Park Run

[FormulaRun]

My first Park Run today 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃🏻‍♀️ I’ve wanted to do this for ages but family, work & other commitments have not aligned until now. My closest Park Run is a 30 minute drive away, so I set off just after 8am feeling a bit nervous. Not sure really what to expect, I’ve only run with others twice before, both race for life events years (& years) ago; I’m used to running by myself in empty countryside. I don’t quite know where I’m going when I get to the park, but spot a number of people dressed for running so follow them to the start. A quick briefing for those new to Park Run & new to this park & it’s time to start. We’re off! I try not to get carried away with the pack & start too fast but 1k in and I’m feeling like I might have, however my split time tells me otherwise! I’m trotting along being overtaken & overtaking a few people myself. 3k in and I’m flagging a bit. I’m used to running on the hills at home; this course is predominately flat with a few ups over bridges etc. I don’t miss the ups but I’m sure missing the downs! 4K & I’m telling myself not to walk - I will do this - mind over matter...... 700m to go according to my app, & I get overtaken by a 9 year old sprinting to the finish.... WHAT? I keep plodding on, I don’t really know where the course goes but I am definitely not sprinting anywhere!! I turn the corner & there in the middle of the Park is the finish. Yeay- Ive done it 👍😊🏁. 28.10 was my official time listed by Park Run, but MapMyRun has only recorded 4.73k??? I guess it’s the app that’s wrong, I’ve never known how accurate it was - I was geared up for a few more meters - I’m not complaining, believe me! ! I get scanned, stretch out & head back to my car. Well that was fun - what a range of people turned up; all shapes, sizes, ages & abilities, and a few dogs loloping along making it all look very easy! I’m pleased I’ve done it - another milestone in my running journey & I didn’t embarrass myself! I hope to do it again when everything aligns in future- it’s a shame there isn’t a closer event - but that’s the price of living in the sticks!! I’ve been looking for a charity or official 5k - that was my resolution & running goal this year - to complete a 5k event - I’ve not found anything else nearby so maybe this was official enough!! 😁

Happy running everyone 😃🏎🏃🏻‍♀️🏃‍♂️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Well done... sounds like a good run.... and those kids are faster than they used to be in sure. Very good time.

The parkrun course will have been measured, so it’s your reading that is inaccurate unless somebody missed a corner off the route today. Could be that you lost GPS under heavy tree cover

[FormulaRun in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Haha - I’m sure it’s the app! The Park Run organisers seemed, well, very organised!! 🤣

[FormulaRun in reply to UnfitNoMore]

You are right - it’s the app! I’ve just taken a closer look at map my run, and the route it recorded- seems I was running down the middle of a canal at a couple of points - I definitely wasn’t!! 😆

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to FormulaRun]

Technically it’s not the app, it’s your device that gives position to the app. Could even be a network issue if your device uses assisted GPS. They should have named it hindered GPS really 😂

[FormulaRun in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Agreed - I get different results between my iPhone & Apple Watch using the same app on the same route!! 🙄

[UnfitNoMore Graduate in reply to FormulaRun]

You like to log data huh? 😂

[Hidden]

That’s exacctly it, I’m used to running hills and doing 12k plus, but today’s parkrun exhausted me, and I’m sure it’s because it was flat. Anyway, well done!

[FormulaRun in reply to Hidden]

Wow 12k+ - and in the hills - very impressive- I definitely cannot aspire to that!

I’m trying to mix my routes up a bit at the moment- I think I’ve become complacent having a few down hill stretches in strategic places...! I’ve had a mental block about running up one hill 2.5k into my ‘normal’ route, which is stupid as I did it loads of times whilst doing C25K. So I’ve planned some summer routes, making the most of the local bridleways and field footpaths whilst it’s been so dry. I’ll be back to the roads once normal weather activity is resumed.......sadly 😏

[Hidden in reply to FormulaRun]

Well, I’ve been running for 10 months this time around and it’s hilly where I live so plenty of practice. I’m incredibly slow though. Yes, it’s a shame to think of dark winter days with mud and ice and having to stick to pavements ☹️

[Dexy5 Graduate]

Well done Formularun, the first parkrun is so special and what a brilliant time too. 👏👏

[FormulaRun in reply to Dexy5]

Thank you. It was good to do something different with my run and great fun too 😀

[Dexy5 Graduate in reply to FormulaRun]

Be careful it’s addictive 😉

[telford_mike Graduate]

28:10 is awesome! Well done indeed 👏👍😀

[FormulaRun in reply to telford_mike]

Thank you - I was pleased to do under 30 minutes- amazed at how quickly everyone else went though!! I was in the second half of the finishing pack for sure - but hey - it was my first go - I’ll take that!!

[Lou7744]

Well done you 👍 that’s a fab time!

[FormulaRun in reply to Lou7744]

Thank you Lou. I can claim a PB for Park Run today!!! 😂

[Jalk]

28mins! that is amazing, well done.

[FormulaRun in reply to Jalk]

Thank you - I really enjoyed it - a new experience & one I will repeat soon 😊

[Deals1 Graduate]

well done! great time too