adjust to the longer distance, and that you have other people around you which can really set a different pace. I try and set mini-goals, like keeping pace with the indigo tights lady, or running all the way up the giant hill at the end of mine.

[Izzyrascal Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

You are made of sterner stuff than me - there’s no run I’d go near if it involved ‘a giant hill’ - especially at the end. What sadist dreamt up that route!!

[Sadeskin Graduate]

OK first of all we’ll done you for graduating and for completing your first parkrun! Amazing. I graduated today and a parkrun is my goal (I’m so scared!) Well done on being brave it’s such an achievement. Although you say you were one of the last, you did it. You can now work on your pace and the more you do it the better your time will be. Don’t let the negative part of your brain succeed, you are amazing!

[Izzyrascal Graduate in reply to Sadeskin]

Thank you - and well done for graduating - it’s a great feeling!

[neddytime Graduate]

I also graduated today at a Parkrun, also just under 36 minutes, this was my 4th Parkrun. Don't worry about the times other people are running, go and enjoy running for yourself.

[Glossy Graduate]

Do give it another go! 36 minutes is amazing. I got that today and it was my third. I am right near the back and well away from the main pack but it’s all about your own run, it really isn’t a race.

The front runners are amazing to watch though aren’t they!

[Theziggy Graduate]

Were you last????

I bet you weren't, and I also bet that people finishing behind you had done more than one Parkrun!

Give yourself a pat on the back for completing it and go back and get a PB, and then another and then another .........

[Izzyrascal Graduate in reply to Theziggy]

Not quite - there were 9 people after me, but several of them were children! The last runner still finished in under 40 mins... I think the pace is a bit too punishing for me at the moment...