First Park Run!

[Sparky1960]

Omg what an experience! There were hundreds there! I was not expecting that! It was so tough but I did it! I had 4 targets in order of importance - 1. Complete it - tick. 2. Without walking - tick. 3. Don't come last - tick. 4. I thought a time of 36 minutes was reasonably doable - I just got the time through - 35:54! Big fat tick! I came 427th out of 481 and I've just had a little cry. 3 months of hard work feels like it was all leading up to today and I did it! I can't believe I did it - who is this person? Who am I? 😂👟🏃👍

[Amarigue1976 Graduate]

Ahh congratulations I’m yet to brave my first park run yet. I graduated in November and have been doing consolidation runs since. Hopefully will complete one in the next few months. You’ve inspired me 👍

[Sparky1960 Graduate in reply to Amarigue1976]

Definitely do it! I would highly recommend it, once it was finished of course and I realised what I'd done! The people are so nice and supportive, a volunteer remembered it was my first park run and clapped me over the line and said well done on my first park run. I finally have the runners high!

[Badger1974 Graduate]

Awesome stuff! Really well done!

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

Ah...thats brilliant Sparky. Well done you ✔ 😊xx

[Chairmanoftheboards Graduate]

Fantastic achievement 👏👏 , all your hardwork is worth it with results like this . Onwards and upwards 👍

[Essandem]

I'm on wk7 and fed up with the treadmill. I went to have a look at the local Parkrun this morning, and was pleasantly surprised. Nice people of all ages, shapes and sizes. I have been worried about running outside but this has allayed my concerns. I have the same targets as you- I especially don't want to hold up the back marking person! I am about to go to Cape Town for a month so will be on treadmill there as i wouldn't feel safe running outside there. Want to graduate by March ( been doing it since October and amazed myself!).

[runswithdogs Graduate in reply to Essandem]

Don't ever worry about holding back the tail walker. It's my favourite volunteer position (I'm tailwalkers in a couple of hours in fact). I love the slowest weeks the best. I'd rather take over an hour with a nice stroll and have more people come out and participate, than have one that's a quick run. We like slow 😀.

[Sparky1960 Graduate in reply to Essandem]

Well done you too. Keep at it, it's so worth it although it didn't feel like that this morning, especially when I didn't know where the finish line was ... just round this corner - nope. .. this corner? Nope... where the hell is it, I'm going to die! Feeling euphoric now though and this program so works, my legs don't even hurt. You're right though, so many different people doing the run and hey, there's always bound to be people who haven't prepared like we have on this program who'll be at the back but even if I'd come last, who cares! Keep at it, you're doing great!

[Millsie-J Graduate]

Well done Sparky, great run!

I volunteered again at one of our local PR today, big turn out in numbers today, twice as many as two weeks ago! We had loads of first timers, lovely!

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Well done. I've also been known to squeeze out a few emotional running tears. Will you be back to Parkrun soon?

[Sparky1960 Graduate in reply to runswithdogs]

Yes I think I'll do one a month. I was surprised how hard it was but I'd never ran there and there were a few hills. Even more surprised at being emotional once I'd got home and it sank in what I'd done. Thankfully I wasn't blubbering over the line! I think I have finally 'got it' today what we're all doing on here and what we're all achieving and what a big deal it actually is. And big thank you to you and others like you for volunteering ☺

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Parkrun is just the best, so glad you enjoyed it.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Sparky1960 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you, not quite sure enjoyed is the right word but chuffed to bits I did it!

[RuthMargaret Graduate]

Congratulations! Now you've done the first one, next time will be a doddle!

I'd better pull my finger out and get down to parkrun soon - if everyone else is doing it, it can't be that daunting...

[Sparky1960 Graduate in reply to RuthMargaret]

It's not! I went on my own and I'm not particularly confident. It wasn't daunting at all, I figured there'd be loads of people like me on their own. I'll definitely do it again!