First Parkrun was AWESOME

[Little-runner]

Hey runners!

After a couple of weeks post graduation my runs have stuck to a steady 5k every other day, and modifying the route to include a couple of extra hills, steeper than my usual, which is now barely a hill but used to feel like a mountain!

The day of the parkrun I was pretty nervous, and standing on the starting line my heart was racing before I'd even started running. I was with a friend who is also new to running but had done the Parkrun before, only she's much younger and quicker than I. However, running on a treadmill she struggles with the hills, and this route has a couple. She was happy to stick with me, but I was happy for her to run on if she wanted to.

We purposely held back and let the speedy runners speed away...OMG they were so fast, I was amazed at how quickly they got ahead and how much distance there was between us.

It wasn't long until I started to overtake a few, but then found a comfortable pace that I wanted to stick with, so I knew I wouldn't burn out on the hills. Oh I should also mention that it was really hot too! The hill came and adding the hills into my normal route definitely paid off! I felt comfortable running up them, and were easier than I had anticipated.

Then we were starting to be lapped by the fastest runners..Wow!

Just at the start of the second loop I saw my Mum who'd come to cheer me on...that was a real boost to have her waving and shouting words of encouragement.

During the second loop, the sun was more fierce, and my friend was starting to struggle with thirst, and had to stop to drink, and also she decided to walk up the hills, whereas I was determined to run the whole thing and not walk. I knew I'd done bigger hills, I knew I could do the distance, I knew I could run without a drink and I knew I could run in the heat, so I just kept on going.

The course ends with a downhill into a long straight. My friend ran like mad on the downhill to catch me up...she was shouting 'come on! get to the finish before me...keep going...you can do this'. I was running faster than I'd ever ran before, (which felt incredible). Getting closer to the finish all the runners who'd already finished were clapping and cheering, it felt utterly amazing and I felt such elation when I'd crossed the line.

I honestly can't wait now until the next one now. What an amazing thing to do! The atmosphere was just great, which I was expecting it to be based on what I'd read before, but it definitely exceeded my expectations.

Oh yeh I forgot to mention I also got a PB...35 minutes which I'm chuffed to bits with!

This was my first goal when I started C25k way back in May, I have many goals ahead of me now, starting with increasing distance. I'd also love to get a sub 30m 5k, that could be a long way off, but I'm in no hurry.

I think I'm going to start including MORE hills, gradually increasing distance and intervals too. I love the variety of running and when I started out I had no idea of any of this. I feel like running is the greatest gift you can give to yourself!

Happy running runners!

x

[southlundon Graduate]

Oh this sounds brilliant! I have lot of family activities on a Saturday morning but I need to find time to squeeze a parkrun in one week. Well done

[Little-runner Graduate in reply to southlundon]

You should definitely do it south...you'd love it!

[telford_mike Graduate]

Wow, that sounds brilliant! I'm planning to do my first parkrun on Saturday, really looking forward to it now 😀

[Little-runner Graduate in reply to telford_mike]

Good luck Mike! You won't regret it...it was just amazing! 😍

[pianoteacher Graduate]

Well done Little-runner! I absolutely love parkrun 😁 I usually run it with my 13 year old son and he has a mean sprint finish on him! I couldn't keep up at all the first couple of times but I know I'm getting stronger now because I can just about keep with him 😂

That's a really good time for your first go especially as it's hilly. Good luck with working towards sub30 x

[theoldfellow]

Brilliant Run, Lr.

Those cheers to the funnel are one of the things that makes Parkrun great.

[Fabulous450 Graduate]

Oh yes Little-runner!! Go you with a PB too!! Loving it! Well done!! ❤️

[Suzi73 Graduate]

Well done I completed my first ever parkrun last Saturday aswell. My timing was a bit longer than yours today. But I'm a lone runner so I'm out of my comfort zone with a few. I must remember it's not a race I've actually did my first ever 5k without walking in between today. At a time of 42 minutes the only time I've completed a 5k within 32 minutes was my graduation from the app. That was a while ago now. All the best with your jogging.

[Little-runner Graduate in reply to Suzi73]

Hey Suzi, I must admit it was strange running with other people because until then I have always ran alone like you. I thought I would find it weird or stressful but I actually quite liked it. ❤️

[PaulBrad Graduate]

Great post - and great park run - well done!!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

Fan-flipping-tastic Little-runner!! What an achievement! Very well done, and what fun it sounds! 🙌🙌

I’m very slow, but I’ve registered for my local Parkrun and will be doing it the weekend after next. I’ll (touch wood) be graduating this Friday, so I’ll get the extra week of 30 minute runs under my belt so I’ll be more accustomed to the longer runs. I won’t get anywhere near 5k in the 30 minutes I know, so I’ll slow down to super-snail pace to achieve it - I’ll try not to walk! I’ve read so many posts about people doing Parkrun that I simply have to have a go. 😀

Your post has reinforced that feeling - so inspiring, thanks!!! 👊🏃‍♀️🙌😀❤️

Good luck with your next one. You are definitely a runner now!! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️❤️❤️

[Little-runner Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Aw thanks Cheekychipmunks. It's such a great thing to do and you definitely won't regret it. There were plenty of people walk / running. There were people of all ages, shapes, sizes and abilities. There was loads of cake at the end too! 🍰

All the best with your final week and good luck with your graduation! 👍

[Lizzisforliving Graduate]

Hi Little-runner

Congratulations, and thanks for the encouragement. I'm planning my first Parkrun this Saturday in Paris and I'm nervous that everyone'll leave me in the dust, but your time (just below what I'm managing on my thrice-weekly, solo 5Ks) inspires me.

Keep it up!

Love Lizz x

[Little-runner Graduate in reply to Lizzisforliving]

Thanks Lizzi...good luck with your first Parkrun...WOW in Paris! Amazing! Honestly don't worry about the fast ones (there will be plenty). Just go at a comfortable pace, you know you can do the distance as you've got 5k's under your belt.... so just enjoy yourself and let us know how you get on! x

[Pancakes Graduate]

What a fantastic inspiring post - my running has slipped in the heat but you have encouraged me to keep going! 😃🏃‍♀️

[Little-runner Graduate in reply to Pancakes]

Thanks Pancakes...I'm chuffed to bits to inspire and encourage. It is soooo hard running in the heat and I try my best to get up nice and early before it really get's too hot. I see some runners out and about when it's been 30 degrees and I have NO IDEA how they do it!

I guess the good thing about running in challenging environments / weather etc is that you know you can do it if you are ever faced in that situation again. This is why I like to push myself out of my comfort zone, by introducing bigger and longer hills, running further, longer and whatever the weather. However ever since I started running in May, it's been lovely gorgeous sunny weather, I wonder how I will get on when the weather starts to get cold!? ❄️🌨

[Designbod Graduate]

Congratulations Lttle Runner and on the PB too! I'm slowly gearing myself to run a Parkrun as it sounds like a great achievement in a great atmosphere. Your post has nudged me along! Happy running 😀👍🏃

[Little-runner Graduate in reply to Designbod]

Thanks Designbod 😄 You'll definitely love it! I can't wait til the next one! 😍