ParkRun dilemma

[Richard7]

So … I am putting this out there so that I cannot back out!

I have a dentist appointment on Thursday and unless I have to have an extraction I plan to do my first Park Run this Saturday. If I come under the dentist pliers then first run may get postponed.

Anyway I am having a dilemma!!

There are two runs both around 4 miles from where I live. One is a bit hilly and gets around 150 people per run. The other is flat and gets around 300. I fancy the flat one to make my first run easy going but don't fancy the hoards of people. At the same time the slightly hillier one is a nicer place to run.

To top it all off my Mum lives very close to the flat one so a post run visit would be possible!

Decisions, decisions!! What do you think?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Go flat... you’ll have more people telling you how well you are doing! Put yourself towards the back of the pack at the start and just go at your own pace... then next week take the hilly one on 😀

[telford_mike Graduate]

I'd go flat. 300 isn’t that many for a parkrun - ours gets 500-600. I'm also doing my first on Saturday. Plus, you might get a nice lunch at your mum's 🍗 Good luck and report back!

[RunBrianRun Graduate]

Go for the flat one. Sounds like it might be more fun. Let us know how you get on.

[lexi6 Graduate]

I’m with them flat all the way! Its your first park run, you really want to enjoy it and have fun. There’s lots of time to do them thar hills another time 👍

[CarolR2 Graduate]

I agree, go flat for your first one. Good Luck...hope it's Park Run, not extraction!

[Richard7 Graduate in reply to CarolR2]

Me too!!

[Mailow]

I’d say to go flat as well. As unfitNoMore said start near the back and I’m sure you’ll surprise yourself at how well you do. Park run is amazing and so supportive. They have a back walker at our local ones so you’re never left behind.

Good luck

[BeatRoute Graduate]

Go flat! Celebrate with your Mum afterwards.

[Richard7 Graduate in reply to BeatRoute]

A celebratory cuppa ☕!

[Hidden]

Definitely go for the flat one. There’s always a designated tail walker, loads of people as marshals around the course to encourage you and there should be people in hi-viz holding up estimated finish times so everyone can roughly position themselves before the start. I always stand next to 40. Don’t worry about the amount of poeole either. Once it gets going everyone spaces out and you won’t feel crowded. The support is second to none and it doesn’t matter if you run it in 18 mins (?!!) or walk in an 1 hour and 5. It’s taking part that counts! It’s an amazing experience and I’m sure you’ll be hooked. The feeling you get when you come through the finish funnel is the best! Enjoy!

[Richard7 Graduate in reply to Hidden]

Thanks. When I watch things like the London Marathon whilst I am in awe I also see the sea of people and just hate the idea!!

[Hidden]

Line up near the back and let everyone else do what they do. Focus on you and your run. Pace yourself and have fun! That’s the great thing about parkrun. It’s you against yourself. No one else. So many smiling faces and great camaraderie. You’ll love it!

[Dbbd Graduate]

Oh def flat one - mothers for a treat after cannot be missed...

[Cornet-Carolyn Graduate]

Definitely flat for your first but stick to back. We get 500 at our local flat route and it's 3 1/2 laps so there are rules for faster runners. I did my first few at this one then progressed to the hills. Not as quick but much nicer and less people.

Enjoy 👍

[Richard7 Graduate in reply to Cornet-Carolyn]

I rechecked .. the flat one actually gets around 500 too. Given my best time for a 5k I might just come in around the 300th mark.

This one is like 2 Figure 8s. No votes for the hilly one yet!! Dentist permitting it looks like I know where I will be running!!

[Richard7 Graduate]

Update : Dentist work delayed!! The run is on! Not too late to send me on the hilly ParkRun!! You lot are too kind 😀

[OKES Graduate]

Flat !!🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

[Richard7 Graduate]

So thank you all for your feedback.

Flat it is.

Up bright and early ready to roll or should I say run. A little bit of nerves today which is silly given that it is "just another run".

Barcode packed it's just a matter now of getting there not too early and not too late. 😀

[Richard7 Graduate]

Ooh I wish I hadn't looked at the pictures before going!!

flic.kr/p/JudPT6