ParkRun

[Tasha99]

Did my first park run but walked the whole way today. Wondering what to plan in terms of a bit of interval running next week? Only just managing week 1 on couch to 5k 😳 Maybe 5x 1.5 min runs?

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Well done.

We advise you to stick to the C25K programmed runs if doing parkrun.

It is very easy to get carried away and do more than you are ready for.

Keep running, keep smiling.

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Integrate same as weekly c25k into it you mean? I only walked park run with a friend. Not wanting it to be anywhere near as strenuous as a c25k session!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to Tasha99]

What I mean is that if you are on Week 2 of C25K, then just do your Week 2 run, as Bazza has outlined. There is often a temptation to do more, which is not a good idea for a new runner. If you want to do less that is fine too.

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Ok cheers. I couldn’t do more if I tried 😂 Just doing it as a supplementary walk really.

[Hidden]

Maybe save park run for later. Follow the programme and you will be fine

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

I only walked it

[Bazza1234 Graduate in reply to Tasha99]

That is good!!! Walking at parkrun is good. As Ionnoda Truffe said - if you would like to do C25k at parkrun (and many do) , just do one of the weeks C25K daily programe completely. Start at the back of the pack, do your 5 minute brisk warmup walk and then do whatever the day's task is and the final 5 minute cool down walk. After that 30 minutes, you probably won't finish 5K, so just walk the rest to the line. Just don't get caught up in the "rush"at the start - you can't really if you start at the back and do the 5 minute warmup walk. Don't feel that you are holding the proceedings up - there are usually walkers that take up to and over an hour to finish their 5K walk

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to Bazza1234]

Thank you! That’s a bit more positive than the last replies!

[Hidden]

Hi Tasha - well you’re a brave one aren’t you? I couldn’t face park run until 3 months after graduation and then I wasn’t sure it was for me.

If you’re using it as a walking tool, then its a great way for you to get to meet folks and see if you think Park run is for you, post graduation. Depending on your fitness levels, I’d make sure you don’t do your C25K runs on the same day as park run, as you may find it too hard.

The one thing I would say (and again it depends on your character!) is that park run gets very infectious on the atmosphere and it may put you off your own training plan and you find you get caught up in other people’s pace and that can do you a lot of damage especially in the early days, if you go off too quickly. (can you tell I am speaking from experience!!!)

We do see some folk adopt park run within C25K, but generally it’s on the later weeks - like 8 & 9.

Good luck with rest of W1 and happy running

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Yeah just walking! Might do a couple of one minute bursts next week. That’s it! Defo not running it!

[dahogg in reply to Tasha99]

Hi Tasha. I have done 8 park runs now and like you started off only walking. I found it easier to incorporate the C25K as one of my sessions as I felt it gave me some structure rather than walking/jogging randomly but that's just me. I think, as was said earlier, as long as you don't try to keep pace with others and just do your own thing you will be fine. I am now on wk6r2 and find the park run is a nicer environment to run/walk in. Good luck and enjoy.

[Madge50 Graduate]

Parkrun is for everybody, walk, run, skip, hop, do whatever you like. As Bazza1234 says, if you want to get running incorporate one of the programme ‘runs’ into it and walk the rest. Parkrun just hopes to form a regular habit with you, however you wish to participate, it’s healthy and fun.

Enjoy!

Mx

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to Madge50]

Loved it! One day I’ll be like the others but for now I’ll aim to beat my time next week by incorporating a minute or so’s run 👍🏽😂

[damienair Graduate]

When I was doing the plan I got to week 5 and as I had done a couple of times before I was just about to give up. Then I discovered Parkrun. I used to run twice during the week and my 3rd run was a Parkrun and I would follow the plan. Park run and this forum got me through.

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to damienair]

Great to hear! I loved the atmosphere and even when we were getting lapped, those people were saying “well done” to us!

[peaplodder]

I'm starting from W1 incorporating parkrun. I just turn on the podcast, do the run session for the day then walk to the end. Its working for me...W4 this week.

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to peaplodder]

Well done! I might start integrating it then in a few weeks when I can do more!

[runswithdogs Graduate]

Nicely done! If you enjoyed yourself, I'd do to same thing, starting off with your five minute warm-up walk. Then you could do the session of the program you are on, and then back to walking at the end. You'll see great progress over the weeks.

[lagatachocolate Graduate]

What a great idea. Park Run is for everybody and EVERY BODY regardless of ability. What a fabulous way to gauge progress week on week.

I take my hat off to you Tasha99 for simply enjoying the experience. Go for it!!

[Tasha99 Graduate in reply to lagatachocolate]

Thank you!