Park run question

[Glitterjav]

To all those of you who have done a park run, could you tell me about your experience of it. Just wondered how it actually works, as in the practicalities, how you get your time etc. Thanks 😊

[Bazza1234 Graduate]

Go here parkrun.com/ and click on which country you are in. Then on your countries Parkrun website , go to "Register". Follow the instructions and you will get a Barcode to print out. Take your barcode with you to your local parkrun event and after your run or walk, they will email you your time for that event.

[Glitterjav Graduate in reply to Bazza1234]

Thanks.

[Dragonjnr Graduate]

Bazza is right - don’t forget your barcode becomes a bit of a mantra, as you don’t get your time without it!

I’ve been walking at my local parkrun since December and they’re a lovey friendly bunch. The tail walkers always make sure you’re not last and have given me endless tips and encouragement (I’m always at the back end!).

There will be a “first timers” briefing, so make sure you listen to that on your first visit (parkrun itself starts at 9am, so make sure you’re early on your first one) and have a lovey walk/jog/run. At the end you’ll usually enter a funnel - at the start of that the timekeepers will click their stop watch for every person, and at the end of that, you’ll be passed a parkrun token. Somewhere nearby will be a couple of people scanning those tokens and your own barcode, and that’s how they work out your time. When you register you can set it up for email and notifications.

I’ve started to make friends within the volunteers who marshal now. I also started my C25k training so I wouldn’t feel so bad for keeping them out in the cold for an hour. I started at 57 minutes and last week I did it in just over 50 (week 5 run 3 included, and a little bit of extra jogging) - beyond impressed with myself, and them for their unwavering support.

[Glitterjav Graduate in reply to Dragonjnr]

Thank you 😊

[Kertesz in reply to Dragonjnr]

Hiya! Can I ask roughly what time the newbies talk might happen? Thanks.

[Whatsapp Graduate in reply to Kertesz]

A couple of minutes prior to the run.

[Dragonjnr Graduate in reply to Kertesz]

It’ll vary at each parkrun but ours takes place around 8.45/8.50am, prior to the main briefing for everyone that they do each week. It doesn’t take too long but they give you a bit more detail about the course and any hazards to keep an eye out for.

[molly1973 Graduate]

There is loads of advice on the parkrun website that Bazza has linked to: plus specific advice for each separate parkrun event in their own webpage. Aim to get there early enough to have a warm up and hear the new runner’s briefing, and join the group (but not too near the front unless you expect to be charging off at a sprint!). There will be loads of support and encouragement and you ca also sign up for a text alert as well as an email when you register. Enjoy it, and let us know how you get on!

[Glitterjav Graduate in reply to molly1973]

Thank you 😊

[Pianism Graduate]

I think the guys above have covered all the details brilliantly. All I'd say is please don't feel any sense of nervousness or trepidation. My experiences of parkrun have been nothing but positive! People are so friendly and supportive of those who are just starting (to the point where people now seek me out to tell me how well I'm doing after a few runs). When I first started I just found the tail-walker and introduced myself as their company for the run. My first time was 47 minutes - a teeny bit of running and a fairly brisk walk for nearly all of it.

Whatever happens, please do give it a go and enjoy yourself. Ps - don't get carried away - you may feel like you want to significantly exceed where you are on the programme but I did this and have had to pay the price by completely resting for a week (or maybe two) as it aggravated my Achilles!).

[Glitterjav Graduate in reply to Pianism]

Thank you 😊

[runwithdog Graduate]

i done my first one last week and still buzzing from it.i was only on week 4 so i walked a bit and lolloped a bit.there were people of all shapes/sizes/ages/with dogs/with pushchairs.some ran and some walked round.

everyone lines up at the start then a horn goes at 9am.the fast people are at the front speed off with everyone following,a lot walked here for the warmup to get going.

everyone was really friendly and helpful.when we got to the end there was a taped off funnel where you were given a barcode token,carried on down a little then had both your barcodes scanned and the token one( you give back) .

i,too was really nervous about going but cant wait to go again and wish i had done it b4.

good luck.you will be fine !!!

[Glitterjav Graduate in reply to runwithdog]

Thank you 😊

[Glitterjav Graduate]

Thank you for all your helpful replies. I’m on W8 at the mo so a park run is still a way off yet. Just wondering though about the 5 minute warm up walk before a run, do you do that before you start as part of the actual park run itself?

[Dragonjnr Graduate in reply to Glitterjav]

It’s entirely your call ... before you start might mean that you run the whole 5k and have a super dooper time?!

[Glitterjav Graduate in reply to Dragonjnr]

I don’t think that’s possible yet!

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

We recommend to those mid programme wanting to do parkrun that they just follow their C25K programmed workout and walk the remainder, to avoid being tempted to do too much too soon.

You can register your club as NHS C25K. It is going to be wet this weekend so get your barcode laminated.

Parkrun is like this forum writ large........ everybody will be willing to answer your questions, so don't be shy.

Have a great time.

[billiboy12]

Do you need to get a barcode every time you go on a park run?

[Dragonjnr Graduate in reply to billiboy12]

No, you keep the same one and use it over and over.

[E27M14 Graduate]

I’ve just registered and plan to do my first parkrun this weekend. Not really sure why i’m nervous! I know where it is, I have walked the route before many times with my dog, and I know I can run 5k. Still nervous though 😊

[novice57]

I feel this same, despite all the reassurances. I'm planning on going to my first parkrun tomorrow and I'm sure once I've finished I'll be pleased with myself for going, regardless of how well I run. Let me know how you get on.

[Pollyc3]

Hi there! I'm now on my 9th parkrun and love it! There's always a first timers briefing at every Parkrun so you know what's going on. Tell someone that you're new and you will be welcomed and pointed in the right direction. Have fun and enjoy it!

[dory950 Graduate]

I didn’t start Park run until I had completed c25k as I wanted to run it . I didn’t know anything about park run so I decided to go and have a look first before I did it . I found the run director and chatted with her and she explained how it all worked

You will love it . I have been doing it just over a year including volunteering too . You will love it

[Glitterjav Graduate in reply to dory950]

That’s a good idea thanks. Think I’m apprehensive about going from running on my own with hardly anyone around (which I love!), to being surrounded by lots of people. Like I say, it’s a while off yet for me, but maybe I’ll go and spectate first. Thanks 😊

[dory950 Graduate in reply to Glitterjav]

I know what you mean I run alone and I do get a bit nervous but as soon as it starts it’s fine . I think you will love it! Amazing when you finish with lots of people clapping and cheering

[Glitterjav Graduate in reply to dory950]

I didn’t know that people did that! 😀