Park Run Advice...

[BLEWI]

I’m currently on Wk 6... Is it better to wait until after Wk 9 before I go so I can run knowing I can probably do the whole thing and enjoy the experience or just start going now and take Laura & the podcast with to follow the run/walk routine of where I’m at?

I’m guessing true answer will come down to personal preferences but would love to hear people’s experiences/thoughts.

[Bluebirdrunner Graduate]

The worrying thing is that you take off too quickly, and do more than your current level of the program... so caution advised..

This post from a while back may help you decide..

healthunlocked.com/couchto5....

[BLEWI in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

Thanks that’s a great post and confirms my thoughts... I will wait!

[Madge50 Graduate]

Hi there, well I didn’t go until I could run 5k, thinking I had to be able to that, how wrong I was, and my only regret is not going sooner.......many people use the pod casts, do run/walk, walk it all, (there is a tail walker whose job it is to come last)

I’d say go, It’s a fabulous welcoming community that’s just waiting for you to discover it. You could just go along and watch, or volunteer to see how it works, if you go to take part or volunteer don’t forget your barcode.....Most of all have fun and join in...

Mx

Ps, I’m not fast....and never will be

[BLEWI in reply to Madge50]

I follow them on social media and they are soooo welcoming I’m itching to start but I think the the temptation for me to push myself too hard would be too great (I’m quite competitive) so I will be disciplined and wait. That way it will be a lovely reward when I’m ready!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Parkrun is a wonderful movement and every runner should experience it, in my opinion.

There is no harm doing it before you can run 5k, but if you are mid plan, stick with your programmed run/walk intervals...........just do your normal workout and don't be tempted to run too far or fast.

Enjoy it.

[Chairmanoftheboards Graduate]

Yeah you hit the nail on the head BLEW1 , it’s all down to personal preferences. Obviously we all had different starting fitness levels , my opinion is that there is no need to rush the programme but if you absolutely want to do the parkrun , then maybe you could try it as part of the programme - ie wk 7 consists of 3x 25 min runs , so maybe incorporate 25 min run into park run and walk the rest of it , whatever you decide don’t force it until you are ready , there’ll be lots of parkruns for you after you complete the programme , best of luck

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

Go for it BUT stick to the podcast. There are people who only walk the course so even in you are slow you will have company bring up the rear. I’ve found people are really friendly 👍

[VictoriaRuns Graduate]

I graduated months ago and still can't pluck up the courage to go until I get a bit speedier at my 5K time, so I can't help you in terms of whether you should go, but what i can say is that you are not alone in your anxiety about it!

If you feel you want to, go for it. But as others have cautioned, just make sure you stick to the programme.

[Coddfish Graduate]

I didn’t see the original discussion a couple of months ago. I waited until I could just about run 5k before joining parkrun. One of the features of parkrun is there are a lot of people, a lot of whom will be faster than you. It’s very easy to get jostled at the start and you also have to make sure you don’t get carried away by the pace of others. It takes confidence to do your own thing