A week of firsts!: Title says it all, first park... - Couch to 5K

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A week of firsts!

sunshinefish profile image
sunshinefishGraduate
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Title says it all, first park run on Saturday and first time running on grass (around a field as the kids played footie). One was more successful than the other in terms of gracefulness and coordination, did a few unintended sidewards "wobbles" on the grass!

But running on grass and uneven surfaces is probably good right? Maybe uses muscles differently to running around a track? What doesn't kill you makes you stronger and all that? ;)

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sunshinefish profile image
sunshinefish
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UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate

“What doesn’t kill you... is gonna leave a scar”. Marilyn Manson.

Other bands say it’ll make you stronger of course, and I think they’re both right. I think back to run one nearly killing me and I shiver... I have the scars... but I’m so much stronger.

Swings and roundabouts on the surfaces... grass is easier in the joints, but if you slip maybe harder on the ligaments! Track? You gotta do track... that’s very different! When I slip on grass I don’t tend to fall, maybe it’s the calm of knowing it won’t hurt that gives my brain the concentration level it needs to correct for it? I dunno.

Changing surface is always a little strange, and if you wanna regularly run on grass only, a pair of trail spikes makes a huge difference in traction, strangely they tend to be cheaper than regular shoes.

Great job on that run... out of your comfort zone and job still done.

sunshinefish profile image
sunshinefishGraduate in reply to UnfitNoMore

Thanks UNM! I reckon MM is onto something there, makes sense! or more so than making you stronger in some senses.

I usually run on the track and it is nice and easy, apart from dodging dogs and wee kids on bikes. Always interesting, with lots to see, an electric skateboarder, a football match, a blind woman running with a partner...

Both runs were out of my comfort zone. Park run was 440 odd people and I don't do crowds very well, so the first 2k were stressful. Today I was just wobbly! Maybe should look into spikes as the kids liked playing there, but they are fickle souls and it maybe out of favour next week!

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply to sunshinefish

Well... all a scar is is very strong skin.

Hope parkrun also gave you a lot of support... I can run 5k but I intend to walk a minute or two when I start one to let the racers out of sight, then I can run comfortably. Hopefully the kids will stick with it, mine kinda is so far... unless there’s a sleepover anywhere with cake and then healthy living is forgotten.

sunshinefish profile image
sunshinefishGraduate in reply to UnfitNoMore

Parkrun did give lots of support, they are a nice bunch. There's another fairly near here with less than 100 runners, so I may try that one next sometime in the coming weeks.

Love that Little Miss UNM is sticking with this too! Good on her. Our middle one got to week 5 and then stopped, although she has expressed an interest in junior park run.

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate in reply to sunshinefish

Juniors is great... could get her back into it

cheekychipmunks profile image
cheekychipmunksGraduate

A great week indeed SSF! 😀👍

I don’t mind running on short grass as long as it really is short and there are no lumps and bumps. If it’s too long I find my feet drag and I really can’t afford to have anything slow me down!! 🐌🐌🐌

You might end up preferring it though. It’s certainly better for the joints, although watch out for holes as you don’t want to turn an ankle or twist a knee.

Most of all, enjoy your running! 🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😀😀

sunshinefish profile image
sunshinefishGraduate in reply to cheekychipmunks

Thank you Cheekychipmunks! It was around a field with footie pitches on it, so it was bumpy! I think I will try it again for a bit of variety, I need to get out and do different runs and this one is also child friendly. I have to run around in circles, so to speak, twice a week so that I can keep an eye on my youngest!

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