New Year's Day Park Run

[Amerynthe]

I was so keen to start the new year as I mean to go on that I set 3 alarms this morning so that I wouldn't miss the Park Run. One went off at 7, one at 7.15 and the third at 7.30. By 8.30 I was driving to the Common in Southampton, congratulating myself on being early enough to get a parking space only a few hundred yards from the starting line. By 8.35 I was walking on the Common wondering where all the Park Runners were and by 8.40 I had the answer: instead of the normal 9am start, it wasn't starting until 10.30 ... So I went to my brother's house (closer than going home) to find that he had gone to a different Park Run so that he could 'do the double', ie another local one at 9am and then our Southampton one at 10.30. By 9.15 he was home - the one he'd been going to do had also pushed their start time back to 10.30!!

First lesson of 2019: check all start times before setting out!

It's over a kilometre from my brother's house to the start line, so what with the Park Run 5k, walking to and from his house, plus the wandering around I'd done earlier in the morning looking for other runners (who were probably still in bed!) I have covered 8.5k already so although I'm feeling a bit daft for getting the time wrong, I am also feeling a warm and yes, a somewhat smug, glow of having got my 2019 off to a good start.

I was 1036th over the finishing line at today's Park Run - lots of first timers/New Year Resolutioners - and I couldn't see anybody behind me, so I'm not expecting a particularly good time, but I've learned that getting out and being active is an achievement in itself, and I'm happy with that!

However you are spending New Year's Day, I hope it's a good one to give you a positive start to 2019!

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Well done you ! And even if you came last, you’re still ahead of millions of people who didn’t bother 😉

[Amerynthe Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

Thanks! I've just checked and 12 people came in BEHIND me. Their personal bests were all around 30 minutes, so either they were holding back to make me feel better (if so, thank you, I do feel better!) or they were hungover from new year. Whatever the reason, you are absolutely right - I got up out of my bed and put on my running gear and I got out there, while millions of others rolled over, complained about their hangovers, and went back to sleep! Every one of us in this programme is a winner in my eyes! XXX

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Amerynthe]

So true. We’re all just pure magic 😁 And someone has to come last !

[Amerynthe Graduate in reply to ButtercupKid]

we are just Dynamo and David Blaine all rolled into one! X

[ButtercupKid Graduate in reply to Amerynthe]

You said it ! 😁

[Poppy8900 Graduate]

Well done,it’s such a liberating feeling starting the new year on a positive note.

I am recently graduated so over the festive time I have been running 30 minutes on alternating days-trying to counteract the pringles & wine -and I was delighted to have the commitment to run this morning.

Enjoy the success and happy new year x

[Amerynthe Graduate in reply to Poppy8900]

You are so right, Poppy, commitment and counteracting pringles and wine - best way forward into 2019! Happy new year with more runs than Pringles to you too!

[ktsok Graduate]

Well done, that’s really impressive. I felt a bit self-conscious running past four farmers the other morning (usually it’s just sheep observing). Kudos for running with over 1000 people!

[Amerynthe Graduate in reply to ktsok]

LOLOL more than 1000 people passed me, but my lovely Sis-In-Law stayed by my side and kept telling me that she was holding me back because she only wanted to walk, and told me that without her she was sure I'd be at the front of the pack. It's not true, she's fitter than me, but it helped me no end!

[ktsok Graduate in reply to Amerynthe]

Your sister-in-law sounds lovely! And I’m still impressed - I still try to nose breathe, straighten up and suck it in when I go past people. Clearly that isn’t sustainable for 5k 😂

[Amerynthe Graduate in reply to ktsok]

A man pushing a buggy, with his other child on a scooter, passed us today around the 4k mark. I just about had the strength to say, 'Can I borrow your scooter, please?' Sadly the child just looked very scared and scooted away, leaving me to stagger on behind, panting like a hound! It can only get better the harder we try!

[UnfitNoMore Graduate]

Yeah, Christmas and new year times can vary... could have been worse though, you could have driven to another to try and get the double in 😂😂

Nice running. Happy new year.

[Amerynthe Graduate in reply to UnfitNoMore]

LOLOL My sister-in-law isn't going to let either of us forget that for the rest of the year!

[Sandie1961 Graduate]

Well done Amerynthe! Over 1000 runners is huge but I bet the atmosphere was incredible.

[Amerynthe Graduate in reply to Sandie1961]

It was pretty special, and I'm looking forward to doing more runs this year.

[Janfran Graduate]

Well done, Amerynthe. I too did a park run yesterday, in fact my very first one. Mine started at 9 but there was apparently another one nearby starting at 10.30 for those wanting to do both. I came 223rd out of 228, and I managed to run the full 5k, so I’m pleased with myself. Over 1000 runners sounds quite daunting.

[Amerynthe Graduate in reply to Janfran]

Well done for running the full 5k - I can only manage around 3 - 3.5k in one go at the moment! It's fun, though (when it's over!)