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 - split 1 is slower than usual! 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 😃🏎🏃🏻‍♀️🏃‍♂️

[slowsue]

Well done sounds like you really enjoyed it 😃

[FormulaRun in reply to slowsue]

I did 😊. I encourage everyone to give it a go if they can 👍🏎

[_SimonT_ Graduate]

Great stuff FormulaRun! Glad it went well and you enjoyed it. Well done for getting up on a Saturday!😀

[FormulaRun in reply to _SimonT_]

Yes the early start was a challenge in its own right - but very much worth it 😊😊🏎

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

Well done you... you did it, and you enjoyed it

[FormulaRun in reply to Oldfloss]

I did & I did & I’ll do it again. 😊😊🏎

[whibbles Graduate]

Parkruns are brilliant with lots of encouragement and no shame if you are a slow runner/walker. It took me over one year to get under 30 mins so that’s a fantastic time for your first one. I couldn’t believe when one of our visitors did his first parkrun yesterday - he’s 60, walks and cycles to work but doesn’t run regularly - his time was under 23 minutes and then a 17 year old wins the 5km European gold medal !

[FormulaRun in reply to whibbles]

I agree Park Run is great - very relaxed and friendly lots of encouragement and people of all ages shapes sizes & abilities enjoying a common goal. I encourage everyone to give it a go at some point. Time is a personal challenge, taking part is the success 😊🏎