W5R3 and first Parkrun - both on the same day!! Just wanted to share in case it might help anxious others!

[Kertesz]

This weekend was The Dreaded One - where I live I have hills to the left and a fast main road to the right. 'I need to get me some flat' I thought. I'd heard that the Parkrun in a nearby town had no humps and thought I might trace its course on Sunday. Then on Friday this video entitled 'Parkrun perceptions versus reality' arrived in my inbox. youtu.be/hug98xPMTlo(Not working as expected?)

By the time I'd seen the young, the old, the buggies, the dogs... the runner dressed as a camel - and been assured REPEATEDLY that the course could be walked, jogged, run... (or even hopped if that took my fancy!), I decided to take part.

I turned up at about 8.45am... there were RIVERS and RIVERS of people descending to the playing fields... happy, chatting - all shapes, ages and sizes. A tannoy announced the newbie welcome meeting, which was very helpful. Then it was nearly time to start, so I positioned myself somewhere between the buggies and the dogs. We were told to give ourself a clap and a cheer for turning up... a klaxon sounded... AND WE WERE OFF. Well, everyone else was - I had made the not-so-moral-boosting decision to do my five minute warm up as part of the run... Because there was so much distraction, the first five minutes of the actual run went in a flash... we'd been told the middle point was half way round the lake, so that didn't feel too bad... third five mins do-able... last five I cranked up the headphones and told myself 'It's only half an Arctic Monkey and a Scissor Sister and I'm done'. As I walked into my cool down an encouraging marshall shouted 'Not far now...!' And I realised I still had some life in my legs (I'd slow-jogged the whole run), so jogged/walked to the finish. I can not tell you the BUZZ of completing... to be part of a group of 621 runners and feel encouragement all the way. A totally feel good experience...

As I walked back to my car, a cheerful builder shouted, 'Broken any records?!'

'Nope', I said... 'But I've just done my first Parkrun'

'Excellent... good work,' he said. And it was.

Thanks to everyone who's offered support here (my shoulders were fine, thanks to tips from the forum!), and anyone who volunteers for Parkrun and helps make it happen. I'll give some time back when C25K is over!! If you're worried about W5R3, like so many before have said... trust the programme. And if you're considering a Parkrun... watch the video link above - it might just convince you.

[SeeJillRun Graduate]

That sounds amazing!! Well done! I’m very tempted by parkrun but although my nearest one is only 10 minutes in the car, by bus it’s not so easy. Plus I’ve never run in the morning cos I need lots of food inside me first. Hoping to have a car soon though so just need to try a morning run out if if it goes ok I’ll be off! 🏃‍♀️

[SeeJillRun Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

Love the video 😂😂

[Kertesz in reply to SeeJillRun]

Oooh, I hope you do - it’s worth it for feeling part of a ‘running’ community alone! X

[SeeJillRun Graduate in reply to Kertesz]

I’m sure I will as soon as I’m back behind the wheel. It sounds like loads of fun 😁😁

[E27M14 Graduate in reply to SeeJillRun]

I don’t normally run in the morning either, I did the parkrun yesterday. I had a slice of toast about an hour before and it was fine.

[SeeJillRun Graduate in reply to E27M14]

I’m not sure a slice of toast would cut it for me, my blood sugar tends to drop if I don’t eat enough. Having said that, I’ve just done 40 minutes of yoga n been fine. I know it’s not quite the same but it’s still exercise so I’m counting it lol

[damienair Graduate]

Fantastic post and well done on your first Parkrun. I think it’s a lovely way to finish off a week on the C25K plan. Do Parkrun as run 3 of each week. I am a big Parkrun fan. It is my favourite part of the weekend now.

Best wishes on the rest of the plan, your over half way now.

Damien

[Kertesz in reply to damienair]

Ah thanks Damien... And yes! That’s exactly what I thought I’d do from now on - have a Parkrun as my final run of the week... good luck with your own training!

[ButtercupKid Graduate]

Terrific ! Well done you ⭐️

[Kertesz in reply to ButtercupKid]

Aw thanks... I still appear to be buzzing from the experience!! 😬

[damienair Graduate in reply to Kertesz]

I buzz from the experience every week after Parkrun and yesterday I did my 31st at a new course which was up and down trail hills and I got a new Parkrun PB time of 28:25. I’m still buzzing.

Damien

[Kertesz in reply to damienair]

Oh wow!! Amazing - well done you! Yesterday afternoon, my husband and I walked our dog round the local Parkrun course - super hilly!!! I couldn’t even imagine being able to run it - so I utterly respect your achievement!!

[Cfc55 Graduate]

Congratulations sounds like you had a blast 👍! Glad to hear the shoulder pain didn’t come back, maybe being in the middle of all those people helped relax you! Now you’ve done the 20 minutes non stop u so have this in the bag 🙂!