Well, I only went and did it! I did the Marple parkrun this morning, first time ever I’ve run with other people, and it was really really hard, but fun too.
Of course I got caught up with the crowd, and despite my best intentions, my first 0.5k took 5:41, which I couldn’t sustain. There were a couple of small but intense hills which nearly killed me, but with all the cheering on, I managed it in 35 minutes. Certainly one of the slower runners, but, a run is a run, and I did it!!
The biggest crisis was that I hadn’t tied my new running shorts tight enough, and they started to slip down after the first 100m lol
I tell you what though, never has a cup of tea tasted so good!
35 minutes is excellent. Well done! I run alone too, but the occasional run with the herd does miracles for the morale. It's a reassuring reminder that there are lots of other people like you out there in their slipping-down shorts
Thanks! I was definitely slow compared to the others. Not completely last, but it was quite sobering in a way, as I thought I was getting on reasonably with speed! And actually my official time was 34:23 which was a little faster than my inaccurate time...
I think that's a pretty respectable time. I am just under 35 mins at the moment so about the same. These sub 30s are either young runner beans or have probably been doing it for a wee while now. My first 5 was 45 minutes so over time I think you naturally get faster through your speed work and improving form with strength.
It's a very respectable time. Where you place depends a bit on the demographic of your Parkrun I think. If you'd done that today at my local one 108 people would have been slower than you. It's really,really flat here so you would probably have gone a bit faster as well
Am in awe all the same - have never felt brave enough to attempt it - too reminiscent of being rubbish at cross country at school. That and I am a bit of an anti-social runner. Being away from everyone is part of the attraction 😂
I remember cross country at school... it was round the local roads, back when teachers didn't have to fill in so many risk assessment forms etc My mum passed me in the car as I was running. She stopped to say hello, but refused to give me a lift. The cheek of it!!!
But as for park runs, daft as it sounds, I personally didn't have as much of an issue with the crowds as I thought I would. I'm also an antisocial runner, in fact, probably just an antisocial person! Well, maybe just a little, but it didn't trouble me. I was more concentrating on my body screaming at me to slow down
If you can find a nice flat one near you, you could always wander down on a Saturday morning and talk to one of the marshalls, you could just not run. I suspect you'd totally smash it if you did though
That is very kind of you to say - but I think not quite true 😂.
I remember cross county like that too. There would be teachers posted at various points but what you got up to in between was up to you really. I remember some of us buying ice creams from the local shop then taking a short cut and another where we went to a friend's house then back to school with one of us limping saying we'd walked back as she'd twisted her ankle!
Best of all though was one time when I actually did complete the whole course properly and then got told off as I must have been up to no good as it had taken me so long 😂😂
No wonder I didn't ever like running!
Maybe I'll get brave over the summer. Will have to find a flat route though - not getting any better at hills!
It's a bit like starting C25K actually, it's mainly a mental battle to get over the start line. Then you've just got to get over the finish line *gulp*
Thank you Richard, I always value your wise, considered opinion. Solo runing is fun, and has a lot going for it, and I certainly won't be giving that up any time soon, but for me it was a step towards convincing myself that I am a proper runner now, albeit a bit of a snail it seems I have struggled for years with having a low opinion of myself... I have to say C25K [and you lot!!!] has been brilliant for helping me move on from that.
Whoop whoop!!! You’ve been resisting the park run for so long & now, it’s finally happened...a virgin park runner...& one who was nearly streaking too!!! Hope you had a biscuit with your brew of success...well done Neil, proud of you x
Awwww thank you Mummycav , yes, yes I did. And probably TMI, but I'm glad I wore underwear under my shorts. Sounds daft, but they kind of have a lining built into them which looks kind-of like built in undies. You know, just in case the whole thing ended up round my ankles!!! That would have been awkward lol
My fault for treating myself to some light weight shorts that didn't cut off the circulation to my tummy
Thank you! I am starting to realise that there is a bit of a gulf between what C25K sees as a good time, and what people who frequent running clubs see as a good time. I was pretty happy with my 34 and a bit minutes, until I realised the person with the fastest time did it in half my time. Oh well
It is a timed run for my benefit, and not a competitive race, I need to keep telling myself that.
Hidden ....Now you know what we think about pace, distance & time on here...I know what you mean though but it’s about you, and only you...everyone else is just company...that’s an excellent time Neil, it may improve, it may stay the same...whatever happens you’ve enjoyed it & yep, time for round 2!!!! Why not??? 🤔🏃♂️💪🏻
Well, I am very proud of you, Neil! You said you were going to do it, and you did it! In a fantastic time, too. Remember, it’s not really a race, aside from competition against yourself. Now I HAVE to do one. 😁
Thanks Sadie-runs , that means a lot. The reason I told you and hinted at it on here was to give myself a bit of accountability, so I would be less likely to change my mind and stay in bed
For what it's worth, I think you'd be brill at parkruns!
Thank you - I still can't quite believe it myself. Looking at your profile page though, seems you're not doing so bad yourself, what with all the 10ks!!!
Wow Carolyn, you've been doing really well. Congratulations. And thank you for your encouragement. From a seasoned park run veteran such as yourself, that means a lot
Can't fault that at all Neil, my first and only park run was 46 minutes and it was my graduation too, so there you go, pretty slow. I had to go with someone, I'd never have gone on my own, so I'm really chuffed for you. You mastered the hills too, that's good going and you had to cope with your slippy trainer x 🏃♂️🏃♂️👏👏👍
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