Park Run advice : My partner is really keen for... - Couch to 5K

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Park Run advice

vicki49 profile image
12 Replies

My partner is really keen for me to join him at the park run. I’m only just starting week 5 so would need to walk most of it.

Just wondered what the consensus is on starting park run before completing couch25k?

I’d be worried I’d push myself too hard in order not to come last and end up with another injury.

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vicki49 profile image
vicki49
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12 Replies
damienair profile image
damienairGraduate

Go and enjoy Parkrun. But stick to the plan. At the start of the Parkrun walk the 5 min warmup and then follow the App. When the App finishes walk the rest of the 5K route.

I did Parkrun after week 5 when I was doing C25K last summer. I would do it as the third run of each week and it was a great way to finish off the final run of the week.

Enjoy, and you will not be last.

Damien

Deals1 profile image
Deals1Graduate

Mm...i waited till I graduated as that and could run 5k, and my goal was to run it all. I'd say it would be fine and u will enjoy it, but if I was u I'd do your own pace and include yr 5min warm up and 5 mins cool down, and walk when ever else needed (as u say) Slow and steady. Anything goes at a parkrun. 😀Enjoy 😀

IannodaTruffe profile image
IannodaTruffeMentor

damienair has given you the recommended advice, stick to the plan.

You will still get a parkrun time, which you can chip away at in the future and you will still have a great time without risking injury by doing too much too soon.

Parkrun is not a race against anyone other than yourself.

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate

Lots do just that vicki49. Just warm up as usual, do your intervals run and walk the rest. There are people on ours who walk the majority of it and take over an hour to complete the 5k.

So get out and give it a try - but be careful not to get carried away and be tempted to run for longer than the C25K run you’re on! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️

misswobble profile image
misswobbleGraduate

You can get round Parkrun in any way you like It’s not a race so you can walk run it or steady jog round the entire course. If you don’t want to tweak something then maintain a steady pace. No-one expects anything at Parkrun. It’s completely your run, your rules 😃😁🏃‍♀️

glentoran99 profile image
glentoran99Graduate

I did my first park run in week 4. felt good, follow the plan and just walk the rest

Dexy5 profile image
Dexy5Graduate

My advice is do parkrun as one of your runs. So do your 5 min brisk walk from the start line, follow the programme and then walk to the end. Start at the back and maintain your own pace.

Parkrun is really supportive so enjoy being part of this happy throng of people.

I’m there every week

🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️

MrsBeario profile image
MrsBearioGraduate

Do it! But as others have said, stick to the programme. Parkrun is inclusive, whatever your age and/or ability. By sticking to the programme you should avoid injury which could set you back. There is no shame in walking and you will never be last through the finish.

Go, complete and enjoy, then repeat next week, and the next...

Good luck-and remember, it’s not a race 🙂

Bonsaiboy profile image
Bonsaiboy

I have a park run opposite me. I am about to start week 8 tonight and am no where near 5k and in truth I think it will take me 11 weeks and 40 odd mins anyway. I will only do the park run once I'm confident of handling 5km reasonably comfortably. To try earlier than you are ready might be a mistake. You get lots of club runners doing these also who have times of 17mins for 5k so it may be a bit off putting and you may, as you say, push too hard.

Ang33333 profile image
Ang33333Graduate

Do it! It's great fun. I'm able to run 5k now but am very very slow and that's fine with me! There are the super fast runners of course and they are amazing. I did my first a couple of weeks ago and then volunteered the next week. I loved the whole friendly atmosphere. There is no pressure. Just enjoy!

DoozerMcDooze profile image
DoozerMcDoozeGraduate

So nice to read what everyone has said... Good luck vicki

vicki49 profile image
vicki49

Thanks everyone. I think I’ll

give it a couple more weeks til I’m just doing the longer runs and then I’ll give it a go 😊

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