Well in Mum - you are awesome!

[EmmaRunning]

Is what my 17 yr old said when I surprised him with the news I had done my first parkrun yesterday after only 8.5 weeks of running (yes I jumped the gun on the C25K). And awesome is how I felt. 🙌 The difference between running outside with others to the solitary treadmill is huge and the encouragement is a massive help. All thanks to those lovely volunteers. I didn’t run the whole way, I walked some of it and took it slowly - I think I managed to come in before the dog walkers but was very near last. However now I have a pb for the next time and an understanding of the course and I’ve got rid of “first night nerves”.

So to anyone contemplating it at the end of the C25K programme I would say definitely do it as you will be smiling afterwards and filled with pride. And if you happen to have a 17 yr old who thinks you’re awesome what else do you need??

[Hidden]

Well done you! You are definitely awesome!

[EmmaRunning Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thank you!! See you at the finish soon.

[Pc59 Graduate]

Well done!! Thats my aim for me more the confidence to go!!! But i will do before year out!!😊

[EmmaRunning Graduate in reply to Pc59]

Go for it - people are lovely when you are there and their enthusiasm for your efforts carries you forward.

[MotherPip Graduate]

parkrun is great... I have a love hate relationship with it...I love having a go but hate how slow I am. I admire the sub 30s and feel like a fraud turning up in my adidas top and running shoes and trying to get a sub 50. I love that I inspired others to do it, family, friends and a stranger. I love volunteering too. I hate it when the sun shines. I hate it when the anxiety arrives about 10 seconds in and I can't breathe. I love it when I "sprint" finish, and I hate it when I think I've done not bad only to find it was worse than last time ..andI love it when It's an unexpected PB..

There's just something about it that makes me want to keep doing it...cos I regret it if I don't. When we go away we check out parkruns band become parkrun tourists. Done a few in England, 1 in Scotland and 1 in Wales...and next week Paris as we're in France for a few days..nervous though as it's a small one and I may well be the slowest they have ever had...but it's parkrun, and that is just fine.

I would encourage everyone to register have a go. It's all part of the learning curve, different courses, finding out types you like and don't like... surprising yourself as you learn even more about yourself. It's great!🏃😁

[Hidden]

Thats fab well done.its always a wonderful thing to get genuine praise & recognition from your teenage sons(doesnt happen very often!!!😉)

[EmmaRunning Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, and absolutely - rare praise indeed!

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Ahhhh. That's great. Parkrun and admiration from your son.

Would your son be inclined to join you? We have quite a few families that run ours. Kids are always so fast.

[EmmaRunning Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

Thank you and yes I have put it to him and he said he would - but you know 9.00 am on a Saturday or a warm bed after a night of snapchat/Xbox etc (!). I’ll wait to be pleasantly surprised🙂

[ju-ju- Graduate]

Brilliant, I am so lucky I have a very similar 16 year old who runs with me sometimes... I bet you were soooo made up? 😎

[EmmaRunning Graduate in reply to ju-ju-]

Absolutely! It was the best compliment ever. Am hoping I might persuade him to run one day too.

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Awesome!!!

Nuff said.

[EmmaRunning Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thanks - and for the tips on cold weather and starting slow etc. It all helped.