Parkrun??

[Bettyb719]

Hi! I graduated in August and have been consolidating since then. I am very slow still, but earlier this week I managed to run for 46 minutes, and covered 4.78K, my longest run yet. I have almost decided to do my first parkrun tomorrow, but getting cold feet as the day goes on. Please persuade me it will be OK. 😐 (shiny new wristband all ready!)

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate]

It will..just go.. run and enjoy...

You're a runner If you want to walk for a bit.. then do so... you do this your way.. you will be amazing!

[Bettyb719 Graduate in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you! Getting excited again! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😀

[cheekychipmunks Graduate]

DO IT!!!!!!!

It’s such good fun - you won’t be too slow, there’s no such thing. You can walk, run, both - whatever you fancy. People take dogs (me, tomorrow, for example 🐕), people take buggies, people take tiny children to run with. And of course there are some gazelles, let them speed off and enjoy yourself at your own pace. 🏃‍♀️

You will definitely have a good time - and now I want a wristband. I have FOMO with my uninteresting laminated barcodes!

Tell us how you get on! 👏👏👏

[Bettyb719 Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

😂 I had to google FOMO! Love it! I will definitely tell you how it goes. Love this forum. Xx

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to Bettyb719]

Every day’s a school day! Have fun! 😀🏃‍♀️😀

[SANDI_runs Graduate]

Do it, do it, do it! I'm doing my first park run tomorrow too, feeling nervous and excited!!

We can compare runs afterwards 😁😁😁

[Bettyb719 Graduate in reply to SANDI_runs]

We will! Looking forward to it again now! Thank you!

[ArthurJG Graduate]

Just go. Run as far as you can and if that turns out to be less than 5k then walk the rest (though I bet you start to run again when you see the finish line!) Some people walk the whole way, it’s totally anti-elitist.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate in reply to ArthurJG]

Which is why it’s so great isn’t it Arthur? 😀👍

[ArthurJG Graduate in reply to cheekychipmunks]

One of several reasons why it’s so great.

[Bettyb719 Graduate in reply to ArthurJG]

I will definitely run at the end! Thank you!

[Disculpe]

Wow! Hoping to reach your level one day!!

Also, everything seems impossible at first but as you push you realise that you can do it. Exactly like this program. Go run and have fun. What's the worse that could happen? You're physically ready for this you just need to convince yourself mentally that you are as well.

Let us know how you get on and goodluck! 😊😉

[Bettyb719 Graduate in reply to Disculpe]

Never thought in a million years anyone would say what you just did! My level? Gosh, I can’t wait now - hope I can sleep tonight! Thank you!

[Bettyb719 Graduate]

Well, I’d like to thank you all for your encouragement. Sadly, I didn’t finish the parkrun at all. A few things contributed. First, I decided to run without headphones, so no music. Then, I felt a bit freaked by the crowds, and being lapped very early on. Then, there were more hilly bits than I anticipated. Then, I got a horrible headache. I just felt quite demoralised. Anyway, trying to think positive here. I have a plan. I’m going to gradually increase distance until I can do 6 or even 7K, and some of my runs will be done in the Park where the parkrun takes place. Then I’ll go back and try it again. Thanks everyone again xxx