Attempted my first Parkrun yesterday, and sad to say I gave up after 16 minutes. First time since I started running that I have given up on a run. Several things contributed I think. I developed a headache early on, and found the inclines near the start very challenging. Also, I had decided not to use headphones, so was running without music for the first time. I was a bit overwhelmed by the crowds (not used to running with anyone else). Anyway, I gave up, feeling extremely demoralised. I think I just wasn’t ready. Thoroughly fed up for the rest of the day. I will go back to the park and run it on my own a few times before I attempt the event again. Thanks for all the encouragement here folks, and well done all of you who did better than me yesterday!
Parkrun fail 😐: Attempted my first Parkrun... - Couch to 5K
Parkrun fail 😐
You’ve done better than me, you gave it a go. I run on my own and that is what makes me shy away from park run. I’m going to give it a go but have to talk myself into it. Try again and I’m sure you’ll be ace.
I think I felt that all these people were “real Runners” and I was an imposter!
Not true. They’ve just got more experience/ confidence.
Not a fail Bettyb, you got out there & gave it a go. Think of it as a trial run. You’ve gained valuable insight into what your next Parkrun will be like. Next time you’ll ace it. Be proud of your achievement 👏👏👏
Don't give up, perhaps you should have done what you now propose to do now, do a few practice runs over the same course to get familiar with the terrain then sign up for the parkrun.
Try not to feel down. Some Parkruns are now very big but there really are people of all abilities there. You are a graduate of this programme so you are a proper runner with every right to be there if that is what you want, they aren't for everyone. I know while waiting around at the start I sometimes feel everyone around me is having a conversation about their next or last marathon, or the (to me) quite unachievable time they are aiming for, but that's runners talk. Did you watch the rest of the run? If not it may be worth just going along to watch - I find it fascinating, all the different styles and you realise it is not all elites. Giving it a go on your own so you know the route and without headphones is a great idea - and start near the back to avoid the crush. Hope the headache has resolved.
Thank you for those words - I'm starting to feel a bit more positive. The headache lingered for a lot of yesterday, but I think it was stress-induced... The park is a half hour drive away, but I will go back maybe tomorrow to run/walk it, and maybe watch a parkrun before trying again. I was going to do that anyway, don't know what made me go for it yesterday. Thanks again!
Also, I checked the results, and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't have been last!!
You definitely wouldn't have been last, and you never will be last - that's what the Tailwalker does.
If I was running in the same Parkrun as you, I can promise you that I would be behind you - probably way behind LOL. Never feel any pressure about your speed or time at a Parkrun, and don't feel any pressure about having had to stop this time - you didn't fail, you made a tactical decision to opt out of the run due to how you felt. Don't let that put you off having another go, but don't think of it as some sort of ordeal.
You flipping well *are* a proper runner; don't be put off by how fast other people go, just be proud of the fact that you're out there and giving it a try however it turns out.
Love from North Wales,
Nia
Aw thanks Lil - sending love back from Scotland!
I would be surprised if all the participants at your parkrun were "real" runners. At most parkruns there are people walking the entire 5k, but they get a time recorded and get cheered over the line. With a parkrun time, your pb, under your belt, even if you walked a considerable chunk, you have something to work away at.
How about just completing the course and getting your time, for starters. You only race against yourself at parkrun.........just in the company of supportive runners.
Thank you! Feeling much better now!
My Parkrun started a Parkwalk so I started off just walking and now me and my daughter go every week when we can. The course is hilly on the way up so we just ran a bit on the way down at first and are gradually running more each week. Lots of people just walk it to start with
Awww Betty, please don’t feel demoralised. We all get runs that don’t go to plan, and yours just happened to be at parkrun. Don’t forget you can also walk some or even all of it.
Brush it off and give it a ‘dry run’ before trying again. You might also have gone off too fast, getting caught up in the start line euphoria.
Good luck next time! You’ll be ok, really you will. 👍😀
Thank you. I think I did set off too fast. It will be two or three Saturdays before I'm free again to do a parkrun, but in the meantime, I'll practice!
Brilliant, you’ll know what to expect next time so good luck! 😀🏃♀️
Don't be downhearted about it. You went and you ran .. those are still positives..
There could be many contributing factors put it down to experience
I am sure next you will be ready as you know what to expect..
As for being a runner you are a runner . You run therefore you are ...
PR is for all abilities and you would never be last as they have tail walkers who make sure they are ..
Hope your headaches feels better today
Thank you. Feeling much better today thanks! And all you lovely people are lifting my spirits!
That is what I did felt very down after doing my first park run but I pick my self back up and 3 weeks later tried again and this time it was ok going to do some more but try to get my time down first don’t give up try again your get there
Think of it as a practice run Betty. My first parkrun, not so very long ago, I missed the turnaround point and ran too far Duh! I went again on my own mid week, so wouldn’t miss it again and took Laura week 9 with me, did the 5 minute warm up walk and ran the rest it was lovely, she was very comforting. I’m still really slow but each time I run its brilliant to see my time coming down little by little. Go at your own pace and just relax you’ll never be last at parkrun either.
Don't be disheartened. U got out there and gave it a shot. Time and how u complete it doesn't matter. Go for it and try again! U r a runner
It is very daunting Betty, don’t despair, you are a runner, we all have bad runs. I fell over on a trail the other week and sat there crying, luckily nobody was around. Did my first park run after this and was terrified of falling again but I kept going. Do it again and again if you have to, you will get there, as I said you are a runner, keep going Betty.
Thank you, hope you didn’t hurt yourself too badly! I’m just about to go back to the park and try the route on my own. Thanks again!
Don't be put off. With all those other people around, you probably set off too fast, forgetting about your own pace. (Remember 'myracemypace' - you aren't competing against anyone, just doing it for yourself.) Walk as much as you want - you'll set a nice low target time for your next Parkrun! If you want to run the whole way, remember to hold back and keep something in the tank for later. I did my first one on Saturday, and the leader lapped me before I was halfway round - but I'm 62 and he was a teenager. Slow and steady, no-one will criticise. Remember what you have learned through C25K and stick with that pace for now - you can try and beat it later - all in good time.
You have run, you can run, just do it your way!
That’s a good tip about walking - I think I have had it in my head that I’m not allowed to walk! I went back to the park this morning, and inadvertently omitted part of the route on the first lap, and then left it out on the other two as well (mainly because the bit I missed was uphill!) I ran 4.28K doing that but it helped me feel more comfortable about the venue. Next time I won’t miss any of it, and will walk uphill if I feel like it. Thank you!
Aah Betty I hope you’re feeling ok now. I haven’t been for a run before today for 4 days, so take it from me, be proud of that parkrun!! You got your kit on and you were out there. Heck...in the last 4 days I’d be proud of a 5 minute run! There is a large crowd at Parkrun, but it won’t take you by surprise again. 😉 You’ve have a great plan to run there on your own too. I do that myself too. That run is now history though and you don’t need to hold onto to it. Let it go! 🦅 Nothing wrong with exploring, trying again or deciding it’s not quite right for you!! 🤔 Just enjoy running your way I say!!😁 Well done you!! 😁❤️
Walk what you can’t run! My first was all walked in 48 minutes. You’ve pressured yourself too much.
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