Finsbury Park, Park Run Mark 2

After last week's first run, I vowed I would return to Park Run, just to see how it goes, when you're not a newbie, not nervous and not spooked by the idea of all those people.

Great news I didn't suffer the faffing, nor the 5 or 6 trips to the loo. It was a lot colder but I did get the warm up walk done this time, which I think was a much better idea, than running from cold. It's a lot easier running in Park Run, when you've done it once I think.

As ever, the volunteers were amazing, encouraging and friendly and I improved my time, although I did have to walk a bit. I think like a lot of folk on here, I have learned to run on my own, and so for good park running, I'll have to learn how to run with people. So I think that's my informal plan now, to 'use' the Park Run experience to get used to people running.

More info below if you want to read bit more about it.

jancanrun.com/2017/11/25/nu...

[IgaT Graduate]

Wow! That's great! Congratulations!!!

Yeah... Running with people is different, everybody has different pace, and they are all around. Not that I'm speaking from experience as I am a lonely wolf running in the dark

[Hidden in reply to IgaT]

I think i am a lone wolf too....

[IgaT Graduate in reply to Hidden]

But good to have new experiences and get out of your comfort zone (from time to time)

[Hidden in reply to IgaT]

yup absolutely right...

[Elfe5 Graduate]

That's great well done you! 😄

I haven't yet felt ready for Parkrun but is it is my current thing to aim for - so I will promise myself to do at least two having read your experience. I also think that I will prefer being a lone runner - but I haven't tried anything else yet. 😀

[Hidden in reply to Elfe5]

You should try things, and that's why I went back - your first run in this programme was for me a toughie but it got better, and that's my feeling on Park Run I have to learn to enjoy the company and not think about the competition

[GoogleMe Graduate]

That's such a good point that running with others is a skill, just as running alone is a skill.

And what a blog post! Thanks for sharing it, so glad you're all OK, and enjoy the fruit based equipment for as long as it works (Schloss GoogleMe is littered with rotten 'fruit')

[Hidden in reply to GoogleMe]

Thanks - yes my fruit is at least 8 years old and getting squishy... hence the visit

[angemum Graduate]

Interesting. In theory am aiming for PR (daughter - done 2 marathons - is keen to initiate me), but in practice, am not sure. Lone wolf? Yes - in running terms at least - think that might be me.

[Hidden in reply to angemum]

It's so personal and I love the ethos of it, but presently I prefer running on my own, but then that's all I've been doing for 4 months, so its all new....

[rolysmate Graduate]

My run this morning took me through our local park and you've probably guessed were this is going, yes our local park run was on AND yes I was running in the opposite direction to the park runners much to amusement of a few runners

[mrrun Graduate in reply to rolysmate]

Same report here. I was there when they shot off so l simply ran clockwise, against the crowd. Throughout. All 5k.

As Hidden mentions, it's about 'enjoying the company' but in my professional life l have more than enough of any company so running offers me that much needed solace.

There's no rights or wrongs here, we are all different.

[Hidden in reply to mrrun]

Yes that’s how I feel. We are all different and our shared trait is the love of running, however you do it fast/slow alone or with company

[Hidden in reply to rolysmate]

Funnily enough I saw a woman doing the same and we lapped each other going in the opposite directions. Maybe it’s a thing.....

[mrrun Graduate in reply to Hidden]

For as long as we don't gang up against one another, we will be just fine. Imagine the news about a fight breaking up in Dulwich Park between The Clockwise and The Anti-clockwise? Lol

[Hidden in reply to mrrun]

That would be funny.... today I was anti clockwise I’ll see you outside as you were on the other team

[rolysmate Graduate in reply to Hidden]

That could be the next big thing "Against the flow"

[Wantorun2013 Graduate]

Well done you 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️👍

[Decker]

Yeah! Well done Jan! Glad you were able to come back and enjoy it no matter which direction you were headed 👍🏼😀

[mrrun Graduate in reply to Decker]

I think l will form a running gang, The Antisocials aka The Ones That Run in Opposite Directon.

The first rule of The Antisocials will be - "you do NOT run with each other" and second, even more logical - "you do NOT even look at each other".

We have potential to become massive. Imagine just the merch sales! Wow.

[Decker in reply to mrrun]

A good band name too! 🕶🎸

[Hidden in reply to Decker]

Retro runners list addition

[davelinks Graduate]

I like running on my own most of the time, but also like Parkrun and the crowd for just a short period on a Saturday morning..

[Hidden in reply to davelinks]

Yes, I think both provide different things, but am glad I went back for a re-run...

[Razouski]

Great blog Jan, you do make me chuckle. My life is hectic at the moment so no time to run (sadly). Had wall to wall work on Thursday; trip to North Greenwich yesterday for the Railway Ball (Mr Razouski’s work do-posh frock, way too much champagne and lots of dancing, plus an overnight sty; leisurely breakfast then came home to clean house as friends coming for afternoon tea tomorrow; made chocolate Tiffin for tomorrow; then back to London and spent the evening at Abbey Road studios recording (that was exciting; and tomorrow will be wall to wall baking in the morning and eating in the afternoon!

I’m planning a run on Monday as I’m missing it.

Glad you managed a second Parkrun, and good to know it was less intimidating this time. Great playlist too. 🤓

[skysue16 Graduate in reply to Razouski]

Mmm, chocolate tiffin sounds yummy! You are very busy Razouski ......enjoy your run on Monday

[Razouski in reply to skysue16]

It was rather delish as the raisins were soaked in rum first.

[Hidden]

Ah what a glam life you lead, posh frocks, champagne, Abbey Road and there’s me hiding in a cafe basement for no reason whatsoever! Glad you had a nice weekend in town though and hope the afternoon tea goes well. I’m running probably Tuesday now, as have major housework blitz to do - see how your glam life sparkles in comparison!

Night night Jim Bob, Mary Ellen, John Boy 😉

[Newrunnerliz Graduate]

Loved the blog!

[Hidden in reply to Newrunnerliz]

Thank you it’s fun writing it...

[skysue16 Graduate]

Great blog, made me giggle!

[Hidden in reply to skysue16]

Thanks I do enjoy doing it and seriously it keeps me running, I can’t have a blog called Jancanrun, if I don’t! That was the cunning plan...

[RebeccaSK Graduate]

My parkrun yesterday was sooooooo cold. 1 single solitary degree! It was a beautiful morning but I didn't feel good. Normally on the last lap I can manage a bit of a sprint but no matter how hard my brain told my legs to move, it didn't work. Then yesterday afternoon started feeling a bit yuk and this morning I've woken up to a cold - so that'll be why!!! I did somehow agree to be Race Director for our Christmas Day parkrun though!

[Hidden in reply to RebeccaSK]

Oh well done it was obviously colder for you than me, I still need a sticky Velcro running top so that as I remove layers I can stick them to my top!

I am out and out for a couple of weekends so can’t return to Finsbury until Mid December. But the volunteer folk are wonderful, and they are lucky to get you! Christmas Day is it still at 9am? I will be back in Italy, so running will be later in the day...

Hope your cold gets better soon, isn’t it funny how your running shows up your health as a kind of advance warning.

[KatyKaycd Graduate]

I love the Parkruns. I enjoy running with others, certainly gives me a lift. However my local Parkrun usually has over 400 runners and I am way back. It sometimes takes me 20-30 seconds to cross the start line. At the moment I am in Australia so last Saturday I did the Parkrun in Ballarat, not too far from Melbourne. It was lovely, about 120 runners and they were so welcoming. Now looking for one for this weekend near Frankston.

[Hidden in reply to KatyKaycd]

Now that is Park Run tourism at its best