Couch to 5K

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Park run - I'm hooked!!!

Just back from my first park run and have to say I loved it! A lovely cool, crisp and fresh but sunny morning; running around lakes and through woodlands with hundreds of the friendliest, most supportive people you would ever wish to meet.

I ran on my own for the first couple of km, just finding my pace, listening to music and enjoying the scenery. Towards the end of the run I had the pleasure of running with a couple of ladies who are park run regulars and also have run 1/2 and full marathons. They were so lovely and helped me along the way.

I finished 278th not sure yet how many runners there were but there was loads and best of all - I have only run a full 5k once before at 43 minutes but today I did around 36 minutes - official time yet to be confirmed.

All I can say is if you are considering a park run, but unsure whether to do it - go and enjoy the experience.

I will definitely be back - fairly regularly I expect!!

42 Replies

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That's brilliant Sandi so glad you had a good time and a great time too

A great start to your weekend 😀 Enjoy the rest of your weekend

Thanks Rob. Enjoy your weekend too x

Well done to you SANDI, so glad that you enjoyed your first parkrun with a great time and good company with regards to the music and the two ladies you met. I do believe that anyone can run a little faster when there are with someone than when they are on their own. This morning I reran week 8 run 1 at a moderate pace, on the last 3 minutes another runner passed me and I thought to myself 'I'll try and up my pace to the same pace as is he going', so for the final few minutes I did go at his pace and like you felt very happy about that.

It was great running with others, all my other runs have been on my lonesome ownsome. I've never really tested whether I can talk and run until today and I found i could!

Also as I was flagging around 3.5km they kept me going - not thinking about the run just chatting about their experiences. I even managed a sprint to finish which I never managed in c25k!

Feeling so pleased with myself 😁😁😁

Wow...Go you!! And a very good time. Running with others is so inspiring and helps you achieve good times. I'll get round to Parkruns eventually. Reading your post, I can see myself signing up a lot earlier!! Well done

Do it, do it, do it!!!! It's great, you will love it.

Complete your registration on line and get your bar code - so when you feel you are ready all you have to do is just turn up.

Lol, it's all in hand!!!

Yes, yes, yes! Fantastic, so pleased you enjoyed it, and what a fab time, well done you! 👏🏃‍♀️........now then.....I see a milestone t-shirt on the horizon....just another 49 parkruns to go......👍😄🏃‍♀️......and if you feel inclined, do consider having a go at volunteering........you get just as much of a buzz from that...

You’ll be smiling all weekend 😄....nice one, welcome to the parkrun family 🤗

Thanks Madge. My grin is literally from ear to ear!

I didn't want the run to end this morning, it was such a good experience

Brilliant SANDI_runs! Isn't parkrun such an amazing event 😁 sounds like you're already addicted!

Well done on a great time too.

Yes my name is Sandi and I'm an addict!!! Haha!

The atmosphere and support is amazing isn't it? I'm sure there's a psychological effect if increasing speed running with others, I had such an intense high when I did my first one that I burst into tears when I finished!😂

Did my 5th today, unfortunately work prevents me from doing it every week 🙁 but I love it!

Yes I really enjoyed running with others. Wasn't sure I would as I've done every previous run on my own.

I work Mon to Fri so theres a good chance i could be there every weekend 😁

Yep, volunteering is good - my local one encourages everyone to volunteer three times a year, which doesn’t seem a lot to ask if you’re participating regularly.

Yes Arthur they asked the same at mine today. Will get another couple of runs there under my belt and then offer my services as voluteer

I was tailwalking today. They count that as both a run credit and a volunteer credit so win win! Last Saturday of the month is pacer week at Montrose so I thought it was a good one to volunteer for as they obviously need more volunteers than other weeks.

Excuse my ignorance what are run and volunteer credits?

Basically your parkrun record shows how many times you've run and how many times you've volunteered. You can also apply for a red milestone T-shirt (you only pay for postage) for 50 runs and a purple one for volunteering 25 times. Tailwalking is a role where you complete the course while volunteering so as long as you get your barcode scanned it counts for both. (And you should get your barcode scanned because part of the tailwalker's role is to finish last. You may have heard the slogan 'nobody finishes last at parkrun' which is a reassurance for some new participants. The reason they know they won't be last is because the tailwalker will always be behind them.)

Today I walked with someone who has done 5k in under 20 minutes but today he took an hour because he was doing the whole course on crutches having broken his ankle some days ago. He wasn't last, because it was my job to make sure he wasn't last by crossing the line behind him.

Aha, now that makes sense. Thanks for the explanation Arthur. I should imagine of all the volunteer roles at a park run then being the tail walker is quite a desired position.

And amazing story about the bloke on crutches. He is a real park run addict!!

Well - different people have different preferences. Maybe some people don't like a slow time on their record, I don't know. There are other roles that allow you to run (actually run, not walk) because they take place before or after the run itself, for example the first timers' briefing or the pre-event set-up.

Official time is in 36.16 😊

Well done! Big improvement in time but also, you know your way round parkrun now. Lots of people are wary of their first parkrun but nobody ever seems hesitant about going to their second! I wish everybody knew what it was like.

I've read about people who have really enjoyed them and others that haven't. I guess they are not for everyone, but I can't wait to do another, I have the bug!

Well done Sandi... it’s a great experience and looks like you’re making some new running friends already. 7 minutes off your first 5k is pretty spectacular, great job there.

Thanks UNM. Yes I was amazed at my time, well chuffed

I completely agree with you - it's wonderful isn't it. Well done on a great time as well. 👏👏👏

Thanks Lill 😁😁

Well done you xxx

Thanks Karen x

Woohoo sandi!!! Well done!!! You see? You don't even realize but the atmosphere and other runners get you going further! 43m and today 36m?!!! Amazing! 💪🍾😁 good for you. I am very happy for you!

Thanks. It was great, a real joy. A beautiful place to run and great atmosphere. I ran the whole way round and didn't once feel the need to stop. Loved it.

How was yours?

You are an inspiration!

Oh yessss Sandi! I can tell you that’s a fabulous time too! 🏃‍♀️👍🏃‍♀️

So glad you enjoyed it. I love the running community. People on here and at parkrun are the friendliest I’ve come across in a long time. ❤️

Yes, i was chatting about how amazingly friendly and supportive the running community is to the lovely ladies I ran with yesterday.

Nice work Sandi, I sense a parkrun addiction coming up.

I have a feeling you could be right!!! 😆😆😆

Well done Sandi, that’s brilliant. I really enjoyed my first park run too, and it has given me the direction I was looking for post C25K. Here’s to many more great park runs!

Yes I have a few that are quite local to me, will have to check them all out. Plus when away for a weekend will be good to check out other runs as a tourist.